The Hire 3.

Unruled Lands. Near The Duchy Of Phelm...

The cavalry commander Darid Parsen reigns his mount in. And looks at his second. Who sourly smiles at his young commander.
The young man from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now in the armies of Farque. Looks back at the rest of their squad. And sees more than a few of the Farqian's shaking their heads.
Darid Parsen looks ahead again, and watches their allies. Well those they're fighting for. Riding in a disorderly fashion along one of the roads that comes out of the Colevar Mountains, and leads into the kingdom of Nastell. Though they're heading back north.
"I'm surprised they're pushing the duke's men so much with the way they're organised" says the second, a man by the name of Kalleb, who hails from the capital of the lands Farque, The Citadel.
"Well i should really say disorganised" dryly adds the second, who the cavalry commander suspects might have a fair bit of southern horde ancestry in him. As he's rather short, and quite swarthy like the majority of the hordes barbarians, who roam the tundra to the south of the lands Farque.
The cavalry commander, who was a soldier in the army of lady Linara Lé Dic, in the kingdom of Druvic. But in actuality, is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Darid Parsen.
Arrived here in the Colevar Mountains with his squad, along with the rest of the advanced force from the lands Farque a couple of weeks ago.
And now, since a few days ago. He and the rest of the command staff of the mercenary army from the lands Farque. Are in charge of the campaign that the robber barons of the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains, have against duke Hargen, the duke of Phelm, one of the northern duchies in the kingdom of Nastell.
"I wonder if they even know we're watching them?" quietly says Darid Parsen the cavalry officer "I'd doubt it" is the dry reply from his second, Kalleb. Who the commander isn't afraid to admit it, is a superior horseman than himself.
The second, or adjunctant as they're sometimes referred to, then adds "Though we're only watching them because we've got an advantage". "There is that" says Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who then looks over at their advantage.
It's one of the scouts in the mercenary army from the lands Farque. Who is standing in the shade beneath a tree off to one side.
He's a lean looking man, young by the looks of it. Who is blond, almost white haired, who has the clearest of blue eyes.
The cavalry commander is reminded of someone in his past. Well, Zubutai Timaginson's past when he looks at the scout who hails from the coast of the lands Farque.
Because like her, the seemingly young looking man, isn't a human at all. He's a water elemental.
"Spouter, you okay in this heat?" asks Darid Parsen. The scout, a water elemental spouter by the name of Zaneff, nods his head and says "I'm fine commander" he continues with "Unlike you and the others, i can control my temperature, and I'm quite cool at the moment".
"Lucky for some" mutters the second, Kalleb, who wipes his forehead, as even here in the relative shade of the trees they're amongst, it's another warm day in the foothills of the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains, and it's still only early in the summer.
At least it isn't humid as well, Darid Parsen thinks to himself, who as he looks around silently adds, i hope it doesn't get humid here.
The cavalry officer is just about to order the squad down to the road, to where a unit of horsemen in one of the robber baron's armies, is returning from raiding into the duchy of Phelm. When Zaneff quietly says "Airships to the southwest".
Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman as well as the rest of the mounted squad look in that direction. And of course, since they're all human, they don't see anything.
The cavalry officer in command is just thinking about taking out his cylindrical eyepiece from his pack, when he asks the water elemental "Whose?". As he knows both the robber barons of the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains. As well as duke Hargen, all have their own fleets of airships.
The scout is quiet for a little bit as he looks away to the southwest over the hills in that direction. Then a smile starts to slowly form on the face of the spouter, who then tells commander Parsen "They're my lord's".
The cavalry commander lets out the breath he was holding, then he says "Well, the bulk of the army is about to get here".
Darid Parsen then looks down to the road, and the returning raiding party from one of the robber baron's armies. Who no doubt, don't know that the commanders of the mercenary army from the lands Farque. Have taken over the command of their war against the duke of Phelm.
"Well, we better see that this lot is in some sort of order before our army gets here" says Darid aka Zubutai Timaginson as he gestures down at the raiding party from one the robber baron's armies, who have just returned from the kingdom of Nastell.
The cavalry commander slightly shakes his head, as he knows, and has already experienced. That the change over in command to the army of Farque, is a bit of a mess so far.
For though all five of the robber barons have agreed to it, per the agreement in hiring the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
Not a single one of them likes it. Nor have they got word of it to all of their forces scattered across the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains.
And those who have been crossing over the border into northern Nastell since the end of spring, to battle against duke Hargen's army. Know nothing about the change in command.
Darid Parsen looks at his second Kalleb, then to the rest of the squad, who are all mounted with the exception of the scout Zaneff, and tells them "Come on then, let's see to this lot" he continues with "And give them a bit of an education about who's running things now".
In the sky to the southwest, on one of the larger transporters. Tovis the war engineer nods his head, as one of the crew who passes by, informs them that they now flying over the unruled lands to the north of the kingdom of Nastell.
The fleet has been unmolested as they've flown north from the lands Farque. As it's avoided any large population centres as they've come up from the south of the Southlands.
They've skirted across the western duchies in the kingdom of Nastell when they've got to it.
Now they're passing over the first of the foothills in the range of mountains named Colevar.
The young war engineer who is from the kingdom of Druvic, the Harkonin fief to be exact.
Looks away to starboard, to the east as he stands in a midships. In that direction he knows is the duchy of Phelm. Whose duke, a Nastellian nobleman by the name of Hargen.
Is fighting a war against the robber barons of the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains. Who have hired the mercenary army from the lands Farque, in their campaign against the duke from the north of the kingdom of Nastell.
Tovis looks up as a shadow passes overhead. And he sees one of the reasons why the fleet has been left alone as it's traveled north from the lands Farque.
It's one of the warships in the aircorp of the lands Farque. In this case, a destroyer. The young officer in the engineers corp of the armies of Farque shades his eyes as he looks up at the passing warship.
Then the young engineer who hails from the eastern region of the kingdom of Druvic, spots another vessel even higher up in the sky.
It seems small from this distance, as Tovis figures it must be flying extremely high in the sky. Probably over twenty thousand feet up. As it's basically just a speck to his eyesight.
The war engineer has learnt that there's only one type of ship that can fly that high. A krean vessel. Most likely one of their scoutships, or one of their strikeships.
They've been watching over the rest of the fleet from the lands Farque. And it's ultimately been them who have kept the fleet that's traveled so far from the south, safe as it's made it's way here. To the unruled lands in the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains.
One of the junior officers of the transporter's crew makes his way to a midships from the wheelhouse. And he informs the war engineer that one of the ship's spellcasters has got word that they'll make landfall a little bit later this afternoon.
As the young officer in the crew moves away to inform others of importance in the army who are onboard, about what's happening.
The young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic briefly wonders how the one of the spellcasters in the crew knows where they're going to land, and when.
Tovis looks up into the clear summer's sky, and it takes him a few moments to spot the tiny shape in the distance, that's high above the ground.
And correctly guesses that it's the krean vessel flying at an extremely high altitude, that's informed the spellcaster upon the transporter, where and when they're going to get to their destination.
As the war engineer moves off to inform the others in the engineering corp in the mercenary army of Farque who are onboard, and who he's in command of, what's happening.
High in the sky above the rest of the fleet from the lands Farque. The krean strikeship Fídiablo flies along at a steady fifteen knots. Keeping pace with the larger, and slower ships of the fleet, far below.
As captain Kalrisian has a quiet word with one of the navigators in the wheelhouse that sits aft.
He looks out one of the open windows in the front of the wheelhouse. And nods his head to one of the passengers onboard. Who acknowledges the krean captain with a wave.
The passenger, a man in heavy leather armour, who is greying, and appears to be in his late forties.
Makes his way forward along the flat deck of the sleek looking, mastless airship.
He makes his way to where a large heavily armoured figure is standing towards the bow of the Fídiablo.
And though it's freezing cold at this altitude of over twenty five thousand feet. The two men on the flat deck don't feel it. As both of them are dead.
Forgoing to speak in the mindspeech of the undead. Jessup the senior wardog handler quietly says "Interesting that from Dargaven my lord".
"It's to be expected" says lord Farque who now that he's within range of sensing their fellow undead Dargaven, who is just under twenty miles away to the north, further into the foothills of the Colevar Mountains.
He can communicate by way of mindspeech with the undead scout who is the only one of their kind, to of traveled with the advanced force from the lands Farque, who arrived here a couple of weeks ago.
"I suspect the taking of command may take a little bit of time" continues the heavily armoured deathlord who rules the lands that bears his family's name, faraway to the south.
Next to the undead warlord, the senior wardog handler, who is the only other undead to travel with the deathlord of Farque. Well to say, the only other undead human to travel with him.
Nods his head in agreement with his lord, then he quietly says "We'll proceed as planned then?".
"We will" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the Farqian people.
"Observe, watch and guide" quietly says Jessup, which illicits a slight nod of the full helmed head of the lord of the death realm.
"This is to see how they do" says Des'tier as he's known by an older generation of elven kind who know who he is "I've been planning this for well over a decade" quietly adds lord Farque, who continues with "Hell, even longer than that. Ever since i found the ork in the dwarven hill country on our southern border".
"Speaking of that ork" says Jessup, who continues in a dry tone with "He's not where he's supposed to be" the senior wardog handler then adds "Dargaven said he took off into the mountains, and isn't with the young field commander who he's supposed to be looking after".
The undead warlord rolls his eyes at that, then he tells the undead wardog handler "When we land at that camp, have one of them go off and retrieve that big fucking idiot".
"Which one?" asks Jessup, who has brought two as his lord commanded. Well, he didn't actually bring them. They were the two who decided to come along. He had no actual say in which two.
The large, heavily armoured figure in the dark blue, and black steel plate armour. Well, it looks like steel plate armour. But it's something else entirely different. And is not actually of this world.
Thinks about it for a few moments, then with the slightest of smiles on his youthful looking face behind the visor of his full helm, he says "Axe" followed by "I think he gets pleasure in riling up the ork".
"It shall be done my lord" says Jessup with a slight smile upon his own face.
Then the two undead glance back to the wheelhouse, when the krean watch officer who has stepped out of one of the side doors in the wheelhouse, calls out something to the two of them.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque waves a gauntleted hand in acknowledgment. The krean officer steps back inside the wheelhouse.
And a few moments later, the strikeship Fídiablo starts to pitch forward slightly as it drops in altitude.
Anyone else without wings would tumble forward and off the sleek, mastless krean vessel. But not the senior wardog handler Jessup, and his lord.
Who just stand there, and continue to quietly chat as the krean strikeship picks up speed as it drops in altitude to get closer to the rest of the fleet from the lands Farque as they get closer to their destination in the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains . . . . . .

The Hire 2.

The Unruled Lands. The Colevar Mountains...

In the the foothills of the Colevar Mountains. The southern end of which stretches into the northern part of the kingdom of Nastell.
Tamric Drubine, a field commander in the armies of Farque sits upon a boulder looking to the south.
In the distance that way, even with the naked human eye. He can see parts of the duchy of Phelm in the kingdom of Nastell.
The nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin looks down to his left, as one of the officers in the advanced party in the army of Farque that's traveled a good five and half thousand miles north from their homeland, says to him "Runner coming up the path" followed by "One of ours".
Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. Nods his head, and looks further to the left down the wooded hill, and sees the path that leads down into the valley in that direction.
After a few moments he spots the runner in question coming up through the trees. The former heir of castle Drubine in northern Sarcrin faintly smiles as he recognises the messenger who is coming up the side of the hill.
Tam looks further down into the valley, where part of an army is camped. As he looks at it, he wonders if their cause is worth it.
The field commander slightly shrugs, as he figures he's not the one who decides who hires them or not.
Though he is in the position to decide if the advanced elementals from the lands Farque with him. Will fight alongside them in battle.
Lisell Maera runs out of the trees, when she gets to the end of the hill path. The ground here is already dry, and it's still early in the summer.
She'd hate to think how dry it'll get in these foothills later on this summer.
A couple of the light foot soldiers in the army she serves in make way for her. And she trots towards an officer in the scout division.
Who nods up behind him to a large boulder. Lisell Maera or Lis as she's commonly referred to by those who know her well. Looks up and sees that commander Drubine is sitting upon the top of the boulder.
"Commander" says Lisell Maera who bites the inside of her left cheek to refrain from sourly smiling at calling the teenager, who she has known now for more than half of his life, by the rank he now holds in the armies of Farque.
"Lis" says Tamric Drubine, which puts the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury at ease.
"I take it you got an answer from them?" asks the field commander who has recently turned seventeen, and is also a swordmaster.
"I did" says the runner, who is part of the scouts and rangers division in the army that's come here to the Colevar Mountains from the lands Farque.
"They've got the pay chests here" adds Lisell Maera who continues with "Helbe, i mean envoy Raendril has made sure that everything is in order, and that the first payment is in full".
"That's a relief" quietly says the swordmaster Drubine, who then adds in a dry tone of voice "Wouldn't be much of a hire if they didn't pay us".
Which causes Lis to smile, and the others nearby to chuckle as they look down at the army in the valley.
The so called robber barons in the southern parts of the Colevar Mountains have made a push into the the duchy of Phelm in northern Nastell.
As they tend to do every so often. The last time being five years ago in a duchy further to the west of Phelm.
But this year, starting late in spring. A number of the robber barons have banded together to attack into northern Nastell. When usually it's only one, or at best, two of them working together.
Not only do they have the five of them, and their armies. Infiltrating, and attacking into the duchy of Phelm.
They've also been hiring mercenaries from throughout the Southlands. Including elsewhere in the kingdom of Nastell. After all, the duke of Phelm will be doing likewise.
But with five robber barons working together, and pooling their resources together. They've been able to afford to pay not just individual mercenaries, and mercenary companies.
They've hired an entire mercenary army. An army from the lands Farque. Who in times past, hundreds of years ago. Had multiple armies that were for hire. Who fought in conflicts and wars all across the Southlands.
But this army, is the first in nearly four hundred and fifty years. To of left the lands Farque to fight for hire.
And young Tamric Drubine is the field commander of it. Though strictly speaking, he isn't the one in total command.
As there's others, far more important, and far more experienced. Who'll decide matters to do with the hired army from the lands Farque.
One of whom, Lisell Maera looks around for. As he should be here keeping an eye on the nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin.
"Where is he?" asks the attractive young woman from the west coast of the Southlands.
Up on top of the bolder, the young field commander who is also a swordmaster slightly frowns, then he nods as he realises who Lis is referring to.
"Oh, he's further up in the mountains" says Tamric Drubine who gestures behind him to the north "He said it's too hot down here, and to only get him when we actually start fighting" adds the son of a former knight of castle Drubine.
"Typical" murmurs the runner in the scout division, who then dryly adds "The lazy green lump".
Tam just shrugs his shoulders to show that he can't do anything about it.
Then the nobleborn teenager looks back down into the valley to the left at one of the combined forces of the robber barons, that are scattered throughout the southern part of the Colevar Mountains then says "Good thing they've decided to pay up, considering the bulk of our army is about to arrive soon".
"I get the feeling they weren't sure as many of us would be coming, that's why they were hesitant to pay up" says Lisell Maera, Tamric Drubine nods his head in agreement with the attractive young woman in the scouts division.
Then he says "Might as well go down, and see how things fare" then after he slides down off the boulder, Tam quietly asks Lis in the elven language "Is Helbe still down there?".
"He is" replies the runner in the same language, who notices that the officer in the scout division, who is also fluent in the elven language. Has moved away, so the two of them can converse privately in elven.
The young field commander nods for the group to head down the path. With only the observers, the lookouts remaining upon the top of the hill. Those looking to the south, to the duchy of Phelm, in northern Nastell. As well as those looking down into the valley, at their new allies. Well, those who have paid them to fight for their cause.
As they head down the path, that goes in and out of the trees along the side of the hill. The two teenagers, with Lis being two and half years older than Tam. Walk side by side down the path. Quietly chatting in the elven language.
"Any word in from Dalin and our other spies?" asks the young field commander "A few missives" is the reply of the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury, who continues with "Helbe has them".
The nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin nods his head, then the young field commander quietly says "I wonder how they'll take orders from us?" followed by "Considering they barely work together in any cohesive action anyway".
Part of the terms of hire for the mercenary army from the lands Farque. Is that their commanders, which Tamric Drubine is one of.
Is in total command of not just their own army. But also the armies of the five robber barons. And other mercenaries they've hired in their fight against the duke of Phelm, duke Hargen.
It's the one major sticking point in the contract to hire the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
The robber barons, all five of whom. Who are almost a fractious lot as the northern lords in the kingdom of Nastell.
Didn't want to relinquish total command of their campaign against the duchy of Phelm to a hired army, that they know nothing about.
They finally only agreed to after weeks of negotiations between the two parties. Negotiations on the side of the army from the lands Farque, led in part by their envoy, prince Helbenthril Raendril.
Helbe the elven thief looks at the chests of gold, and his fingers itch with temptation.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel knows that if there's one thing in his life he better not steal from.
Is the chests of gold that's been paid by the robber barons, for the services of the army from the lands Farque.
After all, he helped secured the hire for the mercenary army. And stealing from it, would basically be stealing from himself.
Where's the fun in that? Helbe the elven thief sourly thinks to himself, who then remembers he's not alone in the tent, and that there's someone watching him. Who wouldn't take to kindly to him stealing some of the gold payment from the robber barons here in the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains.
"Not tempted at all your highness?" says a voice in the royal elven language from a dark corner of the tent.
The elven magic user looks over at the still figure standing in the dark corner of the tent, he says in the same language, which is his first, or native language "Not in the least".
There's a slight snort of derision from the figure standing in the corner of the tent that's the darkest.
Then the still figure moves, and steps forward into the light that's coming through the slightly open front of the tent.
"You should practice on your lying a bit more highness" says Dargaven the scout, who continues with "It will keep you in good stead in any future negotiations you take part in".
The young elven noble sourly smiles as he looks at the undead scout from the lands Farque, and he dryly says to him "I'll keep that in mind".
The seemingly young looking scout, softly chuckles to that, then he quietly tells the elven princeling "The young commander and the runner Lis are making their way down into camp".
The elven master assassin nods his head, and says "Thank you". Helbe the elven thief then lifts the hood of his cloak, and puts it on his head.
Then he steps outside, while the undead scout moves back into the dark corner of the tent. As he does, he clicks his thumb and middle finger of his right hand, and points at the ground, then points outside.
Narladene the ground pixie pops up from the floor of the tent, and heads after Helbe the elven thief after she glances at the undead scout who is watching her every move.
Outside of the tent, prince Helbenthril Raendril nods to the two soldiers in the army of Farque standing guard.
They're really not needed considering who is inside actually guarding the pay chests. But the robber baron's men. And the other mercenaries they've hired don't know that.
So appearances must be kept. Besides the highly talented elven spellcaster figures no one will get past the two Farqian soldiers anyway.
And if by some miracle someone did. They'd have to face Dargaven who is inside. Helbe the elven thief has fought side by side with the undead scout in the past. And he knows that no one with stealing on their minds. Would even get a foot in the tent without Dargaven taking action.
As Narladene the ground pixie lands upon his right shoulder. Who the elven princeling figures was kicked out of the tent by the undead scout who is inside.
The elven masterthief looks around at the camp. The tent that the pay chests are in. And the other tents used by the advanced party from the lands Farque. Are on the north side of the camp.
There's some separation between their tents, and the nearest one's used by the robber barons men, and the other mercenaries that have been hired.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, who has been given the title of envoy, and is now a member of the newly formed personal council of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Knows that this arrangement in camp won't be for long. As word will soon spread that those in the mercenary army from the lands Farque will soon take overall command of the campaign that the robber barons of the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains have against the duke of Phelm in northern Nastell.
The elven noble from the principality of Laerel looks away to the right, and up the hill in that direction. And spots those who are coming down through the trees.
"Well we've got some decisions to make now" quietly says prince Helbenthril Raendril in elven to the naturally magical creature that's standing on his right shoulder. The ground pixie nods her tiny head.
Then the highly talented elven spellcaster makes his way around the edge of the camp that's spread across part of the valley, heading for where the path comes down out of the trees on the hill.
The elven master archer knows that he as the envoy for the army from the lands Farque. Along with some others, such as the young field commander, Tamric Drubine.
Are now in charge of the robber barons war against duke Hargen, the duke of Phelm.
Helbe the elven thief also knows that Dargaven, who is the only undead from the lands Farque with them at the moment. Can and will take over if they plan or do something that will compromise them, and the mercenary army from the lands faraway to the south on the continent.
Though the undead scout, who died nearly four and half centuries ago. Will only do so in the most extreme of circumstances. As he's been told to let the living, who are in command of the army from the lands Farque. To do as much as possible.
He's also been told to keep an eye on them as well. To see how they go about things. And what they learn from the campaign they're about to take command of.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril who as envoy for the army from the lands Farque. Has been in the position to deal with the robber barons and their armies the most.
And this particular fighting force in this valley, is made up of parts from all five of the robber barons. And the other mercenaries they've hired.
And it shows too. With the soldiers from each of the robber barons armies mostly sticking to themselves.
While the other hired mercenaries, are mingling amongst all of them. Much to the annoyance of many of those in armies of the five robber barons.
The young elven noble has almost got around to the side of camp, where the path from the hill comes out. He spots Tamric Drubine and Lisell Maera and the others from the lands Farque who have just got to the end of the path down the hill.
As he does, the elven magic user hears the first of the shouts from within the camp. It's followed by a few more, then more and even more.
"Ah well" dryly murmurs the elven princeling from Laerel, who continues murmuring in that tone with "I guess they've found out".
As word has now started to spread throughout the camp, that those in the army from the lands Farque have actually been hired and received their first payment. And they've now taken command of the robber barons campaign against the duke of Phelm.
Not that Helbe the elven thief and the others haven't been doing anything anyway. For even before being officially hired, and given their first payment by the robber barons.
They've already undertaken a number of things on behalf of the robber barons and their war against baron Hargen.
The elven masterthief as he makes his way to the young field commander Tamric Drubine and the others. Has got reports of those undertakings, rolled up, hidden up his sleeves.
It's time to share that information with Tam and the others who will now command the robber barons campaign against the duke of Phelm . . . . . .

The Hire.

A Mustering Point. The Duchy Of Phelm. The Kingdom Of Nastell...

The lords of northern Nastell have always been a fractious lot. Often fighting against one another here in the north of the kingdom.
Though when one of the ducal seats isn't fighting another. They're often fighting against those in the unruled lands just to the north of the kingdom. Often in the foothills of the Colevar Mountains. The second largest mountain range in the central region of the Southlands behind the Sunreach Mountains.
And that's what the current duke of Phelm finds himself in. A war against those just north of the border. Peoples of the unruled lands who want a stake in the kingdom. The leaders of whom, are often referred to as robber barons. As they are called elsewhere throughout the Southlands. When those in unruled lands end up fighting a ruled land or nation, such as a kingdom like Nastell.
The irony here today, is that just a few hundred years ago. The duke's ancestors at the time were robber barons themselves. When Phelm wasn't one of the duchies in northern Nastell. When it was unruled lands too. Until the ancestors of the current duke fought to be part of the kingdom.
It doesn't help that whoever is upon the throne in the capital Valban. Which is safely in the south of the kingdom. Often lets the fighting between the northern lords, and the robber barons to the north of the kingdom. Take hold, and escalate into a full on campaign.
For the simple reason it often gets rid of a weak lord in the north. Or expands the kingdom further northwards if a robber baron is victorious. As was the case with the duke of Phelm's ancestors a few centuries ago.
Now, Hargen, the current duke of Phelm, finds himself in an expanded war against those in the unruled lands just north of his duchy.
A war that started a few weeks ago at the end of spring. And now that it's early summer, the campaign is in full swing.
The call for mercenaries throughout the kingdom, and elsewhere in the northeastern, central region of the Southlands has spread far and wide.
And in one of the villages, near a river in the central part of the duchy of Phelm. A mustering point for all potential hired mercenaries has been set up.
And one such mercenary, hops off the back of the farm wagon he's been riding on this morning. And after he thanks the farmer and his wife, who are going around the village.
He makes his way into the village, where a building on the edge of a nearby field. Is where the duke of Phelm's men are hiring mercenaries from throughout the kingdom of Nastell and elsewhere.
As he makes his way to the building, which looks to be an inn. He sees a number of other mercenaries who are in the village.
He counts a couple of dozen of them in the village this morning, and that doesn't count the ten or so who are already waiting outside the inn, on what's turning out to be warm, early summer's day here in the duchy of Phelm.
He glances around the side of the inn, to the field behind him. Where a handful of tents have been set up. It's a camp for some of the duke's soldiers who are here in the village helping to recruit mercenaries.
As he looks around at the other mercenaries, he sees that none of them are part of an actual mercenary company.
And that they're either lone mercenaries or in pairs. Which is fine by him, as this is what he wants.
And as he joins those who are waiting outside of the inn, he garners quite a bit of attention from the other mercenaries. As do two others. Who happen to be dwarves. While he is an elf.
He nods to the pair of dwarves by way of greeting, and they nod back. Then he stands in the shade to the side of the covered porch that runs along the front of the inn, where he waits.
He doesn't have to wait too long. For one of a pair of the duke's soldiers standing on the porch, rings a bell that hangs from a rope on the covered porch, and in a loud voice yells out "Muster!" a number of times.
The other mercenaries throughout the village start making their way to the front of the inn. And after a little while there's near forty men, and a handful of women standing infront of inn that's the mustering point.
A more experienced soldier, a sergeant at arms by the looks of it, comes out the open front door of the inn. And as he stands beneath the covered porch he looks at the gathered mercenaries.
And not surprisingly, he calls forth the two dwarves first. Then after one of the two soldiers on the porch with him has a quiet word with the sergeant at arms.
He looks to the shade to one side of the porch, and calls the elf forward too.
As like all hiring armies, any mercenary who is long lived who is looking to be hired, are undoubtedly always seen first. For the simple reason they're experienced. And lived longer than any human mercenary. And been in far more battles and wars a human mercenary is ever likely to see.
He follows the two dwarves and the sergeant at arms into the inn. Where in the common room. An officer, and a clerk have set up behind one of the tables.
He stands back and waits, and lets the two dwarven mercenaries go first. Who no doubt will be hired. As they're well equipped. In good quality armour. And are bristling with a variety of weapons.
It's definitely cooler in here, than it is outside in the morning sunshine. And it helps that the doors at the back of the common room. That lead outside to the field and the small camp out there, are open allowing a slight breeze to come inside.
He listens to the two dwarves quietly speaking with the officer, who along with the sergeant at arms take a quick look at their weapons and armour. And ask them about their most recent hire.
As he listens to this, he also has an ear on what's happening outside. Listening to those waiting to be called in, to see if they'll be hired.
He listens and watches everything around him. After all, that's what his job entails.
And after the two dwarves and the officer in duke Hargen's army agree to terms. Which he thinks is rather fair all things considered.
The sergeant at arms leads the two dwarves to the back of the common room, where another soldier comes in from outside, and takes them outside to the small camp. Where they'll wait, for the others who are hired today. Who will go north to join the duke's army who are fighting those of the unruled lands to the north of the kingdom.
"Next" says the officer who waves him forward, he steps forward to stand infront of the table that the officer and the clerk are sitting behind.
"A ranger?" asks the officer who sees the elven made longbow over his shoulder.
"Yes" is his reply, which isn't strictly true.
"From Alínlae?" asks the officer as that elven principality is the closest to the kingdom of Nastell, less than a couple hundred miles south of the southern border of the kingdom.
"Yes" is his reply, which this time is true.
"Name?" asks the officer who has a long morning ahead of him, to see who he'll hire for his lord's army.
"Dalin" is his reply, which is also true.
As the clerk writes this down on a piece of parchment. The officer in the ducal army, asks the elf a number of questions.
Mostly to do with his last hire. Which he definitely lies about.
Then after the officer and the sergeant at arms have a brief look at his armour. As well as his weapons. Well his visible weapons. As he has plenty of more that are hidden.
The officer talks of the terms of the hire.
"A gold a seven day, and anything you're able to scrounge off the enemy dead" says the officer, which is the same terms of hire offered to the two dwarves "No taking from my lord's dead" adds the recruiting officer.
"Sounds fair" says the elf, which he knows it is. As he and the dwarves who were before him. Will likely get paid double of what the other mercenaries waiting outside will get offered.
"Very well then" says the officer, who continues with "Sign here".
He signs the parchment that the clerk has been writing on after he reads it, and is happy with the terms.
That's another reason he and the two dwarves will be paid so much. They can read their terms of hire. While probably half of those outside can barely read and write their own name, if at all.
Then the sergeant at arms leads him to the back of the common room, and the open doors. Where he's met by the same soldier who met the two dwarves.
He steps outside with the soldier, who gives him an account of the rules of march. And the way in which one is to conduct one's self in the army of duke Hargen.
The rules are fairly standard. And from what he has seen. Not just here in the mustering point. But elsewhere here in the duchy of Phelm as he's travelled through it.
The duke's army is no better or no worse than most other armies he's seen or been around. Well most in a nation such as Nastell.
He nods his head, as he politely listens to the soldier. Who he knows will be bored beyond belief, as he has to repeat the same talk to every mercenary hired this morning.
Which will probably be most of them out infront of the inn. As he only saw a handful that even the duke's army won't hire. And even then, they might hire them for support roles. And not for fighting the enemy.
As the duke needs all the help he can get. As the robber barons to the north of the kingdom. Who make a push every so often against one or some of the northern lords of Nastell. Are far more stronger than they have been in recent memory.
As duke Hargen, who has the largest army in the north of Nastell, infact he's got the largest ducal army in the entire kingdom.
Finds that he has a fight on his hands against those from the unruled lands to the north of the kingdom.
He's led to one of the tents and told to wait. He sits beneath the overhang at the front of the tent.
And quietly chats with the two dwarves who are sitting at the front of the tent directly to his right.
He finds out that they're cousins. From the eastern end of the Sunreach Mountains. Who are in the outer with their clan. Due to a dreadnought of their's. That cost their clan a lot to make.
Being destroyed in a war faraway to the south in the Southlands, in the kingdom of Melaurn a number of years ago.
He refrains from frowning as he hears their story. As it sounds vaguely familiar to him. As someone, infact a few other people he knows quite well, has told him of something similar.
As the three long lived chat. One by one, and sometimes in pairs, other mercenaries who have come to this village, make their way from the back of the inn. Where they're led to a number of the tents, where they're told to wait.
He quickly figures out who is who. As those deemed to be quick, and relatively young and fit. Who can travel light. Join him at the tent he's infront of.
While more heavily armoured mercenaries, who have a fair bit of experience. Sit with the pair of dwarves. Who now find that they're with a number of humans. Start quietly chatting with one another in their own language.
At another tent, sits more of the mercenaries. More lightly armoured than those with the dwarven cousins.
These he figures will make horse troopers. And fight alongside the duke's cavalry units.
While at a fourth tent sits more of the mercenaries who have been hired today. Those he can only guess will be a wall fodder. As none of them look particularly skilled,and  have little experience. And their armour and weapons are poor.
The best they can hope for is to be put into support staff. Or if and when they join one of the detachments of duke Hargen's army. They become camp followers. Because they won't last that long in battle.
It's late in the morning when the last of those being hired joins the rest of them at the tents behind the inn.
Every single one of them who have gathered for the muster has been hired.
More will come in over the day and night. And tomorrow morning, the recruiting officer will resume hiring those who want to join duke Hargen's army.
Wagons come around to the field, and the newly hired mercenaries in the army of the duke of Phelm.
Are told to get into the wagons, as they're to head north to one of the camps, that's a staging ground for duke Hargen's army.
He's the last to get up onto the wagon that the other mercenary scouts and rangers get onto.
And as the wagons make their way towards a dirt road that leads north from the village that's a mustering point, he carefully watches and listens to everything and everyone around him.
As he does, he faintly smiles to himself, for he, Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy has just been hired by the enemy army . . . . . .

The Intervening Year 3

The Winter Palace. The Lands Farque...

At the staging grounds, just outside of the town that sits at the base of the tor, on top of which is The Winter Palace.
Tovis the war engineer along with some of his workers watch as their gear and equipment, as well the parts for various war machines and siege equipment, are loaded upon on the airships.
The young engineer who hails from the Harkonin fief in the kingdom of Druvic. Looks up, and sees another airship, making it's way down from the Winter Palace above.
This one is a warship, unlike the transporters that are being loaded with the engineers equipment.
Tovis looks away to his left, as some of the engineer corp murmur about something.
The young man from the east of the kingdom of Druvic, which is faraway to the north from where he is at the moment.
Refrains from wincing when he sees the massive shape that's bounding this way.
It's one of lord Farque's wardogs, and it's more or less heading straight in this direction.
Tovis breathes a sigh of relief as he spots the senior wardog handler, Jessup, following behind the massive animal that's coming this way.
The war engineer in the armies of Farque refrains from flinching as the wardog stops right infront of him, and bends it's head down and sniffs at him.
"Axe you big lump, leave the engineer alone!" calls out the senior wardog handler Jessup, who then calls out something in a language that Tovis doesn't understand.
After another sniff, the massive animal which towers over the young engineering, wanders away. Heading away towards the nearest transporter that's being loaded.
As he does, the war engineer hopes the wardog, who he understands isn't alive. A concept he's still getting used to.
Doesn't get into it's mind, to start chewing on the equipment that's being loaded on the nearby airship. As lord Farque's wardogs, those both living and undead, pretty much do what they want.
"Everything getting loaded aboard engineer?" asks the senior wardog handler Jessup.
"Yes sir" says Tovis the war engineer as he turns to look at the man, who like the nearby wardog, isn't alive.
"I'm not a knight son" dryly says Jessup, who continues with "So you don't have to call me sir" the undead man then adds "Nor am i an officer" he follows that with "I was just a rank and file foot soldier until my lord's father made me one of the handlers of the wardogs. So if you're going to call me by something that's not my name, then handler will do, senior handler if you insist".
"Ah yes" says Tovis who at the last moment stops himself from adding "Sir" and instead he adds "Handler Jessup".
The senior wardog handler nods his head, then looks over at Axe, who has flopped down onto the ground, rolled onto his side, as he watches the nearby transporter being loaded here on the staging grounds.
"Big idiot" is what Tovis hears Jessup murmur good naturedly as he watches the wardog, tongue lolling, stubby tail wagging, as it lies on it's side, watching proceedings.
The young engineer knows that the senior wardog handler might not be a sir, or an officer of any kind.
But any of the living in the armies of Farque will defer to Jessup or any of the other undead army in the lands Farque, no matter what their rank is.
From generals and field commanders, if they're alive. They'll always defer to one of the undead.
The young engineer from the east of the kingdom of Druvic, nods his head when Jessup gestures at the nearby wardog, and quietly tells Tovis "They always know when others are going off to war" he continues with "Even his living kin know it" Jessup then adds in a soft tone "They're not called wardogs for nothing".
"You're not coming?" asks Tovis the war engineer, who thought some of the undead might come along. After all, this is the first time in nearly four and half centuries, that one of the armies of Farque is leaving their lands.
"That hasn't been decided as of yet" says the senior wardog handler, who was alive, and died the last time the armies of Farque departed their lands.
When they helped defend the Southlands against invasion from the Holy Norstran Empire. Who they eventually defeated. Though the then battlelord Kaiuss Farque, the current lord Farque. Died in that battle that led to the defeat of the invading army from across the Great Western Ocean.
The senior wardog handler Jessup, who died in the same battle nearly four and half centuries ago, says to the young engineer "I know you've been in just the conflict between your former lord, and that knight Percavelle's family previously".
Jessup continues with "And it will stand you in good stead to a point" the undead wardog handler then adds "But a campaign is a little different. So keep yourself safe, and those in your engineering corp too".
"I will" says Tovis, who remembers not to call Jessup "Sir". The war engineer from the east of the kingdom of Druvic nods his head, as the undead soldier quietly tells him "And listen to those who have been in a lot of battles, and wars".
The young engineer faintly smiles, as Jessup says in an extremely dry tone "Like the ork" followed by "The warleader".
The senior wardog handler shakes his head, and though he appears to be a greying, robust man in his late forties. He's actually dead, well undead to be precise. Who has been on the physical world of Volunell, for in excess of four hundred and fifty years.
"That ork maybe unpredictable, and flat out crazy" says Jessup, who continues with "But amongst the living, you won't find anyone more skilled at warfare than him".
"So take in what he says, it might just save your life one day, and that of your corp" says the undead man, who not only came down here to the staging grounds to talk to the war engineer in the armies of Farque.
But to keep an eye on the loading of the transporters. The larger and slower airships, that will soon be heading north with others in the fleet.
Jessup who is silently communicating by way of mindspeech of the undead, with commander Dolsyn. Who is up in the Winter Palace looking down at things below.
Glances sideways at the young engineer who lord Farque and the others who travel with the undead warlord, found in the kingdom of Druvic. After being revealed to them, by the power of foresight that Helbe the elven thief posses.
Jessup sees that Tovis is looking away at the warship that's just put down on one side of the staging ground.
The young engineer who is from the Harkonin fief in eastern Druvic is watching someone on, or near the warship. A frigate that's just put down.
It doesn't take the senior wardog handler long to see who Tovis is watching. Jessup spots the runner Lisell Maera amongst a number of squads of runners, scouts and rangers. Who are waiting to board the frigate. That's just landed upon the ground, on one side of the staging ground.
Jessup might not know Tovis all that well, as he's only spoken to him a handful of times since the young engineer arrived here in the lands Farque.
But what he does know about him. Is that he tried to romantically pursue Lisell Maera, who like Tovis is part of the group than travels with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
And that Lisell Maera, or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well. Spurned his advances. Much to the displeasure of Tovis. Not that he openly showed it.
But those who know him well. Found out soon enough. And it's from them that Jessup the senior wardog handler found out about it.
"How have things been here in my lord's lands for you?" asks Jessup, who continues with "Everything going well so far?".
"It has actually" is the reply of Tovis, who follows that up with "The people have been more than accommodating" who looks away to the right, where he spots Lisell Maera who is about to board the frigate, and he silently adds, unlike some others i know.
"Good to hear" says the undead wardog handler, who then tells the young engineer "Let's hope you return for more of that".
"I intend to" says Tovis who has one last look at the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury, who rejected his attempts at courtship.
Then turns to Jessup and tells him "And I'll do everything i can to make sure as many of the corp return as well". The war engineer who has a number of other engineers as well as builders, and workers under his commander.
Nods his head when the senior wardog handler says to him "Make sure you do" Jessup then adds "Well, until then".
The undead man nods to the war engineer in the armies of Farque. Then he walks away, in the direction he came from. As he does, Jessup calls Axe to heel, in both the common language, and the ancient language of command. Which Jessup knows a few common commands in, as well as a smattering of other words. All to keep a careful eye and control upon the wardogs of Farque. Both living and dead. Though even he struggles to get any of the undead wardogs do what he says. As they've definitely got a mind of their own.
Such as right now, as Axe has ignored the command from Jessup.
Infact the sounds of snoring, and snuffling can be heard from the massive canine, who isn't even alive.
The undead wardog handler shakes his head as he walks away, checking out the other preparations here in the staging grounds, as one of the armies of Farque prepares to depart.
After watching the loading of the closest of the transporters for a bit more. Tovis the war engineer says to those of the corp standing nearby "Might as well load our packs onto the ship's we've been assigned to".
A murmur of agreement greets that, and the war engineer and members of the corp he's in command of. Pick up their packs, and head to the nearest transporters that they'll be flying on.
As he does, the young engineer glances to the side, and sees the large head of the massive wardog Axe lift up, and watch him as he walks by. After a while Axe lowers his head, and lies back down as Tovis approaches the airship that he'll be leaving on.
The war engineer who is from the east of the kingdom of Druvic, who now finds himself in the armies of Farque, and about to head off to war.
Boards the transporter with some of the other engineering corp.
And after he's shown to the shared cabin he's been assigned, since after all, he is a commander.
And he checks on how some of the siege engine, and war machine parts have been loaded.
Tovis heads up on deck, and keeps out of the way of the crew who are preparing the transporter for departure.
As he stands near a midships at the starboard rail, the war engineer watches the nearby warship. Cast off it's mooring lines, and start to lift off from the ground after the squads of some of the advanced companies, the runners, scouts, rangers and the like, have boarded it.
For a moment, Tovis thinks he spots Lisell Maera upon the deck of the frigate as it lifts off. And as it gains in altitude, and turns north, the young engineer hopes that the young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury who spurned his advances. Stays safe and well in the upcoming campaign they're heading to.
Not that she probably cares, Tovis the war engineer thinks to himself as he continues to watch the departing frigate.
On the deck of the twin masted warship, Lisell Maera looks back down at the staging ground next to the tor that the Winter Palace sits upon.
The attractive young woman who is a lead runner in the advanced companies in the army of Farque that's heading north.
Is watching one of the transporters that's down on the ground. On it she can see Tovis the war engineer standing at the starboard rail in a midships. Watching the frigate that she's on, which is continuing to gain in altitude as it starts to head north.
"Stay safe Tovis" Lisell Maera murmurs to herself, who knows that the young engineer is watching the frigate, because he caught sight of her on it.
Where we're going, we all need to be safe, the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury thinks to herself, as the frigate she's on begins it's journey, heading north out of the lands Farque and onwards, further to the north, to war.

The Intervening Year 2

Mosqeyn. Krean Refuge. Northern Farque...

The airship, a fast frigate in the fleet of the lands Farque comes into dock in the citadel of Mosqeyn. The main center of population in the Krean Refuge. A protectorate in the mountain range in the north of the lands Farque.
Darid Parsen looks back and waves to the captain of the frigate who is on the aft deck. Caerik Alsair, who has only had his commission for a month or so, nods to the young man from the kingdom of Druvic. Who he knows is somebody entirely else.
Darid, makes his way quickly down one of the gangplanks after they've been put out.
Once on the dock, the newly made commander in the armies of Farque. A cavalry officer to be precise. Looks along the dock, and slightly frowns as he tries to pick out one of the krean from the many who are on the dock.
He'd never admit it, but many of the krean all look the same to him. It's only those who are wearing uniforms who are a little bit easier to tell from the others.
And he spots a rather large krean in the uniform of an air marine at one end of the dock.
Darid Parsen is about to make his way towards him. When the air marine makes things easier, and flies to him from the other end of the long dock where the non krean airships berth.
The near six and a half foot tall, dragon like krean lands infront of Darid and says "Commander Parsen, I'm marine leader Devilca" as he folds his wings in along his back.
"Marine leader" says Darid Parsen by way of greeting, who then nods as the krean says to him "We've been expecting you".
The marine leader, who like all krean is muscular in appearance beneath his armour and uniform. Leads the young man from the east of the kingdom of Druvic, to a set of nearby steps that connects the dock to the citadel that perches on the side, and top of one of the mountains here in the Krean Refuge.
They go down the steps, and into one of the lanes in the citadel of Mosqeyn, as they do, Darid Parsen looks around then says "He wouldn't be here in the citadel itself would he?".
"Well" says Devilca, who after a pause as a grin spreads across his reptilian, or dragon like features adds "Kind of".
The marine leader who shortens his stride so the human beside him, who at nearly six foot tall, isn't exactly short. Is able to keep pace with him.
Then tells the cavalry officer in the armies of Farque "He's up there".
The young man from the kingdom of Druvic, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Darid Parsen.
Looks to where the tall, muscular krean points to, and sourly smiles as he sees a narrow path of steps that goes higher up the side of the mountain.
"He wanted solitude" says marine leader Devilca "Of course" dryly says commander Parsen, which illicits a chuckle from the krean walking beside him.
"If you like, i could fly you up" says the krean marine leader, the young man who hails from the Lé Dic fief in the kingdom of Druvic winces at the prospect of that, then he says "Thanks for the offer" followed by "I think I'll brave that path" Darid Parsen then silently adds, and hope to the tundra gods i don't fall off the side of the fucking mountain.
They make their way through Mosqeyn, going east through the citadel, then up.
Where they start heading along the outskirts of the citadel, heading eastwards and up.
As they do, commander Parsen gets the chance to look down to the shipyards below. Where not just the krean airships are made. But also the other vessels in the fleet of the lands Farque.
Beyond the shipyards, in the distance at the base of the mountain, is the plateau where airships from outside the Krean Refuge and the lands Farque are allowed to berth.
As no foreign airships are allowed into Mosqeyn itself. Not that many foreign vessels ever come here.
For the protectorate in the north of the lands Farque isn't exactly well known. Infact the lands Farque isn't all that well known outside of the very south of the Southlands.
As the cavalry officer and the air marine leader head towards the set of steps. Darid Parsen sees a krean vessel in the distance to the east in the late morning sky.
It's a scoutship by the size of it. And it's going through manoeuvres. The young man from the kingdom of Druvic slightly winces as he recalls his time on one of those airships. When he was still Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, before he died for the first time.
The commander in the armies of Farque will never forget that experience. His stomach definitely never will. As it was the most gut wrenching experience of his life.
And as he and Devilca the krean air marine approach the steps that go up the side of the mountain.
Darid Parsen wonders if they'll go by a krean vessel when they go north. If they do, he hopes to hell, and to the tundra gods. The captain and crew of the vessel takes it easy on the non krean passengers.
Knowing them, they probably won't, the cavalry commander sourly thinks to himself, as he knows the krean have a wicked sense of humour. Who get immense pleasure out of having anyone who isn't a krean fly with them.
As they walk out from between, what Darid can see, is two homes.
And a couple of krean youngsters fly by over their heads. Waving at the human with the marine leader.
The krean air marine Devilca gestures to the steps that's only wide enough for one. And obviously built for humans and others who are unable to fly.
And tells the young man who hails from the Lé Dic fief in eastern Druvic "He's up the very top of the path". The marine leader points upwards and adds "You can just see the cluster of small buildings up there" he pauses before continuing with "He's usually in one at this time of the day. You'll know which one when you see it".
Darid Parsen, who this time last year, was still Riley Hait the mercenary ranger, who he had been for well over eight years.
Nods to Devilca, who tells him "I'll keep an eye on you" he nods off the side of the mountain and grins as he adds "You know, just in case".
"Lucky for some" mutters the commander in the armies of Farque after the krean air marine takes wing, and takes flight. Circling out from where Darid stands at the base of the path.
The young man who was a soldier in the army of lady Linara Lé Dic before he was killed in the battle for castle Drubine during last spring.
Does his cloak up, as it's fairly windy, not to mention cold on the side of the mountain this fine, clear day.
Then Darid aka Zubutai Timaginson starts making his way up the steps, that to him, look fit only for mountain goats and madmen. And he hopes to the tundra gods, as well as the sky gods the krean worship.
That he stays on the path, and doesn't fall off. As it's a long way down. And even with Devilca flying nearby, keeping an eye on him.
Darid Parsen doesn't want to rely on the krean air marine on saving him if he tumbles off the path.
Just stay on the fucking steps Zubutai, Darid Parsen silently admonishes himself, the cavalry officer in the armies of the lands Farque, then silently adds, and not end up falling to a likely death, with only that air marine to swoop in and save you.
The commander, briefly waves to Devilca who he sees fly by out of the corner of his left eye. Then Darid looks down at the steps, and concentrates on them, and putting one foot infront of the other.
The cavalry officer who slightly shivers as he heads upwards as it's getting colder the further he goes up the side of the mountain,
Looks up to the top of the path, and though he sees he's still got a fair bit of climbing.  He does see more clearly, the buildings that the marine leader mentioned.
One of which, he knows. The person he's looking for, the person who he traveled here to Mosqeyn to find. Will be in one of.
Trying not to breathe through his mouth, as he knows that can be damaging at this altitude for a human. Darid Parsen continues up the steps, which winds their way up the mountain, and not directly up it.
Which is the cavalry officer in the armies of Farque is thankful for.
And though it offers him a majestic view down and out from the north side of the mountain, which the citadel of Mosqeyn is perched on.
Darid aka Zubutai the son of Timagin tries not to look that often away from the path he's going up. As it can be more than a little disconcerting, not to mention disorienting, going up a narrow set of steps, then looking away from it.
The recently made commander in the armies of the lands Farque, suddenly finds himself at the top of the steps. And as he takes the final step off the path, he looks up and looks around.
And finds he's on a flat area, or shelf on the side of the mountain. That's obviously man made, or more correctly, krean made.
It might of originally been a natural formation that was flat, but it's been worked and excavated, over how many years, Darid Parsen has no idea.
What he does know, is what he sees. And he sees a trio of buildings across the open area, two of which are similar or near identical to the one's down in the citadel proper.
While the one out infront, to the north east, that's out on an outcrop, has pillared corners and no walls beneath it's peaked roof.
There's a figure, sitting in the middle of the small building on the outcrop.
And Darid Parsen makes his way towards him and that building. The cavalry officer grimaces as he sees there's a narrow stone bridge connecting the rest of the flat shelf to the outcrop.
It's about thirty feet long, and four or five feet wide, with nothing to either side of it, or below it. Apart from fresh mountain air.
Oh fuck me! Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman thinks to himself, who closes his eyes briefly as he stands near this end of the foot bridge.
He looks down, and immediately gives up on that as he can easily see to the sides of the bridge. Where all he can see is sky, until the plateau far below.
He mutters a prayer to the tundra gods in the hordes dialect, and adds a muttered "Fuck it" in the same language. And steps out onto the foot bridge hoping a gust of wind doesn't come along and sends him off the stone bridge to his death.
He keeps his eyes forward, looking at the kneeling figure in the middle of that open building who has his back to him.
Darid Parsen quickly crosses the stone bridge to the outcrop, and finds himself beneath the roof of the building that has no walls.
His heart is pumping, and he's breathing quickly through his nose. He walks in a crouch really, until he gets next to the figure kneeling in the middle of the open walled building.
The commander in the armies of Farque sits on his ass next to the kneeling figure. His feet are tingling, and he's fighting the urge to get up and run and jump out through one of the open walls.
Darid Parsen sourly smiles, as he moves an odd conical shaped hat to one side, so he can put his hands beneath himself and sit on them.
"Greetings friend Zubu, i mean Darid" says Shur Kee the monk, who slightly smiles as he just gets a grunt in return from the cavalry officer sitting beside him.
"Not many can undertake the air walk to one of these sanctuaries, you are to be commended my old friend" adds the short statured monk who hails from the far eastern coast of the continent.
"It is a difficult undertaking" says the acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li.
"I can't imagine why" dryly says Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who though not normally afraid of heights. But climbing up a narrow mountain path, then walking across a stone bridge with nothing but sky beneath it, to get to the outcrop that the building they're in, is on. Tested his courage beyond his limitations.
The young man from the kingdom of Druvic sourly smiles as he realises he has to do it all over again if he wants to go back down to the citadel below.
"The krean have more of these sanctuaries further up the mountains" says Shur Kee who continues with "Their spellcasters, those they call navigators and their philosophers like to use them" the physical adept then adds "Unfortunately there are no paths up to them. For i would like to of seen them too".
Darid Parsen slightly shakes his head, then says "No thanks" followed by "I wouldn't" he continues in a dry tone with "I don't have wings like the krean if something goes wrong" the cavalry officer then silently adds, just coming up here was fucking bad enough.
Shur Kee who has been looking out at the sky, turns his head and looks at Darid who is sitting on his hands, and is avoiding looking out the open walls of the building.
"What brings you to Mosqeyn Darid" asks the short, statured monk to his closest friend in the group.
The commander in the armies of Farque clears his throat, then looks at the physical adept next to him and says "They've got a hire". The acolyte in the order of Bru Li nods in understanding.
Darid aka Zubutai Timaginson continues with "The lord wants to know if you'll come along" the cavalry officer pauses then adds "To keep an eye on some of the younger ones".
"Tam?" asks Shur Kee, Darid Parsen nods his head yes, then dryly says "And of course Dorc too".
The monk from the far eastern coastal kingdom of Wah Lee grins then says "Of course".
Then as he goes back to looking out at the sky, the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior Bru Li asks the young man from the kingdom of Druvic, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra "Where?".
"North" is the answer from commander Darid Parsen . . . . . .

The Intervening Year.

The Lands Farque...

"Dad!" shouts Jaren Van Der Linden from a top of his pony "I see them son" replies Kreece Van Der Linden the mage who is riding a horse behind his son.
The powerful mage, probably the most powerful one in the entire Southlands at this time. Looks over at his wife Sephiryn the elemental. Who is on the horse beside him.
The elemental blademaster who has, one of the twins, Rase. In a sling across her back. Where the toddler is asleep.
Smiles, and shakes her head as she looks back at her husband the mage.
"Lest we don't have to do that anymore" says the spellcaster whose father is the seneschal of the lands Farque. Who has the other twin, Mycrin. In a sling across his own back.
The twins, one blond and the other dark haired, aren't human like their older brother Jaren. And are named after the elemental's younger brothers, who died when she was barely a teenager.
"As if we really did it anyway" says Sephiryn Van Der Linden nee Vaitrelle. The elemental, the only one is her rare race's existence, who is of two elements, earth and air for her.
Shakes her head again, then dryly says "Take a guess who's trailing way behind the others?" the elemental blademaster quickly adds "No cheating".
Kreece Van Der Linden wryly smiles, and he sits up in the saddle, and peers in the distance along the road to the southwest of the Winter Palace, near the coast. Where a squad is running in this direction.
Lacking his wife's naturally enhanced eyesight, the mage Van Der Linden who'd like nothing better than to cast a spell to see better.
Has a fair idea who it is that's lagging well behind the rest of the squad that's coming up the road from the south.
"Well i guess it's Dorc" says the mage who is a senior officer in the armies of the lands Farque, though his role of a spellcaster is more important than his rank signifies.
"That wasn't difficult" dryly says the attractive elemental who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains, which is faraway, further to north in the Southlands from the lands Farque.
Just then, the undead wardog Lightning comes bounding towards the road through the long grass and flowers on that side.
She comes to a sudden stop right next to young Jaren and his pony. Softly barks at them, then turns and runs back the way she's come from.
Much to the delight of the young boy on his pony, who is cackling with delight as he watches the massive undead wardog run away.
The mage Van Der Linden wryly smiles. As there's always one of the undead wardogs around his little family wherever they go.
Infact, today there's two of them. Kreece looks around, and amongst the long spring grass and flowers to the right of the road.
He spots the massive shape of the undead wardog Axe, lying on his back, with all four paws up in the air.
The largest of all the undead wardogs, who is at once, both the laziest and the most destructive of all the undead wardogs.
Doesn't even move when his sister Lightning runs at him, and pounces on him. And getting no reaction from her litter mate. She takes off towards the coast which is about a quarter of a mile away to the west.
The massive wardog who stands six and a half foot tall at the shoulder, and weighs over thirteen hundred pounds. Chews up the distance as she runs faster than the fastest of living animals can run.
The rather sleek, for one of the wardogs of Farque at least. Circles around, and makes her way back to the road that the Van Der Linden family are riding on, this fine and sunny, late spring day.
As lightning slows down, and comes alongside the road. Keeping parallel with those on the horses.
The powerful mage, who like his wife is nearing thirty years of age. Spots a forerunner out infront of the squad heading this way.
Kreece, slightly frowns then says "Is that Lis out infront of the rest of them?". "It is" replies Sephiryn Van Linden who goes by the name of Seph to those who know her well.
"That means it must be one of Tam's squads" says the mage Van Der Linden, the air/earth elemental who is a blademaster, as is her husband, nods her head, and says "He's with them".
"No wonder Dorc's there" murmurs the son of the seneschal of the lands Farque, who then grins and says in a sarcastic tone "I bet he's loving doing all the drills and training".
Seph laughs, then says "He looks more angrier than normal as he trails the rest of the squad" as she can clearly see the large ork in the distance, following behind the fairly large squad that's running along the road.
"Dad" says Jaren Van Der Linden, who adds "Ma" followed by "Are we going to race them?". As they watch the squad of soldiers running along the road.
"No son" says the powerful mage, who continues with "We should probably get off the road as to let them freely pass".
The three of them, the two adults on horses, and the boy on a pony.
Ride off the road, and came to a halt as the forerunner out infront of the squad. Gets closer and closer to them.
Beside the Van Der Linden family, Lightning drops to her haunches, and watches those on the road heading this way.
The lead runner, out infront of the others in the squad, by some distance too. Slows down as she sees who's just off the side of the road up ahead.
And she comes to a stop by them, Lisell Maera grins and says "And hello to you young man" in reply to the boy who waves at her from a top of his pony, and says "Hi".
The attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury who isn't breathing all that hard, even though she's already run about two miles from a campsite further down the coast.
Then says "Sir" to the man upon the horse. The man she knows will be the next seneschal of the lands Farque. The most important living person in the lands.
Lisell Maera who is commonly called Lis by those who know her, then says "Striker" to the attractive woman upon the other horse.
Then the runner in the armies of Farque smiles as she realises that the husband and wife have their other children, two toddlers, twins. Strapped to their backs in slings. Where both of them are dozing.
Lis knows that they're aren't human, and are elementals like their mother. Unlike their older brother, who is human, and by all accounts, will grow up to be a mage like his father.
The attractive young woman from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, who is now nineteen years old. Glances at the massive dog sitting on it's haunches near the family, passively watching her. She figures it's an undead one. As the living wardogs tend not go out without one of the handlers.
She looks at her, and from the size of the undead creature, and from it's sleek looking appearance, she guesses it's one of the female wardogs.
"Lightning" says Lis to the undead wardog, who barks once in appreciation, and wags her stubby tail as she sits there.
Off in the long grass and flowers to the side of the road, Lisell Maera spots a large black lump that moves, it rolls and sticks it's head up, and looks in her direction.
It's another of the undead wardogs, and from the size of it, it's either Hammer, Anvil or Axe. The three largest of the undead wardogs of Farque.
Axe, Lis dryly thinks to herself with a slight smile upon her face, as the massive undead animal, rolls back over, and she sees it's stick it's legs up in the air, as it wriggles around for a bit, until it gets comfortable and goes still.
"Lis" says the mage Van Der Linden by way of greeting, then he nods back down the road, and asks the runner "New recruits from other lands?".
"A handful of them sir mage" says the runner and messenger "How are they doing so far with the others in the squad?" asks the spellcaster who is also a blademaster.
"So far so good sir" is the answer from Lisell Maera, who knows that foreigners, are thoroughly screened, by spellcasters like the mage Van Der Linden and others. As well as being closely watched by the undead.
Before they're even allowed to join the armies of the lands Farque.
Even Lis herself, since she's not a born Farqian. Had to go through the same process, the first time she came to the lands Farque. Though not as thoroughly as the recruits. As she was specifically picked to join after being revealed by the powers of foresight that prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel has.
The runner, or messenger as they're sometimes designated within the armies of Farque. Chats with the small family as they wait for the rest of the training squad to catch up.
"Caerik just flew in this morning" says Kreece Van Der Linden, Lisell Maera looks away to the northeast, and in the distance she sees the massive rocky tor, that sticks out of the ground, upon which, over a thousand feet up, sits the citadel of the Winter Palace.
"He's made captain" adds the powerful mage. Lis grins at hearing that about Caerik Alsair, a former member of the group that she traveled with throughout the Southlands, and beyond. Is now a captain of an airship in the Farqian fleet.
"He's also getting married to that young lady who's been pestering him even since he first arrived here in my lord's lands" says the son of the seneschal of the lands Farque, which causes the runner to snort as she suppresses the laughter that threatens to burst forth.
"Ah" says Lisell Maera, who clears her throat so she doesn't laugh, then she adds "I'll have to congratulate him when i see him at the Winter Palace".
"Who knows, maybe you'll find someone and get married next runner" says the mage Van Der Linden.
"Maybe" quietly says the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury, who steps off to the side of the road as she hears the rest of the training squad approaching.
As the rest of the squad get closer to where they are, Sephiryn Van Der Linden quietly says in the air elemental language to her husband "That young lady will never marry".
"Why not?" quietly asks the powerful mage in the same language "Because she won't" quietly says the elemental blademaster.
Kreece frowns as he looks at the runner waiting for the rest of the training squad, then looks back over to his wife who quietly says to him in the air elemental language "Don't find out" as she knows her husband will probably read the mind of the runner to find out.
The air/earth elemental follows that with "Let her be" then she adds "I'll tell you about it later".
The mage Van Der Linden nods, then turns and looks as the rest of the training squad that Lisell Maera is the forerunner of, who have stopped on the road behind her.
"Sir" says Tamric Drubine who then adds "Striker" after he takes a few breaths and steps forward to stand by Lis. The young newly named field commander in the armies of the lands Farque, grins and says "Young Jaren" in greeting to the boy upon the pony who waves at him and says "Tam!" in greeting to him. 
The teenager from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who is nearing the age of seventeen. And has recently been given the rank of field commander in the armies of Farque.
Grins as he nods to the undead wardog Lightning, who always softly barks at him when she sees him.
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. Who was named a swordmaster at the end of last year when he and the others in the group returned to the lands Farque.
Says "Relax for a little while" to the training squad, and walks off the side of the road to stand with Lis, when the mage Van Der Linden in the elven language says to him "How goes the training? And how goes the foreign recruits you've got?".
As her husband Kreece quietly talks in elven with Tam and Lis. Sephiryn the element looks down the road and grins as she watches a heavy breathing Dorc da Orc jogging in this direction, with a look of pure murder upon his broad, green, feral looking face.
The elemental blademaster knows the large ork could easily outrun everyone in the training squad he's with. Infact he could run for days nonstop.
Though that doesn't mean he'd want to, or like to. Especially not since it's a fairly warm spring day today.
And no matter how many years the big, burly ork has lived north of the Ork Range which is located in the southern polar region of the world.
He'll never be fully comfortable in the weather outside of his barren, and frozen homeland.
Dorkindle finally catches up to the training squad, and he growls at them to move.
They make way for the ork weaponsmith, who technically, though he doesn't know it, is their commander. As he's supposed to be teaching warfare to the young field commander Tamric Drubine.
Sweating profusely, and breathing heavily,Dorc da Orc grunts in greeting to Sephiryn the elemental, who he's known since she was a teenager. Then he says to the mage Van Der Linden "Hey Kreece cunt, you got any fucken booze, me thirsty" as he's caught wind of, and caught sight of the wine sack the powerful mage has tied to his saddlebags.
"Dorc!" admonishes the air/earth elemental the same time her son Jaren says "Dad, Dorc said the swears".
The large ork mutters "Fuck" and jumps back as the undead wardog Lightning looks in his direction and growls.
Dorkindle then switches to his own language and says to the mage Van Der Linden "Can me have that fucken wines you gots, it's hot as motherfucken cunt today".
The powerful mage, who knows the ork language thanks to a spell cast upon him a number of years ago by the ork shaman Onka Donka. Who happens to be one of Dorc's best friend.
Says to the big, burly ork in his own language, which Kreece would rather not actually know, as it's completely incomprehensible to his human mind, and is difficult to understand, even though he knows it.
"Here cunt" as he tosses the wine sack to the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks.
"Thanks cunt" says Dorkindle, who remembers to speak in the ork language if he wants to swear like normal. As Sephiryn the elemental doesn't appreciate him swearing infront of her children.
After downing the contents of the wine sack, and handing it back to the spellcaster who is the son of the seneschal of the lands Farque.
The ork who is the warleader of his race sourly smiles, and shakes his head as he looks first at Jaren on his pony, a gift from the hordes barbarians on the tundra to the south of the lands Farque. Then at the two sleeping toddlers in the slings across the backs of their parents. Then at the parents themselves.
"Sick fucks" murmurs Dorc da Orc in the ork language. Which Kreece hears, and causes him to grin. As he knows the attitude of orks towards marriage and having offspring. It's completely crazy to them. And from a race that's born crazy. Who are totally insane. That's saying something. As marriage is very rare within the ork race. And having offspring, which they call orklings. Is fraught with danger. From both the parent, and or parents side, as well as the orklings side.
The powerful mage Van Der Linden is just about to ask the ork warleader how the training is going. When the undead wardog Lightning sits up, and looks away to the northeast and barks.
Across the road, and amongst the long grass and flowers, the undead wardog Axe gets up and looks away to the northeast, and barks as well.
He then looks over at his sister, barks at her. Then takes off running to the northeast, in the direction of the Winter Palace.
A few moments later and the powerful mage senses what's got their attention.
A ship's rift appears in the sky to the northeast, and a moment later a kreen strikeship flies out of it. And heads for the tor that the has the small citadel upon it.
Looking at Lightning who is barking and wagging her stubby tail, then looking in the distance, where Axe is just a blur of motion as he runs to the tor where the Winter Palace is located.
Kreece Van Der Linden says "Well i guess their master is back" as they watch in the distance the kreen strikeship approach the thousand foot tor, and the citadel that sits upon it.
The powerful mage looks at his wife, who nods to his unspoken question, then the mage Van Der Linden says to Tam "Well, i guess we'll be going back to the citadel too" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 164.

King's Domain. Leeabra. The Kingdom Of Druvic...

"There's more of them" quietly says Tovis the war engineer as they see more of the king's guards hurrying across the square from the direction of the main palace, here in the king's domain.
Mira Reinholt the mage who is standing next to the bench that Tovis the war engineer and Lisell Maera are sitting on, pulls down the front of his cloak's hood, to obscure more of his face.
The once powerful mage who lived here in the city of Leeabra over a decade ago doesn't want to be accidentally recognised as they wait for the others to come back.
After the king's guards goes by, Mira Reinholt the mage looks behind them and says "Be quiet Dorc" in response to Dorc da Orc loudly muttering "Don't know why Dorc couldn't of fucken gone in. Them two fucken knight cunts did, and so did that new pretendy Zubu".
The large ork grumbles as he stands on the otherside of the tree behind the bench, a tree which Shur Kee the monk is sitting on the grass, at the base of.
They all hear the ork warleader, who is invisible thanks to a spell cast by the mage Reinholt, sit down in a huff, and quietly mutter away to himself in the totally incomprehensible language of the orks.
"An airship is coming in" quietly says Lisell Maera as they watch a warship, a fast flying cutter. Come in from the west side of the city, and over the king's domain.
"Something's definitely happened" quietly adds the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
Next to her on the bench, the young engineer from the Harkonin fief, Tovis. Nods his head in agreement, as they all watch the airship fly towards the main palace here in the king's domain.
More people hurry from the main palace, and as some hurry to the airship that's putting down in a square on the other side of the blocky looking palace where the king of Druvic lives, and holds court.
Others, army officers, soldiers and knights, make their way through a rift that has appeared on the otherside of the square, that they're on the eastern edge of, watching the comings and goings at the main palace.
"They've succeeded" quietly says Mira Reinholt, the exiled Vexilian mage who doesn't have to worry about being sensed, thanks to the amulet he wears on a chain around his neck.
Has just read the mind of an officer in the king's guard, who has just hurried by with a mixed group of domain guards, army officers and soldiers, as well as members of the constabulary.
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, waits a few moments. Then tells the others "They've been sent out to round up those who have had dealings with the dark druids" the mage Reinholt adds "And the dark druids themselves".
"Worked alright" quietly says Lisell Maera, who is more commonly referred to as Lis by the rest of the group. As they wait in the afternoon sunshine on what's a clear spring day. For the others who entered the main palace earlier in the afternoon.
Around the edges of the square, which is surrounded by park like grounds where the various palaces and buildings in this part of the king's domain are set.
Other people who are on the benches, and near the trees dotted around the edge of the large square.
Also watch the activity coming and going from the main palace, where the afternoon session of the king's court is being held.
Soon word gets to those here outside of the main palace, in and around the square. As to what's happened in the king's court this afternoon.
Something that's irrevocably changed the kingdom, as much as the civil war that kicked off with the incident that occurred here in the city of Leeabra a decade ago.
This time, sir Twimen the lord high constable of Druvic. The most important and influential noble in the kingdom outside of the royal family.
Has been led away from  the king's court, bound in chains. After it was found out he was the leader of a conspiracy that wanted to see the spread of the ways of the dark druids of old, throughout the kingdom.
Now others in his cadre, from all levels of society. From those who are nobleborn to commoners, and everyone in between. Are being rounded up and arrested from a decree given by the king, the duke of Carville, Anders the First.
While the dark druids themselves, who are predominantly from the east of the kingdom. But are found throughout Druvic, are now being hunted by the royal army, aircorp and the constabulary.
After a pair of excited court officials hurry by, and quickly tell them what's happened within the main palace during this afternoon's session of court.
Lisell Maera looks at Mira Reinholt and quietly asks the once powerful mage "You think they'll be able to freely leave?".
Ignoring the loudly muttered "Who fucken cares" that comes from the invisible ork warleader sitting on the otherside of the tree that's behind the bench.
The swordmaster Reinholt quietly says to Lis "We'll soon find out". The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere within the Southlands, looks towards the main palace.
Where more and more people exit out of the numerous doorways that come out onto the square on this side of the main palace.
The Vexilian mage in exile hopes the others didn't get into any trouble as they exposed sir Twimen the lord high constable. Though he knows, that with sir Percavelle Lé Dic going into the main palace with the others. That it's a distinct possibility that they might get into trouble of some kind.
I'm sure Farque and that elven thief will keep them out of trouble, Mira Reinholt thinks to himself, the swordmaster from the city-state of Vexil pauses for a moment, before silently adding, i hope.
The once powerful mage starts to pace back and forth. While Tovis the war engineer gets up from the bench he's sitting on with Lisell Maera, and stretches.
He sits back down when he sees Lis is still looking towards the main palace in the king's domain. The young engineer from the Harkonin fief in the east of Druvic also wonders if the others will return.
And when he's just about to voice that to the attractive young woman sitting beside him, Lis says "Here they come".
Tovis looks in the direction of the main palace. Mira Reinholt stops pacing, and spins around to look across the square to the main palace.
Shur Kee the monk who has been sitting with his back against the tree behind him, with his eyes closed.
Opens his eyes, and looks towards the main palace, here within the king's domain. The short, statured monk from the far eastern coastal kingdom of Wah Lee, stands up.
While on the otherside of the tree, the invisible Dorc da Orc grunts as he looks around the tree, to the main palace.
The large ork from the southern polar region of the world mutters to himself in his native language. As he, along with the others, watch the rest of the group, make their way from the main palace, and cross the large square to them.
They all stand up now, even Dorkindle. As they rest of the group walks across the large square to where they're standing on the eastern edge of the square.
When the rest get to them, and they stop. Mira Reinholt the mage is the one to speak first, and he quietly says "I figure things worked out well then?".
"They did" is the reply of lord Farque who has led the others out of the main palace, across the square, to where the rest of the group have been waiting for them.
Of those who entered the main palace earlier this afternoon. It's only the knights general of the order of Saint Mar-che, sir Dalacell. Along with the wizard Calrik from the lord high constable's personal fleet. Who didn't come back out with them.
The two of them are helping with the capture of those in the conspiracy led by sir Twimen the lord high constable. As well as hunting down the dark druids themselves.
Even Helbe the elven thief, along with Narladene the ground pixie, and Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, have rejoined lord Farque, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, Tamric Drubine and Darid Parsen.
"The kingdom is in for a bit of shake up i gather?" asks the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster "It definitely is" replies the undead warlord "A bit of a purge you might say, is going to take place" adds Helbe the elven thief.
The mage who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil, then asks the heavily armoured deathlord "Now what?".
"We leave" is the answer from the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who glances at both of the spellcasters, and says "We've got some planning to do".
The undead being, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, nods his full helmed head for the others to follow him.
The deathlord of Farque gestures towards Dorc da Orc, and says to the mage Reinholt "Keep him invisible for the time being" he pauses then adds "At least until we get out of the king's domain".
The Vexilian mage in exile nods his hooded head that he will. Then he and Helbe the elven thief walk on either side of lord Farque, and three of them quietly discuss things as the undead warlord leads the group away from the square, and through the king's domain.
While the invisible Dorc da Orc brings up the rear, still grumbling to himself about how he wasn't allowed to enter the main palace with those who went into the session of the king's court.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic finds himself walking beside the young soldier from his family's fief, Darid Parsen. Who he doesn't know, is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman.
While directly infront of them walks Lisell Maera and Tovis the war engineer. And right behind them is Tamric Drubine and Shur Kee the monk alongside Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy.
"Ha!" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic in his usual overly loud voice "You lot should of seen that jackanapes Twimen" to anyone who'll hear him speak.
He nudges the young soldier from his family's fief walking beside him, and adds "You were in there young fellow, tis was a pleasure seeing that popinjay of a lord high constable get his comeuppance wot".
Beside the heavily armoured knight, Darid aka Zubutai Timaginson nods his head in agreement with the former earl of Lé Dic. And hopes the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che doesn't go on and on, like he usually does.
Unfortunately for the young soldier from the Lé Dic fief, the former paladin is his usual self. And in love with his own voice. He gives a detailed account to the others who weren't in the main palace. Of what happened during the session in the king's court. Which has seen the downfall of sir Twimen the lord high constable. And the reveal of the conspiracy he was involved with.
And those infront and behind the heavily armoured knight try to ignore him. It's a bit hard to, what with his loud and boisterous voice, which he definitely loves the sound of.
As the nobleborn knight comes to the end of his retelling of events within the king's court as they make their way out of the king's domain, out of a different set of gates than the one's they entered through.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic, oblivious to the eye rolls, and wry smiles of some of the others, has a smile upon his face, as he looks around and says "I do say, it's good to be back home here in Druvic" followed by "Yes indeed, it is good to be home".

Author's Note - Here ends "The Homecoming". The main story will return in "The Hire".