The Harrowmark: The Twisted Oak, Part 10

The Way Is Barred

Kalyustar pushed most of his minions forward to follow the spider swarm crawling through the woods. Grellem Vallkern was left behind with the rest, covering the Cursed Company's back from the pursuing Rotmoons.
As the spiders led them into an even darker part of the Harrowmark, Kalyustar could sense a distinctly malevolent strain into the aetheric currents.
"We are getting closer! Soon I'll have the power of the Twisted Oak in my hands!"
'Yes, Soulchemist! But do not lower your guard now! Can you hear this discordant singing, brimming with life energies?'
Kalyustar halted, heading the warning of the Shadeglass Skull. Indeed, there was a singing mixed in with the rustling of leaves, the singing of Alarielle's folk and her aelf followers.
"Thank you, my friend! If the Everqueen's lapdogs think they can stop me now, they're sorely mistaken. Cursed Company, form up for combat! You, Skaven, keep following the spiders!"

Thronir followed Kalyustar's orders, leading a maniple of skeletons to a nearby ruin. He took position on its platform, scanning the woods around the Cursed Company for signs of the enemy.

Through the skeletal aelf's eyes, Kalyustar saw them. A Sylvaneth noble, communing with the soul of one of the many lost travellers of the Harrowmark, and an imposing Stromcast leading a patrol of Wanderers in macabre attires.

The gheist drifted towards Kalyustar, its wailing forming words in the Necromancer's mind.
The way is barred! So say Tiuthen of the Fay People, for the Twisted Oak's power is not for you to claim.
With contempt, Kalyustar order the Orruk to deal with the gheist while he and Keinrich advanced to engage the Sylvaneth. His lance darted forward and wounded Kalyustar, which in returned showered the aelf in necrotic bolts.

Having dispatched the gheist, the Orruk turned back, whatever was left of its consciousness sensing the approach of more enemies.

Thronir led the skeletons to face the Wanderers, spears and halberds clashing as the two lines approached.

Meanwhile, the Skaven kept following the spider swarm until they halted and crawled over a dead bush growing at the feet of an imposing, dark barked oak.

Kalyustar knew that was the Twisted Oak and again his mind reached for Grellem Vallkern, calling him and his patrol off from their rearguard duty and giving them a new task.

The Orruk gave a silent warcry as Wild Hunters emerged from the woods. Their deers trampled the skeleton and brought them to where their prince was succumbing to Kalyustar's magic and Keinrich great graveblade. Aelf lances darted for Kalyustar, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Grellem imposed his will on the skeletons, leading them in a forced march to reach and secure the Twisted Oak.

Thronir's party kept the Stormcast and Wanderers away from the Twisted Oak, though some skeletons fell to the aelf blades.

Barely conscious, Kalyustar was still able to puppetteer Keinrich into dragging him away from the mounted aelfs and close to the Twisted Oak.

Thronir and his skeletons kept falling back towards the Twisted Oak, all the while preventing the Stormcast and Wanderers from breaking through to it.

The Wild Hunters pursued Keinrich and felled the Seneschal.

Before they could close upon Kalyustar, Grellem Vallkern stepped in, his blade trailing balefire and dispatching the Wild Hunters' leader.

The Stormcast voice boomed loudly, calling for a retreat. As the Wanderers vanished into the woods, Grellem Vallkern empty eye sockets fell on the Twisted Oak. And then on Kalyustar's unconscious body. His sword's balefire flared more intensely.
'You did well, mighty king!' sounded the Shadeglass Skull's voice. 'The Master is grateful, but remember your place. Your duty is to protect the Soulchemist. But worry not, Grellem Vallkern of the Lux Umbra, your time will come'.
The Wight King nodded, sheathed his blade and looked at the skeletons. They had a ritual to prepare for.