Our visitors turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The first to come into sight, guided by one of Quu'za's harpies, were some of the human smugglers we had won for our case on the way here. Not just that, there numbers seemed to have swelled and they were leading mules along as well, each one loaded with sacks of various supplies. Tora nudges me in the side. “You were right. They ought to be more than capable to take care of the gathered loot.” She took a deep breath, sniffing the air. “And if my nose doesn't fail me, they brought some feed for the ibex as well.” She looked quite happy with that development. “They are fine with grass for now but for us to ride them into battle regularly they need more hearty feed.”

I nodded. She was right of course. If the rest of those sacks contained some more food the men and women would be more than happy as well. My mood brightened even further as the end of supply column came into view. There, riding on our mother's trusty giant ibex was my sister, accompanied by Eld'tide and a dozen warriors from my domain. I had been expecting Kaele but seeing her now still soothed my soul. Seeing my long time gorgon friend helped as well. She probably would return to the mountain pass fortress I had entrusted her with, with the smugglers tomorrow but seeing her still was nice. It hadn't been long since we last saw each other but after my foray into the human lands, however short it might have been so far, I still longed to go on a quiet little adventure with my sister and our friends again. Maybe once this madness was all over.

I wanted to rush out to greet them but I restrained myself. The chance that an enemy might be lurking about, waiting for a chance to get a good shot at me was pretty low, especially with Tortho's scouts securing the perimeter but I had to maintain an image as well now. Thus I waited at the opening in the earthen wall surrounding our encampment until they reached us together with my captain of the cavalry. It was a good thing that I didn't have to wait long. I made no attempt to keep the smile off my face as I greeted my sister and my friend, wrapping the latter into a tight hug and lifting the former from the saddle, despite her familiar's protests. “Its good to see you two again. Tell me, is everything alright at home? Any news I ought to know?”

The two of them returned the hugs with equal heartfelt relief. Just as I let Kaele go her little familiar pounced, climbing its mistress in two well calculated jumps, only to swipe at me with a mean sounding growl. Kaele caught the tree cat before it could go at me in earnest, scratching it under the chin to calm it down a little. Kaele rolled her eyes but the cat kept glowering at me, even as it started purring and drooling. “She is a little unhappy with you.” Eld'tide laughed at my sister's proclamation but Kaele kept talking without breaking stride as we headed a little deeper into the camp. “She is calling you fiend of forests. You probably should stop lighting them on fire.” The cat confirmed that with another, halfhearted swipe at me. And just as I evaded it she hit me in the face with her long tail.

I blinked and after a moment joined my sisters laughter. “I will try. I really will but I can't really make any promises.” I sighed and turned to look, as the trolls and giants started hurling the first heated rocks into the now abandoned village. Some crashed through walls others through wood or straw roofing. It didn't take long for the first smoke columns to rise above the human dwellings. “I will try. How about burning a village instead of a forest for starters?”

The cat didn't deign this suggestion with an answer. Kaele furrowed her brows though. “What about the people?” She looked around a little, probably looking for prisoners or recently dug graves.

I shook my head. “They surrendered without a fight and I allowed them to leave unmolested with whatever they could carry.” Kaele's relief at my words was pretty obvious. The same was true for Eld'tide and the few human smugglers still within earshot of us. “How about you plant some fruit bearing tree once the fire has gone out and the ashes have had some time to cool?”

Kaele patted her bag, probably containing the pouch of enchanted seeds, thoughtfully, before nodding. “I think I can do that.” She paused briefly, turning to exchange looks with Eld'tide, before facing me again. “You asked if we had any news and we indeed do have some.” She looked around, at the camp surrounding us, before lowering her voice to continue. “Maybe we should share them in private though. Just us, you and maybe your officers?”

I frowned but nodded anyway. If she didn't want to be overheard it probably was not good news or not exactly good news of some sort. I waved to catch the attention of the harpy that had led the supply caravan to our camp. “Get Tortho and Quu'za, please. Tell them to meet me at Yath'zur's position.” Before I could add anything else the harpy chirped eagerly and was off like the wind.

I noticed how the gaze of the cat in Kaele's arms followed the disappearing bird woman. I playfully swatted at the tail that was swishing about, earning a claw swipe in return once more. “You can play tag with one of them later you little rascal.” That earned me another laugh from my companions.

Once we had all calmed down again I motioned for Kaele and Eld'tide to follow me. We passed the mules that were already being unloaded and I paused briefly, tapping the leader of the human smugglers on the shoulder to get his attention. “Settle in for the night, once you are done unloading. I'll have someone show you the cargo for your return trip tomorrow.” The man grunted and nodded in agreement and I resumed walking towards the giant leader of my siege complement.

He greeted me with a smile. “Lady Keza.” Arngard, who was standing next to him, with a smoking pipe in his moth just nodded. Apparently the trolls and giants were already done. The stone piles next to the fires had disappeared. Yath'zur must have guessed what was on my mind. “Give it a little while. We launched some balls of oil drenched rags and kindling as well. Together with the heated stones the houses will go up in flames for sure. Especially with no one around to fight the fires.”

I turned towards the human mercenary officer. “I take it there was no one left behind?”

He nodded. “There wasn't a single human soul left inside the walls. We found a dog that had been left behind, chained to its hut and a cage with some songbirds in one house but that was it. We got those out as well.” He nodded to the cage of woven reed now dangling from the edge of the giant officer's shield. It was a pretty big cage and the two birds inside seemed rather agitated. They drew the attention of Kaele's familiar as well.

I sighed. Of course something like that was to be expected. Maybe they had been the pets of those who had been caught and killed in the collapse of the gatehouse after Yath'zur's initial bombardment. I patted the young giant's back. “Put a cloth over the cage. That should calm them down a little.”

Together we stared at the growing smoke columns above the village for a little while. I could already see the flickering light of spreading fires. Before I could dwell on it too long I caught sight of my master of scouts and the harpy accompanying him though. As a matter of fact Quu'za was pretty much running circles around him, much to his amusement.

Finally as they reached us the over energetic harpy came to a stop at my side. “you wanted to see us?”

The dark elf reached me a moment later, greeting my sister with a smile. “And I take it, it was not just so we could all watch a small town burning. Am I right?”

I cleared my throat, looking at my assembled officers. “My sister brings news and thought it prudent to share it with all of us, away from prying eyes and ears.” That got the attention of everyone. Tortho's face tightened slightly. He must have come to a similar conclusion as I did not too long ago. I motioned for Kaele to strep forward and speak up.

She swallowed hard. “A messenger from the army at the gap reached us not long after you left Caer'zoth. It seems that things are getting a little tight there. So far the armies have mostly been maneuvering in attempts to secure the best positions for a field battle.” She paused, swallowing once more and it was as if I could feel the hammer about to hit the anvil looming above our heads. “But the kings of the council have a lot more men. They are slowly cornering our great king's war host. He won't be able to avoid pitched battle for long like this. He wants you to move south as fast as you can to attack the northernmost enemy complements from the back. And your attack is to be the signal for him and his to join the battle as well.”