Call of the Abyss [Book 2 Complete]

"I believe a stealth-focused approach would be best—at least in the beginning. We are but a hundred. We cannot hope to contend with six camps with thousands of Nashiin each.

"Thus, I believe we should send in strike teams with the goal of eliminating the Barrowlords, along with their retinue, from stealth. Any additional forces eliminated in the retreat will be a bonus," a woman said from across the table.

"What about the Root Tunnels? We could surely use one of those to move about unseen?" a man across from her asked.

"Most have collapsed, and the rest are flooded. We will need to move overland. And you should not speak so casually about knowledge like that—least of all while our Nashiin informant is still at large. Those tunnels are secrets known only to senior Zal'Nadir and the Assembly. Guard your tongue more carefully," the first woman scolded.

Julia was—once again—participating in a Zal'Nadir council. Tentative approval for Julia's plan had been granted by the Assembly, with the provision that the Zal'Nadir would be its primary operating force.

The formal military, already stretched thin, would be needed to oversee the evacuation of the marsh, which would have to be mostly completed before the strikes could begin.

This council's purpose was straightening out the details of the operation—who would strike where, and when.

"What does our plan's composer believe?" a man toward the opposite end of the table asked, motioning to Julia.

"Stealth strikes would be best, I think. All teams should hit their targets at once, then retreat to Veshari immediately and without delay.

"I believe that not only will striking at the same time sell our desperation, it is also the tactically-sound thing to do. As has been said, we cannot contend with even a single one of a camp's full force on our own without casualties, so we do not want to engage in a fighting retreat—we only stand to lose people that way.

"We want the Nashiin to believe that we hit hard and fast, and retreated even faster. This will reinforce that we see each individual person as valuable. With luck, the leaders will interpret this as our numbers being dramatically less than they estimated. It should also minimize casualties.

"Remember, while eliminating the Barrowlords would be great, it is not the primary objective of this operation. Our main task is to be bait, but we need not lose anyone for it," Julia concluded, seeing nods around the table.

Before anyone could speak up to advance the discussion, Julia interjected.

"Trixy and I will take one of the camps on our own," she stated confidently.

The table was filled with startled looks, including from Ithshar and Seyatha.

"Also, tell the Assembly exactly which camp I'll be striking," Julia said, looking Seyatha in the eyes.

"Julia—" Seyatha started, but Julia interrupted.

"I'm the one that proposed this, so I'll be the bait—for all our current ailments," she said pointedly.

Understanding bloomed in Seyatha's eyes, along with a healthy dose of concern. She nodded solemnly, which seemed to upset Ithshar. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping along the ground with a nasty screech.

"Surely you do not mean to agree to this," Ithshar said, directing her heated words at Seyatha.

They made eye contact, and when it became clear that Seyatha was not going to overrule Julia, Ithshar turned to her instead.

"I do not know why you have chosen to do this, but it is folly. I know you are strong, Julia. I have seen it myself, but do not let your strength cloud your mind. If your head is in the clouds, you can become blinded to the uneven ground you walk upon," she said sternly.

"I am not blinded by my own strength, though I take your warning to heart. I am the most evasive of our forces, so it makes sense for me to be in the most danger. We have yet to find the Nashiin's spy, and I mean to bait them out.

"We tell the Assembly where I'll strike. If the spy relays that to the Nashiin, they'll react—maybe reinforce the camp, maybe prepare a trap.

"If they don't react, then we've ruled out the Assembly as the leak.

"If they do react, I'll spot it. I'm the most evasive. If anyone has a chance of slipping out of a trap, it's me.

"I can literally become a fog blown away by a light breeze, I can fly faster than the speed of sound—if necessary. There's not a trap in their arsenal that could hold me, and I'll have Trixy for backup, just in case," Julia explained calmly, belying her internal turmoil.

She knew her logic was sound, but intentionally walking into what could be a Nashiin trap still made her uneasy.

"...I do not like this," Ithshar said, sitting back down and crossing her arms.

"None of us do—Julia least of all," Seyatha said gently, nodding toward Julia, who had started tapping her fingers subconsciously. Ithshar's face softened, which made Julia frustrated. She'd done so well before the Assembly, and now she was going to start with the obvious nervous ticks?

The discussion moved forward efficiently from this point, the Zal'Nadir being accustomed to planning military action. Julia listened closely, interjecting where she felt it valuable, but they were efficient and precise. There was almost no need for her to be there beyond her actual role in the operation.

As the council adjourned, Ithshar came stomping over, stopping to loom over Julia.

"Come. We will train until the operation starts," she commanded.

"Sure…you do mean 'training,' not 'punishment,' right?" Julia asked.

Ithshar said nothing, spinning on her heels and storming off. The tacit order for Julia to follow present in her wake.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Julia sighed and followed, already rubbing her arms, as though the bruises were forming preemptively.

Shink!

Julia's blade slid to the side as it was parried. Yathil followed the parry's momentum with a horizontal slash toward Julia's chest. She stepped back quickly, retracting her sword and holding it in a ready stance.

Yathil Shûratalûn-Veshari, Shield of the Fifth Root—Avelrûn's bodyguard—had shown up at Tirn'Aleya rather suddenly and unannounced, seeking Julia. She'd been in the middle of a spar with Ithshar, and Yathil had volunteered to be her opponent to offer some variety. He was one of the few elves she'd seen wield a sword.

His sword was strange, as it was made of wood and only possessed a single edge. The blade curved slightly, making it seem specialized for cutting at the expense of stabbing. The flat back of the blade likely made blocking and parrying easier as well, as he didn't have to worry about nicks and dings since it lacked an edge.

"You are quite skilled with a blade. It pleases me to exercise this way, as not many of my compatriots wield swords. Our Classes do not lend themselves to such weaponry easily," Yathil said, not pursuing Julia after she stepped back.

"Thank you. It's been a while since I've sparred with another swordsman as well. I've gotten a bit rusty," Julia said warily. She still didn't know why he'd come, so she was still on edge.

He was a tall man with curly black hair and amber eyes that seemed to glow beneath his thick brows. His face was impressively neutral, which made sense considering his position.

He wore the usual garb of the marsh, though considerably less adorned than his patron. He opted for the sleeveless variety, likely due to his weapon of choice.

"You wonder at the purpose of my visit, yes? Firstly, I must apologize for my Lord's conduct. Please know that any disagreements he has had with you are in the interest of protecting the marsh and its people. He means no offense to you personally," he said rather politically.

Julia didn't buy it for a second. She knew Yathil was just the messenger, but she couldn't help biting back.

"It seemed pretty personal when he brought up my age and said I, specifically, don't belong to the Jadhariin," she said with a little venom.

Truthfully, having the support of people like Ithshar and Seyatha, as well as the Thornalûn, meant that Avelrûn's words didn't offend her much. However, it was irksome to hear him trying to play blatant insults off as political maneuvering that "meant no offense."

"Ha…" Yathil sighed, "My Lord seems to have gotten worked up. My apologies. I was not present during that discussion. I knew only that he had a rough exchange with you."

"It's alright. It's not your fault. Sorry for lashing out," Julia said, attempting a lunge into his guard.

Was it underhanded to attempt to use an opponent's distraction against them? Maybe, but the battlefield was no place for reflection.

Yathil, not surprised in the least, dodged to the side and brought the back of his blade up to meet Julia's hands. The strike rapped her fingers, making her drop her sword.

She probably should have dulled her sense of pain before the spar, in retrospect. Doing so now, she threw herself to the ground to avoid the follow-up slash. Picking up her fallen sword, she attempted to strike his legs.

Yathil jumped lightly, the sweep of Julia's sword passing under his feet by mere finger lengths, and he landed in a crouch, with the tip of his sword pointed at her throat.

Julia put her hands up, and he retracted his blade.

"This was a wonderful spar. Thank you for the match," Yathil said politely, bowing slightly.

Julia returned the bow and thanks.

"I must admit, I wonder what a bout with you would be like were you using all the tools at your disposal. You adventurers have such diverse and interesting Classes.

"I often find myself wondering if my sword would be better suited to one of those Classes. Alas, the chance has passed me by. Hopefully my siblings make better use of it," he said.

"Your siblings didn't take the Mother's Class?" Julia questioned, sheathing her blade and drinking from her waterskin.

"Indeed. They are gone from the marsh, though. I know not how successful they have been abroad," he said. Julia thought his words carried a carefully guarded tone, but she could be mistaken.

"I see. Hopefully this Nashiin siege will be ended soon. Perhaps you'll be in contact with them again," she said, shifting the subject.

Julia didn't know how to handle a heavy topic like that—especially with someone she only met today. She was just beginning to get her social feet beneath her. Better to stick to walking before trying to run.

"That, in fact, is the reason for my visit. My Lord wished me to deliver his encouragement. He hasn't shared the specifics of your mission—though I admit I am curious, given all the rumors.

"He says you will be undertaking a particularly dangerous assignment and wants to let you know that he thinks you very brave," Yathil said with admiration.

"Thank you…" Julia replied, suspicion curling behind her thanks. Avelrûn was a politician, so his words likely never meant what they seemed on the surface. She wasn't skilled enough to puzzle their meaning out so quickly, though.

"You are welcome. I wish you good fortune and the Mother's protection. Perhaps my Lord will see fit to inform me of your assignment eventually. For now, I'm left offering general well-wishes—which feels rather underwhelming in times like these.

"I do not know when the last time the entirety of Tûrathiin was evacuated, but it surely indicates the conflict with the Nashiin goes badly. In light of the ill tidings, I wish you even more luck," Yathil said as he left with a wave.

Well, at least Avelrûn's Shield was nice—a wonderful contrast to his Lord. She felt a tingle crawling down her spine from the conversation, but that was to be expected. Polite or not, the Root he served was bad news—of that, Julia was sure.

She walked over to Ithshar, who gave a thorough lecture on what she did right and wrong during the spar, but her mind was elsewhere.

It had taken the better part of a week to complete the evacuation—which Julia still thought impressive. Hundreds of thousands of people were ushered into Veshari in just a week. Of course, she had no idea whether that timeframe was normal, but she thought it impressive nonetheless.

Now that the population was secure, the Assembly would begin hardening the city's defenses. This meant it was time to strike.

Julia made her way to the docks within Tirn'Aleya, where the strike teams would be setting off. Ithshar accompanied her, still lecturing about being careful and not letting her strength go to her head.

Ithshar was, of course, leading her own squad to strike a camp, and Julia had no doubt that it would be a smoldering ruin by the end of the day.

Julia joined the rest of the Zal'Nadir at the central dock, where Seyatha stood waiting—her face set in stern focus.

"You all know the mission—you know what is at stake, so I will not waste time.

"Remember that the purpose of this mission is to bait the enemy. Do not give up your lives attempting to thin their numbers beyond what is reasonable. Strike hard, strike fast, and do not linger.

"Return with all haste. If this plan works, an army of over a hundred thousand Nashiin will march on the city. You can have your vengeance then," she said with a slight, sharp grin.

"Shal'tharûn!" the Zal'Nadir yelled as one in response.

"Hold true to our purpose, guard yourselves and your allies, and return in the name of the Mother! You are Zal'Nadir! Tûrathiin itself sings for you!

"Let Her Song be a triumphant hymn for you and a dirge for your enemies! Go now!" she yelled, slamming her fist against her chest.

"Va'tharil!" they responded with enthusiasm, charging off into their respective craft.

Julia exchanged a look and a nod with Seyatha. She noted a slight crease of worry in the corner of Seyatha's eyes before launching into the air.

It was time to spring the trap.