>>5810192>“Fine, you’ve made your point. Just make sure to get plenty of practice firing that thing. If I catch even one whiff of friendly fire, I’ll make sure that it’s you that’s being launched out of it.” You hand over every gold coin you have to Caleb, who giddily accepts the gift. You’ve never quite seen the archer so happy before. Hopefully this pays off…Once you and the other pegasus knights have finished preparing your equipment, you set out, leaving from the same gates that the Knights of Seiros had just arrived through. You depart right before the evening, heading south towards the Morgaine Ravine. While night flights were typically discouraged amongst most pegasus knights, you find that the addition of the Frosted Shrikes has raised the overall skill level of your company. The women in Eleanor’s employ are no strangers to taking to the skies in dangerous conditions, and the flyover is like a pleasant stroll for them. Likewise, your own Blackwings are used to night raids. With the exception of the Hellwings, there are likely few in the Adrestian Empire that could maneuver so freely in the darkness. This fact bodes well for you as you are able to cut down your travel time and avoid being spotted by enemy scouts.
You travel for several hours like this, stopping only to rest for a short while, before continuing once daylight breaks. Your path south takes you towards Merceus, the site of the recent battle between the Knights and the Empire. In addition to being the quickest route to Morgaine, it should also be sparce in Imperial soldiers given the destruction of its fort. At least that’s the reason you give to the others for your choice in route. In reality, you simply wished to see for yourself the effects of the Javelin of Light firsthand. You can spot evidence of Fort Merceus long before laying eyes on it yourself. The smoke is visible from the border of Varley, and only thickens as you get closer. Once reaching the site itself, you can scarcely believe your eyes.
“It really is gone.” Ingrid remarks, astonished. “There’s not a trace of it left.”
Not even the ruins of Fort Merceus were left standing after the Javelin of Light. It was as if the crown jewel of the Adrestian Empire’s defenses had just vaporized out of thin air. Much of the surrounding earth had been fissured and warped, making it impossible for someone on the ground to navigate. Not too far in the distance was the city of Merceus itself. While it hadn’t been completely obliterated like the fort had, it was not in much better condition. Savage wildfires were still burning inside its destroyed walls, and there wasn’t a building left standing, nor any trace of life.
“Do you know how many people lived there?” Diana asks you quietly.
>“…It was one of the largest cities in Adrestia. It would have been several thousand at the very least. 