A Banner Torn (Book 1 Complete)

Kaelid:

The sound of hammering on metal echoed through the morning air as he and Rannek approached Brannic's forge. The dragonkin blacksmith was working with unusual intensity, his scaled hands moving with practiced precision as he shaped what appeared to be reinforced armor pieces. The sight was both reassuring and ominous, reassuring because it suggested preparation for protection, ominous because it implied such protection would be needed.

"Brannic," he called out as they entered the forge's courtyard.

The dragonkin looked up from his work, his golden eyes immediately assessing their condition. "You both look stronger than yesterday," he observed. "The energy depletion is healing?"

"Slowly," Rannek replied. He pulled Lexicon from his satchel and set it on a nearby workbench, where the journal projected a subtle display showing their current energy levels. "We're at about half strength now, but it's still difficult to maintain complex abilities for long periods."

Brannic nodded, setting aside his hammer and wiping his hands on a leather apron. "Healing takes time, but there may be ways to accelerate the process. In fact, I received a message this morning that might provide an opportunity."

He gestured toward a small figure waiting in the shadows near the forge's entrance. As their eyes adjusted, they could see it was one of the Petrakahrn, the stone people who operated the copper mines in the nearby hills. The being's crystalline features reflected the forge's firelight, creating patterns of light that seemed to pulse with urgency.

Greetings, surface dwellers, the Petrakahrn said, its voice carrying the resonant quality of stone grinding against stone. Am Pulse-Keeper. Speak for local conclave. Need assistance. Matter urgent.

"What kind of assistance?" he asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.

Deep creatures... agitated, the Pulse-Keeper explained, its words coming in careful, measured phrases. Something drives to madness. Stir from usual territories. Send into mining tunnels. Workers cannot extract ore safely. Creatures roam free.

Brannic's expression grew thoughtful. "More agitated than usual? The creatures in those mines have always been territorial, but they typically avoid the main mining areas."

This different, the Pulse-Keeper insisted, its crystalline crown flickering with agitation. Attack without provocation. Show no fear of presence. Driven by something... beyond normal territorial instincts. Lost three mining teams. Past week.

The news was troubling on multiple levels. The creatures in the copper mines were typically manageable threats, dangerous if encountered unprepared, but predictable in their behavior and territory. If something was driving them to unusual aggression, it suggested an external influence that could have far-reaching implications.

"You want us to help clear the mines?" Rannek asked.

Request assistance of those proven capable in deep places, the Pulse-Keeper replied, its stone features shifting slightly as it considered its words. Previous expedition successful. Managed similar threats. Offer fair compensation. Access to rare minerals. Exchange for aid.

"Wait," he said, studying the Petrakahrn more closely. "You're different from the Pulse-Keeper we worked with before."

The stone being paused, its glowing eyes dimming slightly as it seemed to process this observation. Designation arbitrary. Am different Pulse-Keeper. Serve same function. Speak for local conclave to surface.

Brannic was quiet for a long moment, his gaze moving between the boys and the Petrakahrn messenger. "It could be beneficial," he said finally. "Combat against enhanced creatures has been known to stimulate energy regeneration in enhanced individuals. The exertion and focus required can accelerate the natural healing process."

The possibility of faster recovery was tempting, especially given their current vulnerability. But Kaelid also recognized the risks involved in entering combat while their abilities were still compromised.

"We should discuss this with the others," he said carefully.

They made their way to Elder Myra's cottage, where they found Theron and Sergeant Kael reviewing maps and documents related to village security. The young tutor looked up as they entered, his expression immediately shifting to concern when he saw the Petrakahrn messenger.

"What's the situation?" Kael asked, his military training evident in the way he immediately focused on potential threats and opportunities.

Brannic explained the request for assistance, while the Pulse-Keeper provided additional details about the creature disturbances in the mines. As the discussion progressed, it became clear that the situation was more complex than a simple pest control problem.

"The timing is suspicious," Theron said, studying the maps with growing concern. "Increased creature activity, unusual aggression patterns, disruption of normal mining operations, these could all be signs of external interference."

"You think the Praxis is involved?" Rannek asked.

"It's possible," Kael replied. "Disrupting local resources and creating instability would serve their purposes. If they can demonstrate that the region is becoming dangerous due to inadequate oversight of enhanced individuals..."

He didn't need to finish the sentence. They all understood that the Praxis was building a case for intervention, and evidence of regional instability would support their claims.

"All the more reason to investigate," Brannic said firmly. "If the Praxis is involved, we need to know the extent of their activities. And if the boys can accelerate their recovery through controlled combat, they'll be better prepared for whatever comes next."

Theron was clearly reluctant to approve the expedition, his academic caution warring with the practical necessities of their situation. "The risks are significant," he said, pulling out his crystalline device to check the boys' current energy readings. "In their current condition, any serious combat could result in further energy depletion or injury."

"The risks of remaining vulnerable are greater," Kael countered. "If confrontation is inevitable, they need to be as strong as possible when it comes."

The debate continued for several minutes, with various arguments presented for and against the expedition. It was Marta's arrival that ultimately tipped the balance.

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"I'm coming with you," she announced, having overheard enough of the conversation to understand the situation. "As their junior militia overseer, it's my responsibility to ensure their safety during dangerous operations."

"Absolutely not," Theron said immediately. "This isn't a militia exercise. These are dangerous creatures in an unstable environment."

"Which is exactly why you need someone with proper training in group coordination" Marta replied firmly. "I've been training with spear combat for years, and I know how to manage these two without them getting in the way."

Her argument was compelling. The village militia, though small, maintained proper protocols for dangerous expeditions, and having someone trained in coordination and emergency procedures could prove valuable.

"She has a point," Kael said after a moment of consideration. "Military operations benefit from proper coordination, and if she stays in a support role..."

"I'll accompany the group as well," Theron said, clearly uncomfortable with the idea but recognizing the necessity. "If we're going to risk this expedition, I need to monitor their condition directly and be prepared to intervene if their energy levels become dangerous."

After additional discussion, it was agreed that the expedition would proceed with strict protocols: Marta would serve as field coordinator and emergency overseer, Theron would provide continuous monitoring of the boys' energy levels, Brannic would handle primary combat, and Kael would focus on intelligence gathering and security.

They spent the remainder of the morning preparing for the journey. Brannic gathered weapons and protective gear, while Kael assembled intelligence-gathering equipment and emergency supplies. Marta checked her spear and reviewed militia protocols for dangerous expeditions, while Theron prepared his monitoring equipment and emergency medical supplies.

The boys practiced basic combat techniques to refresh their muscle memory, though their reduced energy levels made extended training impossible. Lexicon provided continuous feedback on their condition, its displays showing gradual improvement but still significant limitations.

The journey to the mines took most of the afternoon, with frequent stops to rest and monitor the boys' condition. Theron proved invaluable in this role, his crystalline device providing detailed readings that helped them pace their exertion appropriately.

"You're both stable," he reported as they approached the mine entrance. "Still below normal capacity, but not dangerously low. Just be careful not to push too hard too fast."

The mine entrance was busier than usual, with Petrakahrn workers gathered in small groups discussing the situation in their resonant stone voices. The Pulse-Keeper met them at the entrance, accompanied by several other larger petrakharn.

Disturbances worsened since morning, the Pulse-Keeper reported, its crystalline features reflecting the mine's inner light. Sealed deeper tunnels. Creatures continue emerge from areas should be uninhabited.

"What kind of creatures?" Brannic asked, checking his weapons one final time.

Cave lizards. Walking fungus. Something new, the Pulse-Keeper replied, pausing between each category as if translating concepts. Creatures not recognize. Have artificial enhancements. Suggest outside interference.

The mention of artificially enhanced creatures confirmed their suspicions about Praxis involvement. Natural cave dwellers didn't develop technological augmentations on their own.

They entered the mines with Brannic leading, followed by Kael and the boys, with Marta coordinating their formation and Theron monitoring from a safe distance. The familiar pulse of the mine's synchronization crystals provided a steady rhythm that helped focus their enhanced senses.

The first sign of trouble came from Kaelid's enhanced perception, which detected movement in the tunnels ahead long before normal senses would have noticed anything. "Something's coming," he warned, his voice echoing softly in the stone corridors.

The cave lizards that emerged from the side tunnels were larger and more aggressive than those they had encountered on previous visits. Their scales showed signs of modification, crystal growths at odd angles that pulsed with unnatural energy, and eyes that glowed with a cold light.

"Enhanced," Kael observed grimly, raising his weapon. "Someone's been experimenting on the local wildlife."

The battle that followed was intense but brief. The enhanced cave lizards were more dangerous than their natural counterparts, but they lacked the coordination and intelligence to effectively counter the group's teamwork. Brannic's experience and strength, combined with Kael's military training and the boys' enhanced abilities, proved sufficient to handle the threat.

But it was during the combat that he made a remarkable discovery. As he fought, using his enhanced perception to anticipate attacks and coordinate with his companions, he noticed something unexpected happening to his energy levels. Instead of depleting as he used his abilities, they were increasing.

"Theron," he called out during a brief lull in the fighting. "Check my energy levels."

Theron quickly consulted his crystalline device, his eyes widening in amazement. "Rising," he replied with astonishment. "Both of you, your energy is actually increasing as you fight these things."

The revelation was startling. Instead of draining their reserves, combat against the enhanced creatures was somehow replenishing their energy. It was as if defeating the creatures was transferring power back to their own systems.

"The creatures," Rannek said, understanding dawning in his voice. "When we destroy them, the energy has to go somewhere."

"We are absorbing it," he realized. "Converting the energy into something we can use."

The discovery changed their approach to the expedition. Instead of conserving energy and avoiding unnecessary combat, they began actively seeking out enhanced creatures, using each encounter to gradually restore their depleted reserves.

As they moved deeper into the mines, they encountered increasingly dangerous opponents, shiny walking fungus with metallic spores, and strange hybrid creatures that seemed to be part organic, part crystal. Each victory brought them closer to full strength, their energy levels rising with each defeated enhancement.

"This is remarkable," Theron said, continuously monitoring their progress. "I've never seen energy regeneration at this rate. It's as if these modified creatures' energy are perfectly compatible with your enhancement cores."

But it was in the deepest accessible tunnels that they made the most disturbing discovery. A section of the mine that should have been uninhabited showed clear signs of recent activity, technological equipment, temporary structures, and evidence of capture of local creatures and denizens.

"They've been using the mines as a testing ground," Kael said, examining the abandoned equipment with professional interest. "Capturing local creatures, enhancing them artificially, then releasing them to study the results."

"And testing their enhancement techniques," Brannic added, his voice tight with anger.

But the most disturbing discovery was a series of cages that had held the remains of delver gremlins, the small, intelligent humanoids who lived in the deepest parts of the mine system. The cages showed signs of attempted escape, and there was debris and restraints indicating that several Petrakahrn had been attacked and detained as well.

Took prisoners, the Pulse-Keeper said, its stone features showing an expression of grief and rage that transcended language barriers. Our people. Deep dwellers who lived here... generations. The Rhythm-Master... grieves.

As they investigated the abandoned Praxis facility, documenting the evidence of illegal experimentation and capture, Kaelid's enhanced perception detected something that made his blood run cold. The facility wasn't completely abandoned, there were still active systems, still monitoring equipment, still security protocols.

"We need to leave," he said urgently. "Now. There are still active systems here, and I think we've triggered something."

His warning came just as alarms began sounding throughout the mine complex, not the natural warning calls of the Petrakahrn, but artificial sirens that echoed through the tunnels with mechanical precision. Red lights began flashing from hidden sources.

"Security systems," Kael said grimly, checking his weapons. "The Praxis left automated defenses."

As they prepared to retreat, the alarms intensified, and new sounds joined the cacophony, the mechanical whir of surveillance devices activating, the hum of energy crystals charging, and most ominously, the sound of footsteps approaching from multiple directions.

They weren't just dealing with automated defenses. There were still Praxis personnel in the mines, and their investigation had just announced their presence to everyone within miles.

The hunt for answers had become a race for survival, and the stakes had just escalated beyond anything they had imagined.