Unbound

Grandmaster Lusk of the Carmine Tower hovered on a plume of flame. His mages were arrayed behind him, busy erecting orange-red tents around burning braziers. Columns of sweet-smelling incense wafted on the summer breeze, masking the scent of burnt dust. Behind them, the ground was blasted and barren, a result of a battle he still could not believe had occurred. Ahead of him, however, was a new, miraculously built structure.

The Wellspring Keep. Where did you come from?

Wards had been erected around the perimeter of the Keep, and though they shimmered with rainbow hues they were largely transparent. They were sophisticated, but not nearly strong enough to withstand him if he truly wished to enter. They would, however, keep out Adepts and lower Tiers with little difficulty.

Wards such as these are complicated to build, let alone entire structures. How was this place made, and so swiftly?

If he hadn't been there, the Grandmaster would not have believed the reports that the Keep had been built. The Keep rose from the earth in a mere fraction of a glass. Just as he wouldn't believe the reports that such a small group had accomplished it.

Or was this always hiding in the earth, he wondered. Waiting for the right person to find it?

It was frustrating to think that such a treasure had been here all along, beneath the city in which he once claimed dominion. But what truly frustrated him was the presence of that vile Atar V'as. A mage that had rendered his Tower's mages moot during their battle. To have one creature best all of the Carmine Tower's flames was an indignity that could not stand. Lusk desired recompense. It was, of course, why he had his mages follow them, watching their every move.

However, the audacity of V'as was outmatched by this monstrous Warden that claimed not just the city, but the entire Territory.

Though he did bring down the Violet Tower. I can appreciate that.