The clear skies had held for a few days, but as promised bad weather had rolled in. Thankfully it hadn’t been further frost, just rain and stiff winds. The waters washed away the last bits of snow that were to be found hiding at the feet of the hills surrounding the keep, as well as uncovering Yldril’s sleeping spot in the shadow of the walls. As the storms started to clear, Fengi and a few others had gone to check on her, finding her awake but weak. Food and water were brought for her, and what shelter they could make was erected on the sunny side of the keep once she was able to move. 

Preparations at the keep were nearly as complete as they could hope for. Only Rachuck’s paranoia could find further preparations to be made except for flying, combat, and weapon drills. Both the huntresses and guards had been practising in short flights once the weather again permitted, braving the last remnants of rough weather as part of their training. Jarix, too, was slowly being worked up into shape ready to aid them in both hunting and scouting.  

They were all gathered in the grand hall to take stock of the situation and ensure that everyone knew where they stood and what the plan was. Soon the first hunt would be upon them. It also meant the start of campaign season for the forces of the dark. It would take some time before any help from the large cities could be expected, but if their visions were correct they were in for a rough start to the year.

“That is the last box,” Jacky declared, setting down the hefty crate with care alongside the wall. Inside was ammunition for the machine guns and the cloth belts they had made for them. Much of their arsenal was now strewn about the grand hall as they took inventory of everything that might be useful in the weeks ahead. 

Linkosta and Dakota were quick to tally up the contents, noting it down on the eldest sister’s large clipboard. “Very well that brings us toooo… six long barred shotguns, two short-barreled shotguns, five rifles, Tom’s rifle, two revolvers, one double-barreled shotgun, two machine guns with enchantments, eight royal guard firebombs and fuses, the ones Twitch left us, and three of Sapphire’s special arrows. As for special compounds, several pounds of frost powder, dozens of pounds of flash, eighty vials of blitz, and all the acid we could ever use, courtesy of Yldril. 

“The boom-powder has been spent in producing ammunition over the winter, and we are out of saltpeter, so we cannot make more. We have 823 rounds for the machine guns, 127 for the rifles, 321 rounds of shotgun ammunition, and I do not know what you have yourself, Tom.”

“100 odd for the rifle, 72 for the revolvers, and 8 boxes of shotgun shells fit for mine and yours so about 200. I have a bit more boom powder held back for the grenades. They are not finished yet, but hopefully it won’t be long.” Tom replied, thinking back. He had already tallied his stuff after he had finished reloading some of his last spent casings. “For bombs we’re going with the crudest option. spare flash powder in whatever container we can scrounge together, arm it by putting a vial of blitz in the middle. Kaboom, you have made a fuel air bomb. At least in theory.”

“What like a small chest or something?,” Jacky questioned, Tom shrugging to her evident surprise.

“Yeah, that’ll work. Lash them to the side of the drake, arm in flight. It’s a positively Glira style idea, but it’ll make one hell of a boom.”

“I was about to say, this sounds like one of Twitch’s ideas. That is not a compliment,” Zarko added skeptically.

“It’s gonna be dangerous as hell, but definitely effective if it works. And we have the materials.”

“As it stands, a formidable arsenal by any reckoning,” Dakota stated with confidence. “We are fit to take on a small army with this. But doing so will never be a safe endeavor no matter what.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that arsenal part. We can chew through that quick. Especially the machine guns. We will need to make the shots count. Most of us will only get a dozen or so rounds each. And when they are gone, they are gone,” Tom stated seriously. This might seem like abundance, but it was anything but.

“We are huntresses: we always make the shots count,” Sapphire added, with both pride and determination in her voice. “Besides, a dozen shots is what we normally carry anyway.”

“We shall make them bleed,” Dakota echoed with conviction almost reminiscent of what Tom had sometimes heard from Nunuk. “This is our home, and should anyone wish to take it, they shall pay dearly for the attempt. We are Bizmati keep. We have stood for over two centuries. And while we have many new weapons this year, we are not strangers to fighting or defending ourselves. There is still our own equipment. The huntresses have their armor, bows, and knives. The guard has some of the finest craft on the whole frontier thanks to Shiva’s efforts and our family’s past victories. And we now sport a whole three sets of enchanted armor, more than any frontier keep I have ever known. We have Jarix and Zarko, as fit for battle as any soldiers I have known. Not to mention Yldril. She is cruel and vile, but she knows battle, and she has no choice but to do her duty to our keep,” she carried on, giving Fengi a look, which the young huntress did not shy away from. 

The young huntress may care to at least try and show Yldril the way into the light but, if it came time to choose, the dragon would be spent in the defence of the keep like a pawn. 

“And for those not used to the front lines, we have 6 spare sets of training armor. None of that is fitted of course,” Dakota finished her half-speech, glancing to Shiva with a hopeful expression.

“I do not have the time to rework anything; you can use it as it is. I still have the final touches to place on Tom’s plate.”

“First time fighting in proper armor for yours truly… that should be something.” Tom chuckled hollowly. 

Truth be told he felt the armor would likely be a waste on him, but Shiva had done wonders to earn him every advantage imaginable.

“Of course. We will make the best of it,” Dakota replied, without letting doubt or disappointment seep into her voice. “Will you be joining the fray Shiva?”

“In a fight against Rashan? You could not stop me.” 

Tom believed that. Shiva wasn’t exactly rebellious, but she did things her own way. And you best not get in her way. Rashan took her home. If he did indeed intend to show up here, she would take his life or perish in the attempt, Tom had no doubt. 

He was more worried about what Jacky may decide to do. Shiva was cold and calculating. Jacky might make a rash mistake in the heat of battle. Even so, they both knew more than he would ever know about fighting a dragon.

The fact there was no armor at the keep which may fit the smith would likely help her take a more subtle approach. The magical family set had been reworked for Jacky to use, leaving only Jackalope’s huntress armor.

Dakota just nodded, glancing at her clipboard. “And we have six compound bows, yes?”

“And fourteen of the old composite ones, yes. Of varying draw weights. We also have eight crossbows, two courtesy of Jarix. The rest belonged to Yldril and her crew,” Sapphire answered quickly. 

“Nine crossbows,” Ray added, holding up her hand. “Mine works just fine. Edita took a look at it for me to make sure it was good.”

“The weapon is within expected parameters,” the artificer added quickly, as if to give her report.

“Of course, thank you Ray. And what of swords, spears, lances?” Dakota questioned, looking to Rachuck.

“We have eight lances and more swords, axes, spears, maces, daggers, and polearms and halberds than we know what to do with,” Rachuck was quick to answer, the guard’s equipment being solidly his area of expertise. “Courtesy of unwelcome guests. Many destined for melting down, but now all freshly stoned.”

“Very good.”

“What about potions?”

“Six potions of healing courtesy of the inquisitorial supplies. The potion of firebreathing Tom bought, as well as the water-breathing one,” Linkosta said, with less conviction than the rest of her family members. It was clear to Tom she had likely not seen battle before. She was scared shitless. It didn’t help that he suppressed a cough at the mention of the water breathing potion, which was suspiciously missing from the table. He glanced at Sapphire, whose face didn’t show any hint of troubling thoughts.

“And I’ve got one more fire breathing, one healing and one strength. The stuff from Vulzan,” Jacky said, placing the leather potion bandolier on the table.

“We have a further two of enhanced strength, and one of protection,” Paulin added, serious as ever, though taking the two mages by surprise. 

“Protection?” Tom questioned, as heads turned to look at her. 

“Similar to the enchantments often found in armor. Any swift blade or projectile is turned away. However, I would hold no promises for your newer weaponry. It lasts but a few minutes, so use it wisely.”

“I see, very useful. Thank you, Paulin,” Tom thanked her, the archivist nodding in reply. That had to be part of her personal stash. They certainly hadn’t known of them before now. Perhaps an insurance plan to get away from the keep should things turn sour for the agent. 

“Don’t forget the mines. The explosive ones, not the ones down below. And me n’dad, we aren’t master dragon mages, but we have a few spells we could do now with Jarix or Yldril,” Linkosta added meekly, like she was afraid to speak.

“It would be dangerous, but yes. I think we should be able to manage,” her father echoed more assuredly, though even Tom could tell the hesitation in his voice. 

“Even more mundane magics may be very useful indeed. Remember the witch in the caverns,” Tom replied thoughtfully.

“How could we not?” Linkosta answered, throwing a glance at Dakota, the burn still clearly visible on the gilded huntress’s face. 

Tom just gave an apologetic nod. “Of course. Do you think you could replicate it?”

“I know the spell, yes. And we have plenty of acid,” Linkosta was quick to answer, seeming relieved there might be a use for them outside of the powerful magics fueled by the reserves of a dragon.

“Should do wonders in slowing them down, even if it will cost us some new floors,” Rachuck added with approval.

“Stay away from the large beams, especially near the chimneys; you could bring down the whole floor if you eat through them,” Kulinger added sternly. “And gods help us if we all land in a pile at the bottom.”

“Of course Kulinger, we will be careful,” Linkosta reassured him, which seemed to work well enough for now.

“And explosives are to be kept away from those chimneys too. That could be a disaster,” Tom added with worry of his own. 

The keep’s outer walls were sturdy stone, and so were the chimneys. Each floor was carried by beams running from the outer wall to the chimneys. As such the wood did not carry either the floors above or below. Sans the pillars and arches under the greeting hall and landing platform, of course. Those carried on all the way down to the foundations. Floors fit for dragons required special reinforcement after all.

“Gonna be tricky with darklings swarming all around. What about the walls?” Jacky questioned, seeming less convinced this was worth bothering with.

“A hole or two in those shouldn’t bring the place down,” Tom replied, catching the quite concerned look of Dakota and Nunuk. “Buuut, might still be smart to avoid.”

“What about the bunkers?” Tink then added loudly from outside the circle of dragonettes standing hunched over the large table. He had been kept out of the discussions till now as it were. “There is a lot of stuff still in there.”

“We take what we want and rig the rest to blow on command. Use them as giant mines. There is enough spare flash and blitz that we do not want it anywhere near us when battle starts.”

“We could place some of our actual mines inside. If any darkling enters, they are blown to heaven right away,” Linkosta offered cautiously. “Or did we want to use them somewhere else?”

“No, good idea,” Tom agreed. “They would go up at the right time even if we cannot keep an eye on them, and they are built to channel the explosion away from here. We set charges of flash powder with blitz in the middle. Make fuel air bombs just like the ones for the dragons… Anything else we got to work with?”

“Edita, what of you?” Paulin questioned leadingly, looking to the artificer.

“I uhm. What do you mean? I am not armed,” she replied innocently as ever, seeming quite surprised the archivist would ask her of all people.”

“There is more to battle than blades. Your optics, girl.”

“Oh right yes, I uhm. Tom knows already, he has tried them,” the artificer dismissed. There was no way Tom could not already have considered them after all.

Tom had to prod his memory for a moment there. Edita’s special goggles had many features depending on what lenses were flipped down. He knew they could see magic for starters, which had been endlessly helpful in working with enchantments. He knew Linkosta had used them as well on more than one occasion to help with her work.

“They can see life. Power. And they see it even through solid materials,” Linkosta added as she realized the implication. “You can see through walls.”

“And your weapons can shoot through them,” Paulin added, revealing her idea. Of course, it would be the Inquisition of all people that would come up with wall hacks.

“The range is limited. And the heavy stonework would interfere, but the interior ones are thin wood as are most of the floors. Yes, I would be able to see through them,” the artificer confirmed.  “And tell them apart. A darkling looks very different from a dragonette. And a dark knight, different still.”

“That would be damn handy,” Tom agreed, realizing the potential. “You could even tell what they are doing, roughly at least. Even if they are being sneaky about it. Or spot any laying in wait, like last time. It was quite the perilous slog to clear out the keep of every last one of the bastards. Hiding under stairs and up under the ceilings.”

“Haven’t you got a pair too? Even if they don’t quite fit right,” Jacky questioned, looking towards the human. 

“Oh shit you’re right. Haven’t really done any magic work, I don’t even know where they are.”

“I uhm. Borrow them, they are in my room. I can go get them if you want?” Linkosta explained sheepishly. Dakota shaking her head.

“No need we know they exist. Two sets of what… enchanted googles?”

“And don’t forget the night vision ones. You know, the replacements for when my batteries die.” Tom interrupted. “They are in a crate somewhere here I know it. I guess we never got them fitted for your helmet Jacky.”

“I guess not. Probably best to put them on a flier anyway. I ain’t fighting up there in the big suit. No way.”

“Quite Right Jackalope, we shall see what to do about them. One pair of goggles of night… right.” Dakota jotted down contently, good surprises were surly needed after all.

“Would they not just burn the place down with us all inside if they get here? No need to siege us when you have a red dragon,” Sapphire questioned, throwing a glance to Jacky. They all knew quite well what had happened to Furlong Keep after all.

“Assuming Rashan is indeed the one with them,” Rachuck added as a caveat.

“It does not matter which dark drake it is; they all sit in court with the forces below. They would not wish this place destroyed; they want it conquered,” Paulin added with utter conviction. “It is much too valuable to them. A large part of why Joelina has kept your existence such a closely guarded secret. Many would never wish something so potent kept so far away from civilization.”

There was a cough or two before Tom continued.

“Assuming that whoever is coming knows what’s actually here,” he added, echoing Rachuck in trying to temper the archivist a touch.

“They will the moment you shoot. The forces of the dark hardly ever create: they steal and corrupt. The more valuable and powerful something is, the more desperately they will want it. We have baited such traps many a time, but alas, we are alone for now,” she replied matter of factly. 

It was clear she thought she knew exactly what their game plan would be for this battle. The notion the enemy might surprise them seemed completely alien to her. Just like bookworms tended to believe.

“So, we have an advantage and a detriment. They will want us all dead, but they want the keep intact… most likely,” Tom summarized, Paulin nodding her assent.

“They may wish for live prisoners too, especially you. But that is not overly relevant to tactics. Simply keep some means to end your life before capture so you may only come back as a darkling, and not be enslaved into the living hell of the dark knight.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind…” Tom replied, feeling a touch weirded out. Not by the sentiment but the casual conveyance of it instead. Like she was instructing someone on how to open a pdf.

“Wise words archivist Paulin,” Rachuck said as he placed his hands on the map of the island that covered a portion of the table. “So we prepare in accordance with the old teachings. Barricades, traps. Harry them where possible and hold on for as long as we can manage. We have sent word for help. They must know they will not have time for a lengthy siege before help arrives. Perhaps it may even beat them here.”

“Which is good, because we do not have the supplies for that long. We have not had a single hunt yet, and pickings are often slim in early spring,” Dakota added impatiently. “And with both dragons awake our stores will go quickly.”

“Yes, but we still have enough for two months. Longer than relief should ever take for us,” Rachuck countered, and Dakota nodded.

“Just keep in mind that if they think the battle is lost, they will likely want to burn us to the ground,” Tom added. He didn’t feel like Paulin’s assessment was entirely accurate. They would want the stuff for sure. But if they could not have it, they might try to deny it to anyone else.

“I concur,” Dakota added. “If they believe the battle is lost they may wish to destroy us upon departure. Or at least cover their own retreat by setting the keep ablaze. They know we would save the keep above pursuing them.”

“And the nearest water is the small lake. Even with dragons and magic, fighting a blaze would be very difficult. And that is if we are allowed to do it without interruption,” Linkosta said, looking over the map pointing out the nearest lake. “And we do not have any buckets fit for a dragon.”

“That is a good point. Kulinger, leave the barricade work to us, you must make something fit for Jarix or Yldril to haul water should it be needed. Something faster than lashing barrels to their sides. Damn and blast why didn’t we think of this sooner?” Rachuck cursed.

“I have some empty beer barrels, chop them in half that should work, right?” Raulf said, trying to be helpful. “They’re quite big.”

“We have barrels for salting and pickling as well. They may all be of use,” Dakota added, nodding thoughtfully. “Perhas a handle fit for a dragon’s hand? Or perhaps a yoke as the one for the oxen.”

“What do you think, big guy? Can you do it?” Zarko questioned, having remained silent till now, and looking up at Jarix who was watching from the hatch.

“I don’t know, I have never tried that before. I might drop it if I try to do it while flying. Like the fire fighters in the city. I think the yoke is a better idea.”

“We will make spares then. Barrels can be replaced,” Dakota confirmed with a stern nod, looking to Kullinger. He just nodded. 

“It will be done.” 

“But even so we really want to avoid a fire in the first place, which means that before the reinforcements get here or we turn the battle ourselves, we want Rashan dead,” Tom stated, looking around to gauge the reactions. Most nodded in agreement.

“Rashan is also a coward. It may be possible to scare him off if he believes himself to be in sufficient danger. He will send forth his minions instead,” Shiva stated plainly. She clearly did not think highly of the traitor.

“So what? We wanna lure him in, then kill the bastard?” Sapphire tried unsurely.

“Easier said than done. He is clever, and a master of tricks. Both magic and mundane, should he still have his casters. Expect the unexpected.”

“We have two dragons and all these weapons. Why don’t we take them before they come anywhere close? Go on the offensive. Don’t let the bastard decide when to fight. Hunt him instead. No risk of losing everything if we do that,” Jacky proposed with enthusiasm. Tom could work out why just fine. She, too, wished for a killing blow on the drake that took her home and her family from her. He would need to temper that, or risk losing her forever. Hopefully Shiva would help him out.

“We may well be defeated outright in open battle,” Dakota dismissed. “We don’t know their numbers, but they have laid many keeps low last year and even assaulted towns and mines. They must have either great numbers or something terrible in their midst.” 

“You mean more terrible than a shadow drake?” Jacky asked rhetorically.

“Yes, Rashan is not brave. This we know. He would not risk his own hide unless he was confident in an easy victory. And a lone dragon, even a shadow drake, against a town with a coalmine? Such places house several dragons. Many quite willing to try their hand at slaying a shadow drake in exchange for their freedom.”

“So what? You think he’ll be dumb enough to land out front like Yldril?”

“I suppose that depends on just what he knows of us,” Dakota replied, skeptical looks being exchanged around the table. 

“Let’s assume he knows we defeated the force sent to the mines last year at the very least. That is not something he is likely to take lightly,” Tom tried, hoping to narrow down the list of possible scenarios a little. 

“Which means if he’s parleying, he would be sending someone else to do so. He might not even show himself at all if given the choice,” Dakota agreed.

“So we wish to lay an ambush to eliminate him from the field. How do we do that? Do we have any appropriate bait?” Sapphire questioned.

“If he tries to send forth his minions and hide behind them, in theory we need only avoid them and find him in hiding” Dakota offered. “Though it would entail dividing our forces.”

“He would run if given the chance, leading you on a merry chase where you could never catch him,” Shiva interjected. “You would have to catch him unaware.”

“We could have Jarix and Yldil circle the keep high in the sky. If he sends his minions, we deal with them in the open at great cost to his forces. If he escorts them we may force a pass or two on him, wounding him or perhaps removing him entirely from the equation. Jarix is faster and nimbler. And we hold the advantage of the machine gun,” Zarko stated, speaking on what she was confident in: aerial battles from dragon back.

“What if they come at night?” Rachuck questioned, looking at the soldier, whose confidence eroded a fair bit. 

“Then we must stay grounded. We cannot hope to match them in darkened skies. They can see us, we cannot see them.”

“Which means he’ll probably attack during the night,” Jacky said in a pessimistic tone.

“That gives us another advantage. Coordination. From inside the walls we can keep track of the battle; he cannot. The darklings would be flying on old orders, and giving them new ones would be very hard. Not only can we not find them, they would struggle, too,” the guard captain proposed, looking to Paulin as if seeking approval. She nodded her assent. 

“He speaks true. They do not magically know the location of their underlings. At night we may surprise them as much as they can surprise us. The fog of war works both ways at night.”

“So what? If they come at night we just… lure them in and kill them off bit by bit?”

“It is certainly one option. He may not risk coming close at night either. He cannot know what may hide inside the walls after the opening salvoes.”

“So we weather the storm at night, and hunt him in the daylight?” Jacky questioned, clearly a bit confused at just what they were going at.”

“What about letting him know reinforcements are coming? He will have to hurry,” Fengi offered with a shrug. “Perhaps he will make a mistake?”

“Not a terrible idea. If he’s in a hurry he might not think things through quite so thoroughly. But it would be a bloody ferocious battle,” Paulin agreed. “He may commit nearly all of his forces to a single grand assault, looking to break us as swiftly as possible so he and his knights have time to pick through the remains.”

“Look, we don’t know what he’s gonna do, so we just prepare the defenses and then we respond to whatever he does then, right?” Jacky questioned. “We’re in one building, we can make plans quick, they probably can’t. Well unless they make a camp somewhere.”

“No no no. We can’t just not have a plan. We know him better than he knows us.” Rachuck protested. “Whatever he does, we will be ready. So starting from the top.  Scenario 1: We spot only darklings approaching the keep…”

‘Hoo boi here we go.’

“Spot with what? Do you want patrols? Is that huntress or dragon?” Dakota interjected, arms crossed.

“I… very well, from the very top. Scenario 1…A. Defensive posture. I think-…”

‘Hah, look at you go. You have learned something. Next it will be the mark 2 A1 battle plan.’