Mercenary Tales 82.

Girdane. Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 81.

Southern Girdane. Northern Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 80.

Vexil/Girdane Border Region. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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