The tower was coming into view.

It was a crumbling structure, creepers crawling up its stone sides. After all, it wasn't in any need of further care, and it already had been structurally unsound from the destruction of the fort. Now that it had been fully abandoned, there was no reason to continue its upkeep. It was just possible to make out a figure at its top, clad in dark clothing...

"There!" Fanilly cried, "There's no further time to waste, we must stop her here! If she can devastate the landscape with a single spell, then there's no telling what she could do to Brennan!"

Fanilly couldn't help but be scared. She had seen the way that the Witch's beam of magical energy had turned the earth beneath it to glass and vaporized a troll in a single blow. And from this vantage point, it was impossible to ignore the fact that she had an excellent position to attack from, overlooking the city.

"... Ah, Iron Roses," commented the witch, her voice somehow audible from this distance, "I wonder... do you question why I am doing this?"

There was the audible snapping of fingers, and almost immediately a wave of orcs emerged from the treeline. How was that possible?! There was not a single orc anywhere nearby, and now there were several dozen of them positioning themselves between the knights and the tower itself?

"You'll see shortly. There's someone I must meet. Absolutely."

"Iron Roses," began Fanilly, "Break through the orc line and slay the Witch of Thorns!"

[@Raineh Daze][@TheFake][@PKMNB0Y]

[hr]

"A-ah?"

Mae turned towards the sound of Klaus's voice, but it was too late. She'd already been left...

Meanwhile, the puppy seemed to be somewhat hesitant. It was a small, fluffy creature, with long, floppy ears and a sort of tawny coloration. It did indeed seem fairly young, though not so much though that it shouldn't be out and about provided it was with its owner. Perhaps it had been frightened of the loud noises? Whatever the case was, after a few moments it slowly began to shuffle its way towards both knights...

And as it did, [i]something[/i] landed on Fleuri's back.

On inspection, it would become clear that it was a note, reading 'Congratulations!'

[@Noodles][@Crimson Paladin]