William observes the scene and Daniella calmly. A slight frown forms on his face and stays there for a while, until his expression changes back to his usual state.
She's right, but if discipline and peace do not come from within, force from without only has so much effect.
On the other hand, he could understand all to well why things might have gotten out of hand. At least nobody was injured or killed.
No.
There was a burning in him, and he could not deny it was there or quench it otherwise with discipline and restraint. And before he thought things through properly, he yelled:
"PERMISSION TO SPEAK TO THE MEN, COMMANDER!"
The Siphe Garra moves on towards the outpost that was reported to have been attacked. The Commander and the Sovereign Lord seem to be in their own conversation for much of the trip, but then a bugler sends out the signal that the outpost is in sight.
"Think about it, we'll talk later," Jaedon Siphe says to the Toranite commander. Then he calls over the bugler, "Signal battlestance Ausir then inform Arak of the Fourth to take his group east and sweep the gullies in that area before joining us at the outpost." The bugler nods and immediately places the instrument to his lips after which the Siphe Garra swing into a flurry of action and approach the outpost.
Jaedon joins a small assault group in the front line and sweeps forward towards the outpost. The small stone construction looks as quiet as a tomb. Daniella signals her men to surround the area to keep it secure, she then joins Jaedon in the searching of the campsite. Before long she reaches the door and moves inside where Jaedon is already inside with some of his men surveying the scene. She notifies Lord Siphe of an evil taint in the area that is slowly fading. Its empty inside the structure. Bedrolls are intact, a table has several plates with some rotting food on them, some only half eaten. After several hours its clear none of the remaining outpost's bodies can be found.
The two survivors are brought into the area and interrogated by Jaedon for another hour or two over the incidences a few days ago. Finally, Daniella calls Jaedon aside and whispers to him, likely asking him to call off the interrogation. The men, it seemed, were attacked at dusk. The shadows came from nowhere and surrounded them. They fought the best they could until the fourth rank ordered a retreat. Only two of them had made it back to return to the main city.
Siphe considers Daniella's words very carefully it seems, then turns back to some of his men.
"Set up camp, we stay here tonight, we'll leave early and return to the city. I want full patrols sweeping the roughlands at a five mile perimeter from this point and I want to know immediately anything is found out of the ordinary." He looks back at Daniella, steel in his eyes.
"Someone wanted us here, lets see if we can find out why."
**********************************
Hours later, night has fallen and the sounds around the camp are kept to a minimum. Not long past dark there is a scream in the night and the entire camp leaps into action forming a tight defensive perimeter around the small stone structure that housed the border unit. Those who can sense evil can feel that it seems to be closing in from each direction. Within minutes of the warning Jaedon moves to Daniella's side and darker shadows move through the dark of the night. As Daniella draws her sword the light illuminates the area clearly identifying the looming shadows and causing them to draw back at the intensity of its radiance. To the surprise of many, the creatures seem to have some sort of draconic features and yet do not resemble Myr'drachs in that sense. That they are shadows is very clear.
They waver at the edge of Daniella's sword's brilliant light and suddenly Jaedons voice booms out, "Who are you? What do you want here?"
There is no answer at first then one shadow glides forward straining at the edge of the radiance. It speaks in a series of soft whispers that are somehow clearly audible to all those nearby.
"Our master bids us to tell you that Ractrafiorez has taken that which is not his to take. But the master is willing to compromise. Five healthy slaves for each one of his servants you slew, Jaedon Siphe, and from your Master an oath bound in our magic not to act against us again."
There are several moments of silence before Jaedon speaks again. "I will have to speak to Him about that."
"You have three cycles of the moons, after that it will be war." At the last words the shadows fade away into the darkness of the night.
Jaedon has a pained look on his face as he sheaths his blades once more. "It was only a matter of time before Shadrixkayl showed his hand." He sighs deeply.
As the shadows retreat, Daniella looks at Jaedon in the eyes, her features hardened and determined. "We need to talk, Lord Siphe, and this time, you need to explain exactly what is going on. I can't help you if you're going to keep secrets from me. When we get back to the city, I want answers."
His eyes harden to match Daniella's. "I do not have to explain myself to anyone. What I have done has been done for the good of my people." His hands clench tightly and the anger he feels is obvious. He strides past Daniella, leaving Arak of the Fourth standing by himself obviously embarrassed at being present when his Lord has shown such open anger.
Daniella watches him go, then quietly speaks to Arak of the Fourth, "I'll talk to him. Just follow your orders, we need all of us to return to the city safely."
//taken from PMs, much of this was written by Dezza- to give credit where credit is due