Chapter 38: They are here

Being by Isha’s side is like having a VIP pass. Nobody asks questions, and you can enter everywhere you want. I have already been at the Governor’s mansion several times, but it always amazes me how bureaucracy-free it is with her.

“Oh, Isha! You are here!” The Governor says just as he sees her.

“Yes. The Relic Shield is complete.” She answers back.

“Perfect. Can we be alone to discuss a fe-”

“No,” she interrupts even before the Governor can end the phase. “Mark will be staying by my side.” I try to hide it, but I’m not sure I successfully hide the redness coming to my cheeks. It might seem like nothing, but Isha’s gesture is a great deal towards me.

“Ha…” The Governor sighs, surely not convinced by the idea.” Okay, okay... I trust in your judgment.”

After some long minutes of discussion, by the looks of it, he was afraid I would leak some of the information they had to discuss. So far, they’ve talked about the most probable course the rats will follow, which unsurprisingly is attacking the West gate and walls by brute force.

Our strategy, relatively simple, has also been touched. To sum it up, it will consist of long-range archers decimating their own archers. At the same time, the mages will focus on more immediate threats. Melee units will be on standby near the gates in case they break-in. Some will also be stationed by the walls to repeal any climber.

We are relying, perhaps a bit too much for my taste, on the assumption that they will attack only one gate. They are wild beasts, and it’s true that they didn’t show much strategic planning on Draka. If, god forbids it, they attack from the opposite side… we are fucked. I have to stop using god in my phrases…

And the Governor wanted to keep this conversation private? Everything’s so evident and plain; I could just have guessed it.

“Take this.” I am forcefully brought back from my thoughts, only to be met with the Governor’s hand holding a bag.

“Ah? Thank you?” I say without much conviction, unsure why he would give that to me.

“Do you think I’m gifting you a bag?” He erupts into a big laughter. I’m sure my face and confused answer have helped a bit. “Open it.”

I do as he says, carefully taking a belt out of its pong and frame, and revealing the contents inside. Three small flasks. Tiny containers with narrow necks and a widened bottom. Filled to the brim with a greyish substance and closed with a cork. What’s this?

“It’s the closest thing you will find to a mana potion.” He must have noticed I didn’t know what they were and answered even before I could ask him.

“What do you mean by ‘closest thing’?” I repeat his words.

“Potions that immediately restore mana are rare and expensive. Not even I can afford to have many. These ones boost your mana absorbance rate. During 60 seconds, you will be able to absorb triple your natural rate.”

“Oh! They are perfect then!” I could combine them with my staff’s effect and get 900 mana. “If it’s not too much to ask, how are they made?”

“I’m afraid I can’t answer this question,” he shrugs. “I don’t know the recipe, but even if I knew, it’s still a trade secret of the alchemist union.”

“Ah, I understand.” And I really do, it’s just a real pity. “It’s just that if we could mass-produce them, both the army and the adventurers would greatly benefit.”

“Of course, I know… I’ve tried before…” His sight lost on the horizon, probably remembering all the attempts. “But they always say that the materials are rare and would not allow for such production rates.”

“Really? Then maybe it would be best if you kept these potions. Or at least some of them, I don’t need so many.” I offer him the bag back as I say the words.

“No, no. We actually managed to buy a good batch of them this time around. We even have some to spare.”

“Really?” Could it be… “would you happen to know if they’ve been able to up their production during the last four to five days?”

“I think so, yes. Why?”

“Oh, just curious. I’m glad they found a way to contribute to the war.” I knew it! My staff has this mana-gathering effect since they attached the tusks. And their production magically increased at about the same time we sold all those tusks? It can’t be a coincidence.

When all of this is over, we have to get our hands on a good alchemist and start investing in research. Mana potions are rare? All I hear is demand and the clink clink of money clashing together. So, until then, I’ll hide all my cards and play dumb.

“Ah indeed, our mages will get much more sustain this way.”

The conversation slowly goes back to its original theme. Truth be told, I’m involuntarily distancing my mind from it. Like when you hear something but are not actually listening.

There’s something that’s nagging me a bit, tho. “If I may,” I interrupt both of them. I don’t even know what they were going on about now, but I don’t care.

They turn almost at the same time, and Isha takes the lead. “Yes?”

“I was just thinking… all these strategies talk about the army. From positions to rotations, everything is considering only the army. What role do adventurers play here? How are they supposed to coordinate with the soldiers?”

“We’ve thought of it,” the Governor takes the word, “and we’ve come to the conclusion that adventurers are a rogue element. Incorporating them into our battle formations is impossible; they lack military training and diligence.”

“While that might be true, don’t you think some communication is key if we want them to help?”

“What do you propose?”

Uh, nothing? I was trying to make you elaborate on the plans! I inwardly complain. “Me? At the very least, let the ranged classes up the walls and assign them to one of your commanders. They are not trained, true, but I bet most will be able to follow simple orders like attack, retreat, or hold fire.”

After a long pause during which he caresses his beard, he finally comes to terms. “I guess that’s doable. Arrange for all the willing adventurers to be outside in an hour’s time.”

Fuck, an hour? I immediately set out to write a message to my friends. Basically, something along the lines of ‘spread the word!’. Also, an entry to the forums can’t be missing. All in all, it only takes me 10 minutes to set all the gears spinning. Let’s see if it will be enough.

“Actually…” I once again interrupt them. This time, however, as soon as they turn, I keep going. “There was something else I wanted to ask. What about healers?”

“Healers… I would like to say we are covered, but…” his words seem not to come out, each of them paining him at the soul.

“The army has no healers. They are all affiliates to the church of Jonas.” Isha offers to continue the explanation. “And, as the church has no power on the army, neither does the army over the church.”

“Bu-” Isha raises a finger to stop me from talking.

“But the church would also suffer if Irisgarth falls, right? The faith of Jonas is spread well beyond our walls. Actually, in the power struggle, they would benefit from it.” Her face looks sad and tired. Her battle against the believers must have been going on for quite some time.

“We have requested their help.” He continues, having found his words again. “But they have yet to answer.”

“Then maybe we can recruit some of the adventurers. Healers are an advantage we have over them, and we shouldn’t just simply lose them.”

“Come here, let me show you our squads. You’ll be in charge of debriefing the adventurers and assigning them.”

Unlike before, now that I’m the center of attention, time flies rapidly. Much faster than what I would need to assimilate all the squads’ information, like positions, leaders, orders… There is just too much to memorize…

“Do you think I could keep a copy of this when organizing them?”

“You can take this very one.”

“Nice! This makes my jo-”

A double knock, strong and decisive, to the door interrupts me. “They are here.” The voice announces from the outside.

“It looks like your friends have arrived; time to prove yourself!” The Governor says while wooing me away with his hand.

Let’s see what we have, then.