Illuminaria [LitRPG Fantasy Healer Adventure]

50 - Storm Prep

Before Myllo had a chance to start handing out assignments, the armored, draconic warrior stomped to the front of the room.

"I find it most unsettling that no one thought to question this concurrence," Kiinim interrupted. "Here we have a weather witch from the rebellious Sapphire Coast, freshly come into our midsts. The next thing we know, the storm of the century is bearing down on us. I say this is no coincidence. We would be foolish to ignore the possibility of treachery."

"To what end, Conqueror?" Hah'roo breathed angrily. "If I had the means to summon a tempest, why would I not drop it on Cazmaloq instead of these allies?"

"You threaten the Dragon Isle, witch! I challenge …" the warrior hissed, grasping the coiled chain hanging off his shoulder.

"No. No, you do not, Sir Kiinim," a smooth voice drawled from the doorway. Everyone turned to see a tall, regally dressed man with bright silver hair march into the hall. The man strode confidently up to a lectern at the head of the room. "You know that your ambassadorial status forbids you from such duels within the city limits. Additionally, we had divined the presence of this storm's potential long before this woman ever reached our shores. Let us not devolve into politics while there is work that needs doing now. If you wish to discuss this matter with the council, we can do so after we have secured our city from the gale bearing down on us all."

As the man stared down the dragoon, Kenda whispered in Joe's ear. "That's Septimus Silver. The head of the guild. Myllo's boss."

The warrior huffed before spinning on his heel and tromping out of the hall. Septimus tugged his vest down and looked firmly around the room, much like a schoolteacher, looking for any signs of trouble-making brewing.

"Gather around, everyone," the Guild Master announced. "We have much to do and a short amount of time to get it done."

Joe looked to Hah'roo, whose face was set in a rictus of anger. She noted his concern and squeezed his forearm. Mojo must have sensed Joe's feelings. He hopped out of Earcellwen's arms and into those of the galeling huntress. Her face lost its fury as she accepted the comfort the shug monkey was offering.

"Very well then," the guildmaster stated. "As you were just informed by one of our newest members, this will undoubtedly be a legendary-level event. The storm will be pushing a heavy surge in front of it, meaning the waters will be high enough that monsters will be able to swim over the sea-wards. We should expect Shellycoats to use this opportunity to raid the city. Akluts too. Sailors have reported several pod sightings in the bay over the last few days. Thankfully, Squish diverted an opportunistic leviathan that was swimming beneath the tempest. She will be unable to join us as she will be leading the great beast further south for safe measure."

Joe gave his friends a wide-eyed look, only for Kendell to whisper, "Tell ya about her later. Listen to Septimus now."

"As always," the man at the lectern continued, "our primary responsibility will be preserving the well-being of the citizens of Fort Coral. We will need teams for organization, rescue, and to assist the city guard, who will be assembling at the seawalls.

"Myllo will be coordinating your teams. I want to ensure everyone stays in their teams or with their partners. Solo heroics in weather conditions like these are how we lose good guild members. The city watch will have all guardsfolk on duty, staffing each outpost. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to engage their squad leaders.

"Lastly, remember your demeanor and discretion are a direct reflection of the guild. You are to act with professionalism at all times. Our standing in this city comes from our steadfast resolve and competency. I will be very dissatisfied if I hear reports of guild members succumbing to panic or failing to meet their duties. Am I understood?"

A murmur of consent ran around the room, but so too did an undercurrent of disgruntlement. These folks did not like being scolded like children. Joe noted that the Guild Master's manners were a little too heavy-handed for this audience.

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The tall, aristocratic man slipped out from behind the podium and exited the hall, leaving Myllo to take up the reins. The mood immediately changed. The tension went with the Guild Master. Joe noted smiles breaking out on most faces as the bearded artificer grabbed a stool to elevate himself behind the lectern. The korrigan spread a few sheets of paper and dabbed a pen against his tongue.

"Ok. Let's start with the bad news. The Hellions' ship was heading this way, but they will have to turn around and find a safe harbor to wait the blow out. That means we will not have some of our heavy hitters tomorrow," Myllo stated. "This means I am going to need a good combat-savvy shore team to back up the city guard. This team will be a mobile strike force supporting the guard formations. Edror, as our senior ranker, would you be willing to lead it?"

"Sure thing, Myllo. Who ya given' me?"

"Well, for starters, you will be reporting to Rattler Squad under Cricket Y'swari. With you will be Kerrig, Kendell, Yuk, and Nard."

"I know Cricket. She runs a good team," the old monster-hunter noted.

"Umm, MMMyyyilolololooo. Cacacan'tn'tn't." spoke an eerily reverberating voice from behind Joe. He looked to see the one called Yuk with their arm raised. The disjointed voice sounded as if it was made of dozens of mouths speaking collectively. The weird humming words were so alien-sounding, a slight shiver ran up Joe's spine.

"You sure? You can't be on the coast ?" Myllo asked in a voice that had zero judgment to it. Clearly, the guild leader knew that the strange loner had conditions as to what they could and could not do. "Can you help the street patrols?"

The cloaked figure shook their head and then droned, "Cacacacannnn serserserserchch wreakageageage."

"Good idea. We only have one healer without the Hellions and D011's squad, so knowing who is trapped where could be a big plus. Thanks, Yuk. If any buildings come down, we'll be counting on you to let us know if anyone is trapped inside. Get some sending stones from Puq. Lex, you're with Yuk."

"Must I …" the warlock began, while at the same time, the shabby raggamuffin began to vehemently shake their head.

"No arguments," Myllo shot back. "We are doing tonight in teams, you two. Lex, your shadow form can get to the same places Yuk's swarms can go. That makes you two our first contact team."

"That leaves the shore team a bit light," the artificer continued. "Earcellwen, would you be willing to help on the shore? I know your bow in a hurricane will be near useless, but you've got great eyes. They'll need a good spotter."

"Happy to," she announced.

"Taylyn will be here with me in case this thing manifests a physical form. I've got a few new toys to cover that possibility. We will also handle communications and coordination. All the sending stones will be connected to us. I know that seems inefficient, rather than just messaging each other directly, but it will help us track who is where and where resources are needed. Oh, and everyone gets a tracker, too. If we have to get to you, I wanna be able to find you.

"Puq and Isias will be our diviners. We'll need you two reading the portents for anyone needing our help. Vexor is our gatekeeper. In a storm like this, no one goes wandering about. Use the sending stones, and Vexor will open a portal from where you are to a safe spot near where you need to go.

"Lastly, is our medic team. That's you, Joe, with Tezeno and Hah'roo. Tez has a sentinel class; he will keep you safe while you work. Hah'roo, your ability to read and work with the winds will be an asset for them. You three are going to have a rough night ahead of you, no doubt. Is there anything you need beforehand?"

Joe's mind was a blank, but Kendell, unsurprisingly, had ideas. "Joe just picked up [Basic Warding]. I say we splurge from the guild budget. Let's give him a Ranking potion, cast [Master's Guidance] on him, and teach him how to draw the Stormbreaker ward. Having his own ward active on his armor will give him a sense of where the sigil is in danger of being overwhelmed."

"You couldn't have tossed that one out when Septimus was around, could ya," the korrigan huffed, swiping his hand down his face. "Yeah, it's a damn good idea, but now I gotta explain spending a small fortune on a low-end skill gain to our illustrious leader. Do it. What else?"

"Think Master Silver will spring for a few [Halted Moment] charms. Even a few seconds of stopped time could be invaluable to any of these teams."

"Dream on, Kiddo," Myllo groused. "Your Stormbreaker plan is going to cause a scuffle later, but I'll get forgiven for it. No way we get time-in-a-jar, no matter how ya spin it."

"Worth a shot," the guild lieutenant quipped.

"Keep telling yerself that. Okay. If no one else has any other requests, I suggest food and a good night's rest before the coming storm. We've got a long day ahead of us, so rest up. We meet back here at the next ringing of the guild bells." A smirk lifted Myllo's prodigious beard as he added. "Do you two need us to sound it again so ya know which bell I'm talkin' about?"

Hah'roo tossed the korrigan a rude gesture, which Joe tried to copy. He had already learned that flipping someone the bird here in Illuminaria just confused them. The hairy artificer chuckled as he hopped down from his perch on the stool.

As the others filed out to feed themselves, Joe waited with Kenda to get his speed course in storm warding.