[center][@Zool][@Loksfjoer][@Saiyan][@Teyao][@Zapdos][@Jay009][@AvaP][/center]

In the Rearguard position, surrounded by his elite bodyguard, Saladin watched the battle unfold with a stern expression.  Inside, he was satisfied with the progression of his forces.  His second in command walked forward to stand by Saladin’s horse.

“Might I go for a stroll now?” the vampire asked, bored.

Saladin stroked his chin.  After some time to think, he answered.  “Yes.”  Then he pulled out a computer from his saddlebags.  He tapped and turned the golden cube, then the holo screen appeared above it.  “Now that we have broken their poise, we will flood the city with the Bone Legions.  We have as many skeleton warriors as they have defenders.  The Dark Riders will go in behind, sack and burn the city, kill any who did not flee to the mountain.  The mountain however will require our elite squads.  Even with the defenders exhausted, that mountain will make their last stand strong.  That is where you come in.”

The vampire ran his tongue over one of his fangs, his expression one of sadistic pleasure.  “I guess I’ll inform my entourage of the good news then.”

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by an explosion behind them.  Everyone turned around to see the besieger’s camp going up in flames.  Then the camp alarms could be heard.

“We’re under attack?!” Saladin exclaimed.  It made no sense.  He had scouts set about the region.  Even if an enemy army could have somehow made it here in time to help Valhiem, they would not have been able to get here without Saladin knowing about it.  Not without The Wellsprings.  “How!”

Saladin shut the computer down, rendering the golden cube inert.  He put it away and the hordes of skeleton warriors known as the Bone Legions remained statue-like.

“Dark Riders, to the camp!” was the order transmitted through the magical relay to the Dark Rider Captains.  They blew their horns and shouted orders that saw their units reforming into wedges and flying from their position near the North Gate of Valhiem, across the fields to the camp.  “Men of Rudiger, you aswell! Fell Knights with me.”  Then he turned to his second in command.  “Hold the rest of us here and be ready for my command.”

The vampire was no longer playful but deadly serious.  If this army had gotten by the scouts then it was skilled and well-commanded.  This could be trouble.

[center]_____________________________________________________________[/center]

Whatever Pete and Olaf of the Thieves’ Guild had done, Alison’s insurgency operation had done enough to at least temporarily stunt the progress of assaulting forces.  The pressure was still heavy on the walls and the battle for the North Gate was intense, but that pressure had stopped growing heavier and heavier, at least for now.

[center][@AvaP][/center]

[i]In her moment of desperation, as her mind formed a last gasp plan to overcome her superior foe, Alison would feel the hum of her Source Crystal - The Gift - as it called out to the very fabric of existence.  The lifeforce of her dead enemies faded..

That last wolfman was a lifeforce just strong enough to fill her Source Crystal, which shone purple to signify:

[u][b]Ascension[/b][/u] - The Rogue had ascended to a new level of strength.  Her class-specific attacks would be innately, significantly more powerful.  Her body could handle more damage, and her resistance to slashing, piercing, crushing or elemental injuries was considerably higher too.  Her current abilities would grow, new capabilities would be born, and a higher capacity to learn more powerful things was apparent.

Ascension - The true power and realisation of The Gift of the Source Crystals.[/i]