Chapter 10 - Part 13

Ibraim stepped out of the longboat, and walked down to the end of the dock. Three warforged stood to greet him, their hands raised in salute. The one in front had the newly painted double arm stripes of a lieutenant.

“Lord Ibraim,” it said. He saluted, and they dropped their salutes. Herschem and Kleris were quick on his heels. Behind him the second longboat docked.

“You two help unload the crates,” Ibraim said. The two behind the lieutenant rushed to do as they were ordered. “Herschem, have one of your students send a message spell to the ship, tell them to pull back across the horizon and drop anchor, I want them out of sight until our work is done.” Herschem nodded and obeyed. “Alright lieutenant…” Ibraim eyed the warforged’s number. “Lieutenant 7824FB, report.”

“All of the civillians killed, minimal resistance,” 7824FB said. “As for our own, three killed, two disabled, and five wounded, a corporal among the killed. One lieutenant is holding a force to the west, another is bringing a hundred around to catch them unawares from the northwest. We are performing a grid search for weapons, oil, and possibly hidden targets. The largest dwelling has been identified, and I can lead you to it now, my Lord.”

“Well done,” Ibraim said. “You are no longer a lieutenant.”

“Lord?” 7824FB asked, puzzled.

“Artificers!” Ibraim called.

Two men rushed forward, carrying scrolls. They chanted and read as the scrolls withered, releasing the stored energy. Another band of red, a third stripe, appeared on the warforged’s arm. At the same time the blue-bannered dragonhawk appeared on his chest, the magically manipulated paint settling in.

“You’re a captain now, 7824FB,” Lord Ibraim said. “Now lead my archers and my wizards and my other staff to my new headquarters.”

“Yes, Lord,” the warforged said, saluting. It led the humans up the cliffside trail.