Mercenary Tales 84.

Vexil. 

Farsen Geist punches a Vexillian soldier in the face who just tried to stab him in the stomach with a shortsword. 

The younger Geist cousin gets the satisfaction of seeing the enemy soldier stumble backwards, clutching at his broken nose. 

Farsen follows that with a kick to the groin of the soldier, who groans when he drops to the ground. A groan that's short lived as one of the Geist guards stabs him in the throat and neck with his sword. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins takes a deep breath and looks around at the surrounding chaos. Where basically a full on battle is taking place amongst the trees, between the mercenary army the Geist cousins have gathered, and the Vexillian army elements, here in the very north of the city-state. 

Farsen spots his older cousin Gamil nearby, pick up a Vexillian soldier, and give the enemy soldier a bear hug. 

Both the Geist cousins are big men, and the older Gamil the larger of the two cousins, crushes the soldier in the Vexillian army.  Before delivering a headbutt to the enemy soldier. 

The cousins, who though run their family's trading company. Are a rough and tumble pair, who have been taught various combat techniques since they were small children. 

Gamil who was a toddler during the Battle of Vexil, and Farsen who was born just after the largest battle in The Southlands in recent history. 

Know how to use their large frames to effect. And once they get a hold of someone, or hit them. The other person tends to not get up anytime soon. 

Farsen picks up his sword that he dropped, and takes a quick step back, and to the side when a Vexillian soldier runs at him. 

The younger Geist cousin who can see the irony of fighting his fellow countrymen. Narrowly avoids an axe swung at him. 

And he slashes the charging soldier across the thigh as he runs by, cutting through the leather armour, breeches, and finally flesh, almost to the bone. 

Farsen Geist moves away, leaving the wounded enemy soldier to be finished off by one of the Geist company guards keeping close to the younger of the two cousins. 

"Hell" mutters Farsen Geist who flinches as there's an explosion somewhere away to the right amongst the trees. 

From the corner of his vision, he sees red energy, and flames engulf some of the trees about fifty yards from where he is. 

Spellcasters on both sides of the fighting are engaged with one another. And though the casting has been sporadic so far. It's been both deadly and destructive when it has happened. 

The younger Geist cousin, who is warm despite the cold winters morning, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Looks the other way, to his left. And spots some of the Vexillian soldiers heading up a rise or small hill that way. Most likely trying to get around the Geist company guards and mercenaries. 

Farsen spots a group of people already on top of the rise, and he's pretty sure he recognizes them. He nods to himself, when he spots the mercenary named Tam, who is from captain Marqand's company. 

He also sees the large heavily armoured figure, along with the deformed looking troll, which is infact an ork, not that he knows that. With the cleric named Beldane from the company led by the mercenary captain Marqand. 

Farsen Geist quickly looks away from them up on top of the nearby rise, when one of his company guards shouts a warning. 

The younger Geist cousin is nearly skewered by an enemy spear that's thrown his way. Farsen barely steps out of it's path. And instead it hits the mercenary who was right behind him. 

Farsen Geist moves forward as more of the Vexillian soldiers charge at him, and the others with him as they continue south, away from the border, here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

First one of the Vexillian soldiers heading up the rise drops, followed by another, then another. As the blurred and shielded Helbe the elven thief deals to them. 

Two more fall over dead, before the rest of them decide to not continue up to the top of the rise where Lord Farque and those with him are. 

All the same, that doesn't stop Dorc da Orc from taking one of his spears, and throwing it down the rise through the trees at the soldiers in the Vexillian army, who are now going along the western side of the small hill, hoping to outflank the Geist company guards and mercenaries further down amongst the forest. 

The massive spear slams into the side of one of the soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. Basically cutting him in half at the waist as the massive weapon was thrown so hard. 

The spear which is near enough to ten foot long, not to mention way thicker than any spear used by a human. 

Goes on to smash into another of the Vexillian soldiers heading along the side of the rise. Picking him off his feet, and slamming him into the trunk of a tree, pinning him to it, where he screams in pain as he's still alive, though not for long. 

Dorc da Orc chuckles "Get some" as he looks down at his handiwork. Then the large ork grunts in disappointment, as no more of the Vexillian soldiers on the rise, are heading up the to where they are. 

They're keeping towards the base of the small hill, as they try to get around the forces of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

"Spell" says Beldane the cleric who points, and they all, including Dorc da Orc, look that way, further to the west amongst the trees. 

And they see another explosion rock the forest, sending bits of trees and debris mushrooming up into the clear winters sky, that's across this part of the hill country, that's the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

"Mage" quietly says the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine, next to him Lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement. 

Then Helbe the elven thief who has just reappeared next to the others, quietly says "There's a couple of them out there" he follows that in a slightly dry tone with "The Vexillians trend to have them in their army". 

"Unless they directly attack us, don't worry about them" states Lord Farque who after a moments pause, dryly continues with "Which knowing them, they probably fucking will". 

Both Beldane the cleric and Helbe the elven thief nods in agreement, as does Tamric Drubine the field commander. While Dorc da Orc sourly grunts. 

As they all know that mages. Since they know one personally. Tend to attack everyone and anyone not on their side. 

And to be honest, they're not all that picky when it comes to targeting those they're after. As they just likely to get those on their own side, caught up in their spellcasting just as much as the enemy they're attacking. 

"The cousins and their mob are going to have a bad time of it" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who then looks back to the north, then adds "Still could be worse, they could be back over the border in Girdane". 

For to the north, across in southern Girdane, another warship from the kingdom's aircorp has shown up. And another one can be seen further north of that, rapidly approaching the border here in the hill country between the neighbouring nations. 

"Think they'll cross?" asks Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

Lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief both shake their heads no when they see the young field commander who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, is looking back to the north. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, then looks to the south, and he points as he says "They won't even cross with that heading this way". 

In the morning sky to the south is a warship from the Vexillian aircorp. It's about ten miles away, and will be here fairly quickly. 

"Nor will they" says Lord Farque referring to the Vexillian airship in the distance to the south, he then adds "They'll concentrate on those on the ground". 

The undead warlord follows that with "The aircorps on either side won't want to fuck things up". 

"Which is good for them" says the highly talented elven magic user who is both a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, and a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

"Not so much for them" adds the elven masterthief who gestures down into the forest at the fighting taking place. As he refers to the mercenary army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered to their cause. 

"We might want to get them moving to the southwest" quietly says Lord Farque who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name, glances sideways at the large heavily armoured deathlord, then slightly nods his hooded head in understanding. 

For the elven master assassin who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, knows that the recently reopened gold mines in the north of Vexil, are further east from where they are at the moment.

The elven practitioner of magic looks down amongst the trees at those who are fighting. And after a moment, he spots a number of people that are familiar. Including the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. And a bit further in front of them, their company's guard commander, Kilmas. Then Helbe the elven thief starts casting spells. 

Farsen Geist looks ahead when he hears Kilmas the guard commander yell out "This way!" followed by "Hurry!". 

The younger Geist cousin is just wondering why Kilmas wants to go that way, when he suddenly realizes that it's actually a pretty good idea. 

As the ground looks a little more flat that way, and that the enemy have been thinned out that way too. 

Farsen Geist turns to look over at his older cousin Gamil, and sees that he's already on the move that way, as he too heard the guard commander call out. 

"Move!" shouts Farsen Geist to those of his company guards, along with the mercenaries with him. And he starts heading in the way that Kilmas the guard commander is already going. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins starts moving away to the right, to the southwest. A Vexillian soldier who is running straight at him, with sword raised. Suddenly trips over, and falls and smacks his head on a snow covered rock. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Farsen spots an enemy archer between the trees. Draw his bow back, then shoot off the arrow he has to the bow. 

The shaft goes high and wide, going well clear of Farsen Geist and those running with him, as they rush to the southwest. 

And though one of the mercenaries running just ahead of the younger Geist cousin, drops to the group after taking a sword stroke to the guts. 

Farsen Geist along with those with him, easily overwhelm the trio of Vexillian soldiers who stand in their way. 

"This way!" shouts Farsen Geist, which is repeated by his older cousin Gamil, as they head off to the southwest through the forest. 

On what's a cold winters morning, here in the hill country that's the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

As their mercenary army, or what's left of it. Battle elements of the army of Vexil, here in the very north of the city-state . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 83.

Border Region. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander looks around through the trees, then over at Beldane the cleric, who shrugs his shoulders when he sees the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin look his way. 

The young field commander in the Armies of Farque looks back at Dorc da Orc, but the large ork just has a bored look upon his broad green brutish looking face as he looks around. 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, looks back up to the top of the hill they were previously on. 

Until Beldane teleported them off it, just before it was struck by a magetube shot from a Girdanian patrol ship. 

A warship that's in pieces somewhere off to their right, after it was taken down by Helbe the elven thief. Who along with Lord Farque has gone off somewhere. 

Field commander Drubine knows that Beldane won't be able to find them. But someone else might know where they are at the moment. 

"Dorc" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who follows that with "You know where they are?". 

"Fucken who cunt?" asks Dorc da Orc who is peering away through the trees to their right, where he spots more of those in the mercenary army of the Geist cousins, hurrying south to the nearby border with the city-state of Vexil. 

After rolling his eyes, Tamric says "Farque and Helbe" followed by a mutter in elven with "Who the fuck else do I think". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world grunts, then he deeply sniffs as he looks around. 

Then the ork warleader gestures to the south and tells the young field commander "Fucken that way". 

The ork weaponsmith follows that with "Me hear fucken fighting that way too's" then he loudly mutters "Me fucken missin' out on that shit". 

Tamric Drubine who is the son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, looks away to the south through the trees. 

Then he looks over at the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and quietly asks him "Think we should head that way?". 

Beldane the cleric thinks about shrugging his shoulders in reply again, but instead he says "Might as well". 

Then the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell looks back at Dorc da Orc, and he asks the general in the Armies of Farque "Dorc who's fighting away to the south?". 

"Not north" mutters the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. 

"Lord Farque and Helbe fighting down there?" adds the powerful cleric in the half plate armour who waves away to the south, then says "Against any of them?". 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name grunts, then after a few moments, where he deeply sniffs then listens carefully, before saying "Nah cunt". 

The large ork who actually holds a higher rank in the Armies of Farque than Tam, which everyone conveniently forgets to mention to him, says "Them cunts". 

Gesturing away at the passing mercenaries through the trees further to their right, as he adds "Fucken 'em". 

The warleader of the ork race follows that with "Against them other cunts that ways" as he waves away to the south, indicating to across the border into the city-state of Vexil. 

Beldane the cleric nods, then dryly says in the elven language to field commander Drubine "Not like it wasn't expected". 

Tam nods his head in agreement, then in the common language he tells the other two "Come on then" followed by "Might as well head that way" as he points to the south through the trees. 

Then the senior officer in the Armies of Farque, who is noble born, and originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, says "Since that's where everything seems to happening". 

The young field commander sets off, and he's quickly followed by the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and eventually the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. Who grunts as he follows after the two humans. 

After checking on the wreckage of the Girdanian warship that he brought down. In this case, a twin masted cutter. That's mainly in three large pieces on the forest floor. Helbe the elven thief heads off south, and across the border into the city-state of Vexil. 

The young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel who has just shifted. Watches as some of the Geist company guards hurry between the trees, heading south to where the elven masterthief can clearly hear fighting taking place. 

The highly talented elven magic user glances at his right shoulder, to where Narladene the ground pixie is standing. 

"Where is he?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief, the ground pixie leaps off his shoulder, then dives down into the ground. 

After a few moments, the tiny winged creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains pops back up out of the ground, and makes her way back onto the right shoulder of the elven master assassin who she is 'attached' to. 

"That way" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie who points off through the trees, more or less to the southeast. 

The naturally magical creature who went down into the ground, so that she could locate the movement of a particular individual. 

The only person, in the entire world to be exact. That feels a certain way to Narladene by the way they move upon the ground. 

Says to the elven master archer who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel "Think he's watching that fighting we can hear". 

"Makes sense" dryly murmurs the elven practitioner of magic, who then shifts away, heading southeast through the forest. Here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

Lord Farque slightly turns his full helmed head to the right as he senses who it is that's rapidly approaching the position he's watching the fighting between regular Vexillian army soldiers, and the hired mercenaries of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

The undead warlord who is on a slight, tree covered rise is watching elements of the Vexillian army who are engaged with mercenaries from the army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who is crouching down, on one knee, slightly behind the trunk of a fairly large tree. 

Looks away to his right again, and wryly smiles behind the full helm that encloses his head as he watches the hooded figure of Helbe the elven thief moving at speed through the forest as he continuously shifts. 

The highly talented elven magic user who is originally from the island principality of Laerel is blurred and shielded. 

Making him invisible to prying eyes. But not to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who can easily see the young elven noble who is a member of his personal council. 

The undead being who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

Goes back to watching the nearby fighting, and a few moments later the blurred and shielded Helbe the elven thief appears beside him. 

"They're getting stuck into each other pretty good" quietly says Helbe the elven thief, whose actual name is prince Helbenthril Raendril, as he's the grandson of Prince Raendril, who is the ruler of the principality of Laerel. 

The elven practitioner of magic who is speaking elvish, continues with "Don't know who has got the better of it". 

The lord of the death realm, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer, stands up then nods his full helmed head in agreement with the elven masterthief. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who can sense Dorc da Orc, Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric heading this way too. 

Looks closely at one of the Vexillian soldiers, who is on the ground, on top of one of the mercenaries, trying to choke the mercenary to death. Then he looks away to the south, then up into the morning sky in that direction too. 

"More of them are heading this way" quietly says Lord Farque in the elven language as he and the elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel, continue to watch the fighting down amongst the trees, not that far from where they are. 

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, as he suspected more elements of the Vexillian army were here in the north of the city-state. 

So he's not that surprised that more of them are on their way here, just over the border from the kingdom of Girdane. 

"We going to get involved?" quietly asks the highly talented elven practitioner of magic as the two of them, along with Narladene the ground pixie watch the fighting nearby. 

After a few moments, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque shakes his full helmed head, then quietly says "We'll stay out of it". 

Draugodrottin briefly pauses before continuing in a slightly dry tone of voice with "Unless someone fucking attacks us" followed by "Then it's the usual". 

The elven master assassin nods his hooded head in understanding. As he knows the undead warlord would prefer to keep our of the way of the conflict between the Vexillian military and the mercenary army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

But if anyone, from either side were to attack them. Then Des'tier will reply in force and expect the rest of the group to do likewise. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then quietly asks the deathlord of Farque "So what will we do?". 

The lord of the death realm doesn't reply immediately as they watch the fighting nearby. Then eventually he says "You know this wasn't such a bad idea" as he gestures down at some passing mercenaries in the Geist cousins army. 

"I thought you reckoned it was a bad idea?" says the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel. 

"I thought it was a badly executed idea" says Draugodrottin in a dry tone of voice, then he continues more normally with "Not a bad idea in general". 

The lord of the death realm who can sense Dorc, Tam and Beldane getting closer, then adds "In fact there's a couple of genius ideas, that we just might take advantage of". 

The eyebrows of the elven magic user, who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, lift up in surprise at hearing that, then he says "Oh?". 

Des'tier after glancing at Narladene the ground pixie, switches to the noble elven language, and tells the elven princeling "For instance those old gold mines that were reopened by that Salinéll and her lot here in northern Vexil". 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril looks sharply at the undead warlord, then after a moment, he slowly nods his hooded head in understanding. 

"You want them?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief in his first language, the noble or royal elven language. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods his full helmed head slightly, then he gestures down at those fighting down below, not that far from them. 

"Without any of those fuckers from either side knowing" quietly says the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier. 

The elven magic user wryly smiles, as he know first and foremost. That the lord of the death realm likes to take an opportunity to increase his coffers whenever he can. And during any kind of conflict is often the best opportunity to do that. 

"If war does break out between Vexil and Girdane, neither side is going to hire any mercenary armies" says Draugodrottin, who then adds "So that leaves us shit out of luck". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord continues on with "So the next best thing, is what can we take advantage of" followed by "And those newly reopened mines sound pretty fucking good to me". The elven master archer grins at hearing that, after all he does have the soul of a thief. 

Then Des'tier switches back to the normal elven language, and says "Here comes Tam, Beldane and Dorc". 

Helbe the elven thief looks back behind them, and through the trees, he spots the trio of the young field commander, the fighting cleric and the ork warleader approaching the rise from the north. 

"Going to tell them?" quietly asks the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel as he glances sideways at the large figure standing beside him. 

With a slight shake of his head, Draugodrottin quietly says "Not yet" followed by "Not until the others get down here". Referring to the rest of the group, who are still up in the kingdom of Girdane, and won't be down here in the hill country of the border region until later in the morning. 

The elven princeling nods his hooded head in understanding, then as an errant arrow goes flying by them by a few yards. 

The undead warlord and the elven masterthief go back to watching the fighting down amongst the trees between soldiers in the Vexillian army, and mercenaries and guards from the army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

Who were hoping to start a border war between their homeland of Vexil, and the kingdom of Girdane. Which they were hoping to take advantage of, and make a profit from. 

But at the moment, things are not going their way. As more and more soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil are a turning up, as they approach the border from nearby positions. Here on what's a cold winters morning in this region of The Southlands . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 82.

Girdane. Vexil. 

Farsen Geist is running. Something he's not normally accustomed to doing. But he's better at it than his older cousin Gamil. Who he can hear huffing and puffing behind him, as he tries to keep up. 

As he runs between the trees on this cold winters morning here in the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins, briefly looks around. And sees quite a few of the army. 

Predominantly from the Geist trading company's guard, running nearby as they head south towards the border with the city-state of Vexil. 

Farsen briefly grimaces, and behind him he hears his older cousin Gamil Geist groan then say "Fuck". When the loud, echoing sound of an airship's magetubes firing isn't all that far away. 

The younger of the two cousins, glances back to his left, and looks up towards the top of the hill they made their way over. 

And he briefly sees movement up there. Before whoever it is up there, disappears just a few moments before a magetube shot hits the top of the hill. Sending dirt, and bits of trees, along with residual red coloured energy flying into the morning sky. 

Farsen looks ahead when someone further in front, yells out about the stream. That more or less is the border in this part of the hill country, is close by. 

Breathing heavily as he runs, the younger Geist cousin sees the guard commander Kilmas further ahead, leap over something. That Farsen a few moments later, finds out is the stream in question. 

Farsen Geist grunts as he leaps, and barely makes it over the stream without getting wet. Not so Gamil Geist, who mutters "Fuck". 

When he comes up short, and is helped by his younger cousin Farsen, who turns and grabs his arm to pull him up the small bank on this of the stream. 

As others from their company's guard, along with mercenaries they've hired for their army, continue running this way. 

The two cousins look further back, and up. And spot the Girdanian warship that's been attacking their mercenary army. 

It's a patrol vessel, which they immediately identify as a cutter. The cousins may be a lot of things. A lot of which aren't particularly good. 

But they definitely know their airships. After all, they do own one of the more successful trading companies in the city-state of Vexil. 

They see the cutter has circled around the hill, on the other side of which, is the campsite that the mercenary army had. 

And it's turning south, this way. That is until it slightly tilts to port as if it's about to shoot the magetubes on that side, down at targets on the ground. 

"Oh hell" mutters Gamil Geist thinking about those in their mercenary army amongst the trees fleeing south towards the border, who are just about to get hit by a dozen magetube shots. When suddenly a loud cracking sound comes from the Girdanian warship. 

The cousins look at one another, then they look up at the patrol ship from the kingdom of Girdane's aircorp which is only a couple hundred yards away to the north, if that. 

"Huh?" murmurs Farsen Geist, while next to him, his older cousin Gamil says "Er?". As they watch the cutter violently swing to starboard, and start dropping towards the tree tops. 

"Think one of the spellcasters got it?" asks Farsen Geist "Maybe" is the reply from Gamil Geist. Who doesn't know of any of the practitioners of magic in their mercenary army, who could take down a warship so easily. 

Both cousins, and a few of their guards, who have stopped to look back as well. Watch as the Girdanian aircorp vessels which is listing badly, starts hitting the forest canopy, breaking apart as it does so. 

Then it disappears amongst the taller trees, they don't see it plow into the ground, but they definitely hear it. As the thud of it impacting the ground, can easily be heard for quite some distance in all directions. 

First Gamil then Farsen Geist spot the wizard Hoptas amongst a group of others, running this way. 

And when the Vexillian spellcaster, who is an older man, gets to the stream, and levitates himself across it to get to the Geist cousins. 

The younger of the cousins asks "Did you bring down that cutter Hoptas?". The wizard, who is breathing heavily, and perspiring even though it's a cold winters morning, shakes his head no. 

"Wasn't me" says Hoptas the wizard after a few moments when he gets his breath back. The practitioner of magic who works for the Geist trading company, continues with "Thought it was going to shoot at me there for a moment". 

The wizard in the red coloured robes, then adds "When I looked up it suddenly started losing altitude" followed by "Think it's keel failed". 

Farsen Geist grunts at hearing that. As he knows that once an airship, any airship for that matter. When it's magical keel is badly damaged, it can no longer stay aloft, and will quickly fall out of the sky. 

The Geist cousins and those with them, turn and continue south, now that they're in the city-state of Vexil. 

"Think the Girdanians will attack us over here in Vexil?" asks the younger of the Geist cousins as they set off. 

"Who knows" replies Gamil Geist, who starts breathing heavily again as they run through the forest, heading further south into Vexil. 

The Geist cousins who wanted to start a border war between their nation of Vexil, and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

Still at this moment, hope that this will eventuate. Though they've got a feeling it will be a lot worse, due to the actions of the elven maiden named Salinéll, who for all this time, had been posing as their long lost cousin, Misa Geist. 

Who wanted a full scale war between Vexil and Girdane, that would draw in other nations, not too mention those in the unruled lands, here in the central region of The Southlands. 

Farsen Geist looks ahead through the trees when one of the nearby company guards gestures ahead. 

He spots guard commander Kilmas and others have stopped, and the guard commander is talking with one of the cockatrice riders in captain Hafnah's company. 

Farsen Geist who was hoping it was Danielle, captain Hafnah's daughter. Hides his disappointment when they reach Kilmas and the others. 

"Movement further ahead" says guard commander Kilmas when the Geist cousins and those with them, join him and the others with him. 

"About quarter of a mile away" adds the commander of the Geist trading company's guard, who points away to the left, to the southwest. 

"Vexillian army no doubt" says Gamil Geist, his younger cousin Farsen nods his head in agreement with him. 

"Those further to the left in that direction, are going to run straight into them" says Kilmas, who has led the Geist company guard since the two cousins, who are in their twenties, were children. 

"Can't be helped" says the older of the two Geist cousins, who dryly follows that with "Beats being over the border in Girdane and getting attacked by warships". 

The wizard Hoptas nods his head in agreement with that, then the Vexillian born practitioner of magic says "As I was coming over the hill, I cast a sight distance spell to see what's happening". 

The spellcaster who is his late forties, maybe early fifties, continues with "I saw two more Girdanian warships heading this way from the north". 

The practitioner of magic in the red coloured robes, follows that with "And there was more on the northern horizon, heading this way". 

Farsen Geist grimaces as he hears that, then as some of the company guard, wave mercenaries onward who have just crossed the border, sending them south further into northern Vexil. 

His older cousin Gamil says "Girdanian warships or Vexillian army companies" after a moments pause, he adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "I know who I don't want to face, that's for sure". 

The younger of the Geist cousins nods his head in agreement, then Farsen Geist says "Keep moving" he looks at commander Kilmas and adds "Make sure every one who crosses the border, continues southwards". 

The guard commander nods, then he starts yelling out orders after briefly speaking to the cockatrice rider, who after listening to what Kilmas has to say. Mounts his beast, then takes off, heading due south between the trees, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

They set off again, moving as quickly as they can. With many of the Geist company guards and the mercenaries the cousins have hired, running as they flee south. 

As for the Geist cousins and those with them, they move at a jog more than anything else. As Farsen and Gamil, both of whom are big men. Are feeling the effects from running since leaving their camp over the border in the kingdom of Girdane. 

Looking through the trees to his left, the younger Geist cousin Farsen spots the road that goes through this part of the hill country in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

The road through the forest is more of a wagon track. A cart track to be honest. As it isn't very wide, as it weaves in and out the trees. 

Farsen Geist spots a couple of wagons from the mercenary company of captain Mackrin. Most of whom left much earlier, before dawn on this cold but clear winters morning. 

Amongst the trees, both mercenaries and guards from the Geist trading company occasionally call out to one another. 

"Might want to cut that out" says Gamil Geist referring to the calling out by both mercenaries and guards. 

"The Vexillian companies somewhere away to the left will hear that" adds the older of the two Geist cousins. 

His younger cousin Farsen nods his head in agreement with that. Then he has a couple of guards spread the word to keep things quiet, and for no one to yell out. 

The Geist cousins, along with the wizard Hoptas, and those with them, briefly pause. When they hear the boom of magetubes firing in the distance, somewhere away to the north, over the border in southern Girdane. 

"Hell another warship has turned up" sourly says Farsen Geist, next to him his older cousin Gamil grunts in agreement to that. 

Then the younger of the two cousins waves for them to continue. And they move off through the trees here in the hill country of the border region. 

Following behind the two cousins, is the wizard Hoptas, who is breathing more heavily than the older Geist cousin Gamil, as they continue southwards. 

Then the group of them come to a stop when they spot the guard commander Kilmas, and those with him up ahead, have stopped. 

And the commander of the Geist trading company's guards, is holding an arm up, signalling for those following to stop. 

Farsen and Gamil Geist share a look, and after the younger of the two cousins slightly nods, the older cousin Gamil, quietly says "Come on, let's see what's up". 

The Geist cousins and the group with them, move ahead. And once again join the guard commander Kilmas and those with him. 

And before either Gamil or Farsen can ask what's happening, Kilmas the guard commander, who has a  hand up for silence, quietly says to them "Listen". 

The younger Geist cousin frowns as he listens, as does his older cousin Gamil, as they try to figure out what it is they are barely able to hear. 

It's the wizard Hoptas who finds out first, as he doesn't have to try to do something mundane, like listen with his normal hearing. 

The Vexillian born spellcaster who has been with the Geist trading company for quite some time, quietly says to the cousins and the others "Fighting". 

The wizard in the red coloured robes points to the left, more to the southeast than anything else, and he quietly adds "Certain some of our lot have run into those companies from the army of Vexil". 

Farsen Geist grimaces when he hears that, while his older cousin Gamil, sourly smiles then he says "We might want to avoid that". 

"That's if we can get around them" says the guard commander Kilmas, who follows on from that with "They might spread out, and head in this direction". 

Gamil Geist sighs in frustration, while Farsen who is equally as frustrated, says "All the same" followed by "Best if we keep as far away from the Vexillian army as possible". 

Guard commander Kilmas nods in agreement, then he gives a few orders to those with him. Then he, and the rest of them continue on their way again.

Farsen Geist tries to listen carefully, but all he can really hear is the heavy breathing of those around him as they make their way through the forest as they hurry southwards. 

As he jogs, the younger of the two Geist cousins keeps looking away to his left, he sees that the road they've been running parallel with, turns back this way. 

And he and the others, cross it as they hurry south through the forest. Looking both ways, before he goes back amongst the trees. 

Farsen Geist sees wagons from captain Mackrin's company in both directions along the road. The younger of the Geist cousins slightly frowns to himself as sees some odd shaped boxes in the beds of some of the wagons. 

Then once again amongst the trees, Farsen continues to look away to the left. As he's pretty sure he hears something in the distance that way. 

"Hear that?" says Gamil Geist who is jogging beside his younger cousin now. Farsen Geist replies with a nod of his head, as they can now hear fighting away to the south and east. 

From further ahead comes a shouted warning. And the Geist cousins look forward, and see the guard commander Kilmas drawing his sword. And those with him, take their weapons to hand. 

The two cousins who wanted to start a border war between their homeland, the city-state of Vexil, and the kingdom of Girdane. 

So that they could benefit from it, selling what they transport to both sides of the conflict. Hoping to make a large profit from the turmoil. 

Share a look as they now hear fighting up ahead, from further in front of where guard commander Kilmas and those with him are. 

Then after glancing back and telling the wizard Hoptas to do the best that he can. Farsen Geist along with his older cousin Gamil, draw their weapons. 

As up ahead, some of their company guards, and mercenaries from their army. Have run into elements of the Vexillian army, who are here in the hill country that's the border region between the two nations of Vexil and Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 81.

Southern Girdane. Northern Vexil. 

Looking down through the trees to their right. Beldane the cleric can see mercenaries from the Geist army hurrying south towards the nearby border with the city-state of Vexil. 

The fighting cleric glances to his left, when Lord Farque says something to Dorc da Orc in the language of the orks. 

The large ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque, who is rummaging through one of his sacks. No doubt looking for something to eat. 

Grunts, then looks to where the large heavily armoured deathlord nods to. 

The ork warleader grunts again, then he too watches the mercenaries who are hurrying to the nearby border. Which is just beyond the hill they're on top of. 

The powerful cleric in the church of Glaine then looks away to the west when once again he hears the Girdanian warship that way. Shooting off some of it's magetubes. 

The spellcaster who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, spots the patrol ship in the distance, in the light of the early morning sunshine, on what's a cold winters day. 

As it's shooting down it's powerful magical weapons, towards the base of a hill further to the west. 

The cleric in the half-plate armour figures there must be more mercenaries from the army gathered by the Geist cousins, in that direction. Who are also heading towards, and crossing the border when they get there. 

The fighting cleric who is originally from northern Nastell, where his god Glaine is predominantly worshipped. 

Glances to his left again and sees the undead warlord look closely at something down amongst the trees, on the other side of the hill, closer to the border. 

The powerful practitioner of magic looks carefully in the same direction. Then he spots some wagons, that must of departed earlier. 

After a moment, the member of the church of Glaine slightly winces as he recognizes the wagons as belonging to the mercenary captain Mackrin, and his company. 

"Hell" mutters Beldane the cleric as he knows what's in the beds of those particular wagons. And he wonders if the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque will do something with them. 

Since battle is fairly imminent on one side of the border or the other. Though probably both in the opinion of the Nastellian born spellcaster. 

Then Beldane turns and looks north, when Lord Farque says "They're heading this way fairly quickly" followed in a slightly dry tone with "Of fucking course the royal thief will get here first". 

The undead warlord then tells the fighting cleric that the group are moving fairly quickly. As both Mira Reinholt the mage and Saanea the witch, are taking turns to teleport the others. 

The powerful practitioner of magic can't sense them yet, but he figures they, well at least, Helbe the elven thief won't take all that long to get here. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque then says "Another Girdanian warship is coming from that way too" he continues with "There's another one following behind that one as well". 

The cleric in the church of Glaine quickly spots them in the distance away to the north after he casts a farsight spell upon himself. 

Knowing that Lord Farque, along with Dorc da Orc can clearly see the Girdanian aircorp vessels in question. That's if the ork weaponsmith bothered to look that way. 

Because the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, is busy watching what's happening closer to the hill they're on top of. Here in the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

The ork who is the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. Who he happened to of killed a number of years ago. Which was only fair, as she was doing her very best to kill him at the time. 

Is looking towards the nearby border, which is marked by a stream running through the trees, a bit further to the south of the hill they're on. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, is looking further into northern Vexil, and after grunting, he says something in the ork language. Which of course, the Nastellian born fighting cleric in the church of Glaine doesn't understand. 

Lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement with whatever it is the warleader of the ork race just said. 

Then the undead warlord notices the powerful spellcaster standing next to him, glance at him, wondering what the large ork just said. 

With a gesture down at the mercenaries in the army gathered by the Geist cousins, Gamil and Farsen. 

Who are hurrying through the trees on this cold winters morning, trying to get to the border, and to cross it in as quick as fashion as possible. 

The lord of the death realm tells the cleric in the half plate armour "That lot are in for a shock". The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, continues with "There's a fairly large Vexillian force across the border". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord whose elven name is Des'tier, which means The Destroyer, adds "A fair fucking few of this lot are going to run straight into them". 

After the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine winces when he hears that, the deathlord of Farque dryly tells him "Better chances against them, than the Girdanian warships on the way here". 

Beldane the cleric nods his head in agreement with that. Then he goes back to looking for those wagons in captain Mackrin's company. After a few moments, he spots them again. 

The powerful spellcaster who is originally from the north of his homeland, the kingdom of Nastell. 

Knows that what's in them, could very well turn the tide of a battle if captain Mackrin's company. Or for that matter, all of the gathered Geist mercenary army. 

Find itself in a battle with the forces of the army of the city-state of Vexil, who are up here in the border region between their nation, and the kingdom of Girdane. 

The undead warlord turns around again, and looks away to the north. Beldane does so too, and the large heavily armoured deathlord points, then tells the fighting cleric "There". 

The powerful cleric in the church of Glaine with the farsight spell he's cast, sees the small clearing the lord of the death realm has pointed to. 

"The royal thief will be there any moment now" says Draugodrottin, who continues with "He's got Tam with him" followed by "Bring them here". 

Beldane the cleric nods, then he disappears as he teleports away. Knowing that Helbe the elven thief is hell of a lot faster than him. But he can travel much further with a teleportation spell than the elven magic user, due to how powerful he is. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander is just about to ask the elven masterthief something. 

But he's to slow, as the young elven noble makes them disappear again, as they shift away as they head south towards the border. 

"Fuck" yelps Tamric Drubine the field commander, while next to him the elven master assassin mutters something in the royal elven language after they reappear in a small clearing amongst the trees, off to the side of the forest road they've been more or less following south. 

"How did you" says Helbe the elven thief, who then dryly adds "Never mind, I know how" as he and field commander Drubine find themselves standing in front of Beldane the cleric. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel glances at Narladene the ground pixie upon his right shoulder. 

Seeing the look directed at her by the highly talented elven magic user she's attached to. The tiny winged creature just shrugs her shoulders in reply to him. 

With a grin upon his face, Beldane the cleric says "Come on, I'll take you there" and he steps between the young noble from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, and the elven practitioner of magic. 

The powerful cleric then looks to the south in the distance, and he teleports them all away. About five miles, to a hilltop basically on the border with the city-state of Vexil. 

Lord Farque doesn't even turn as Beldane returns with Tamric Drubine the field commander and Helbe the elven thief. 

The three of them step forward to stand beside the large heavily armoured deathlord, who says "Dorc tell Tam and Helbe what's happening". 

The large ork starts talking, and the undead warlord rolls his eyes, before saying "In common you big fucking idiot". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world who is a general in the Armies of Farque, grunts. 

Then he switches to the common language and starts explaining to the young Sarcrinian noble, and the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel. 

What's happening here along the border between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

And how the mercenary army of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen, are fleeing south across the border into Vexil. 

Trying to avoid the Girdanian aircorp vessels, one of which, a patrol ship. Has already turned up. While two more, are approaching from the north. 

And how the gathered mercenary army, or what's left of it. Are more or less heading towards a large contingent of Vexillian forces across the border. 

"Think they've got a chance?" asks Tamric Drubine the field commander after Dorc da Orc has finished outlining what's going on. 

While away to the west, the Girdanian patrol ship, is circling a hill further to the left of the one they're on top of. 

"Everyone's got a chance" is the reply from Lord Farque who after a brief pause, adds "Though their one is fairly fucking small". 

The undead warlord gestures to the south, as he continues with "Though it's better over there, than it is on this side of the border". 

Both Helbe the elven thief and Tamric Drubine the field commander nod in agreement with that from the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

"If either side slips up" says the elven master archer referring to both the Girdanian forces and the Vexillian ones. 

"They'll end up fighting one another" continues the young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel. 

"That maiden you three have been after will finally get what she wants" adds the highly talented elven magic user who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, snorts at hearing that, then he chuckles while shaking his head. 

"She's dead" says Beldane the cleric to the elven magic user from Laerel and the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

Both of whom are more than a little surprised at hearing that from the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine. 

Who then explains to them what's happened concerning the elven maiden Salinéll who was posing as Misa Geist. Whose headless body lies towards the base of the hill the group are on top of at the moment. 

As the powerful practitioner of magic originally from the kingdom of Nastell speaks to Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. And Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give his full name and title. 

Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc continue to watch the mercenary army of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. Many of whom have now crossed over the border into the city-state of Vexil, or are just about to. 

The ork weaponsmith is just wondering if something's going to happen, when he does spot something. 

The large ork who is a general in the Armies of Farque, says to the undead warlord in orkish "Fucken see that?". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, points as he continues with "Them cunts there gonna fucken get it". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who has already sensed what Dorkindle is referring to, nods his full helmed head, then says in the language of the orks "Yeah I see it cunt". Draugodrottin or Des'tier to give his elven name continues with "Heading right for 'em". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is about to switch to the common language, and tell Helbe the elven thief, Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric something. When he quickly looks to the west as he senses something in that direction. 

"We're about to have some company" is what the lord of the death realm says instead, he gestures to the west, getting the attention of the others, with the exception of Dorc da Orc who is busy watching the mercenaries of the army gathered by the Geist cousins, crossing over the border into the city-state of Vexil. 

"Hell" mutters the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine as they see the Girdanian aircorp patrol ship head towards the hill that they're on top of, here in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

"Want me to get rid of it?" asks Helbe the elven thief who has already brought down one Girdanian warship this cold winters morning. 

After glancing at the approaching cutter, Lord Farque slightly shrugs his broad heavily armoured shoulders, then says "If it fires at us" followed by "Sure". 

The elven masterthief rolls his eyes, while field commander Drubine wryly smiles, and the cleric Beldane just shakes his head. 

As all three of them know that they'll more than likely get attacked by the Girdanian aircorp patrol ship. 

For the simple reason they're basically out in the open, on the hilltop they're upon. True, they're near some trees. Though not under the canopy of the trees. 

They'll be spotted by the lookouts and others onboard the Girdanian warship. If they haven't already. 

On this cold winters morning, here along the border between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 80.

Vexil/Girdane Border Region. 

Gamil Geist storms out of the command tent, his younger cousin Farsen storms out right behind him. The others follow the Geist cousins out. 

The guard commander Kilmas has the camp followers go back in and continue to pack things up, and break the tent down. 

They keep well clear of the Geist cousins as they make their way back into the large tent. As Gamil is pacing back and forth, angrily muttering to himself. 

While the larger, and younger cousin Farsen. Just stands there, glaring at the tree covered hill to the south that the camp is behind. 

Eventually it's the younger cousin Farsen who calms down first. When he spots the mercenary company of captain Hafnah. With it's cockatrice. Not to mention, Hafnah's daughter, Danielle. Who Farsen Geist is enamoured with. 

Making their way from camp. Heading south to the nearby border with the city-state of Vexil. On this cold winters morning, here in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

After glancing to his left, and sourly smiling to himself, Farsen Geist says "What about her?" followed by "What should we do with her?. 

He's obviously addressing his older cousin Gamil, who stops muttering, and grunts as he first looks over at his younger cousin, then at who Farsen is referring to. 

A sour smile appears on the face of the older cousin too as he looks at the elven maiden by the name of Salinéll. 

Who has tricked the Geist cousins, and got them involved in something that wasn't what they wanted, or for that matter, needed. 

True, Gamil and Farsen Geist wanted to stir up animosity between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

Hoping to spark a border dispute, and eventually a border war between the two nations. Which they were hoping would help the fortunes of their trading company. 

They definitely didn't want a full on war between Vexil and Girdane. One such one, that would suck in other nations in this region of The Southlands. 

Causing an expanded war in what's the vast central region of The Southlands. 

The older Geist cousin looks on in disgust at the elven maiden, who is being held by the arm by the large individual in the dark blue, black full plate armour. 

Gamil Geist is just thinking about what should be done about Salinéll the elven magic user, who posed as their cousin Misa, who it turns out has been dead for some time. 

When the cleric from captain Marqand's company, Beldane speaks up, and says "There's a bit of a problem". 

"Oh?" says Gamil Geist who looks over at the cleric in the church of Glaine, then he adds "What kind of problem?". 

After glancing at Lord Farque, who he sees slightly nods his full helmed head. Beldane the cleric says "The army's in trouble here". 

"How?" demands the older of the two cousins, both of whom run their family's fairly successful trading company. 

"Girdanian warships are on the way here" explains the fighting cleric who is originally from the kingdom of Nastell. 

"And just across the border is a significant number of Vexillian forces" adds the powerful practitioner of magic who is a member of the church of Glaine. 

"Hell" mutters Gamil Geist, while his younger cousin Farsen winces when he hears that. As does their guard commander Kilmas. While the wizard Hoptas just shakes his head as he thinks about how badly things have gone of late. 

"You won't stand a chance against them both" says the fighting cleric in the half plate armour, who follows that with "Your best chance is against just the one". 

"I'd suggest over in Vexil" says Lord Farque who speaks up, he continues with "There's no fucking way you lot will survive against the Girdanian aircorp". 

Beldane the cleric nods in agreement with the undead warlord, then he says "Best to take on the companies of the Vexillian army over there". 

Gamil Geist looks like he's just swallowed something sour from the look upon his face. His younger cousin Farsen looks pretty similar after hearing that too. 

Before the two cousins can make a decision, commander Kilmas instantly sees the wisdom in what the Nastellian cleric and the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque have just suggested. 

And he waves over some of his men, and gives the order for the entire army to basically abandon camp, and cross the border into the city-state of Vexil as quickly as possible. 

Gamil Geist nods at the orders from the guard commander of his family's trading company. Then he looks at the elven prisoner, then glances at his younger cousin beside him. 

Farsen Geist grunts at seeing that look from his older cousin, then the younger Geist cousin quietly says "Get rid of her". 

"Permanently" adds Gamil Geist with a final look of disgust at the elven maiden Salinéll, who is then hauled away by the large figure in the full suit of dark blue, black plate armour. 

Beldane the cleric and Dorc da Orc follow after the large heavily armoured deathlord, and the elven magic user who hails from the principality of Alinlae that they've captured. 

While all around them, mercenaries from various companies, are busy packing up what gear they can carry. Then rush off south, towards the nearby border with the city-state of Vexil. 

Hissing in pain due to the extremely strong grip upon her right arm, Salinéll the elven maiden says in the language of her people "What are you going to do to me?". 

"You heard your cousins" dryly replies Lord Farque who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

"We're getting rid of you" continues the lord of the death realm, who briefly pauses before adding "Permanently". 

The deathlord of Farque has led them out of camp, and is heading up the hill it's located behind. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord is heading more eastwards than directly south, as most of the Geist mercenary army is going directly south over the hill, as they rush towards the nearby border. 

Once amongst the trees when they're part way up the hillside, the lord of the death realm who has the elven name of Des'tier, comes to a stop. 

"Think they'll make it?" asks Beldane the cleric with a nod back in the direction they've come from. 

"Probably not" is the reply from Draugodrottin, who continues with "An airship, a patrol vessel, cutter by the feel of things, is almost here". 

The undead warlord slightly turns, and nods to the west, and continues with "That way" he then adds "It'll catch a bunch of them before they get across the border". 

The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine nods when he hears that, then he looks at the elven magic user who the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque has got a firm hold of. 

Resigned to her fate as she looks at the trio who have captured her, who are just watching her. Salinéll the elven maiden says "Go ahead do it". 

"Very well" says the deathlord of Farque, who is about to snap the elven magic user's neck, but decides not to as he's thought of something else, that's far more appropriate all things considered. 

Des'tier says something in the ork language, that causes Dorc da Orc to grunts in surprise, then suddenly grin. 

The elf from the principality of Alinlae, looks at the large ork, who she has been after for more than twenty five years. Who is taking a spear from across his back. 

"Since me killed your dad's" says Dorc da Orc, who chuckles as the elven maiden scowls at him in anger, and disgust at the mention of the death of her father. 

"You can fucken due just like him" adds the ork warleader who has grin from ear to ear as he looks at the elven magic user. 

"I don't care what you do" says Salinéll the elven maiden as the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world takes a few steps back from where he was standing. 

"Nothing you do, you foul stinking bast" is what Salinél gets out, before she's abruptly cut off by the spear that's thrown at her by the large ork. 

A spear that hits her directly in the head, and hits her so hard her head shatters apart into nothing. Pretty similar to what happened to her father during the Battle of Vexil over a quarter of a century ago, when Dorc da Orc killed him with a ballista he was using like a crossbow. 

Lord Farque lets go of the elven maiden's arm, and the headless, and very much lifeless body of Salinéll the elven maiden falls to the ground. 

Then as Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, chuckles as he goes and retrieves his spear which is sticking into a nearby tree. 

Beldane the cleric after a glance down at the dead elven magic user from the principality of Alinlae, looks to where the lord of the death realm nods. 

Looking to the west, the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine spots an airship in the distance, heading more or less in this direction. 

"Come on" says Draugodrottin, who doesn't even bother to look at the dead body of Salinéll the elven maiden, and instead starts heading up the hillside. 

"Might as well watch what happens" adds the large heavily armoured deathlord, who is quickly joined by Beldane the cleric. 

Then eventually Dorc da Orc, after the ork weaponsmith takes a quick shit on the dead body of the elven magic user they've chased across both Vexil and Girdane recently. 

Something he wasn't able to do over twenty five years ago to her father, who was a general in the combined armies that invaded the city-state of Vexil. 

As the chortling ork warleader hurries to catch up to the undead warlord and the fighting cleric, the sound of magetubes firing can be heard in the distance. 

As the approaching Girdanian warship has caught sight of the mercenary army amongst the trees, who are hurrying south on this cold winters morning here in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 79.

Border Region. 

They step out of the gateway. With Dorc da Orc leading the way, followed by Lord Farque, then Beldane the cleric, who drops his spell behind him. And the gateway vanishes. 

Over the right shoulder of the undead warlord is the elven maiden Salinéll. Who at the moment is unconscious. 

The three of them look around in the early morning light, here in the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. On what's another cold winters day here in this region of The Southlands. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque goes to take a step, but he stays still, and frowns after sensing in all directions. 

Having just done the same thing, well magically sensed that is. And seeing the large, heavily armoured deathlord go still. 

Beldane the cleric asks him "Something wrong?". The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, senses again to see if he notices anything untowards in the immediate vicinity. 

He's silent for a few moments, then Lord Farque after glancing away to the north, gestures that way, then says "The others are heading back south" he continues with "They're about eighteen miles away I guess". 

The lord of the death realm pauses for a moment before he says "That's not the problem though". The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that his people also know him by. 

Then explains to the cleric in the church of Glaine what's actually the problem. Whilst Dorc da Orc, who is standing nearby. Watches on, not really understanding what's going on. Or for that matter, caring about what's going on. 

"Shit" mutters the fighting cleric after the deathlord of Farque tells him what's happening. The powerful spellcaster winces, then says "They're on the move" he briefly pauses before adding "Well, some of them are" followed by "Going over the border". As he's sensed some fellow practitioners of magic that he recognizes heading that way. 

Des'tier, which is Lord Farque's elven name, nods his full helmed head in agreement, then he says "And that's the problem". 

The undead warlord starts walking, and Beldane walks along side him, with the large ork following behind the two of them. 

"Fucking idiots should of got moving earlier" says the large heavily armoured deathlord, who follows on from that with "They'll have half their army on one side of the border, and the other half still here in Girdane". 

The lord of the death realm who has informed the fighting cleric that there's Girdanian warships on the way, has also told Beldane that there's Vexillian ground forces across the border. Not all that far away to the south. 

"She might get what she's after anyway" says the cleric in the half plate armour who nods at the unconscious elven maiden over the right shoulder of the lord of the death realm. 

The deathlord of Farque grunts at that, then says "More than likely" he briefly pauses as they start going downhill between the trees, then he adds "Whatever happens, that mercenary army is done for". 

Draugodrottin continues on with "I doubt either the Vexillians or the Girdanians will want that lot hanging around the border region any longer". 

As they make their way on to a game trail that goes downhill, the undead warlord says "Both sides definitely know they're here, in this area along the border" he follows that with "They'll want to wipe them out". Beldane the cleric nods in agreement with that from the heavily armoured deathlord. 

Then as Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, takes a steamed ham from one of his sacks. The ham being some of the food and drink the ork warleader purchased early this morning, before they departed the city of Oaklynn. 

The fighting cleric who ignores the loud chewing coming from behind him and Lord Farque, quietly asks Des'tier "Should we warn them?". 

"Maybe" is the reply from the deathlord of Farque, who thinks about something for a moment, then he tells the Nastellian born spellcaster "You should probably do the talking" he then adds "They know you" followed by "Not us two". Referring to himself and the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine nods to that, then he listens as Draugodrottin quietly tells him something in the elven language. 

The powerful cleric who is originally from the north of the kingdom of Nastell, can't help but slightly grin after hearing what the undead warlord has to stay. 

Then the trio fall silent, with the exception of Dorc da Orc eating in his usual noisy way as he follows behind the lord of the death realm and the fighting cleric. 

The three are heading down to the camp of the Geist mercenary army. A camp that's breaking up in the early light of the cold winters morning. 

Already about a quarter of the mercenary army is on the move. With quite a lot of them over the border in the city-state of Vexil. 

A border which is less than half a mile away to the south, over one of the hills that the camp is behind. Here in the very south of the kingdom of Girdane. 

It's not long before the trio, and the unconscious elven maiden Salinéll enter the camp that's packing up and leaving. 

Beldane is recognized, as the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine is part of captain Marqand's company. As is the rest of the group who are posing as mercenaries whilst in the army of the Geist cousins, Gamil and Farsen. 

The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, spots the command tent used by the Geist cousins, which has yet to be taken down. 

The fighting cleric leads the undead warlord, and the ork weaponsmith that way. The two of whom, garner more than a few looks from those who are packing up, and who are about to depart the camp site. 

Lord Farque glances back at Dorc da Orc, and quietly says to him "Ogahar namgul cakl". The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world who is drinking from a small barrel of ale at the moment. Burps, then grunts in a positive manner in response to what the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque just said in orkish. 

There's a few members of the Geist company guard outside the command tent. And Beldane the cleric informs one he recognizes is an officer. That he's brought a prisoner for the Geist cousins to see. Gesturing at the unconscious elven maiden Salinéll as he does so. 

With a wary eye at both Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc, the officer from the trading company's guard, heads into the command tent. And a few moments later, he comes back outside, waving the three of them and their prisoner in. 

The trio make their way into the command tent, with both the undead warlord and the ork general in the Armies of Farque, having to duck down to enter. 

The Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen who at the moment are overseeing the packing up of their tent. Turn around at the entrance of the trio and their prisoner. 

With them is their guard commander Kilmas, along with the wizard Hoptas. And a couple of camp followers who are packing up. 

Gamil Farsen sends the camp followers outside, while Farsen Geist mutters "Damn, that's the ugliest looking troll I've ever seen". 

Dorc da Orc who doesn't really care what's being said, or done for that matter. Definitely heard that from the younger Geist cousin. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world growls, and is about to walk over and kill the younger of the Geist cousins for calling him a troll. Until he hears Lord Farque quietly say just a single word in orkish. 

Dorkindle who is from the wolf tribe of orks glances sideways at the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, and he sees a bright blue flash of light briefly appear in the eye slot of the undead warlord's helm. 

The large ork sighs in frustration, then he just glares at Farsen Geist, imagining brutal ways in which he can kill the younger of the two Geist cousins. 

"That cleric in Marqand's company aren't you?" asks Gamil Farsen as he recognizes the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine. 

"I am" says Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "With young Tam's squad". The powerful practitioner of magic gestures at the deathlord of Farque and the ork warleader, and says "So are my associates". 

The Nastellian born spellcaster continues with "They've been going about gathering information for captain Marqand away from the army" he then dryly adds "Though they're a little conspicuous, they have an amazing ability to find things out". 

Both Geist cousins, along with their guard commander, and the wizard who is their lead magical consultant, all lift their eyebrows in surprise at that. 

Then Gamil Geist gestures at the unconscious elven maiden over the right shoulder of the large heavily armoured deathlord, and says "And her,?" followed by "Your prisoner?". 

"She's the cause of all your problems" is the reply from the powerful cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine. That definitely gets the attention of the Geist cousins, their guard commander and the wizard. 

Draugodrottin shrugs the unconscious elven maiden off his shoulder, and she falls to the ground. 

The lord of the death realm draws his massive sword from across his back, then drives it into the ground beside the unconscious elven magic user. The hilt going more than halfway into the ground. The undead warlord takes a leather strap from Beldane the cleric, and wraps it around the right wrist and hand of the unconscious elf. Then takes that hand and has it grasp the hilt of the massive sword. Then wraps the hand to the hilt with the rest of the leather strap. 

Des'tier stands up and nods to the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and tells the powerful practitioner of magic "Wake her". 

The Geist cousins along with guard commander Kilmas and the wizard Hoptas, who are wondering what the hell is going on. 

Watch as the unconscious elven maiden starts to stir, as she's awoken by the spellcaster who hails from northern Nastell. 

The elven magic user wakes up after a few moments, she's slightly disoriented for a bit, then as she looks around, she goes completely still as she realizes where she is, and who it is that's watching her. 

"Sit up" quietly says Lord Farque who nudges the prisoner with one of his steel boots, she grimaces, and with a glare directed at the undead warlord, she sits up, with her right hand firmly tied to the hilt of the massive sword that's been driven more than halfway down it's length, into the ground. 

The elven magic then scowls, and hisses in anger as she spots the massive figure of Dorc da Orc standing off to one side. 

The large ork just glances her way, and chuckles at the predicament that she finds herself in. As he knows exactly, kind of. What the elven maiden is tied to at the moment. 

"This is Salinéll from Alinlae" explains Beldane the cleric to the Geist cousins, their guard commander, and the wizard Hoptas. 

The fighting cleric continues with "She's of elven nobility, so that makes her a spellcaster" Beldane then flips something to the wizard Hoptas. 

It's a ring, which is magical, and the member of the church of Glaine says "She uses that to hide herself from other spellcasters". 

The wizard Hoptas after a moment where he looks closely at the ring in his hand, nods his head after sensing what it is, and what it can do. 

"She's been passing herself off as someone else" says the powerful cleric who is originally from the kingdom of Nastell, who then glances at the lord of the death realm. 

"Show them" says Draugodrottin to the prisoner, who from where she sits on the ground, next to him, glares up at him. 

"I can't feel my damn magic you" says an angry Salinéll the elven maiden, who then grunts as she suddenly feels her magical powers again. 

"That one spell only" says the undead warlord, who continues with "If you try something else you'll die". 

Then switching to the elven language, Des'tier tells the prisoner "Good fucking riddance if you do" he briefly pauses before adding "Sly One". 

Salinéll looks sharply at the large heavily armoured figure standing beside her. Wondering who he is. 

For he just called her by the actual meaning of her name, Sly One. Salinéll doesn't speak the noble, or what's sometimes referred to the royal elven language. 

But when she was young, her father, a noble born  elf from the principality of Alinlae. Did teach her the meaning of her name in the noble elven language. 

After a moments pause, she slightly nods, then casts the spell she was told to cast when they got here to southern Girdane, before she was knocked out this morning. 

"Fuck" yelps Gamil Geist in surprise, while next to him his cousin Farsen stands there completely flabbergasted, as suddenly their cousin Misa Geist sits there, where the elven prisoner was. 

They look from the mercenary cleric Beldane, then at the wizard Hoptas, who tells them "An illusion spell" he follows that with "An excellent one at that". 

Holding the ring up he's holding, the Vexillian practitioner of magic continues with "It'll be impossible to know of it, if she was wearing this". 

Beldane the cleric nods in agreement with that, then he says to the prisoner "Explain to them what you've done, and why". 

The elven magic user in the guise of Misa Geist, sits there and doesn't move or do anything, until Lord Farque nudges her with one of his steel boots again, then says "You heard him" he follows that with "And drop the spell too". 

After a moment as she sits there seething in anger at the situation she finds herself in, Salinéll the elven maiden drops her illusion spell. When she does, she can no longer feel her magical powers, as she's cut off from it again. 

The elven practitioner of magic who is certain that the massive sword she finds herself tied to, has something to do with cutting her off from her powers. 

Sighs, a sigh of frustration more than anything else. As she knows she has no escape. Especially as she doesn't have her magic. 

And because of the undead being standing right beside her. Watching everything she does and says. 

Salinéll the elven maiden looks at the Geist cousins, and snares in disgust at the two of them. Who she has duped for quite some time. 

Then after another nudge in the side from the large heavily armoured figure beside her, this one a little harder, which causes her to grimace in pain. 

The elven magic user who hails from the principality of Alinlae, who has tried to start a full scale war here in the central region of The Southlands. 

Starts talking, explaining what she had planned, and what she had been up to. In particular getting the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen to do what she wanted. 

When they thought it was their long lost cousin Misa doing it, who has been dead for quite some time . . . . . .

 

Mercenary Tales 78.

Girdane. 

Marqand has his company up and moving before dawn. The mercenary captain is no fool whilst he's in enemy territory. And has most of his company off the road they've traveled north on from the border since yesterday afternoon. 

Captain Marqand is expecting one of Tamric Drubine's squad to show up later in the morning. To inform him how things are further to the north of them. 

As they yet to run into any of the local lords forces in this part of the kingdom. Marqand doesn't expect any royal forces here in the south of the kingdom as of yet. 

With the exception of the occasional patrol ship, that on and off fly over the south, and southern border region of the kingdom. 

The mercenary captain knows that they, along with the rest of the Geists mercenary army, have been lucky to avoid the kingdom's aircorp so far. 

"Have that lot move down to the road" quietly says captain Marqand to one of his officers as they stand amongst some trees in the gloom before dawn, on what's another cold winters day here in this region of The Southlands. 

The mercenary captain is just about to say something else after he looks up to the sky to the east as the first rays of sun appear. 

When a voice out of nowhere suddenly says behind him "You'll want to get as many of them off the road quickly". 

Captain Marqand and his officer spin around and find Tamric Drubine and one of his squad standing there. 

The mercenary captain after peering at the tall lean fellow standing next to young Tam. And figures the hooded figure is one of the elves in Tam's squad. An elf who Marqand is sure is a spellcaster of some type. 

Asks the young mercenary who he has an officer in his company "Why?" followed by "What's happened?". 

Tamric Drubine the field commander informs the mercenary captain what's transpired. And more importantly what's heading this way. 

"Hell" mutters Marqand, who then orders all of the company off the road, and to break up into smaller squads. Trios and pairs at best. And for them to take cover if they're out in the open. 

The mercenary captain also has them turn around and head back south to the border. As he's pretty certain the Geists mercenary army will need all the help they can get with what's heading their way. 

"One warship has already gone by" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander, or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

The young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin gestures away to the west, as he adds "A few miles that way" followed by "They passed in the darkness without spotting you". 

They're on the move, and the young field commander in the Armies of Farque tells the mercenary captain as they head through the woods they're in "Another one isn't all that far to the north of here". Tam follows that with "Two more are further behind that one". 

Marqand winces when he hears this, then he glances at the elf in the white hooded cloak, who quietly says something in the elven language to young Tam. 

The young noble who hails from the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, tells the captain of the company "There's a pair of patrol ships further to the south as well". 

The senior officer in the Armies of Farque continues with "They'll soon have orders to look out for mercenary companies and destroy them" he then adds "Not to mention find and destroy the cousins army". 

Marqand sourly smiles, then mutters "Hell" followed by "Going back south, am I leading us to our doom?". 

Field commander Drubine just shrugs his shoulders in reply to that, while the officer walking on the other side of the mercenary captain, shrugs his shoulders too when Marqand looks his way. 

After a few moments silence as they head downhill, and quickly cross the road, and enter the woods on the other side. 

Tamric Drubine tells captain Marqand "If the army quickly get over the border" followed by "And we cross it as well without being attacked, we should be fine".

The heir of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, which can be found in the north of the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, pauses for a moment, before adding in a slightly dry tone of voice "That's if the Girdanians don't cross the border themselves to attack us". 

The mercenary captain once again sourly smiles, then in a voice that matches that smile, he says "You seem to forget, that's exactly what the Geist cousins want". 

Marqand follows that with "Remember they want a border war between the kingdom and Vexil" he then adds "And more than likely, they're going to get it". 

Both Tamric Drubine the field commander and Helbe the elven thief, as well as the other company officer walking with them, nod in agreement with captain Marqand. 

Who lets out a sigh of frustration, before muttering "Those damn cousins don't pay us enough to get attacked by warships on both sides". 

Though the mercenary captain is a professional through and through. One of the few in the army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered to start a border war between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

So he has his company, who have split up into small groups, many of who are in pairs, or trios. Continue southwards, back to the border region. As the sun rises in the east, on what's a cold winters morning, here in the south of the kingdom of Girdane. 

Captain Marqand glances to his left, and sees that the elf in the white hooded cloak has disappeared from where he was walking beside young Tam. 

And in just a few moments, the mercenary captain sees that he has reappeared next to the young man who Marqand thinks is a mercenary. 

"That other warship is quickly approaching from the north" quietly says Helbe the elven thief in the elven language to the young field commander in the Armies of Farque. 

"It might of spotted some of the company" quietly adds the highly talented elven magic user who is from the island principality of Laerel. 

The young elven noble from Laerel, who is in fact, a member of the royal family that rules that particular elven principality. 

Pauses for a moment or two, before he quietly tells Tamric Drubine "You want me to take care of it?". 

The young noble who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who knows that the elven masterthief can easily take care of a warship by himself. 

Is glad that the elf who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, is asking his permission to do so. 

When he could easily go off and destroy the Girdanian warship approaching quickly from the north without informing Tam he was doing so. 

"Probably best if you do" quietly replies field commander Drubine in the elven language, who continues on with "Though the ships to the north might see it suddenly fall out of the sky near us" he then dryly adds "That wouldn't be ideal all things considered". 

"Trust me" says the young elven noble who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, who flashes a grin when Tam looks sideways at him, and sourly smiles. 

The elven master assassin then tells the Sarcrinian noble "It'll be fine, I'll make sure it crashes further to the west of here". 

Helbe the elven thief then adds "Have the captain order the company to head more to the east as they continue south". 

Tamric Drubine nods in understanding, then the elven master archer disappears as he shifts away. 

"Where's he gone?" asks captain Marqand noticing that the elf in the white hooded cloak has disappeared again, and hasn't returned like he did previously. 

"That next warship is fast approaching" replies Tam who like the rest of the group is passing themselves off as mercenaries whilst in the army gathered by the Geist cousins. 

"He's going to deal with it" adds the field commander in the Armies of Farque who decides to tell the mercenary captain, more or less the truth of what Helbe the elven thief is up to. 

"He can do that?" says captain Marqand in surprise, whose eyebrows also shoot up in surprise when he hears that from young Tam. 

You wouldn't believe what that royal thief can do, Tamric Drubine dryly thinks to himself, who then nods his head in reply to Marqand. 

Then he tells the mercenary captain that it's probably best to order the company to head more to the east as they continue south towards the border region on this cold winters day. 

Floating a few hundred feet above the ground, the blurred and shielded elven magic user watches the approaching Girdanian warship. 

It's a frigate, and by the way it's dropping in altitude towards the canopy of the trees below. One of the lookouts, either mundane or magical, has caught sight of some of captain Marqand's company who are hurrying south back to the border region. 

Glancing at his right shoulder, Helbe the elven thief quietly says "Distract the helmsman" he continues with "Make sure no one can get the wheel" followed by "Get it turning to starboard". 

Narladene the ground pixie nods in understanding, then she takes off from the right shoulder of the elven magic user she's attached to. And heads towards the frigate that's coming right at them. 

The elven master assassin waits until he spots Narladene winging her way to the wheelhouse that's on the aft deck. 

The highly talented elven spellcaster then shifts towards the oncoming Girdanian aircorp vessel when it's less than five hundred feet from him. 

The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel who easily gets by the wards protecting the warship. And he stands on the underside of the airship, is a stride the magical keel. The elven princeling who is upside down, crouches and places his gloved hands upon the frigate's keel. And prepares to cast a shatter spell. 

Up in wheelhouse, the helmsman suddenly yelps and takes hold of his bleeding right hand. Letting go of the wheel as he does so. 

An officer goes to grab the wheel as the warship turns to starboard. And he too yelps in pain, and grabs his right hand which is bleeding. 

Narladene the ground pixie with her sharp, needle like sword in her hand. Grins to herself as she hovers there, invisible to all in the wheelhouse. Waiting if anyone else is game enough to grab the wheel, which is spinning uncontrollably. Sending the frigate turning to starboard. 

The naturally magical creature grins even more as she senses what's about to happen. As shouting and yelling, from those in wheelhouse. And others of the crew on the deck. 

She feels Helbe the elven on the underside of the Girdanian warship cast a spell that will doom the airship, and send it flying towards the ground. 

"There" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander who points into the early morning sky. 

Captain Marqand and one his officers see it too. A Girdanian warship, not that far from them. About three hundred yards away to the west, heading further west. Tilting out of control, with a badly damaged keel, that's visible to them on the ground. 

They can see parts of the airship's hull, breaking apart, and falling away as it gathers speed, heading westwards above the treetops in that direction. 

"Might want to hurry up" says Helbe the elven thief in the common language when he suddenly appears next to the three watching the Girdanian warship plummet out of the early morning sky. 

"There's more of them heading this way" adds the highly talented elven magic user who hails from the island principality of Laerel. 

Captain Marqand closes his mouth, after it dropped open in disbelief at what he just witnessed. 

He clears his throat, then says to the other three "Come on then" followed by "Let's see if we can get the company back to the border without any of the Girdanians attacking us". 

Tamric Drubine the field commander nods in agreement. And they continue on their way, hurrying southwards along the nearby road after Helbe the elven thief informs them that it'll be safe to use for a bit. As no Girdanian forces, either local, or royal. Are in the immediate area. 

The elven master assassin disappears soon after. Before he does so, he quietly tells the young Sarcrinian noble that he's going to check on the rest of the group who are following. 

After the elf in the white hooded cloak vanishes again, and doesn't reappear. Captain Marqand dryly says to the young field commander in the Armies of Farque "You didn't exactly tell me what that elven fellow was capable of Tam". 

With a slight shrug of his shoulders, after they hear a dull thud, far in the distance, that can only mean the Girdanian frigate has finally hit the ground, Tamric Drubine says "He's got all kinds of secrets". 

Hell, I don't even know all of what he's capable of, the young noble from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin thinks to himself. 

While next to him on the road, that's going through a clearing at the moment. The mercenary captain, Marqand. Just grunts as they, along with the rest of the company, hurry back to the border on what's another cold winters day here in the south of the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .