The Fifteen Gates - Prey

Location : Gelbor Falls outskirts , Delita Prefecture Date : 17th of Sun's Peak , 354 - 3rd Era

A heavy layer of dust covered Mephta's clothing , his brow drenched in a nearly indistinguishable mix of sweat , dirt , oil and blood , he was never built for travel , most of his life being comfortable in the high halls of the Living tower , only brought down to perform missions for the Brotherhood , and even if he did need to travel he could just have the Mages teleport him to a singing stone , he wasn't born a nomad like most Silencers he was Prince , Spirits be damned . 

" Lord Mephta , we're nearing Gelbor , should I send one of the men to scout ahead ? make sure that the caravan is there ? " Sinbad asked 

" How many men do we still have Sinbad ? " he asked while pulling his breath back as to not show his exhaustion , five days on horseback , three hours of sleep in between , is this how the Nomads live ?

" Thirty by my last headcount , they be.... I mean they're eager to reach the caravan for supplies " 

" Alright... get our fastest rider to scout ahead , tell him to come back the moment he sees the back of the caravan , the moment he sees purple and gold run back " 

" Understood " Sinbad bowed and ran off to the rest of the men 

The poison took him apart so quickly , far too quickly , the runes tattooed around his body should have at least delayed the effects , but instead it felt like they worked against him , Morris root , or Magebane in Nomadic , a dangerous substance indeed . 

All of this was perplexing , but the strangest was how Armads fell so easily , a keep enveloped in walls of stone and sky steel frames would have resisted an onslaught before a crack would become apparent , yet it fell like it was made of sand , not counting the fact that over eighty Silencers were present that day made it all the more suspicious .

" A scout has been sent my lord , I sent Ezel , he should be able to catch up to the caravan in a day or so " Sinbad reported , pulling Mephta out of his deep thoughts .

" Sinbad how long did it take for the Mancarri to breach the gates ? " Mephta asked , his face in an unwelcoming scowl 

" They attacked on morning of the tenth and breached the southern gates in the middle of the night with their steam golems , the men held their troops there for the next few hours but they came in massive waves , by the end of the day they had pushed us back into the keep , half of the entire city under their control , on the eleventh they began burning the houses in the southern district , and on the twelfth the keep was overrun , the western gate was the only one close enough to successfully retreat through , Azir took command while you were sick , if not for him we might have been on spikes by sundown . " 

" Remind me to add an inscription in his honor when we get back to the tower , where was commander Rikke during all of this ? if I am gone he should be second in command " 

" Commander Rikke fell during the defense of the southern gates , along with Captain Lestat , Azir had to step in , everyone was in a panic the moment they reached the base of the keep , I wish I could have done more My Lord I'm sorry " 

" You kept me alive Sinbad , you've done plenty , I'm fine now but as a Scribe do not ever attempt to fight , you are not a warrior Sinbad , since Lestat is gone I am in need of a new Scribe , your courage touched my heart , take his place " Mephta said as he rode back onto his horse .

" Make sure the men are making camp well , I'll attempt to contact my sister , she should be able to send aid once we're connected with the caravan " 

" Yes my lord " Sinbad bowed .

Mephta rode off , stopping close to a nearby river and dismounted , leading the horse to the river he pulled his blade out and slit it's throat over the water , his eyes glowing a bright purple while the horse tried to pull away from him , desperately trying to run from his fate , but Mephta wouldn't budge , and as quickly as the blade glided so quickly did the Horse's will to live dissipate . 

The horse was now a limp corpse and in front of Mephta stood its soul , ready to make a journey down river , straight to the coastal city of Frelia , directly to Sayuri , if the horse makes it in time , a singing stone should be brought by a rider , and all of this would be over and done with . 

" Bring these words to Sayuri Delita , the river will guide you to your destination , once you've delivered it you will pass on " Mephta ordered and as the bound the horse obeyed , galloping down the river , a specter of blue that ran as fast as the wind . 
" Great , now I have to walk back " 

Mephta's thoughts ran again of how Armads fell , it's defenses weren't as capable as Centrum or as well manned as Frelia , but he had enough footmen to at least guard it capably , not to mention the Silencers living within the keep , granted most were scribes , but sixty-five capable battle mages would have been enough to sustain the defense for at least a week , yet they fell within a day .

Something was wrong , and the only way to find out what it was is by reaching the Living Tower as soon as possible , get the scribes under his care to safety , take as many men as Mother would permit , and take Armads back ,burnt down to ash or not it's his land , by right as Fourth Prince , that land was an extension of himself , someone was to have their head on a spike once he was done .

" My Lord ! Ezel came back , the Caravan was delayed a few days ago due to a storm , we can reach them by nightfall " Sinbad reported , his voice cracking from being winded , he ran nearly halfway to where Mephta performed the ritual . 

" Tell the men to pack up , and catch up with them as soon as possible , also I'll have to ride with you on the way there , my horse gave out before reaching the river poor thing must have been exhausted " 

" Very well sir I'll saddle up "