Book 5, Chapter 43 - The Khan's Visit

Lately, Cloudhawk had been spending most of his time in his lab . A steady flow of things for him to research came pouring in from the other world through the portal he’d created . While he had yet to build a relic he could be proud of, he had already mastered the creation of exorcist bows and rods .

Bit by bit his understanding of relics and their creation deepened . Proof of this was the wasteland-style exorcist rod . Inset with the psychic pearl, it could produce as much stopping power as a regular relic in the hands of a normal demonhunter, or perhaps even more .

It was a crucial discovery . By making even these basic relics autonomous from the bearer’s psychic energies, he’d shattered the barrier between normal people and demonhunters, between wastelanders and Elysians . In creating these relics, Cloudhawk dispelled the myth that they were solely provided by the G.o.ds . Relics weren’t divine gifts . They were tools with a unique source of power, that was all . Mental energy wasn’t some G.o.d-granted power, either . It was a power source that was extractable and transformable .

Meanwhile, Greenland had continued to attract powerful people from all across the southern wastes . These highly evolved wastelanders had grown up in a land that was harsh and unforgiving . All they needed to become elite fighters was a little training in the Elysian style, and a few pointers in the martial arts . Then, with the relics provided by Cloudhawk, they became practically unstoppable .

Right now the only thing they lacked was time to build up .

The Goshawks were only about a hundred strong and still untrained . So far, the secrets of martial arts were still mysteries to them, but there was nothing he could do about that . Cloudhawk had to admit with some pride, however, that the Goshawks were already a singular unit, and it was unlikely any other group in the wilds could stand up to them . In fact, he was sure that if you threw them into the heart of Skycloud they could go toe to toe with any other unit of similar size and come out on top – with the exception of Templars .

And this was just the beginning! Given a couple of years Cloudhawk could grow the Goshawks to several times their current size . They would all be martial artists, and each member would have at least two relics each . But that wasn’t enough . They would also be equipped with high-grade, high-tech weapons and ordinance . They would have the best armor technology could produce . He would mold them into true wasteland Templars!

If Templars existed to defend the Temple, then Goshawks were made to protect Greenland – to protect the dignity of their new home .

Once fully established, who would dare look down on wastelander strength? With them, Greenland would become as stable and established as a mountain . And by then, when Greenland had been transformed into the paradise he envisioned, Cloudhawk would heap praise on the three women that made it happen .

Without Autumn’s help in establis.h.i.+ng a border, Greenland wouldn’t have had the period of safety and seclusion it needed to grow . Also, her guidance in creating the dimensional portal ensured Greenland had plenty of resources to draw from . h.e.l.lflower’s worth and contributions were as plain as the nose on one’s face . She was the foremost scientist they had, a genius of invention and creation . From agricultural techniques to all manner of other inventions she was at the head of it all .

But of them all, Dawn earned the most praise .

Her contributions to Greenland were the most wide-ranging, including bringing the Elysian soldiers that saved them in the beginning . With the Talons of G.o.d on his side, as well as veterans and elders from the Polaris family, they transformed every aspect of this city – from its foundation to its administration, from education to training . These soldiers lay at the crux of it all .

It was no exaggeration to say that without the Polaris family’s contribution and forces, Greenland City would very likely never reached the place it was today . This period of rapid growth would have been a pipe dream .

Dawn herself worked tirelessly and put in as much work as anyone else . Her efforts built the homes Greenland’s citizens now lived in . To accomplish so much in only a few months was a phenomenal and difficult task, even for her .

Every corner of this town was built through their blood and sweat . Cloudhawk considered his own position as leader and wryly noted how limited his contributions seemed .  

The day wore on and the pleasant glow of evening filtered through the semi-transparent barrier that protected them . Dappled rays of fading light were cast through the canopy and down upon the tranquil streets . Yet as he looked at the picturesque scene, for reasons unknown Cloudhawk’s heart was disquieted .

It was too calm . The sort of calm you felt in the eye of a storm . He wasn’t sure why he felt so strangely, but he trusted his sixth sense . There was definitely something ominous on the horizon .

“Bad news, excellency! Miss Polaris has been captured!” Barb burst through the door with this dire bit of news .

Dawn? Captured? How? He’d seen her just a little while ago and she was fine .

Word of her capture quickly spread through the city . In under twenty minutes, their best and brightest were a.s.sembled . h.e.l.lflower, the drunk, Gabriel and a number of the Polaris family’s best had gathered . Everyone was present, but for the single empty seat that belonged to Dawn .

“What the f.u.c.k happened?”

“It happened too fast . We’re only just hearing about it . ” h.e.l.lflower pushed her goggles up higher on her nose . “Earlier this morning a settlement near Greenland’s border called Howling Outpost was attacked, we’re not sure by who . When Dawn heard she gathered a few soldiers first thing and went to investigate . Best we can tell it was a trap and she walked into it . ”

Cloudhawk’s face was all frowns and furrowed brows . “What do we know now?”

“We sent someone to find out what was going on . We found the bodies of several Polaris soldiers but no trace of Dawn . This leads us to believe she’s still alive but in the hands of the enemy . ”

“Just from this one attack?”

“Impossible! How can a mere raid result in this?”

Representatives of the Polaris family clamored in shock . They were here because their mistress commanded it . If she was in trouble, then it would be a dereliction of duty to sit on their laurels here in the city . If something happened to her, the shame on their names would be impossible to wash clean .

Even Roc, ever calm and collected, found himself trembling with anger . Dawn was the General’s only granddaughter . Whatever the cost, whatever the sacrifice, she had to be returned safely . If she died then their lives would have no purpose .

“Everyone, calm down!” h.e.l.lflower scowled . “The enemy acts from the darkness and we’re exposed in the light . We don’t even know who it is we’re up against . We need a target if we’re going to go racing after Dawn, don’t we?”

“There are only a handful of people in the wastelands strong enough to overpower Dawn . ” Cloudhawk sat in his chair, the picture of calm . However everyone knew that underneath that facade a powerful and angry force was brewing . “This isn’t the way Elysians do things . If Skycloud came to s.n.a.t.c.h people up it wouldn’t just be Dawn . Unless I’m mistaken, this was put together by wastelanders . ”

His determination only made the Polaris soldiers more anxious to act . If their mistress was in the hands of those savages, it was even worse than they feared .

“There’s no one out here she’s made enemies with . The Polaris family hasn’t had any direct conflicts with any wastelands groups, either . I don’t believe Dawn or the Polaris family was their intended target . They were either after me or a response from Greenland . ” He thought for a moment then rose to his feet . “Drunk, Gabby, prepare to leave . We’re going to Wolf’s Den . ”

h.e.l.lflower blinked after hearing his announcement, but quickly understood what he was thinking .

If indeed there were only a few organizations that could capture someone like Dawn, they were most likely from the south . The Khan of Evernight was highest on the list of suspects . And even if he wasn’t responsible, a visit to Wolf’s Den wasn’t a waste . If his organization was responsible, Cloudhawk could a.s.sail the Den directly and get Dawn back . If they weren’t, he could negotiate for aid or information from the Khan . If they used the wargs to help search for her, it would cut down the time required significantly .

They were preparing to leave when a messenger burst into the room . “Boss, there’s a group outside who’s here to see you . The Khan of Evernight is with them . ”

This new development stunned everyone who heard . Cloudhawk was just off to see the man and here he was, presenting himself to them . Why? His sudden presence was more than just suspicious . Almost certainly they were here regarding Dawn .

The Khan of Evernight had come with the Wendigo King and ten of his black knights . When Cloudhawk appeared, the Khan’s red eyes flared and he wasted no time coming to the point . “I have the information you want . ”

Cloudhawk was dangerously close to losing his temper . “What do you mean?”

“My intelligence sources have told me about a group from the Northern Barrens . They call themselves the Hand of Gehenna . It was they who laid the trap on the outskirts of Greenland’s influence and captured the Polaris girl – but I believe you to be the one they were after . ”

“The Hand of Gehenna? Them . . . ”

Cloudhawk’s hands curled into fists .  Squall, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d . Now, that a.s.shole had really made him mad . The next time they crossed paths, Cloudhawk promised himself he wouldn’t go easy .

The concerned faces of the Polaris clan members also turned dark with fury . They all knew the Hand of Gehenna was lead by Inkspecter – the man who was once their patriarch’s closest adviser . The same man who was responsible for all the tragedies that had laid them low .

Cloudhawk did not waste time . “Where are they?”

But the Khan shook his head . “It is too late . Even if you pursue them immediately, you cannot save Dawn Polaris . My sources claim she was collected by Skycloud’s expeditionary force . The Hand is clever and knows they are no match for your strength . So, they intend to borrow another’s dagger to kill . ”

The suspicion never fled from Cloudhawk’s gaze as he regarded the mysterious Khan . “I’m not on the best terms with that lot but they don’t have a reason to come after me, either . How do I know this isn’t some story you’ve cooked up?”

“You’re free to verify this intelligence on your own . However, I will caution that you have precious little time . ” The Khan paused, and then -

“Greenland is not powerful enough yet to contend with the expeditionary force . But it would be, if we joined forces . ”

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