Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Soldier Of Gods 24.


The City Of Tuledare. 

Maiya Garney the lead scout, along with sergeant Blufont and Carnid the sorcerer enter the Traveler's Comfort, and make their way to the upstairs room in the inn, where the meeting is to take place. 
The scout Garney knocks on the door, and it opens. She enters the room followed by the sergeant and the spellcaster. 
Inside they find people who hold similar roles to them in the second division of the Fifth Army of Farque. All members of the infiltration squads sent into the capital city of Tuledare. 
No one speaks, and most look at Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who they're here to see. 
The elf, who is a senior commander in the Armies of Farque, and is one of the companions who travels with Lord Farque. 
Is at one of the windows, shutters open. So he can look along the street outside in both directions. Towards the south gates of the city. And the nearby garrison. Barracks of the army of Tuledare. Which until lately has been used as a staging area for many of the mercenary companies that the Tuledarians have hired in their war against the city-state of Phamal. 
A few moments later, and there's knock on the door. The Farqian infiltrator standing closest to it, opens it. And three more from another infiltration squad enters the room. Once the door is closed again, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy turns and says "That's all of you". 
The lead scout Maiya Garney figures there must be six other squads similar to hers in the city. Then she and everyone else pays attention to the spy Tanith who gestures and says "You may begin". 
Materializing out of thin air next to the elven spy, is a tall figure of a Krean navigator. Maiya Garney glances at Carnid the sorcerer, who sees the questioning glance from the lead scout, and shrugs in reply, as he like the few other spellcasters in the room, had no idea the Krean practitioner of magic was amongst them. 
"Gather round" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 
The twenty or so Farqian infiltrators gather around the table in the large room, upon which suddenly appears an image of the city of Tuledare. 
The scout Garney blinks in surprise as she sees that the image has people in it, who are moving, making their way about their morning. An airship appears to the north, and she spots a wyvern taking off from a rooftop near the city center. 
Next to her, the sorcerer Carnid mutters "Hell" in a surprised tone, then he murmurs "This is happening right now". 
The practitioner of magic in Maiya Garney's squad shakes his head at the skill, ability and sheer power it takes to cast such a viewing spell, such as the one in front of them on the table, that the Krean navigator is casting. 
"Things have slightly changed" says Dalinvardèl Tanith who then explains "The attack will be moved forward, it will now be early this afternoon, a full glass turn after midday, and not in the middle of the night as originally planned". 
They're all silent as they watch the member of the group who travels with their lord, who tells them "I've got word that the attack along the border has gone according to plan" followed by "In fact it went better than planned, and much quicker than expected". 
The spy who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae, where he previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of that nation before joining the companions who travel with the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 
Gestures to outside, as he says "I doubt they even know yet that their southern border has fallen, and their forces there have been obliterated". 
The elf who is a senior commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque then says to them "Here are the targets each of your squads will observe during the attack" followed by "Remember to keep an eye out for anyone who might try to defend such locations, but more importantly any who turn up after they're attacked". 
The spy Tanith pauses before continuing with "It might prove important who turns up, considering none of their ruling council is actually in the city at this moment" he then adds "And that they only have representatives of the council members here". 
Maiya Garney who would like to know where exactly the Tuledarian council members are, remains silent as the senior commander starts delegating squads to various locations throughout the city. 
Pointing them out in the live viewing spell on the table that the dragon like Krean navigator has cast. 
When the elven spy gets to her, he says "Scout Garney your squad will be in this part of the city" followed by "And you'll observe these targets here, here and here, as well as here". 
The lead scout nods, and she sees that her assignment is predominantly in the east of the city, the more wealthy and affluent part of the capital. 
And though one of the targets is an army barracks back towards the city center, the other three, are in the quiet eastern quarter of the city of Tuledare. 
A watchtower, as well as a pair of counting houses. Which like the other ones throughout the city, will bring the city-state down once they're destroyed. 
Maiya Garney watches as both the spy Tanith and the Krean navigator point out various locations throughout that part of the city to best observe the targets. 
The lead scout, who though only in her early twenties is already in an important position of responsibility in one of her nation's armies. 
Nods and says "Yes commander" in response to the elven spy Dalinvardèl Tanith asking her "You got that lead scout?". 
Maiya Garney waits as the last two infiltration squad leads are given their orders, then she along with all the rest, are dismissed after Dalinvardèl Tanith says to them "Be safe out there" followed by "My best guess is the city will be crippled after these attacks and things might turn to chaos in parts of it" followed by "So I'll repeat it, be safe out there". Then the elven spy who is a senior commander in the Armies of Farque sends them on their way. 
The lead scout Maiya Garney along with sergeant Blufont and Carnid the sorcerer head down stairs, and make their way out of the inn, as do the other infiltrators in the second division of the Fifth Army of Farque. 
They all head off, going in different directions. Maiya Garney, sergeant Blufont and Carnid the sorcerer head to a nearby wine shop, behind which is most of their squad. 
The lead scout quietly says in the elven language "Gather the rest of the squad, and meet us" she gives directions to a place in the east of the city, then she quietly adds "The attack will be in the early afternoon now, we need to be in position before it takes place". 
Her squad moves out, and she along with sergeant Blufont head directly to the eastern quarter of the city. 
Later, and it's a little after midmorning, on what's a clear and sunny, but cold autumn day here in the capital of the city-state of Tuledare. 
And Maiya Garney the lead scout is upon a rooftop of an empty three storey house. She looks away to the left, and in the distance she sees the closest army barracks back towards the city center. 
Then she looks away to her right, and looks at a nearby watchtower of the city guard, and down the street it's on, is one of the two counting houses her and her squad are to observe. 
"Can't quite see that second counting house" quietly says the scout Garney who follows that with "The one further east". 
Nodding in agreement next to her, sergeant Blufont says "Halindrelle has got an eye on it". Referring to the elven ranger in their squad. 
Who is on a rooftop a few hundred feet away, further to their right. Here in the more wealthy part of the city. 
The two of them observe the targets in this part of the city, and their surrounds for a bit longer, then the lead scout suggests they take a closer look. 
They make their way down through a hole in the roof, though sergeant Blufont mutters "Fucking hell" after the rickety ladder they use, topples over as he's about to hop off it. 
They head downstairs in the abandoned house, with the company sergeant muttering about he should of joined the infantry instead of the scouts. 
Maiya Garney refrains from grinning as she listens to the experienced sergeant muttering away to himself. 
Sergeant Blufont finally stops muttering when they get outside, turn right and head down the street. 
As they walk in the direction of the nearby watchtower, the scout Garney quietly says in elven "Must not get that much crime in this part of the city". 
The company sergeant nods in agreement, for even the abandoned house they were just in, is in pretty good shape all things considered. 
And as they near the watchtower of the city guard, it isn't particularly busy, with hardly anyone going in or out of it, even though it's getting later in the morning. 
They continue on their way, and at the end of the street, they silently walk by the counting house on the street corner. 
And though it's not one of biggest counting houses in the city of Tuledare, it's certainly one of the more busier ones. 
As there's a steady flow of people going in and out of it, mostly merchants and business owners by the looks of it. 
"Good thing they close for lunch" quietly says the scout Garney who follows that with "And a long lunch too" she quietly adds "If not, a hell of lot of people would get killed". 
Sergeant Blufont nods in agreement with that, then he quietly asks the lead scout "The other one?". 
"Might as well, since we're heading in that direction" is the quiet reply of Maiya Garney as they cross a small square in this part of the city. 
And after they go through a covered arcade, what's called a bazaar if it was in a city along the coast of The Southlands.
They turn onto another street, at the end of it, is a street that turns to the left, on which is the other target, here in the eastern quarter of the city, another counting house. 
But before they even get to the end of the street they're on, the scout Garney suddenly grabs the company sergeant by the arm, and pulls the short, nuggety looking sergeant into an alleyway to the right. 
"What the?" mutters sergeant Blufont with a scowl upon his face, who quickly falls silent when Maiya Garney puts a finger to her lips to signify silence.
With their backs against the side of the building behind them, the two Farqian infiltrators look out the mouth of the alleyway. 
The experienced sergeant frowns as out on the street he sees a priestess and young priest, well cleric really considering he's wearing half plate armour, walk quickly by on the other side of the street. 
After wondering what church they're from, sergeant Blufont asks the lead scout "What?" when he notices a thoughtful look upon her face. 
She doesn't immediately reply, but when she finally does, Maiya Garney quietly says "That was my little brother". 
With a wince, the experienced sergeant mutters "Shit" then he quietly asks his superior "What do you want to do?". After a moments silence, the lead scout Maiya Garney quietly replies with "Follow them" . . . . . .



Sunday, 26 May 2024

Soldier Of Gods 23.


Tuledare. Border Region. 

"Hell" mutters Malisse as she steps over a dead body on the outskirts of a still smoldering village, as the light of dawn sweeps across the countryside on a cold autumn morning here in the border region of the city-state of Tuledare. 
"Need a hand milady?" says a familiar voice from behind the slightly overweight woman who is not who she appears to be. 
With a sour look upon her face, Malisse turns around and says "Don't you bloody well start" followed with a muttered "I'm fucking sick of it". 
Zam the commander chuckles, then says "Sorry" though he doesn't sound sorry in the least. Then the ex mercenary who hails from the City Of Ruins, points off to one side of the burnt down village, and says "They're in the trees there". 
Malisse, or to be precise Zubutai the barbarian hordesman grunts, then heads in that direction, with the ex mercenary walking alongside her. 
There's no locals about, and the only dead bodies to be seen, those that aren't burnt to a cinder. Are soldiers in the army of Tuledare, along with mercenaries who have been hired to fight alongside them. 
There's a small number of Farqian soldiers walking about, checking on things. But for the most part, the company who entered here after the aerial bombardment, have moved on. 
"This lot had no chance" quietly says Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson, the woman in her thirties, who is a member of the personal council to Lord Farque, continues with "Especially after our airships hit it". 
Next to her, Zam who has recently turned twenty, nods his head in agreement as they skirt around a burnt down building. 
Then the ex mercenary, who is a commander in the Armies of Farque, quietly says "They had no chance once the Krean fleet destroyed their aircorp". 
The woman, who in reality is a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, nods then says "It was inevitable" the member of Lord Farque's personal council then adds "Now the rest of the city-state is open to us" followed by "They'll fall within the next few days". 
Zam is in agreement with that, then they both nod to a black clad Farqian scout who points between some trees further to their right. 
They go that way, and end up in a small clearing in the copse, here they find the field commander Tamric Drubine, Saanea the witch and others. 
Along with Beldane the cleric who has recently arrived from further east along the border region. 
The young field commander is off to one side talking to the newly arrived fighting cleric. So Malisse and Zam go and stand with Saanea, the witch who hails from the Maldin Hills, which is out near the coast of The Southlands, nearly two thousand miles from here in the central regions of the lands collectively known as The Southlands. 
Knowing who went with Beldane the cleric, Malisse nods in his direction, then quietly asks the spellcaster who is the lover of field commander Drubine "Everything go alright with them?". 
The member of Lord Farque's personal council after a slight pause, adds "And in them, I mean those two walking disasters Dorc and Percy". 
"From what I heard when Beldane first got here, those two haven't killed one another yet" replies Saanea the witch. 
"Pity" murmurs Zam the ex mercenary who grins when Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin wryly smiles and looks sideways at him with a shake of the head. 
"That's something at least" quietly says the woman, who was brought back to life just a few weeks ago, though her body is inhabited by Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 
Then the member of Lord Farque's personal council nods when Tamric Drubine looks her way, and nods for her to join him and Beldane the cleric. 
After making her way over to the field commander and the fighting cleric, Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson asks the powerful spellcaster originally from the kingdom of Nastell "How did things go to the east?". 
"Good" replies Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "All objectives met" he then adds "Which was fairly easy since all of their airships, the ones already down here, and the others traveling down here from the north, were wiped out by our fleet". 
The woman who hails from unruled lands further to the south of the city-state of Phamal, grunts at hearing that. 
As they figured their plan would go smoothly once the enemy airships were destroyed. As no vessel in the skies of Volunell can stand up to the Krean fleet. 
"Found more resistance from their hired mercenaries than the actual Tuledarian forces" says the cleric in the church of Glaine, a god predominantly worshipped in the north of Beldane's homeland, Nastell. 
The member of Lord Farque's personal council and the young field commander share a look, then Malisse says "We found the same here". 
Then the woman who is in fact a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, falls silent as she listens to what else the powerful cleric has to say. 
After the spellcaster originally from the kingdom of Nastell informs them of the situation further to the east here in the southern border region of the city-state of Tuledare. 
He tells them of an odd happening that occurred earlier in the night, which the company led by Lisell Maera the scout commander came across. 
Councilor Malisse, who doesn't know her last name, lifts an eyebrow in surprise at what the cleric Beldane explains. So does Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 
The field commander in charge of the Fifth Army of Farque quietly asks the fighting cleric "Why weren't they dealt with?". 
"Because the youngster in command of them is a Farqian" is the quiet reply from the powerful spellcaster originally from the kingdom of Nastell. 
"Oh!" murmurs Tam, who is of noble birth from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who then nods in understanding, as does Malisse when Beldane quietly tells them "A cleric". 
The member of the church of Glaine continues with "Left Farque a little over a year ago when he turned sixteen" followed by "He's in the church of Kaēvin, his name is Jovan Garney". 
Commander Drubine frowns and is silent for a few moments as he thinks of something, then after he nods as he recalls what he's thinking of, he quietly says "I remember meeting him when the Lord Farque paid him a visit when he must of been eight or nine". 
Nodding, Beldane the cleric says "That's around the age or near it that most spellcasters come into their power". 
Looking at the other two standing with him in the clearing on this cold autumn morning, Tamric Drubine quietly says "He's from farmland near the coast, down towards the border with Melaurn". 
Malisse nods, then quietly says"I think I was there too" the member of Lord Farque's personal council, who doesn't always retain every memory of the lives he's lived, then dryly adds"I think". 
"You were there" says the young field commander, who follows that with "You were still Riley" he then adds in a dry tone "It was before we went off east across the continent through that miscast rift/void and you became Jarjin". 
Sourly smiling, Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman says "Don't remind me" she then murmurs "I liked being Riley" and she silently adds, hell I liked being that hobbit Jarjin too. 
The outrider from the Pony Archers horde, who doesn't particularly care for the person he is at the moment, for the simple reason she's absolutely useless. 
Zubutai the son of Timagin has inhabited women's bodies before, and they've all been more than sufficient. 
Infact he was a sorceress at one point, and being female was the least of his problems then. Being a spellcaster was far more difficult than anything or anyone he's ever been before. It's just completely different than being anyone else. And something he never fully got used to. 
She looks at the young field commander who is silent as he looks off between the trees, and asks Tam "Still going ahead with the plans for the capital?". 
The son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, nods his head, then says "I am" he briefly pauses before saying "Though". 
He falls silent, and after Malisse glances at the cleric Beldane, she asks commander Drubine "Yes?". 
"I might move things forward" quietly says Tam, who continues with "To this afternoon, and not during the middle of the night, or dawn tomorrow". "And that's because?" asks Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin. 
The noble born field commander looks at the fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell and asks him "You think this thing cleric Garney will speak to their leaders?" followed by "If he's got an inkling of what we've got planned for the capital city". 
"He's smart, which is no surprise considering the education the Farqians get" says Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "He's probably worked out we're going to attack the city". 
The powerful spellcaster in the church of Glaine then says "And Lis gave him a subtle warning to remain in his church grounds once he got back to the city, and to keep away from obvious targets like watchtowers and barracks". 
Tam grunts, while Malisse nods her head, then Beldane says to them "But will he speak to the Tuledarian leadership about a sudden attack on the city?". 
The fighting cleric wearing the half plate armour, who has an extremely powerful magical mace, which often has a mind of it's own, tied to his belt, quietly says "I don't think he will". 
The member of the church of Glaine, who is probably the most unlikely member of the group that travels with Lord Farque, for the simple reason he's a cleric and the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is undead, then says "That's the impression I got after reading his mind". 
Tamric Drubine nods, then says "Still" he briefly pauses before continuing with "I'll bring the attack upon the capital forward". 
The field commander waves over one of the subalterns who is an assistant, and tells him "Send word to the Krean fleet admiral" followed by "I'd like to discuss the next phase of our plans" he then adds "Of the attack upon the capital city of Tuledare". 
"Yes field commander" says the subaltern who then hurries off, while Tamric Drubine looks at Beldane the cleric and Malisse the councilor and tells them "Time to end this war" . . . . . .