The Unfated Wanderers Canto 20
Furtively fleeing north, wary of cultist, giant and spawn, the Unfated Wanderers met with Tong Shatterbone in his hall. Unbe’s Box delivered and explained, they told Tong news of the Terror Spikes. The weary wanderers wondered if they might make time for rest but it was not to be.
Both Boxes briskly bounced where they sat. Tong and the Wanderers quizzically looked at them. Tong said, “We have new letters, I believe.”
Indeed, both recipient Boxes contained several letters that, until moments ago, did not exist. They were brief messages from other Learned Scholars.
Stormcrafters have slain giants at Bearbat and Coastend. Between the giants’ rampage and the Stormcrafter’s magic, both villages are gone.
Another message said:
Giant spawn are all over the countryside. Nomadic caravans everywhere are under attack. There is no safe travel anymore.
Some Scholars relayed reports from the other countries on Linomnount. Giants appeared in Icebrunt, immediately invading Endlin and Latewich. They spread into the remaining countries. No piece of Linomnount knew peace. The entirety of the island was being trampled by roving, ravaging, riotous giants.
New concerns caused worry. These countries all blamed Icebrunt for the invasion. In fact, they declared that the giants were special weapons developed by Icebrunt to conquer Linomnount. The rulers did not know that Icebrunt was the first to suffer the giants’ wrath and that they were still imperiled.
Each country mobilized their military, marching towards Icebrunt in a combined effort to eradicate the evildoers. Forces remained at home to strive against the giants. Yet a massive army was on its way north towards the Icebrunt/Latewich border.
Such a concerted invasion could not be repelled. Ignoring the issue with the giants, Icebrunt had no unified army. Each horde from every village, town, city and caravan had its own militia of raiders and defenders. No single militia could withstand a multinational army. There was no central Icebrunt government to unify the hordes. Icebrunt was about to become squeezed between monstrous giants and a colossal army.
Tong sent a letter by use of the magical Box to each Learned Scholar:
Grave peril is upon us. Flee to Keeper of Lore’s home in the northwestern slopes of the Only Mountain. Bring all of the treasure that you can manage. Do not over-encumber yourselves. Flee fast and be safe.
Tong said to Vilerend and Billet, “I regret that I did not send my own treasures, artifacts and texts to Keeper’s home when I had the opportunity. It is too late now. I had always planned on staying with my villagers. I will grieve for my treasure that will be lost due to my own procrastination. Other Scholars could have protected it in my absence and preserved it for the future.”
A gong sounded from the western palisade. Trouble was approaching Shatterbone.