Heretic Spellblade 6 by K.D. Robertson

Author:K.D. Robertson [Robertson, K.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

The threat of cascades remained one of the oldest and greatest threats to Doumahr. Even before the invention of the wireless, an eruption of wild magic that tore through the leylines and prevented all forms of magical communication could end nations overnight.

Militaries relied on leadership and communications. Even if a Bastion defended their own portal, that mattered little if one twenty miles away fell and an army of demons spilled out across the land. Every nation developed methods to protect themselves. If they hadn’t, then they’d never have succeeded.

Most of those in operation dated back to the age when Omria had still walked among the Empire. Cascades barely occurred these days, reducing the knowledge of their countermeasures to little more than footnotes in history and expertise that was often passed on verbally to the next generation. Complacency had set in, particularly with the development of the wireless and defensive barriers around towns and cities.

Yet not every nation fell victim to folly. The Spires used fireworks to coordinate defensive measures across Forselle Valley, ensuring that any fort that was in danger from a foe—internal or external—was obvious to all. Much of the defensive line along the Houkeem Desert relied on signaling towers that worked day and night.

And in Trafaumh, the Inquisition never allowed their defenses to fail. Perhaps they had once. But Baudelaire ensured the Order maintained the many protections set in place centuries prior by Omria herself. Trained messengers with fast horses, automated response plans for battalions, fireworks, and signal towers in high-density areas.

Near Fort Arrinsy and the mountain range by the Pearlescent Canyon, a series of ancient smoke beacons stood to pass information to the many defenders and citizens along the heavily inhabited south-eastern stretch of Trafaumh. Hermit monks maintained them, responding to either a signal being lit from a failing fortress, a visible breach, or any sighting of demons.

Once Nathan and the others rushed outside, they confirmed the sight of plumes of smoke rising into the clear blue sky. It was late afternoon by now, as the sun began to fall behind the nearby mountains, but the smoke stood out as a black cloud marring Nathan’s vision.

In the distance, he saw another plume. No doubt more rose, stretching across the range.

“By Omria,” Ysabelle uttered, covering her mouth with her hands.

“Do we know where it might be coming from?” Narime asked. “This system seems too crude.”

Nathan shook his head at the same time as Deverese. Although most eyes fell on Nathan, he allowed the local Bastion to explain matters.

“The signals merely tell us direction, using the order they were lit,” Deverese grunted out. “The source of the breach might not even be one of the mountain forts. If anyone spotted demons roaming the countryside or if a fortress sent off a message before it fell, we’d light the signals. All we know is that we must go north-west.”

“That’s all you know,” Nathan corrected. “I have the ability to confirm the location far faster. Are you willing to actually

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