Page 84 of Red Ruin
Disordered energy screams where I’m needed most. I spot a lone Sentinel, split off from his unit and backed against a standing piece of wall.
Flames shoot from his hands, and his eyes shine orange. Two nubby horns sprout from his forehead.
Crispin?
The red-head’s power rages as he tosses curtains of fire. He’s not rampaging yet, but he vibrates wildly as he strains to solo dozens of kobolds.
“Sentinel!” I call, releasing my aura. “To me!”
“Guide.” Gasping the only word they never forget, Crispin punches through the kobolds’ line.
He sprints to me, arms and silks outstretched.
I connect to his spirit and groan.
The idiot is running in for a kiss.
Vhex and Remy can no-look-kill while they bicker and sniff my hair—this kid doesn’t have that kind of firepower.
Before Crispin can pucker, I’m already long-distance-purging his built-up poison. “Turn and fight. I’ll support you from behind.”
His eyes clear just enough.
After Crispin about-faces to deal with the few dozen enemies, I close the gap between us and press my hands to his back.
His shoulders ripple.
As I smooth through his magic, his silks try to suck me in.
“Easy.” I guide his chaotic power and easily rebuff his grab.
Even arms-shaking exhausted, this level of guidance is cake.
Crispin has no twists or hidden landmines. After a few redirections, his silks and magic hum through sparkling meridians.
Crispin’s fire stabilizes and burns hotter. Now his flame walls take down two or three kobolds at a time.
He doesn’t even need me to tell him where to aim.
“Thanks.” Crispin shifts until his body is shielding between me and the kobolds. “Stay behind me.”
It’s a little late for that.
I let him have his moment while I conserve energy.
“Crisp!” A Sentinel shouts. She and a full unit of Guides tear toward us, surprising the kobolds from behind.
With Crispin blocking for me, I take the chance to read the energies spread around the lawn. The scattered sword-clangs are dying down, and I don’t sense any unfamiliar Sentinels spiraling.
The familiar ones…
Hellfire and shadows crackle back and forth where the kobold lord used to be standing.
I rub my forehead.
As long as the warlord is dead and Vhex and Remy angle their fightawayfrom the base, I’m not getting involved.
Let them burn themselves out.
