The Birth of Fantasy

Chapter 67

I made sixteen of the Fireball shards that round, the last one came close to causing me to pass out. I had to make sure not to use more than two thousand of my mana in a fight, or I may regret it.

[ System Notification ]

Seven Rank D Jade Cores has given 84 Energy

Eight Rank C Jade Cores has given 128 Energy

5% Bonus: 9

222 Energy converted to 2220 Mana

I looked at my remaining cores, guesstimated how much Mana I could use for more shards, and made eight more of them before tossing the rest into my mouth.

[ System Notification ]

Four Rank B Jade Cores has given 80 Energy

Rank A Jade Core has given 24 Energy

5% Bonus: 5

109 Energy converted to 1090 Mana

My guess was a bit off, but not by much. I would regenerate the Mana over the next hour. I was content with the thirty-nine Fireball Shards. While the army slept outside the walls, I would begin to make my tunnels.

I went back upstairs and found Luin sleeping in the den's corner on top of a few of the bigger pillows. Jarrax was missing, probably asleep upstairs in his room. I slipped out the front door and headed towards the north wall.

I climbed up top and startled a napping Gnome, who probably should have been watching the army. He quickly got to his feet and gave me an embarrassed look. I shrugged the little guy off and looked over the wall towards the army.

It didn't make sense. How was an army of maybe five hundred soldiers going to take a town with damn cannons on its walls? There had to be something else going on, or a part of the army wasn't here yet. Even with my Nightvision, I couldn't see any siege equipment. There were just a large number of fires going with a handful of men tending them. I assumed the others were in their tents, sleeping.

"How long have they been camping out there?" I asked, looking down at the guard.

He yawned and stretched. "Been over a week now. They haven't had any reinforcements join them since. The only thing that's changed is a few of the Beastkin said they smell something odd when the wind shifts. I think it's because those filthy humans haven't showered in a week. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean you," he looked embarrassed again as he looked up at me.

"Don't worry, non-Human here. When did the smell start?"

"The day before last, I believe. Their war declaration's limit ends in four days. They either attack, flee, or become fair game for the town to hire the adventurers to clear them out."

"Their limit?" I asked.

"Yes, sir. You have two weeks after you give The Guild your formal declaration of war. The Guild can not interfere with either side for those two weeks during that time. When the war begins, The Guild closes shop for seventy-two hours, and they sit in their protected castle while we fight for our lives out here."

"I didn't know that part. Why don't you guys attack first?"

"Why? Look at them! There is less than a half league of men. We have stone walls and cannons. Why leave their protection."

"I understand. It just seems odd that they seem so calm while being so unprotected. Everything I've heard said they razed each town in a single night. Who's spreading that rumor? I can't fathom it unless they have a high-level caster or two sitting in that camp ready to take down your cannons and walls without worry."