Chapter Twenty-Four, 'Besieged'

"Commander Haelvan, Something has a message for you."
"Shh! Nethen I am about to make a breakthrough in silver-slain transformation theory. I can not be interrupted."
"It's about the Ga-Vok commander. They're massing for an attack."

Haelvan stood up quickly, hitting his head on a set of overhanging instruments. Some of the glass shattered and released a large cloud of reddish smoke.
"By the emperor, that was my last sample Nethen. Do you know how long it'll take me to acquire another one?"
"The Ga-Vok are massing for an attack. We need to defend ourselves."

The commander paused for a second, counting on his fingers.
"At least a year for transportation, and potentially a decade to find a host. It could be a century before I actually find someone willing to donate. You've set my work back by a lifetime Nethen."
"We need to ready the defenses, they'll be here by nightfall."

"Mister Haelvan."
The commander looked up to see who the newcomer was. She was a watery sort, like a Naiad but with better hair.
"Hello miss sprite; You must be one of Cavel's charming little brood. How is he?"
"Dead, and Kron is coming here. He's under orders to destroy the monastery."
"Pity, such a nice man; always had a spare breeze when I needed to block the moon or let it shine. He will be missed. So you're his daughter then? I had a daughter once you know, and a family. Where back on Tara when the raids came, all dead. Never found some of the bodies. Good thing the emperor got that deal worked out with their chieftain and we'll never have to worry about it again, eh?"

Vel looked at Nethen quizzically, "Is he always like this?"
"He can be quite serious when he must be...Usually."
"Commander, the peace is breaking. The Alpha's men are coming. Nond sent me to warn you."
Haelvan laughed. It was contrived, Nethen had known the commander long enough to know when he was faking it. To start with he'd take occasional breaks just to look back at them before laughing more, but it sounded different too.
"So You've met my predecessor? But of course you have; that's what he does isn't it? Work with sprites, tend their shrines, give them pedicures, what-not, and who-say."
Nethen was a little confused, there had never been mention of a 'Nond' before. But the description sounded like that golem some of the veterans had told him about. A shrine-tender; like a witch of steel; he was supposed to be a part of the Imperial Guards.
"Alright, have the men reached their positions yet?"
"What sir?"
"You issued the call to arms when you heard of course."
"Sergeant, Sound the call to arms; everyone prepare for battle. Not a drill, actual battle."
"Really Nethen, when an attractive young embodiment of the natural forces comes and warns you of a nearing peril you shouldn't need me to tell you to sound the call to arms. Now head down to the lab and requisition their experiment, the rail-thingie. Have the Sergeant gather up anything metal and sharp and bring it all up to the tower for field testing."
The commander picked up his helmet from under the table and strapped it on. Then he reached behind him and pulled a full quiver and longbow from the shadows in the corner of his office.
"Well what are you waiting for lieutenant? Our business is war, and Junsrew is upon us."