Forgotten Realms:

Angels and Demons

Part XXII

So it began. Kirann set about shaping the individual bands into a cohesive entity. Walton took the fighters and paladins, and he tested their skills. Lorinda the druids and rangers, while Val kept an eye on the rogues. Leilani took up the spellcasters, like the sorcerers and wizards. Interesting enough, Manheim took the few warlocks to the side, but didn't seem too interested in bringing them together. Raven was by the monk's side, as he gathered the leaders of each band.

Kirann had the daunting task of bringing these leaders, people used to calling the shots, into line. He started off by having them all sit in a circle, their weapons all laid out in front of them. Some made a stink because he had no weapon in front of him. However, he fixed this by finding an oil lamp and lighting it with one of sun beams. This seemed to placate the other leaders, or intimidated them.

Raven kept her face neutral, even as she wanted to crack up in laughter. Not knowing Kirann, most of the other leaders were jockeying for power with him. However, his calm and unassuming demeanor threw them off. His spartan speech and laconic humor kept them guessing as to his intent. Meanwhile, she could read his mood and realized he was studying them all. Looking at them with that unique view of his, she knew he was determining which ones were speaking truly.

Eventually the leaders relaxed, all thinking that they had a bead on him. They did get to explaining ideas they had for the defense of Altamar. Unsurprisingly each one thought they had the best idea. One wanted to do hit and run attacks on the Orcs, starting a guerilla front. Another wanted to summon an army of undead or demons to fight the invading horde. Still another wanted to use their warlocks to spread a massive plague amongst the invaders.

Kirann shot down the massive army of undead and demons. Such a force would cause more issues with the defenders, and could be more trouble than they would be worth. He also shot down the plague idea, as that could easily spread to the defenders or even to the local life around the city. The hit and run attacks had merit, though. A small task force could harass the Orcs, but it would be very dangerous for those in the task force.

"How many are in your band?" Kirann asked.

The leader growled, his voice scratchy from a previous injury, "My band is six, no more, no less. A stronger band you'll never meet, as we'll beat any who come at us."

"I'm not sure six would be a big enough threat, to pull the attention away," Raven said.

Kirann smiled, "More you will need, but not because lack of strength. If we send another six band of fighters, they can reinforce yours. Two more magic centric bands would compliment this plan."

"I object, we are more than just a compliment to a bunch of numbskulls and ham fists!" one of the mage adventuring groups yelled.

Raven interjected, "You have the power of the arcane, and they have physical power. Together you are stronger than alone."

"Yes, they can't complete this objective without you," Kirann added in. "Nor could you use your more powerful spells alone. For this to succeed, we need you both working together."

The gathered leaders looked at the two who had been objected, who looked like they were ready to throw down. Whether it was with each other, or with Kirann, nobody could guess. Because, they truly didn't look like they cared who was going to be fought, just that a fight was needed. Still, Kirann tried to keep the peace, it was for naught.

The mage leader shot up and sent out a spell aimed directly at the fighter leader. Lightning erupted out, and landed where the fighter had been. A dagger flew from the fighter, and the mage quickly started out a shield incantation. Kirann moved faster than both. First he moved the fighter out of the way of the lightning attack, and pulled the flying dagger out of the air. He threw it back at the fighter, with it landing to the fighter's right. He then shot out a flame cone, that caused the mage to jump aside.

"That is quite enough!" Kirann growled. "If you want fight, the Orcs are outside."

"I didn't even see him move!" one of the other leaders whispered to his neighbor to the right.

"Fast as lightning, that one is," the other leader agreed.

Kirann switched his view back and forth between the two, "Now are we going to work together?"

"I don't need their help!" the fighter leader said.

Kirann smiled, "Then let's see how you do against me."

Pulling his ki up, he thrust out another flame cone. The fighter managed to grab his sword, but found the heat of fire washing over him. He turned, only to a sun beam bounce off his metal armor. The fighter tried to move, but found another blast throwing him off balance. By the time his sword and shield were up, another flame cone kept him on the defensive.

"Your armor protects you," Kirann said. "Yet, you can't get near me. In this battle you start off with a disadvantage. The Orcs have magic users, we've faced them."

The mage leader started to laugh, till he found a fist inches away from his face. The mage pinwheeled back, losing his balance and landing on his backside hard. Before he could move, a falling foot came for him. Rolling, the mage had to keep on the move and couldn't concentrate to pull a spell out. Finally, he managed to stand, only for a pulsating palm hit, and found himself paralyzed.

Kirann kept the mage standing, "You have great power, useless if you can't bring it to bear." He then turned back toward the fighter. "United you may succeed, divided you will die."

"I believe the man has a point," another leader said. "My party will join the harassing force."

A druid leader nodded, "My druids will assist as well. We can bring the forest alive, and cause terror amongst the Orcs."

"The trick will be getting our harassing force out," another said. "With the Orcs encircling, we'd be hard pressed to move them."

"Ships," Raven said. "We can use the merchant ships to move them down the coast, and have the harassing group move back up."

"That could work," one of the others said. "I've got a captain that owes me a favor or two."

"Good. Now, the rest of us," Kirann went on.

For the next hour, the leaders all argued and planned on how to add to the city's defenses. By the end of the meeting, each band was set to reinforce the allied guards and soldiers around Altamar. The Challengers were the only group that was set to float between areas that might need them. Manheim wasn't happy about this, as he wasn't looking forward to running back and forth during the coming battle.

Kirann retired to the peace of the cathedrals. He sighed as he let the stress of the meeting rolled off of him. So many people, so many personalities, and all had to be managed. He knew that his little display could have made him two powerful enemies, it was necessary. These groups were used to depending on themselves and had little need for someone looking over their shoulders.

This was a burden he wouldn't have asked for. That being said, at least he had his people with him. He knew them, and what they could do. If he had to go into battle, at least it was with allies he could trust. Not that he didn't trust the other groups, as they had quickly fallen in line after his little demonstration.

With that out of the way, came the thoughts of how all this could all go wrong. That only made the weight on his shoulders seem to grow. All this responsibility, with everything they had all been through, he was looking for a rest. Not that he didn't want to be out seeing the world or adventuring. No, what was coming was war, and something far different than what he had set out for originally.

As and Aasimar, he felt the need to protect and seek out Evil to destroy. A part of him looked forward to the coming battle. Pitting his skills against the forces of darkness, and to protect a city full of people with promise, called to him. It was the duality of the ideal versus the reality. He was protecting a city and people who could turn to Good or Evil, and many of them, including his own people, may not survive the battle.

"Copper for your thoughts," Raven said, coming up behind Kirann.

He smiled, "I think I need a vacation."

She rubbed his back, "I think you deserve one after this. Are you okay?"

Kirann nodded, "Yeah. How are you doing? I drug you into that meeting. Sorry about that."

"Don't apologize," she said. "I think you did well. I will admit, it is interesting to see how you solve problems. Makes how you annoy Manheim even more hilarious."

"He annoys himself," Kirann explained. "To him, the reward is power and wealth. Instead the experience is the reward."

Despite herself, Raven smiled, "You're a good man, Kirann. I think you see the best in others, sometimes when there isn't any."

"We all have good in us," Kirann said. "Happenstance, choice, we can all choose it."

Raven shook her head, "Come on, let's get you some food and some rest."

The monk and the warlock left to find the necessities of life. The rest of their party soon broke from their duties and did the same. The gathered adventurers they had been working with indulged at the taverns open, but managed to keep things civil enough, that the guard wasn't needed. That in itself was a miracle, as adventurers were known for their rowdiness with drink.

While Altamar braced for what was to come, the Orcs followed a Fallen Aasimar with bone wings. This bard had scarred hands, that still pained him as he played his magical instruments. The Pied Piper looked over the horde that was his boss' army. They were strong, and thanks to the Boss, well equipped. Where the weapons had come from, the Pied Piper didn't know, but the Boss had come through.

For the Piper though, he was hoping for a chance at the Aasimar monk who had burned him. Healed as he had been, he was left with scars. If the monk hadn't been another Aasimar, the Pied Piper would have just planned a quick, violent death. Instead, he wanted to make the monk die horribly. If it could be done, with the monk being broken first, then the Pied Piper would be ecstatically gleeful.

"Piper," the voice of the Boss roared to life. "The city of Altamar is preparing, they know you are there."

"They will still fall," the Pied Piper reflexively said.

The Boss' voice didn't change much, "You have the numbers. Beware, as the adventurers who interfered with our plans, are in the city."

"Good!" the Pied Piper's face became alive with anger. "I will destroy him!"

This time the Boss did change his tone, "Beware, lest your anger blinds you to the danger of this group. They interfered with our plans and destroyed the Orcs under your command."

"That won't happen," the Pied Piper said. "I have learned from my last battle with him."

The boss went on, "Possibly. However, your real goal is to find our target. Our Orcs will raze the city to the ground. Only after you have completed your task, can you seek out the adventuring group, and the monk you so desire. Do you understand?"

"Yes," the Pied Piper agreed before walking away to let his anger burn.

Forces set in motion, destiny moved forward, as it was wont to do. Beings aligned with those forces set onto the board, and ready for battle. Their efforts either to win the day or damn them all. For the battle was more than they realized, and worth the struggle. Who remained afterwards was up to the roll of the dice.