The old man proved to be a demanding teacher, insisting on precise placement of the anchor stones and exact visualization techniques for the aura circulation that would activate them.
"The Stonefang arts were developed over generations," he explained as they positioned a stone at the northeastern point of their protective circle. "We're attempting to compress that knowledge into days. Precision is essential."
Kael knelt beside the stone, placing his hands on the earth around it as Harkin had instructed. He closed his eyes, beginning the breathing pattern that initiated aura circulation. As the familiar warmth spread through his limbs, he directed his awareness downward, visualizing roots extending from his core into the soil, connecting with the anchor stone.
For a moment, nothing happened beyond the usual sensations of the technique. Then, as his concentration deepened, he felt something new, a resonance between his aura and the stone, as if the carved symbols were amplifying and focusing his energy. The stone seemed to pulse with a subtle light visible not to his eyes but to some deeper perception.
"Yes," Harkin murmured, observing with satisfaction. "You're connecting properly. Now extend that awareness along the water channel, linking this anchor to the next."
Kael attempted to follow the instruction, stretching his perception along the flowing water that connected this point to the next anchor stone some hundred yards distant. The effort was immense, like trying to extend an arm far beyond its natural reach. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool air, and his breathing became labored.
"Enough," Elara intervened, placing a restraining hand on Harkin's arm. "He's pushing too hard, too quickly. This isn't something that can be mastered in a single session."
Reluctantly, Harkin nodded. "Release the connection," he instructed Kael. "Gradually, not all at once. Like drawing in a fishing line rather than cutting it."
Kael followed the guidance, slowly withdrawing his extended awareness back into himself. As the connection faded, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, as if he had been engaged in intense physical combat for hours rather than kneeling in meditation.
"The strain is considerable," he acknowledged, accepting Elara's offered water skin with gratitude.
"It will become easier with practice," Harkin assured him. "The body and mind adapt to new demands, developing efficiency. But yes, there are limits to how quickly such abilities can be developed safely."
They continued the work throughout the afternoon, establishing connections with each anchor stone individually rather than attempting to link them as a network. By sunset, Kael could activate each point reliably, though the effort still left him drained.
"Tomorrow we'll attempt limited linking," Harkin decided as they returned to the fort. "Two stones at first, then three if your stamina allows. By the third day, when the Servants are likely to begin their ritual, you should be able to activate the entire network briefly long enough to disrupt their ceremony at its most vulnerable point."
That evening, as Kael reviewed maps and defense plans in his quarters, a knock at the door revealed Mira, her small form silhouetted against the torchlit corridor.
"The children are organized," she reported with the seriousness of one much older. "Twenty-three of us, divided into messenger teams. We've memorized the fastest routes between all command points, practiced signals for different types of emergencies."
"Well done," Kael commended her, genuinely impressed by the initiative she had shown.
"That level of preparation will make a significant difference when communications become challenging."
Mira nodded, accepting the praise as her due, then hesitated as if uncertain whether to continue.
"There's something else?" Kael prompted.
"The younger ones are frightened," she admitted. "Not of fighting, they understand that danger is coming. But of what happened at Oakridge. The stories have spread, growing with each telling. They speak of shadows that drink life, of people turning to dust in an instant."
It was a legitimate fear, one that many adults shared but were too proud to express openly. Kael considered his response carefully, aware that Mira would carry his words back to the other children.
"Fear is natural when facing the unknown," he said finally. "Even experienced soldiers feel it before battle. The difference isn't in having fear or not, but in what we do despite it."
"And what do we do about shadows that drink life?" Mira asked bluntly.
"We bring light," Kael replied. "We move, we adapt, we help one another. The Servants' power comes from isolation and stillness - they target those who are alone, unprepared. That's why messengers are so important. You keep us connected, keep information flowing, ensure that no one faces the darkness alone."
Something in his words seemed to resonate with the girl. She straightened, her expression shifting from concern to determination.
"We won't let you down," she promised. "When the shadows come, we'll be the light that guides our people."
After she had gone, Kael reflected on the interaction with a mixture of pride and concern. Children should not have to bear such responsibilities, should not have to transform fear into courage at such young ages.
Yet the harsh realities of the March had never allowed for protected childhoods. Survival requires contributions from all, regardless of age.
If, when they survived the coming confrontation, that was another aspect of March life that needed to change. Children deserved security, education, and the chance to develop without the constant pressure of imminent disaster. It was a luxury the March had never been able to afford, but one that Kael now added to his growing list of reforms to implement once immediate threats were addressed.
The system activated briefly, acknowledging this new commitment.
***
[Social Development: Priority Identified]
[Children's Welfare: Objective Added]
[Leadership Vision: Expanding]
***
The following morning brought news that accelerated their timeline. Scouts returned from the northern perimeter with reports of significant bandit movement; at least sixty fighters observed, with more likely hidden by the terrain. They were establishing camps in a rough semicircle around Fort Marrow's northern approaches, positioning themselves for a coordinated assault.
"They're arriving earlier than expected," Garek observed as they gathered to assess this intelligence. "Not in full force yet, but establishing forward positions."
"And the Servants?" Kael asked, turning to Harkin.
The old man's expression was grim. "If they're coordinating with the bandits as we suspect, they'll accelerate their preparations as well. We may have only today to complete our counter-measures, not the two days we anticipated."
This compressed timeline created new challenges. The physical defenses were progressing well, but remained incomplete in several sections. The counter-ritual network was established, but Kael had not yet attempted to activate multiple anchor points simultaneously. And the militia, while enthusiastic, had barely begun to develop the discipline needed for coordinated defense.
"We adapt," Kael decided after considering their options. "Prioritize the northern defenses where bandit pressure will be greatest. Accelerate the counter-ritual training; I'll work with Harkin throughout the day to develop the necessary skills. And we implement the command structure immediately, not tomorrow as planned."
The council dispersed with renewed urgency, each member focused on their assigned responsibilities. Kael spent the morning with Harkin and Elara, pushing his aura circulation technique to new limits as they attempted to link multiple anchor stones into a cohesive network.
The progress was encouraging but inconsistent. Kael could maintain a connection with two stones reliably, three with significant strain. Attempting four simultaneously resulted in backlash with a sharp pain behind his eyes and momentary disorientation as his extended awareness snapped back into his physical body.
"It's too much, too quickly," Elara insisted after the third such incident, her healer's concern evident. "The human mind isn't designed to maintain multiple points of focus at this level of intensity."
"The full network includes twelve anchor points," Harkin reminded them, his frustration palpable. "He needs to connect with all of them simultaneously to create an effective counter to the Servants' ritual."
"Then we need to distribute the load," Kael suggested, an idea forming as he recovered from the latest attempt. "I establish the initial connections, then transfer maintenance of individual points to others while retaining the central coordination."
Harkin considered this, stroking his wild beard thoughtfully. "It could work. The Stonefang texts mention group rituals where a primary practitioner created connections that others then sustained. But those others had training, preparation..."
"They had connection to the land," Kael pointed out. "Which many of our people have developed through their work with the irrigation and planting. Sera, Joreth, the farmers who've worked the soil directly they may not have formal training, but they understand the land in ways that matter."
The theory was tested that afternoon. Kael selected eleven individuals with strong connections to the March's land farmers, well-diggers, and those who had worked most directly with soil and water.
With Harkin's guidance, he established connections to three anchor stones, then carefully transferred maintenance of two to Sera and Joreth while retaining the third himself.
To everyone's surprise, the transfer succeeded. Though neither Sera nor Joreth could perceive the energy flows as Kael did, they could maintain the established connections through physical contact with the earth around the anchor stones and simple visualization techniques that Harkin provided.
"It's working," the old man marveled, observing the network with whatever perceptual abilities his years of study had developed. "The connections are weaker than if maintained by a trained Stonefang, but they're stable. This might actually succeed."
They practiced throughout the day, gradually increasing the number of anchor points activated simultaneously. By sunset, Kael could establish connections with six stones before transferring maintenance to his selected assistants, retaining direct control of only the primary anchor at the fort's center.
"Tomorrow we attempt the full network," Harkin decided as they concluded the day's training. "All twelve points activated and linked. If the Servants begin their ritual, we'll be ready to counter it."