Chapter Two-Hundred Forty-Nine

Chapter Two-Hundred Forty-Nine

I cant believe the changeling actually found the enclave.

Jen, Boss, absently corrects Teemo as he studies the updated map.

Right, Jen. Not only has she infiltrated the town, but shes found sympathizers! It doesnt seem like theyre going to actively fight on our side, but they should be able to keep at least some of Silvervein from joining in the defense. Even more, we have not just the info for where the enclave is, but where the core is, also.

The enclave is pretty much right in the center of the Maws territory, and the sneaky delving scout group is trying to verify that before we make our actual move. The other scouting parties have been carefully guiding the tunnelbore ants. Weve been going slowly, not wanting to make too much noise and arouse any suspicion. We also havent gotten too close to the Maws territory with them just yet, either.

We have a rough idea of the range the Harbinger can sense thoughts, so its been a tricky thing to guide the ants to dig routes that stay far enough away from the known tunnels and passages. These are going to need to be a bit of a feint, I think, thanks to where the core is: the temple complex.

The main temple entrance is in Silvervein, but its vast and sprawling, and has a section that goes well into the Maws territory. I dont want to give the Maw credit, but its pretty clever. Most dungeons will have their cores deep in their territory, or nearby a valued enclave, at least from the ones Ive seen so far. The Maws is actually not too far from its borders. Its also in a kind of place that I think a lot of dungeons wouldnt think to check.

I wasnt expecting it to be there, at least. But from that position, it can have not only the clergy protect it, but easily bring denizens or even scions to bear for extra security. Id also bet the lions share of the iron maidens are going to be in there, along with a healthy dose of denizens to slow people down. The Maw has a lot of those types, so if it can bog down any hostiles, it can bring in other forces to destroy them.

The temple complex seems to be well, pretty complex, with lots of rooms, passages, and probably lots of secret doors to let the clergy and denizens move around freely, while confusing any would-be invaders. We know the rough way to where the core should be, but getting there is going to be easier said than done.

Leo, Honey, and Teemo are holding a bit of a briefing with the Stag, Aranya and a few other adventurers, and were all trying to figure out just what to do for the battle. Were looking at probably three major fronts: Silvervein, the temple complex, and the kobold enclave. The problem is the fronts are going to overlap a lot, and we could even consider the Maws territory in general to be another wide front, too.

Leo wuffs and looks unhappy, and I dont blame him as Teemo translates. Probably, but if either is stationed around the enclave, theyll probably kill the kobolds for mana before making for the core. Weve got some heavy hitters, but the Maw has a lot of easy ways to delay us. If we make it clear were going to reach the core, the Maw will probably have time to eat the enclave for the boost.

Everyone frowns at that information, and takes a few seconds to digest it. Keeping the Maw occupied probably wont be too difficult, and would probably keep the scions at or near where we expect them to be. But if we make any actual progress towards the enclave or the core, itll collapse its forces without us being able to do much, and probably kill the kobolds, too. Attacking the enclave might make it fight to protect them, or it might just kill them and turn the entire thing into a trap for us.

I have a vague idea, and though Teemo doesnt look like he likes it too much, he voices it to all gathered. Do you think Nova and I could sneak into the enclave and evacuate them before the Maw notices? Ill need an enchantment from Thing to handle the heat from her magma, but I should be able to make a shortcut even through the rock.

Leo and Honey consider it, and Aranya speaks up. Ill need to come with you. They will probably be suspicious of just you and Nova, but theyll know me. Theyll listen to me.

Leo borks and Honey buzzes, and Teemo translates. Well have to try to move them quickly, they say. The Maw will probably notice if their numbers start falling, so we wont have long before it responds. Well have to gather everyone before taking the shortcut, and hope we dont take so long the Maw notices us.

So we siege the Maw on all sides as a diversion, while Teemo, Nova, and Aranya make for the enclave. Once the kobolds are secure, Rocky, Fluffles, and Slash make for the core, summarizes the Stag, earning nods from my Warden and Librarian, with a minor correction from Teemo.

Well start the siege with Fluffles new trick. Hell probably need all of the Boss scions to help combo to make it work, too. Even if hell be the main caster for it, me, Slash, Rocky, Thing, Nova, and Queen should help. Its an incredibly powerful concept from the Boss, so itll need a lot of power to make it properly manifest.

I think the dwellers and I can help, too. Its powerful, but not especially complicated, if Im hearing Him right. I think we can help channel our faith to aid in it, follows Aranya, her hand moving to the amulet at her neck.

Even with me still feeling a bit uncomfortable about being a focus for faith, Im willing to take all the help I can get with this. The last thing I need is to fall to the very concept Im hoping to hit the Maw with.