Chapter Sixty-Six: The Altar

“From our observations over the past two days, it seems the trolls are targeting the mountain cat,” Sylvanas remarked. As a high ranger, her keen sight was beyond question.

She watched as the trolls carried the tightly bound mountain cat into the emerald mist, surmising that they were using it as bait to draw out the animal god that guarded the mountain cats. Sacrificing animal gods was a long-standing troll tradition, something every elf understood well after centuries of warfare with these ancient foes.

“Yes, General Sylvanas is right. We need to change our tactics, move from a defensive stance to taking the initiative,” Patrick agreed, the arcane aura emanating from him leaving the elves around him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Sylvanas glanced at Patrick, thinking to herself, “So this is the little mage my sister has been hiding away. He’s certainly impressive.”

“Let’s come to a consensus, then.” Alleria, still the commander, began to fulfill her role as leader.

……

In the end, it was decided that they would lead the troops into battle, but there was one point on which Alleria disagreed: Sylvanas was also to accompany the group to the troll encampment.

The two elven women argued, neither willing to back down. Alleria’s reasoning was that command was needed at the front lines, and Sylvanas, with her wealth of experience, was best suited for it. Sylvanas, on the other hand, insisted that they must put forth their full strength to thwart the trolls’ plot. Such a large-scale sacrificial ritual was no small matter, and an extra hand meant greater security.

Unable to convince each other, the two finally turned to Patrick, their eyes saying, “It’s up to you now.”

Patrick looked at the two elves and felt a headache coming on, but finally offered his view: “Sebnua, the place we’re entering, is the very gateway to the Amani trolls’ domain, shrouded in layers of sorcery and mist. Having another seasoned warrior with us can only benefit the campaign.”

Sylvanas looked at Alleria with the air of a victor, lifting her head like a proud swan. Alleria’s expression soured, but she waited for what would come next.

“I suspect the trolls are stealing the animal gods’ powers. According to the kingdom’s records of fighting the trolls, this is entirely possible. Now, all of Sebnua is enveloped by massive spellwork from the school of evocation. If past battles are anything to go by, it’s likely that the gods’ divine powers are interfering with the very fabric of space itself. This is the worst-case scenario, but we cannot afford not to consider it. That’s why I believe General Sylvanas’ presence offers us an added safeguard,” Patrick explained, wiping his brow as he laid everything bare.

Hearing this, Alleria’s annoyance faded, replaced by a grave demeanor. Such matters were uncertain, but they could not neglect the worst possibilities.

After much deliberation, Alleria finally agreed to let Sylvanas accompany them. With such heavy responsibility, all factors had to be weighed.

After making their arrangements, Alleria, Sylvanas, and Patrick entered the trolls’ territory together.

It was winter; a cold wind swept through, chilling them to the bone. Patrick no longer concealed his abilities, using arcane magic to maintain a constant temperature and gravity field around them, allowing himself to float above the ground. Arcane flames danced in his eyes, as energy from his inner world spilled over, cradling his body as he advanced with the group.

The excess arcane energy slowly purified the air, cleansing it of the troll sorcery and making it easier for the rangers to breathe. As Patrick levitated, many of the rangers looked on in stunned amazement. Idonis and Candires exchanged glances, their joy evident at having chosen the right teacher.

Alleria sensed Patrick’s formidable power and smiled with satisfaction.

Sylvanas, feeling the strength of his magic, thought, “Sister is truly fortunate.”

The assembled rangers could only marvel: “This is truly incredible.”

As they drew closer to Sebnua, the influence of dark sorcery on the elves became more pronounced. Reaching a small troll village, they found it deserted. Upon searching the remnants, they discovered that only food and weapons had been taken; everything else was left behind.

It seemed that all the surrounding trolls had gone to Sebnua to participate in the ritual, carrying only basic supplies and utensils, while most of their belongings remained at home.

Continuing toward Sebnua, the green mist grew thicker and increasingly unpleasant. The power of troll sorcery tingled against their skin, causing mild discomfort.

Night fell. Alleria sent out scouts to find a suitable campsite for their first night in troll territory. Patrick unfurled his arcane “domain,” doing his utmost to provide his companions with a comfortable environment. With Ellen present, the consumption of mana was trivial for Patrick.

By the next day, the green mist in the troll camp had grown even denser and now carried a strong scent of blood. Patrick sensed that the trolls’ wicked ritual had begun nearby—he could feel the divine energy spilling out from that direction.

Could it be that Zul’aman was already infusing the Loa’s power into the priests? Patrick’s heart skipped a beat. By rights, it should not yet be the era of the Burning Crusade—how could they already be preparing for the Zul’aman campaign?

[Are you truly that naive, or just pretending? Do you think such power is bestowed all at once? Malacaz’s channeling of the Loa’s strength into Zul’aman is a gradual process—right now, it should only be the first tentative stages.] Ellen’s voice, sharp and irritated, cut in. She did have a point.

[Call me ‘granny’ one more time and see what happens.]

Clearly, she was truly angry. Patrick immediately quieted down.

……

The force pressed deeper into Sebnua, soon encountering scattered troll attacks. The rangers dispatched them with volleys of arrows, or else Idonis and his fellows incinerated them with gouts of flame.

Patrick, stationed permanently at the Sun Sanctuary these days, had seen new mages join the Tower of Sunlight. The arrows delivered to the rangers had all been carefully enchanted, making them especially lethal against trolls. The rangers did not hesitate, taking down every troll warrior they saw without mercy.

As the group approached a larger settlement, they could see from afar the thick mist billowing from the altar at its center. Piles of sacrificial corpses, trolls killed for the ritual, surrounded it. In the middle stood a towering troll clad in green armor, standing over a tightly bound mountain cat and a massive cat-headed troll, evil sorcery surging in his hands.

It appeared Ellen’s prediction was correct: the Amani trolls were indeed attempting to channel the power of the animal gods into their own kind. At this moment, they seemed to be infusing the essence of the mountain cat god, Halazzi, into a troll host.