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“Besides, the battle in the north is not over yet.” Ulric took the discussion back from the unsavory discussion. Taal and Rhya however are already pilfering Kostner’s supplies to make some food.

“Should I send my wolf to hunt its corrupted part?” Ulric asks as he joins his brother and sister-in-law. Finding some decent wine amongst Kostner’s supplies and what’s better than a good drink just after waking up.

“Oh that? You don’t need to worry about that.” Taal reassures Ulric while Kostner can only sigh. The witch hunter can only write a note to acquire more supplies and perhaps expand his hideout.

“That wine is a gift and you don’t get to drink it before I get the first glass.” Kostner shoves his notes to his pocket and tries to control his guests.

—

“This is not what you report Bertrand! I thought you were better.” A man with elaborate blue-lacquered plate armor and golden skull cap, a well trimmed gray-blond beard adorn his handsome face, shouts in anger as he commands his men on Salzemund’s wall. He is Theoderic Gausser, the Grand Baron of Nordland.

“Burn only those that climb the wall!” He shouts again as swings his Runefang, cleaving a climbing treant’s hand clean. Bertrand does the same but with brute force rather than with a magical sword.

“SHUT UP!” Then come another much older voice that finally silence the ruckus at the tower

“Control your wizards!” Gausser commands Bertrand. While the Eonir have failed to fulfill their end of the treaty, he intends to maintain it. After demanding compensation of course.

Then a loud horn sounds. From the south came knights in amber coloured plate armor, all riding demigryphs and the banner of the Great Stag held high. Followed by a horde of wild beasts. The knight’s halberds shatter the legs of the treants as they charges while riderless demigryphs and dire bears rampages on the dryads and the treant that falls. Then griffons and great eagles swoops in, snatching dryads on top of the wall and throwing them down. The battle continues for another half an hour or so before all the corrupted tree spirits are destroyed.

Salzemund’s west gate opens as Gausser along with his bodyguards comes out and greet the knights. Bertrand and his men meanwhile are still helping on the walls. Carrying those that can be healed to the druids though of course many refused to be tended by wizards

“Which knight order are those?” One of the fire wizards asks as he burns the remains of a dryad on the wall. Closing his nose as the smell is unbearable.

“Taal’s Fury. What brings them this far north from Talabecland?” A witch hunter answered.

“Whatever it is, all of you will be briefed later.” Bertand shut off the discussion as he observe the back and forth between the Grand Baron and the Knight Captain

“Faris, come with me. I might need your insight.”

“Sure. I can speak with the Celestial wizards later.” Said the Witch Hunter captain as he and Bertand climb down the wall