Gredaro Leaves

 Gredaro had to act fast and move. If he stayed here in Oramatra he would likely be killed or captured. His pupil would die, his maids would be sold to the slavers in these parts of the Unknown Lands. Knowing the Vestrisian policy against slavery none of the slavers here would live to see next week. At the tower's doorway he witnessed the skirmish turn into a battle as more Gantronese appeared. Several shots missed him by a few feet. Gredaro threw a few fireballs at the Gantronese. He noticed all the Vestrisians were making the best efforts to avoid any collateral damage. Fytbak the Goblin came to his side when he spotted the Vestrisians race past them. Among the Vestrisian Expeditionary Troops Gredaro saw Borvadosee, Morgadrans, Kaniimans, Badraans, and plenty of half elves. Using their modern weapons such as TM 13 rifles, machine guns, and lever action rifles they triumphed in the onslaught that ensued. 

Gantronese troops fell like flies as they exposed themselves in the open. They lost numbers and ground, which forced them to retreat. Seeing the Gantronese pull back in retreat made the wizard smile. A platoon of Vestrisians stopped near him to shoot at the retreating Gantronese to further reduce their defending forces. Nineteen more Gantronese fell dead while the survivors disappeared in the darkness. 

"Ceasefire, ceasefire!" A Kaniiman commander yelled in the dark. 

Every Vestrisian in the platoon stopped shooting. Ahead of them were other Vestrisians who also ceased firing at the retreating enemy. A mass chorus of "Ura, ura, ura, ura!" filled the air as the Vestrisians gave out their war cry. When they stopped several kept a watchful eye while the rest returned back to their units. To him this a perfect time to see what was going on. Gredaro walked over to one of the Vestrisians. At a closer glance he could tell the Vestrisians did not have one ethnic group that made up its ranks. This Vestrisian Union had many peoples united against the invaders. 

"Excuse me Vestrisian, is it safe to get my family out?" He asked a Vestrisian who looked like a Badraan human. Aside from the dark complexion Badraans wore a a robe tunic tied to the belt. This Badraani wore it over the uniform like a sash-poncho. 

"Yes it is safe, for now old man." the soldier said to Gredaro not even looking at the Wizard. The Wizard realized in their culture Badraani only faced the people knew while talking to them. As for the military reasons such customs had to be discarded. When it came to civilians those restrictions loosened when the Commander was not there. This was not the first time he saw Badraani or other Vestrisians come together like this. 

"Private Choge Mimoani there is no socializing with the locals." a female barked out from behind them. 

"Yes Major Cunnoris. I will attend to my duties." Mimoani replied standing stiff as a board when the commander came up. 

"Good Private now see what you can find on the Gantronese bodies. Help the res collect our dead." the Major ordered.

"Major Wolka Cunnoris VAVR Expeditionary Forces. At first I expected you to attack us. Multiple locals aided the Gantronese back there. Now I see how you feel about the invaders. Who are you?" This female Major introduced herself to the strife wizard. 

"Gredaro the Master Arcane Gairne. There are no more then eight others within my order of arcane and spell casting." Gredaro answered Major Cunnoris. 

"Nice to make you acquaintance Master Gredaro. Upon landing south of Oramatra my unit passed a nice five story jungle house-manor." Wolka replied to him. 

"Does it have a sign that reads A SMILE IS THE QUICKEST WAY TO BRIGHTEN A ROOM, and another that reads, Illusion allows victory?" Gredaro asked Wolka. 

"As a matter of fact yes. Yes there are signs that read those words. There are others like that." she said keeping the Wizard's attention. He thought for a moment of who that was. 

"Ah yes Ubelle the Bewildering Sage. She is a Mage who also became sort of a Sage. That building is a school for all girls. Where I teach is the area of all arcane magic. She is more on the lines of illusion, alchemy, alteration, and mysticism. There are other forms she teaches. Inside that showboating Mage's School are fourteen young pupils. Each one learns a set of three styles or all four. Some only learn two of those successfully." Gredaro explained to the female Major almost mocking the school. 

"Then you know the way." she pointed out to him. 

"Could you get a medic to heal or see to my pupil?" He requested from the Major. 

"Yes Master Gredaro, Al-Giadin get over here!" She barked at a crowd of Vestrisians who were starting a fire to keep warm. 

A Morgadran fumbling a box of medical appliances came up to them. This male finally got a hold of the medical box. He appeared a little nervous for a medic. On his arm and helmet were the symbols of a medic. Vests, and pockets were filled with medical supplies, and a satchel for a medic slung across him. A large medical bag hung over the other shoulder. 

"Y-yes, M-Major!" al-Giadin reported in to the Major. 

"See to this Wizard's pupil." Major Cunnoris ordered the medic. 

Gredaro led the medic inside the tower. They found Amerius stirring in pain. His maids were giving him comfort. They got out of the medic's way so he could do his job. Al-Giadin still shook because of something else. Using a calming spell Gredaro touched his side. That calmed him down. With gentled hands the Medic checked the youth and started wrapping his wounds. Once the pupil's wounds were dressed the medic called for a stretcher to come over. He looked at Gredaro explaining the reasons for shacking so much. Something about the Unknown Lands scared him to the marrow. The Wizard gave him a wary expression. He was unsure this one should even be here. A Gantronese vehicle came rolling up to the tower. Ten Vestrisians pointed their rifles and sub machine guns on the vehicle. Tensions rose up until the driver revealed himself to be a smiling overzealous Kaniiman Corporal. When the troops of Vestrisians saw it was only him they threw dirt at him, cursed him and jeered him. 

"Illomorse drive these people to that large house we passed on the way here." Major Cunnoris ordered. "Gredaro bring your wounded pupil over here." 

"Ladies go with him and leave. Our belongings will follow you." Gredaro commanded them. Each maid obeyed him and joined the wounded pupil. 

The Goblin Fytbak came to his side again as the pupil was taken over to the vehicle on a stretcher. Amerius was sure to heal under Ubelle's care. She knew the healing arcane spells. It was rare to learn such magic these days. It had been lost over the millennia due to persecutions, witch hunts that had to be brought down for the sake of survival. Gredaro looked down at the Goblin. Fytbak could prove useful and carry luggage with levitation spells. 

"Wait with the luggage." Gredaro told the Goblin who obeyed. 

"Yes Master Gredaro. Should I also request a vehicle from these Vestrisians?" the half Goblin replied to him with the question. 

"Do what can be done." Gredaro sent Fytbak on this little task. 

The Wizard left the all the Vestrisians alone. Although this was now the plane he started to regret moving. He ascended back up the tower steps. Remembering the names of the Wizards and mages he trained alongside became harder. This had nothing to do with age, but the current pressure of the situation he faced. Ubelle was one Sage Mage outside the clich he was in. Eight names entered his mind, Tyen the Aqua Mage, Egorse the Manipulating Charmer, Madox Azzin, Odelin of Oracles and Runes, Veleus Vorpalist Enchanter, Apan Jonari, Ishann Hoqinn of wiccan molded with mystics, and Eforahim of Flame, bolts, and vocal-ism. Each one of these colleagues knew others who would help out. Instead of using some new technologies and a new method he sent flying squirrels. He knew it would not be taken seriously but he went with it any ways. All eight of the furry messengers carried a simple opal stone. Thanks to his magical experimenting these squirrel messengers could get the job done and get back to him. 

Nine experimental flying squirrels set off to the eight colleagues and the Tante Republic. He knew the Modernized state would find it humorous and reject the message without any arcane users there. Gredaro hoped to have a meeting with in a room with the colleagues and a senator-envoy who would take it seriously. Now that there was a massive war going on. In his mind he imagined the islands of Ivodra, Malvieth, Rovantra, and Alagen rejecting his requests. Although the Tante Republic had governance over seven member island states, all their business had to be passed and approved by other states. It was really the political business that had to be approved. Everything else was considered matters of trade. 

When he was ready, Gredaro went down to leave his home. He did not want to delay any further. Going through the tower would only bring back tear jerking memories. Fytbak loaded all their belongings into another Gantronese transport that was stolen. A wooden cart wagon was hooked to the transport. The elf goblin took the driver's seat. Gredaro did not look back. Upon leaving his tower for good he mumbled a name under his breath. A name of someone from his past. 

"Niza."