To War 66.

Summer. Corlinda. Melaurn.

"See anything?" quietly asks lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
"Nothing" is the quiet reply from his twin brother, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott, who then asks "You?".
"Nothing" quietly says the nobleman from the province of Karricaw who finds himself at war with the crown and king of Melaurn.
"Damn rain" mutters the baron of Pirtgott, who wipes his face, then steps back beneath the branches of the tree behind him.
His twin brother, Gormica who is already beneath the tree branches, nods in agreement with his brother.
Who not all that long ago, they were on opposite sides of the war between their two provinces. The provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
It's early in the morning, and it's raining in this area of the north of the province of Corlinda.
The first bit of substantial rain all summer in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
The twin brothers are with the senior officers of their combined army. Which is waiting for the enemy to show up. As the latest reports have them not that far from here.
"Maybe they'll stay put, and not set off this morning with all this rain" quietly says Krissner the son of baron Wilmot.
Next to the baron's son, his cousin Elmond, the son of lord Gormica, nods in agreement.
"Nah, they'll be on the move" says sir Crissen, one of the vassals of the baron of Pirtgott.
"They're the king's own from the capital" adds sir Crissen, who continues on with "Not some lord's get from one of the provinces, who is afraid his army might get bogged down by a little bit if rain".
The twin brothers Wilmot and Gormica nod in agreement to that. Then they and the others look away to their right. As along the side of the hill they're on.
Walks a couple of the councilors to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
They come to a stop next to the nobleborn brothers, who greet them.
Then Gormica of Salmah Forest asks the two of them "We know if they're still coming this way?".
"They are" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who then adds "They left where they camped for the night, just a short time ago".
The once powerful mage originally from the city-state of Vexil, who is now a member of the personal council to lord Farque, points to the nearby road, as he adds "We'll see them coming down the road soon enough".
The Vexilian mage in exile, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster continues with "Not even this rain will slow them down that much".
Next to the spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he lost the vast majority of his powers when he went offworld through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit nods in agreement with the mage Reinholt, and says "We'll see them shortly i guess".
The halfling who hails from the far east coast of the continent. The Sultanate of Dreese to be exact. Where he was an air sailor in the Sultan's fleet. Who isn't exactly who he seems to be.
Points northeast, the direction the enemy are approaching their position from.
"Half a turn a glass from what our scouts report" says the hobbit, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who happens to find himself inhabiting the body of Jarjin Littlefoot. Who died in a battle in the Sultanate of Dreese last summer.
"We'll try and draw them this way the best that we can" says the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
The once powerful mage continues with "It shouldn't be too hard, even with all this rain".
The nobleborn twins nod in agreement as they look down at their combined army.
The army is about a half a mile from the road to the north that goes by to the west from here.
And the ground is quite open from here to there. So the enemy army, made up of the king's own. Will definitely see the combined army from the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
"Think the ground will get boggy with all this rain so far this morning?" asks lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
"Maybe" replies Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who continues on with "But the ground is pretty hard, considering there's hardly been any rain this summer in these parts".
The hobbit who is from the far east coast of the continent is just about to say something else.
But instead falls silent when his fellow council member, Mira Reinholt the mage quietly says in the elven language to him "Beldane senses their magic users".
The spellcaster, who was the youngest ever member of the mage council of Vexil, in that city-state's long and storied history, continues in elven with "And he says Helbe is amongst them".
The halfling who is former air sailor, rolls his eyes, and sourly smiles, before he quietly asks the once powerful mage in the elven language "Beldane know what he's doing?".
The mage Reinholt is silent for a few moments as he communities via a mindspeech spell that Beldane the cleric has cast to him.
Then the exiled Vexilian swordmaster quietly, and dryly says in the language of the elves "The royal thief is finding out what their plans are if they confront an army like us".
Mira Reinholt briefly pauses again as he listens to what the powerful cleric has to say to him in his mind.
Then with a wry smile upon his face, councilor Reinholt dryly says "He's also going to capture that city lord who is in command of them".
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, rolls his eyes, and dryly says "Why does that not surprise me?".
As Helbe the elven thief didn't mention he'd do that, when they came up with the plans to take on the king's own that are in this area of northern Corlinda.
The twin brothers, lord Gormica and baron Wilmot share a look. As they wonder what the two councilors to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque are discussing.
No doubt something to do with the enemy army that's on it's way here, to where their own army is located.
Narladene the ground pixie pops up, well from the ground, obviously.
The naturally magical creature looks around as horses go over her.
Then she wings her way back through the king's own army in this area of northern Corlinda.
Even though it's still early in the morning, and it's raining quite steadily.
The tiny winged creature sees how disciplined the enemy army are.
None of them, whether they're on horseback. Or if they're walking. Voice any complaints. If any of them feel like doing so. Narladene sees that they're keeping it to themselves.
The ground pixie, who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains. Where she was born over seven hundred years ago.
Who nowadays is attached to Helbe the elven thief. Who she first met in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic, over fifteen years ago,
Heads up and over the enemy army, as she heads back through their ranks.
The naturally magical creature who can sense all magic, and from quite a long distance too.
Senses this army of the king's own, getting closer to the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott, that are waiting fairly close by.
The tiny winged creature originally from the Sunreach Mountains heads to where some of the riders are behind the front of the army. Amongst the vanguard, of the king's own.
And though Narladene has seen how disciplined, motivated and quiet the enemy soldiers, both mounted and on foot have been so far.
The same can't be said of some of the riders the naturally magical creature is making her way towards.
Narladene nods her head, as some of these are noblemen from the capital city of Calinar.
And though the army, are for the most part from the capital city and it's surrounds too.
These nobles aren't like the soldiers they command. They're demonstrative, and boisterous.
Complaining about getting an early start. And complaining even more about the rain this morning.
The ground pixie wings her way over to where the blurred and shielded, Helbe the elven thief who is floating in the air alongside the nobleborn riders.
"Complaining bunch aren't they?" murmurs Helbe the elven thief to Narladene as she lands upon his right shoulder.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, is floating upright in a standing position.
With no one the wiser that he's amongst them. As he's completely invisible. And he's unable to be sensed by the spellcasters in the enemy army.
"Beldane's holding his power within himself now" murmurs Narladene the ground pixie to the highly talented elven magic user she's attached to.
The elf who is the envoy for the armies of Farque, nods his hooded head, then murmurs "We're not that far away".
The elven master assassin continues murmuring with "Their foreriders should see our scouts fairly soon".
Nodding her head, the tiny winged creature who is attached to the young elven noble quietly asks "Think they'll take the bait".
"They will" is the murmured reply of the elven thief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
"If they don't, I'll make sure they will" adds the elf who is part of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
As she sits upon the right shoulder of the elven master archer, Narladene looks at the commander of this particular army of the king's own.
He's a city lord from Calinar, by the name of Simkins, a man in halfplate armour, who looks to be in his early thirties.
The ground pixie sees he isn't as demonstrative, or as noisy as some of the other nobleborn officers.
Though he does look to be annoyed at riding through the rain this early in the morning.
The tiny winged creature who comes from the Sunreach Mountains, murmurs to the highly talented elven magic user "He looks pissed off, doesn't he?".
"He does" is the murmured reply of the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
"And he's going to be even more pissed off when he finds out there's an army not all that far from here" adds the elven master assassin.
The naturally magical creature nods to that, then murmurs to the elven princeling "Riders heading back".
Helbe the elven thief floats upwards, and spots the foreriders heading quickly back from where they've been out infront of the king's own army.
"Well they've spotted our scouts" quietly says the elven envoy, who floats away to one side, then sets down on the ground.
And watches the enemy army, particular their nobleborn officers. Chief amongst them being lord Simkins of Calinar.
The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel, watches how the enemy army react to knowing that the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott isn't all that far away.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril bides his time as he waits and watches the enemy. Ready to act when it's necessary.
"There" quietly says lord Gormica as he briefly points away to the north.
"I see them" says baron Wilmot as he spots the mounted Farqian scouts riding back this way.
The baron of Pirtgott a few moments later, nods his head in agreement with his twin brother Gormica who quietly says "And there they are".
As the first of the enemy come into view on the road to the north, a road which goes to the west of their location.
The nobleborn twins turn and look at the two councilors who are standing close by.
"Best you get the rest of your officers down to your men" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"You might want to join them too" adds the halfling who is a former air sailor from the far east coast of the continent.
The lord of Salmah Forest, and the baron of Pirtgott wave for their officers, both nobleborn and commoner alike, to go down to their combined army.
"Looks like they're taking the bait" says lord Gormica, followed by "And spotted us too".
"Looks like it" says baron Wilmot in agreement as he nods his head.
Then after the nobleborn twins, who led their respective provinces in the recent war between Corlinda and Karricaw.
Head down the hill to join their combined army, on this wet and rainy morning here in this area of northern Corlinda.
Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson and the mage Reinholt share a look as the nobleborn twins head downhill to their army.
Then they look away to the approaching enemy army, made up of the king's own from the city of Calinar, and it's surrounds.
"So, here we go then" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"Yep, looks like it" says Mira Reinholt, as they and the rest of the army under their command, watch and wait for the battle to get underway . . . . . .

To War 65.

Summer. In The Province Of Corlinda.

"A castle?" asks Dorc da Orc with a scowl upon his broad, green, brutish looking face.
"Why the fuck we gotta go there?" adds the large ork, who follows that with "We fucked up those cunts who came down here".
"Because more of them will cross over into this area of Corlinda" says Tamric Drubine the field commander.
The ork warleader grunts at that, though he continues to scowl as the young field commander tells him "As for why a castle?".
The nobleborn teenager who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who is now a senior officer in the armies of Farque, continues with "If we garrison this castle, and the others near it" followed by "It'll draw them in, as they can't afford to bypass them, as those we've garrisoned in them, can come out and harass them as they continue southwards".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, gestures at the army which has briefly stopped in the middle of the afternoon, and he says "And it'll give the rest of us the chance to attack any of their other armies that might show up further to the east, or the west".
"Not north" mutters Dorc da Orc who then continues muttering with "Fucken both of 'em".
The large ork who is a general in the armies of Farque grunts as field commander Drubine tells him "And they're the only castles here, in this area of the north of Corlinda that survived the recent war between Corlinda and Karricaw".
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world sourly smiles, and looks away to the right, where his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic says "I do prefer fighting from a castle".
The large, heavily armoured knight then adds "Nothing like some thick, tall walls to add into the mix during a battle, wot".
"You fucken would ya cunt" mutters the ork weaponsmith as he looks sideways at the former paladin who is his bitter rival.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic, or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, then says "Young Tam i shall be honoured to help protect these castles, wot".
The nobleman originally from the kingdom of Druvic, who has no actual rank or position in the armies of Farque, then adds "Best to send a gallant knight instead of a foul smelling beast anyway, i say".
The nobleborn knight briefly pauses before he adds "Wot".
While his bitter rival, the warleader of the ork race growls in a threatening manner.
Tamric Drubine shares a look with his lover Saanea the witch, then he looks at Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and just shakes his head.
"Send them both" says Dargarven the undead scout in the elven language.
He's standing to one side of the couple, the nobleborn teenager from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, and the witch who hails from the Maldin Hills.
The undead scout looks around, and nods away to where the goblin battalion are waiting, and continues in elven with "Send the monk with them" followed by "He'll keep them from trying to kill one another".
Tam looks to where Shur Kee the monk is standing with the goblins, and nods his head.
"Well, I'm not going with them" says Lisell Maera the scout in elven.
The tall, lean, attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury, who is standing on the otherside of the couple, then adds "Even if you ordered me to go with them Tam, i won't".
"I'll send Shur Kee with them" wryly says the nobleborn teen who is the son of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, a castle and it's lands, found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Then switching back to the common language, because both Percy and Dorc, especially Dorc can't understand elven, the young field commander tells them "You'll both go".
As both the ork general, and the Druvician nobleman who is a member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che scowl at him, field commander Drubine says "Shur Kee will go along with the two of you".
Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, mutters "Fucken shitballs".
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic sourly smiles at the prospects of spending time with both his bitter rival, the ork general. And the enigmatic monk, who truth be told, the large, heavily armoured knight is more than a little cautious around, especially in battle.
As the ork warleader stomps away, and goes over to the battalion of goblins.
And the former paladin goes over and sits down upon a broken wall, that runs along the field behind the Farqian army led by Tamric Drubine.
The young field commander calls over Shur Kee the monk to discuss things with him.
A little while later, and they're ready to depart. Before they set off, field commander Drubine says to councilor Kee "It shouldn't take too long" followed by "You'll get there well before sunset".
The nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin continues on with "They'll be ready for you".
Tam looks over at the bitter rivals, Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and quietly says to the physical adept "Keep an eye on those two Shur Kee".
"I will friend Tamric" says Shur Kee the monk, who then shakes hands with the young field commander, nods to Saanea the witch, and Lisell Maera the scout.
They set off, the goblin battalion. Along with general Dorc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Shur Kee the monk.
With them are about a hundred soldiers from the Farqian force led by field commander Drubine.
They're predominantly infantry, both light and heavy. As well a number of those in the scouts and rangers division, including runners.
Dorc da Orc who is glad it isn't particularly sunny today, infact it's quite cloudy. And the later in the afternoon it gets, the more cloudy it gets.
Is at the front of the force of about three and fifty or so. Who are heading south and west.
The big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world isn't in command.
Shur Kee the monk is, considering the short, statured monk is the honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Nor is the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks actually leading the way.
As the monk who is from the far east coast of the continent, the kingdom of Wah Lee to be exact.
Has a number of the scouts and rangers out infront, leading their small army to a nearby castle, here in the northeast corner of the province of Corlinda.
As they head down a road that goes through farmland here in this part of northern Corlinda.
Councilor Kee walks in the middle, with Dorc da Orc to his left, and sir Percavelle Lé Dic to the physical adept's right.
The monk who is a member of the philosophical order of Bru Li, thinks it's best he keeps himself between the two rivals who detest one another.
Shur Kee who is keeping an eye on the two scouts up ahead along the road.
Glances sideways at the former paladin, sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who for him, has been relatively quiet ever since they left the rest of the Farqian mercenary army led by the field commander, Tamric Drubine.
Though the large, heavily armoured knight, who stands a couple of inches over six feet in height.
And is encased in a suit of full plate armour, that he keeps bright, and polished to a high sheen.
Who has a white cape attached to his heavily armoured shoulder plates.
Is a little more talkative the further they walk, as they head southwest to a nearby castle.
"I say my fine short fellow" says the nobleborn knight who is now in his mid forties.
"Do you think we'll actually face any more of these king's men, or his allies, wot" adds the former paladin.
"Friend Tamric seems to think so" says Shur Kee the monk, who after a slight pause, continues with "And that is what lord Farque told him".
Both the heavily armoured knight, and the large ork look down at the physical adept who is walking between them.
"Well, i believe that is what one of the krean on the command ship told friend Saanea by way of a spell" continues the acolyte in the order of Bru Li. The bitter rivals both grunt when they hear that.
Then the ork who is a general in the armies of Farque, who was against taking his battalion of goblins to the nearby castles, says "If Farque says it's fucken so, then it's fucken so".
Though he won't voice any agreement with the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
The nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, the former earl of Lé Dic to be exact.
Nods in agreement with what his bitter rival, the ork weaponsmith just said.
Shur Kee the monk, who is the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior, Bru Li. Glances to either side of him, at the two large figures he's walking between.
Glad that they're actually agree on something. And for now, they're not arguing with one another.
Which the short, statured monk knows they'll eventually end up doing.
It's who they are. And it's what they do. They're bitter rivals. And nothing will ever stop that.
Since arriving at the castle, and being left here by the krean strikeship that took off after they dropped him off earlier this afternoon.
Tovis the war engineer has got to know the local lord and his men. One of the lords of Corlinda who didn't get involved in the recent war between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now a captain in the armies of Farque.
Has just done an inspection around the outside of the castle with the local lord's captain of the guard.
The castle, which is a classic moat and bailey example. Has sturdy walls in the opinion of the war engineer in the armies of Farque.
And though he'd have heavy iron banding on both sides of the drawbridge.
For the most part he's satisfied with it's construction, as well as it's maintenance.
As Tovis knows it's the upkeep of castles over the years, that ruin them more than anything else.
The two of them, the Druvician engineer and the local lord's captain of the guard cross the drawbridge, and make their way back into the castle itself.
The captain in the engineer's corp of the first army of Farque once again looks at the mechanism and chains to raise and lower the drawbridge.
And nods in satisfaction before he and the captain of the guard continue on.
"When are you expecting them?" asks Domall, the captain of the guard to lord Measum.
"Sometime later this afternoon" is the reply from Tovis the war engineer, who then adds "Before sunset for sure".
The young engineer was informed by lord Farque before he arrived here at lord Measum's castle.
That a number of soldiers from the Farqian force led by Tamric Drubine will turn up here later this afternoon.
The captain in the armies of Farque doesn't know who it will be, or who will be in command of them.
He knows whoever it is, they'll be up the standards of all the soldiers and officers in the armies of Farque.
As they go around and look at the inner buildings of the castle, which is large enough, that there's essentially a village within it.
Tovis looks up at the late afternoon sky, and sees how cloudy it has gotten.
And wonders if it might rain later tonight, or maybe tomorrow. The day is definitely cooler than it has been recently here in the north of the province of Corlinda.
And it could do with some rain in the opinion of the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic.
Who is pretty sure it hasn't rained at all since the first army of Farque have been here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Tovis, who when he was still in the kingdom of Druvic, served as the war engineer to a baron Harkonin in the east of his homeland.
Knows that his engineering corp will show up in the next couple of days or so.
As they fly straight here with all their equipment from the province of Corlinda.
Is just mentioning to the captain of the guard about how best to garrison those who will turn up here today, and the others over the next couple of days.
When one of the guards on wall duty, calls out that there's someone on the road approaching from the north.
Tovis the war engineer, and captain Domall make their way to the nearest set of steps on the castle walls, and head up them.
Once on the battlements, they head around to the north wall, as they were over on the southwest side of the castle.
On the north wall, Tovis looks northwards, and says to the captain of the guard "Can't really see anything".
Captain Domall nods, then explains "Can't really get a good view this way" he follows on with "Might be able to pick up on any dust kicked up on the road" he then adds "That's what the guard probably saw".
As they approach the northwest tower of the castle, the captain of the guard points then says to the young engineer "There" followed by "Looks to be a fair few too".
The war engineer in the armies of Farque nods in agreement, as he sees the dust in the air in the distance.
And though you can occasionally see the ribbon of the road as it winds through the countryside here in this area of northern Corlinda.
You can't get a good view of it, and whoever is on it, until it's bends around a rise, about three quarters of a mile to the north of the castle.
As they wait to see those on the road come into the view, the young engineer in the first army of Farque, and the local lord's, captain of the guard.
Talk about what life's like here in this part of northern Corlinda. Where the nobility kept out of the recent war between the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
Just a little while later, captain Domall nods northwards and says "Should be able to see them shortly".
They along with the guards on duty here on the north wall, look away to the north.
And they soon start seeing who it is that's approaching the castle from the north.
Once whoever it is starts to come into view, Domall the captain of the guard frowns, then asks "Who are they?".
Tovis the war engineer finally gets a good look at who is on the road to the north.
"Oh hell" mutters the young engineer with a shake of his head as he sees who it is from the first army of Farque who are approaching the castle.
Tovis sourly smiles as he sees who it is that's out infront, of the black clad soldiers on the road.
"Should i be worried?" asks the captain of that guard, who after a brief pause adds "To be fair, they're not who i was expecting".
"Yeah, you could stay that i guess" wryly says the war engineer who with a shake of his head, continues with "Hell, no one ever expects them" . . . . . .

To War 64.

Summer. The Provinces Of Karricaw & Corlinda.

"Over there, and careful how you set them down!" calls out Tovis the war engineer as he looks up at the Farqian transporter that's just arrived at Salmah Forest.
The large triple masted airship is carrying stone blocks that has come from a quarry over in the province of Corlinda.
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
Is in charge of the rebuilding throughout the province of Corlinda, and over in the province of Karricaw after things get going more, here in Corlinda.
He's at the site of the castle of Salmah Forest in Karricaw. Which incidentally was destroyed by a warship in the Farqian fleet. During the recent war between the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
The war engineer isn't at all fussed he's not actively involved in the war between lord Gormica of Salmah Forest and the crown.
A war that the mercenary army from the lands Farque is fighting for the lord of Salmah Forest.
The captain in the engineering corp of the first army of Farque knows that he'll be called upon if it's deemed he and the other engineers are needed.
As of yet, they haven't. So they continue to help rebuild the castles, keeps, towns and villages that were destroyed across parts of Karricaw during the recent war between it, and the neighbouring province to the west, the province of Corlinda.
Tovis looks at the foundations of what will be lord Gormica's new castle.
Then he looks away to the nearby village, that's going up much quicker than the castle.
In just a few days, his engineers along with the locals have built more houses, and other buildings the village had before it was burnt down.
The young engineer who previously was the war engineer of a baron Harkonin in the east of the kingdom of Druvic.
Is more proud of what they've achieved with rebuilding the village, than what they've done so far in the rebuilding of lord Gormica's castle.
The captain in the armies of Farque is about to turn to his adjunctant when one of the spellcasters in the engineer's corp hurries over, and quietly tells the war engineer something.
"When?" asks Tovis the war engineer, who then adds "And from where?".
"Soon" is the reply from the sorceress, who then shrugs and adds "Could be from anywhere".
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic nods, then he looks up into the afternoon sky.
The sky today is fairly cloudy compared to what it's been during the last few weeks here in heart of the province of Karricaw.
And it's noticeably cooler today in comparison to recent days here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Tovis looks around in all directions at the sky, and wonders where it will show up.
It's his adjunctant who spots it and says "To the southeast".
The war engineer looks that way, and spots up in the cloudy afternoon sky in that direction.
The sparkling lights that indicate a rift. Far larger than one a person would come through.
The sparkling and flashing lights solidify, and a sky rift froms. Out of which flies the krean strikeship. That's the command ship of the Farqian fleet.
As the rift behind it vanishes, the sleek looking mastless krean airship travels the three miles or so to Salmah Forest in no time.
And it quickly sets down not that far from where lord Gormica's castle is being rebuilt.
Tovis along with his adjunct, and the sorceress hurry over to the krean warship that drops smoothly and effortlessly to the ground.
In mid stride, the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic suddenly finds himself onboard the strikeship. In the wheelhouse to be exact.
He comes to a stop, turns, bows and says to the large, heavily armoured figure standing there "My lord".
"Outside" says lord Farque who nods his full helmed head to the nearby open door.
The war engineer follows the undead warlord, with Tovis being careful to keep out of the way of the krean officers and crew in the wheelhouse.
Out on the flat deck of the strikeship, the young engineer steps around the undead wardog Anvil who cracks an eyelid to look at him, before putting his head back down as he lies on the deck.
"How goes things?" asks the heavily armoured deathlord as he gestures at the rebuilding of lord Gormica's castle, and the nearby village.
"Well my lord" is the reply of Tovis the war engineer, who continues with "As is the work on two other castles, and a keep, along with the villages and towns close to them".
The large undead being in the full suit of dark blue, black heavy plate armour, nods.
Then the lord and ruler of the lands Farque looks at the young engineer standing next to him, and tells him "You'll have to let the locals do most of the work over the next little while".
Lord Farque, or Draugadrottin as he's also called by the people of his lands, then says "You and the corp are needed in the war".
The war engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now a captain in the armies of Farque nods, and waits for the undead warlord to explain what he wants done.
The lord of the death realm, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to, The Destroyer, says to the young engineer "There's a series of castles in northern Corlinda we didn't destroy in the war between the two provinces".
The undead warlord then adds in a dry tone of voice "Which of course Gormica, and especially his twin brother Wilmot don't want fucked up in the war against the crown".
Tovis nods, and as he watches his adjunctant and the sorceress hurry away, calling out orders that must of got told to them in their minds by one of krean navigators onboard the strikeship.
The heavily armoured deathlord tells him "We'll go now and check out one" followed by "Some of the others in that part of Corlinda will eventually turn up and help to protect the castles".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque gestures at the busy worksites, and says "The corp will be leaving soon, and heading over into Corlinda".
The undead warlord then looks down at the young engineer, who isn't exactly small, as he stands just over six foot in height, and tells him "Unfortunately only one human passenger is safest for traveling on a krean strikeship in a hurry".
Draugadrottin pauses for a moment, before he adds "Well, one human that's alive i should say".
The captain in the engineers corp of the first army of Farque nods in understanding.
Then he follows the large, heavily armoured figure of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
They head below deck, and the lord of the death realm takes Tovis forward.
Passing the crew below, who man, or that should be, krean the magetubes of the strikeship.
The war engineer nods in greeting to the crew. The dragon like krean, who all stand over six foot tall. With one to a magetube. Each of which are suspended in air by clever design work.
That has the magetubes, the heaviest weighing well over fifteen hundred pounds.
Needing just the one crew to operate it. When on any non krean warship. A single magetube needs at least four air sailors minimum, to operate.
The crew all bow to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque as he passes by them.
Des'tier leads the young engineer to one of the below deck officers, the junior one.
And after the undead lord speaks to the junior officer in the krean language.
The lord of the death realm turns to Tovis and says to him in elven "Come up to the wheelhouse after we've gone through".
"Yes my lord" says the war engineer, who turns to the junior officer once the heavily armoured deathlord heads back the way they've come from.
"Have you gone through a sky rift before captain Tovis?" asks the junior officer.
"I haven't" replies the Druvician war engineer.
That answer illicits a buzz of conversation from the nearby crew in their own language. And the young engineer is pretty certain they've started betting as some yell, and call out to one another.
Tovis looks at the junior officer, who he sees a wry looking smile upon the dragon like features of the krean, who tells him "Don't worry, it's not as bad as people say".
The junior officer pauses, before he continues on with "At least it's not a quick dive".
Which garners laughter from the nearby crew. Causing Tovis to think, he never wants to go through a quick dive, whatever that is.
The junior officer shows the war engineer what the krean call the dummy seat.
A seat built into the hull of the krean strikeship. Which has harnesses and webbing like strapping, to hold it's occupant in.
And though Tovis stands just over six foot tall, and is just over two hundred pounds in weight.
He easily fits into the dummy seat, strapped in tightly so that he can barely move.
"Nice and tight captain?" asks the junior officer to the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic.
"I am" replies the officer in the engineer's corp in the first army of Farque.
Then the senior below deck officer, one of the ship's navigators, calls out a command.
"My advice is to hold as tightly as possible captain Tovis" quietly says the junior officer.
"And tighten all your muscles as we go through" adds the junior below deck officer.
The war engineer just nods, and wonders why the hell he's here, doing this.
He's flown on krean strikeships, and the even faster scoutships before. But he's always flown, what is called straight. He's never gone through a ship rift before.
After the junior officer, basically gives him a pat of encouragement on the right shoulder.
The young engineer looks to where the navigator is standing. Next to whom, is the senior bosun of the below deck crew.
Who calls out something in the krean language. He sees Tovis in the dummy seat, and out deference to the war engineer, he switches to the elven language.
The language predominantly spoken by the soldiers and others in the armies of Farque.
For the simple reason that the enemy, whoever the enemy is. Usually human, are less likely to understand them if they're overheard.
"Ready for ship rift!" calls out the senior bosun, who is watching the navigator beside him.
Tovis suddenly feels the krean warship accelerate at speed after lifting off the ground.
"Ten!" calls out the senior bosun as he begins the countdown.
When the senior bosun gets down to five, the captain in the engineer's corp is gritting his teeth, and holding onto the harness and webbing that's holding him into the dummy seat.
When the senior bosun calls out "Three!". All of the crew, if they aren't already, are flapping their wings to keep afloat here below deck on their strikeship.
Tovis, who is just thinking that's a highly efficient method to not feel the force of the tremendous acceleration of the krean warship.
Is suddenly pushed back into the dummy seat. So he clenches his muscles tightly and makes sure to breathe as the senior bosun shouts out "One!".
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic closes his eyes.
Knowing that there's a sky rift somewhere infront of the krean strikeship that's the command ship of the Farqian fleet.
Tovis gasps as he's suddenly thrust forwards, then sideways in the dummy seat as he continues to hold onto the harness and webbing as tightly as possible.
The war engineer who thinks he's going to black out for a moment or two.
Suddenly breathes a sigh of relief as he feels the sleek looking, mastless krean vessel slowing down. And he realises the strikeship has gone through the sky, or ship's rift as it's sometimes called.
Which the krean navigators onboard has just cast. Enabling the command ship of the Farqian fleet to travel nearly a hundred and eighty miles to the west, into the province of Corlinda in just mere moments.
Tovis who for a moment thought he was going to throw up as they went through the sky rift, says "Thanks".
As the junior officer helps to take off the harnesses and webbing holding the young engineer into the dummy seat.
The captain in the armies of Farque wryly smiles as some of the nearby crew, laugh and joke good naturedly with their fellow crew members who hand over coins to them.
Tovis stands up, he's a little unsteady for a brief moment, then nods as the junior below deck officer tells him "The lord is waiting for you captain".
The war engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic heads aft, nodding to the navigator and the senior bosun as he goes by them, who nod in reply.
The young engineer gets to the nearest ladder, and makes his way up the steps to the deck of the command ship of the Farqian fleet.
Tovis heads along the flat, mastless deck of the krean warship, to the wheelhouse that's aft.
The war engineer looks over his shoulder, in the direction the krean airship is going, and he spots a castle in the distance, which he assumes is their destination.
The captain of the engineers corp in the first army of Farque steps around the massive bulk of Anvil the undead wardog, and enters the wheelhouse through the starboard side door.
Tovis sees lord Farque at what can only be called a map table. Though on the table isn't any maps at the moment.
On it is a moving image, it's showing what a viewing spell cast by one of the three krean navigators onboard the strikeship is watching.
The undead warlord who is standing with the captain of the krean warship, and the senior navigator. Nods for the war engineer to join them.
After the lord of the death realm introduces the human officer to the ship's captain and the senior navigator.
The heavily armoured deathlord points at the moving image on the map table.
Tovis looks at what the viewing spell is showing, and nods when lord Farque says to him "What do you think?".
After a few moments of looking carefully at what the viewing spell is showing.
The captain in the engineers corp of the first army of Farque says "Well" then gives his opinion on what they're watching . . . . . .

To War 63.

Summer. The Province Of Corlinda.

"What is it?" asks Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
"His highness will be here soon" says Beldane the cleric.
The elf from the principality of Alínlae, who is now an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Looks from the powerful cleric, over to the two councilors. Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
Both of whom shrug their shoulders when he looks their way.
The elven spy looks back at the fighting cleric, who tells him "He wants to talk to you about something".
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
Looks down at the army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Who have stopped now it's the middle of the afternoon. And the enemy army from all reports has made better time than expected. And is only a dozen or so miles to the north.
The members of the group in this part of the province of Corlinda, are at the starboard rail of the Mountain Dawn, on the aft deck of the Farqian warship that's only fifty feet or so above the ground.
"Probably wants you to do something particularly dangerous" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"Or steal something" dryly adds Mira Reinholt the mage, which illicits laughter from the others.
"Talking behind my back i see" dryly says Helbe the elven thief as he suddenly appears beside them.
"Of course" says the once powerful mage to his fellow spellcaster, the elven magic user.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who like Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot, is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Sourly smiles as he looks at the once powerful mage who he's known longer than anyone else in the group onboard.
Then the elven masterthief says to the spy Tanith "There's something i want you to do".
"What is it?" asks the elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque.
"Let's head down to the cabin to talk about it" says the highly talented elven magic user to all of them.
Once down in the captain's cabin of the Mountain Dawn, the elf who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel says "The Quick Gull should be here fairly soon after it went east to rendezvous with the flagship".
That gets the others attention, and the elven master assassin tells them "It's bringing a prisoner with them".
The elven masterthief who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel tells them about the battle between the Farqian force led by field commander Tamric Drubine, and the enemy army that came down from the province of Moleau.
Near where the provinces of Corlinda, Moleau and Mofosild all border one another.
"This general Sumic is fairly important to them" says prince Helbenthril Raendril who continues on with "He's given some vital information about who leads the enemy force the twins army will face".
The elven master archer follows that with "Though this common born general led the lot who fought against Tam and was defeated" he then says "Mostly because they were a mix of armies from a number of lords up in Olind and Sorros".
Helbe the elven thief then adds "The lot the twins will come up against is led by a lord from the city of Calinar".
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit is the first to guess the gist of what the elven spellcaster is saying, and he says "Think they made a mistake there?" followed by "Should of had this general Sumic in command of the king's own the twins will face?".
That halfling who isn't actually what he appears to be, then adds "And this lord from Calinar in charge of that lot that Tam defeated".
"They should of" says the young elven noble whose family has ruled the island principality of Laerel, the oldest nation in the entire Southlands, since it's inception.
"Don't think it would of made of a difference to that lot Tam's army defeated" says Mira Reinholt the mage.
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, which he's in exile from, continues with "That giant green psycho Dorc would of defeated them no matter who commanded them".
The mage, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. Has known Dorc da Orc longer than anyone else in the entire group with the exception of lord Farque himself.
So he wasn't in the least bit surprised when Helbe the elven thief mentioned it was the tactics of the ork warleader that defeated the enemy army that field commander Drubine's force, fought against yesterday morning.
"That maybe so" says the elven princeling from Laerel, who follows on from that with "But the king's own the twins army will take on, would definitely benefit from having this general, who is one of their own, in command of them instead of a city lord, appointed by the crown".
"All the better for us and the twins army then" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
"Us, yes" says the elven master assassin who then adds "You, not so much".
"Oh?" says the spy Tanith who looks at the younger elf who hails from the island principality of Laerel.
"The prisoner is being taken to the capital to deliver a message to the crown and the king" says the highly talented elven magic user, who after a slight pause, adds "And you're going with him".
"Why me?" asks the Dalin as he looks at the elf who is the envoy for the armies of Farque, who for the most part, is the one who deals with whoever it is that's hired them.
"Because you're a spy that's why" dryly says prince Helbenthril Raendril.
Which illicits a chuckle from the two spellcasters, the mage Reinholt and Beldane the cleric. And a grin from councilor Littlefoot.
The elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, Alínlae.
Faintly winces, then dryly murmurs "I sometimes forget about that".
The highly talented elven spellcaster nods his hooded head, then says to spy Tanith "You'll also get in contact with our agents who stayed in Calinar" followed by "Best to learn how both the populace, and the crown are doing now that there's a war here in the south of the kingdom".
Dalin nods to that, then he along with Beldane the cleric, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Mira Reinholt the mage.
Listen to what Helbe the elven thief has to say to the elven spy about what he wants done in the capital city of the kingdom of Melaurn, the city of Calinar.
A little later in the afternoon, the Quick Gull. The small, sleek, single masted airship originally from the far east coast of the continent. The Sultanate of Dreese to be exact. Comes into view from the east.
From up on deck, Dalinvardèl Tanith watches the small vessel approach the fast frigate from a stern.
Once the Quick Gull is a few hundred feet from the twin, masted Farqian warship.
The two elves, Dalinvardèl Tanith and prince Helbenthril Raendril disappear, as the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel shifts the two of them away.
After the two hooded elves disappear, the councilors Mira Reinholt, and Jarjin Littlefoot, along with fighting cleric, Beldane. All share a look.
Then the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Who lost the vast majority of his magical powers when he went offworld through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
Says to the powerful cleric originally from that kingdom of Nastell, and the halfling former air sailor from the Sultanate of Dreese "Think it will work?".
Councilor Littlefoot who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the hobbit, who is a former air sailor.
Shrugs his shoulders as he looks at the Vexilian mage in exile, then tells him "Who knows?" followed by "Anything could happen".
Beldane, a member of the church of Glaine. A god predominantly worshiped in the north of his homeland, the kingdom of Nastell.
Nods his head in agreement with the halfling who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Then the powerful Nastellian spellcaster says "Like Jarjin said, anything could happen".
The churchman, who because he's a cleric, hasn't ever stepped foot into the lands of Farque, then adds "It's worth a try i guess" followed by "So they might as well go for it".
Both councilors, one human, the other halfling, nod to that. Then all three of them look down at the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Then as the Quick Gull passes by, overhead. The three of them look away to the north, the direction the enemy, consisting of the king's own, is coming from.
As they do, Helbe the elven thief appears beside them on the aft deck of the Farqian fast frigate, the Mountain Dawn.
Down on the ground where they've stopped in what can be described as a dell between hills.
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest looks up into the sky, and spots the small, dark, sleek looking airship called the Quick Gull.
Flying away to the west, on what's been a much cooler summer day here in the north of the province of Corlinda compared to the weather of the last couple of weeks.
The nobleman from the province of Karricaw, who led that province to victory in the recent war, against it's neighbours here in Corlinda.
Looks at his twin brother, the baron of Pirtgott. Who was the leader of the province of Corlinda in that war.
And nods up into the sky, at the small airship that's flying away to the west.
"Something's happening for sure" quietly says baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
"No question about it" says lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, who finds himself in a war against the crown and king of Melaurn.
The nobleman who has continued to hire the mercenary army from the lands Farque, quietly says to his twin brother "I guess we'll find out soon enough".
As he stands there blurred, completely invisible to the twin brothers Gormica and Wilmot.
Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head in agreement with the leader of the province of Karricaw.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then drops his blur spell. And it seems he suddenly appears beside the nobleborn twin brothers.
When infact, he's been there for quite sometime, listening to what the lord of Salmah Forest and the baron of Pirtgott have been discussing.
"Anything we should know about?" asks lord Gormica of Salmah Forest as he nods his head in the direction of the Quick Gull which is flying westwards.
"Not really" says Helbe the elven thief, who does decide to tell the nobleborn twins "It's going to the capital to see how things are there". Which is some of what it's doing, though definitely not all.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then says "The enemy will probably stop for the night just five, maybe four miles from here".
The elven master assassin points to the hills to their left, to the west, and adds "Over those hills is probably the best spot to confront them".
The highly talented elven magic user continues with "We just have to get them there in the morning".
The Karricawian nobleman, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest nods in understanding, then says "You want to send out some of our men during the night" followed by "Get them in position so the enemy can follow them?".
Baron Wilmot of Pirtgott, the blunter of the two brothers speaks up and says "You want some bait for them?".
The elven princeling from Laerel, nods his hooded head, then says to the nobleborn twins who recently led their respective provinces to war against one another "Some of our scouts and rangers will lead them".
The elf who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque continues with "Though the road the king's own are on goes near where we want them, it's still about half a mile from where we actually want them to be".
The elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, gestures away to the west and says "We'll go over there shortly so you can see where we want to confront them".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril then says "Some of the others will join us, and we'll go over with your senior officers so we can discuss how best to implement our plans".
The lord of Salmah Forest nods, then he asks "You think we've got a chance?". As they know they're outnumbered by the king's own army that's in this part of northern Corlinda.
"Of course" replies the elven envoy with confidence.
And though the fast frigate, the Mountain Dawn will be used to keep any enemy airships away.
Helbe the elven thief knows that if things get dire for the army of lord Gormica and baron Wilmot.
The Farqian warship will end up attacking the enemy army. Which is wrought with danger. Especially if the battle doesn't have clear decisive lines.
"Gather who you want to come along and see where we want to confront them" says Helbe the elven thief as he senses Beldane the cleric onboard the Mountain Dawn is about to cast.
A few moments later, and the fighting cleric, along with Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
Along with a few senior officers of the contingent of the Farqian mercenary army with the twins army.
Appear away to their right, then walk over this way.
Lord Gormica nods, then he and his twin brother Wilmot, turn then go and gather who they want to come along with them.
As they do, prince Helbenthril Raendril looks at his fellow councilor, the hobbit from the far east coast of the continent, and asks him in the elven language "You sure this is the best place?".
"Best place around here" is the reply in the same language from Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who is the one who has picked the spot in this part of northern Corlinda they want to confront the king's own army who have come down from the province of Moleau.
"We'll find out tomorrow after the battle if it is" says Mira Reinholt the mage who is the pragmatic one out of them.
"Until then, we can only plan, and speculate" adds the once powerful mage.
Which gets nods of agreement from Beldane the cleric, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Helbe the elven thief as they wait for the twins Gormica and Wilmot to return, before they head off to the spot where they want the upcoming battle to take place . . . . . .

To War 62.

Summer. Melaurn.

"What have you got there Dorc?" asks Tamric Drubine the field commander.
"Snacks" is the reply from Dorc da Orc who chuckles as he slings the stuffed sack over his right shoulder, then wanders away.
The young field commander looks over at Dargarven the undead scout. Who just rolls his eyes, then follows after the large ork.
The nobleborn teenager from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who is now a senior officer in the armies of Farque.
Turns to his lover, Saanea the witch who is taking down their tent, and has just asked him "What was that with Dorc?".
"You don't want to know" dryly replies Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
The pretty looking spellcaster who is from the Maldin Hills looks to where the ork warleader is walking away through the trees.
And even in the early morning light, she can see the blood stain sack the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world is carrying.
The witch, who is the newest member of the group to travel with lord Farque.
Shudders as she can well imagine what's in the blood soaked sack the ork weaponsmith is carrying.
Saanea, shakes her head. Then continues to take down her and Tam's tent. The young field commander helps her with that.
It's the morning after the battle that took place here towards the eastern end of the border between the provinces of Moleau and Corlinda.
Not all that far from where the three provinces of Moleau, Corlinda and Mofosild meet.
The Farqian army that defeated the crown's army. Which was predominantly made up of armies from various nobles who call the provinces of Olind, and even Sorros home.
Made camp in the woods to the north of the battlefield which field commander Drubine picked out.
The teenage noble who is the son of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, which can be found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Will happily admit that he didn't have all that much to do with the victory of the Farqian force that he commands.
It was mostly down to the abilities of the Farqian soldiers he's in command of.
And the simple, but effective tactics of the ork general, Dorc da Orc. Who is still annoyed he didn't actually take part in the battle.
The next battle or skirmish his force gets into. Tam will have the large ork get involved with the fighting. At least for a bit. As that should keep the warleader of the ork race happy.
And a happy Dorc is a Dorc not getting into fucking trouble, field commander Drubine thinks to himself, who after helping Saanea pack up their tent and hand into to one of the nearby adjuncts.
The nobleborn teenager who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin quietly asks his lover "Is the flagship anywhere in the area?".
The dark, haired pretty looking hillwoman who is only a couple of years older than her lover, who was previously married before the two of them met in the Maldin Hills last summer, says "I'm not sure".
The spellcaster who never thought she would be in a relationship again after walking out on her marriage.
And who definitely never thought she would be leading the life she's living now, adds "I'll have a look once we get out".
As she nods towards the treeline, that isn't too far from where they set up their tent in the camp.
The senior officer in the armies of Farque who is bitterly disappointed that he even lost one of his soldiers yesterday, not just the couple of hundred who died, and a similar number wounded.
As they fought the enemy army that outnumbered the Farqian mercenary force of just over three thousand, by at least eight hundred soldiers.
Knows that Saanea will look through the eyes of her familiar soon. Which is no doubt flying around somewhere this morning.
The young field commander then turns to one of the messengers, and tells her "Have the scout Maera bring the prisoner".
Lisell Maera the scout looks at the prisoner. Who methodically eats the food he's been given this morning.
The enemy general, by the name of Sumic. Who is from the capital city Calinar. Is a senior officer in the king's army. Who got to his position on merit alone. Something of a minor miracle, considering he's not nobleborn.
Though from the information gathered from questioning him. And by some of the spellcasters, including Saanea the witch reading his mind.
The general in the black chainmail armour with leather shoulder pads. Is a passing friend of the king himself.
Which is probably the only reason he's attained the rank of general in the crown's army. When no other commoner in the kingdom of Melaurn holds such a high rank.
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well.
Turns as a teenage runner comes up to her, and quietly tells her something in the elven language.
"Tell him, we'll be there shortly" is the quiet reply of Lisell Maera the scout who makes sure she's out of hearing of the prisoner who can understand the elven language.
After the prisoner finishes his meal, the lean, athletic and attractive looking young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, says in the common language "Bring him".
The two rangers standing to the side, and behind the prisoner on the ground, here in the woods.
Step forward and grab an arm each of the prisoner, and stand him up.
The enemy general whose bound wrists, are infront of him now. Is marched forward by the pair of rangers as they follow the scout Maera.
General Sumic looks away to their right. As hanging from the branch of a tree over in that direction. Is sir Lommard, who was taken prisoner with him early yesterday afternoon when their army was defeated.
The young nobleman from the province of Olind was the senior most noble to survive the battle.
Now he's hanging dead from a tree limb, after what general Sumic is pretty sure is an ork of all things. Hung the young nobleman from the province of Olind. After he cut away at the young noble for a bit. Before the young commander of the mercenary army from the lands Farque ordered the large ork to hang sir Lommard.
Lisell Maera falls back so that she's along side the prisoner and the two rangers holding him.
With a nod of her head at the dead nobleman from Olind hanging from the tree branch they go by, the scout Maera says in common to the prisoner "Don't worry, that's not going to happen to you".
The attractive young woman originally from the coast of the Southlands pauses for a moment, before she adds "Yet".
"How reassuring" dryly says general Sumic of the king's army.
The common born general from the capital city of Calinar, is a man just under six foot tall, and appears younger than his forty one years of life.
He finds himself looking eye to eye with the young woman who is his captor. Who if truth be told, is actually taller than he is.
"You're not going to give me to that ork are you?" asks the prisoner, who faintly grimaces as he didn't particularly want to voice that concern of his.
Lisell Maera, whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father. A man she never knew, or met. Was a sailor who plied his trade upon the Great Western Ocean.
Glances sideways at the enemy general, who though let that slip. Is smart enough to identify what Dorc da Orc is.
When most people don't know what the hell an ork is. As most when they see the large ork for the first time. Believe that he's a demented, and feral looking troll. A shorter, and fatter troll that is. But nevertheless, that's what most people believe Dorc da Orc to be.
"You better hope not" dryly says the tall, lean, athletic and attractive looking young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury, and is now in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
They walk out of the edge of the woods, and after looking both left and right, the scout Maera gestures away to the right.
As they Farqian mercenary army. Well this force of the first army of Farque that Tamric Drubine is in command of.
Breaks camp as they prepare to depart this part of northern Corlinda, where a battle took place yesterday.
As the scout, two rangers and the prisoner walk along the treeline.
Lisell Maera asks the enemy general "Did you think you'd come across our army?" she then adds "Or the local army of lord Gormica?".
General Sumic who learnt yesterday when he was first questioned, it's no use lying. As his captors have spellcasters who can read his mind.
Says to the attractive young woman who seems to be in charge of his captivity at the moment "To be honest, we thought it would mostly be the rebel lord's army".
Lis lifts an eyebrow at that description of the nobleman from the province of Karricaw, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
"Rebel lord is he?" says the tall, lean, athletic and attractive looking young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
"Of course" says the prisoner, who has the highest attained rank of any commoner in the kingdom of Melaurn.
"You'd find that lord Gormica isn't a rebel at all" says Lis who continues on with "I do believe it's the crown who has attacked him under false pretenses after the war between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw".
General Sumic snorts in derision, then dryly says "Tell that to the farmers and villagers in southern Moleau, you mercenaries attacked and killed".
The prisoner who is resigned to the fact he's going to be killed by his captors, he just doesn't know when, or how.
Continues on with "Mercenaries by the way, in the hire of the rebel nobleman, lord Gormica".
"We did no such thing" says the scout Maera, who follows that with "That was a disgruntled nobleman from here in Corlinda who was angry that Corlinda lost the recent war against Karricaw".
"Likely story" sourly says the general in the army of the king of Melaurn. Often referred to as the king's own, sometimes as the kingdom's or crown army.
"What reason would i have to lie?" says the attractive young woman from the coast of the Southlands. Who is a member of the group that travels with lord Farque.
The common born general glances sideways at the scout who is in charge of his captivity. Who to a certain degree, does have a point there.
"We were paid by baron Wilmot to fight for Corlinda first" says Lisell Maera who follows that with "Then he stopped paying us, so lord Gormica started paying us, and that's why Karricaw ended up winning the war between the two provinces".
The scout continues on with "Now he's paying us to protect both Karricaw and Corlinda from the king and his allies".
Lis looks at the prisoner, and tells him "Tell me, why did the crown only get involved after they thought the conflict had spread beyond either Karricaw or Corlinda?".
The scout Maera continues with "And not before, when the two provinces were at war?" followed by "Or even before that, as they'd been building up their forces for months before they actually went to war over their border dispute".
General Sumic doesn't say anything, and stays silent on that matter. As he knows exactly why the crown didn't intervene earlier.
And only did so when the king, and crown believed that the Farqian mercenary army had attacked the people living in the south of the province of Moleau.
"Is it because the crown has never given a shit about the southern provinces such as Corlinda, Karricaw and Selvah Na?" asks Lisell Maera as they head towards where Tamric Drubine and others are standing just outside the woods where the Farqian force camped during the night.
"I think so" adds the scout, who follows that with "I'm a foreigner, who only knows so much of the history of your kingdom, but even i know that's the reason the crown decided to get involved with things".
The tall, lean, athletic, and attractive looking young woman from the coast of the Southlands then asks the prisoner "You think the crown would of got involved if the conflict between Corlinda and Karricaw went over the border southwards into the province of Selvah Na?".
General Sumic remains tight lipped, and doesn't say a word about that. As both he and his captor know exactly what the answer to that will be.
"I thought not" dryly says the scout Maera as the prisoner stays silent about that, as they approach where field commander Drubine and others are waiting.
On what's turning out to be a slightly cloudy morning, which is far cooler than it has been in recent weeks this summer.
"So" says Tamric Drubine the field commander as the prisoner is brought before him.
The nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who has been told by his lover, Saanea the witch that the Farqian flagship is on it's way here.
Says to the enemy general "You'll be going somewhere soon".
The common born general in the king's own, just nods his head, as he wonders what his captors are up to.
General Sumic spots the large ork back behind the others, amongst the trees. Near the fellow in the sleeveless leather armour vest, who captured Sumic yesterday afternoon.
The prisoner hopes to hell, that where ever he's going. The ork isn't coming along with him.
"Would you like to know where?" asks Tam who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque.
"Does it matter?" asks general Sumic of the crown army.
"It does to you" is the quick reply from field commander Drubine.
"I see" says the captured enemy officer, who then winces as he realises that the young man who commands the Farqian mercenaries just said that last thing in the elven language.
With a wry smile upon his face, the nobleborn teen from the kingdom of Sarcrin, says in the language of the elves "How well can you speak elven?".
"Not that well" general Sumic answers truthfully in the same language.
Tam nods, then reverts back to the common language and says "No use keeping secrets you know".
"I know" says the prisoner in common, who can understand elven a hell of lot more than he can speak it.
"Now as for why it matters for you, as to where you're going" says the senior officer in the armies of Farque, who after a brief pause adds "It's important because you're going to the capital".
General Sumic eyebrows shoot up in surprise when he hears that, and after a few moments of silence as he contemplates that, he says "I am?".
"You are" says Tamric Drubine, who after a pause for a moment or two, continues with "You're to go there with a message".
The prisoner nods his head, as he's fairly certain who the message will be for.
His thoughts on that are confirmed when the young field commander in the mercenary army from the lands Farque tells him "A message for the king and the crown" . . . . . .

To War 61.

Summer. Corlinda. Melaurn.

"That's him isn't it?" asks lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
"Yeah that's him, alright" says baron Wilmot of Pirtgott, who then adds "I'd recognise him anywhere".
Next to him, his twin brother Gormica nods his head as they look at the body skewered on the spear, lying on the ground, beneath a tree.
One of about twenty such dead bodies lying here, not far from the border with the province of Moleau.
"Sorry" quietly says the lord of Salmah Forest, which is in the province of Karricaw.
The baron of Pirtgott, which is a city, and a baroncy in the central region of the province of Corlinda, grunts then says "He thought he was doing right".
Then the baron who is the older of the twins. Just shakes his head as he looks at the body of lord Milson of Mottman Deep.
A fellow Corlindian nobleman. Who was his closest ally in the recent war with the province of Karricaw.
Who because of their loss. Took it upon himself to take revenge on lord Gormica who led Karricaw in the recent war between the neighbouring provinces.
And now his actions have drawn in the king and crown of Melaurn.
Who is now at war with the Karricawian nobleman, lord Gormica. And by default, also against the province of Corlinda.
"What a fucking mess" mutters the baron of Pirtgott, who then looks at the other bodies that were impaled.
Then he, along with his twin brother Gormica, look over at the elven officer in the armies of Farque, who is standing close by.
"We had them impaled there, next to the road" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who turns and points to the dirt packed road, that's nearby.
"Those in command of the enemy army came up over that brow first, and had the bodies taken down, and dragged over here before the bulk of their army could see them" adds the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae, who is now an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
"Of course they bunched up when the majority of their army got here" continues Dalinvardèl Tanith, or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
Who follows on from that with "Made worse as they had most of their cavalry following behind the infantry".
"That was a mistake" dryly says lord Gormica, his twin brother nods in agreement as they look along the road that heads south.
The battle here near the center of the length of the border between the provinces of Moleau and Corlinda, was two mornings ago.
And this late in the afternoon two days later there's still local villagers and farmers scavenging from the dead. Predominantly soldiers from the province of Moleau. From armies of various nobles in that province who answered the call to arms from the crown and king.
There's large craters along the road, and to the sides of it. Evidence of a bombardment from Farqian warships that took the lead in this particular battle with the enemy.
"We were outnumbered" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
"But after the airships hit them, they had no chance against us" continues the elf who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, the elven principality of Alínlae.
"Wouldn't want to of been in the middle of that" quietly says lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
His twin brother, Wilmot of Pirtgott nods in agreement with him as they look at the destruction wrought by some of the ships in the Farqian fleet.
"Seen enough?" asks the spy Tanith as he looks at the twin brothers, who recently led their respective provinces in a war against one other.
"We have" says Gormica of Salmah Forest who finds himself at war against the king and crown of Melaurn.
Next to him, his twin brother nods in agreement after taking one last look at the skewered body of lord Milson of Mottman Deep.
The elven officer in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque looks over at Beldane the cleric who has been standing silently nearby, and nods his hooded head to the powerful spellcaster.
Dalinvardèl Tanith then calls out a command in elven. And a number of scouts and rangers who were out of sight amongst the trees, come forward into view.
As they do, the gateway that Beldane the cleric has just cast, appears.
After a scout and a ranger run through it first, the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae says to the nobleborn twins "After you".
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest goes through the door sized gateway first, followed by his twin brother, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Dalin goes through the gateway after the two of them. Then one by one, it's the other scouts and rangers.
Finally Beldane the cleric goes through the gateway he's cast. Once he's through it, and on the otherside. The gateway disappears as he drops the spell.
Onboard the fast frigate, the Mountain Dawn, Mira Reinholt the mage says "They're back".
The once powerful mage points to a nearby hatchway. And Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit looks that way.
A little while later, and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy comes up on deck, followed by the twin brothers Gormica and Wilmot.
They're followed by the powerful cleric Beldane. Who looks councilor Reinholt and Littlefoot's way, and nods.
As the noblemen who are twins. One from the province of Karricaw, and the other from here in the province of Corlinda.
Make their way forward along the deck, where a number of their vassals and officers are waiting for them.
The spy Tanith follows after them. While the fighting cleric, who is a member of the church of Glaine heads to where the two council members are standing on the aft deck.
After the halfling, who is a former air sailor. Tells the captain of the warship, the Mountain Dawn. That he can lift off, and continue on their way. Heading further to the west along the border region between the provinces of Moleau and Corlinda.
Beldane the cleric quietly says "I don't think the baron was too upset" followed by "More disappointed than anything else".
"Well, he knows now" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who along with his fellow council members, Jarjin Littlefoot and Helbe the elven thief.
Decided to tell both lord Gormica and baron Wilmot of the fate of lord Milson of Mottman Deep.
The baron of Pirtgott's closest ally, who has plunged the southern provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda into a war against the king and crown of Melaurn.
As the fast frigate, the Mountain Dawn lifts off the ground, and starts heading westwards as the sun starts to slowly go down in the west, on what's been a hot summer day right across the north of the province of Corlinda.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit says "We should get to them sometime late tomorrow". Referring to the enemy army they're traveling to confront.
The halfling who isn't all that he appears to be, continues with "I don't know if we what to be fighting after the army has marched all that way".
As the combined army of lord Gormica and baron Wilmot are already on the move, and are further to the west of where the Farqian warship is at the moment.
"Best not" says the spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland that he's in exile from.
"We've only got a small number of our own with them" adds the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
The mage Reinholt, who like Jarjin Littlefoot, is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, continues with "And besides i don't think we want the twins army fighting in what will essentially be the nighttime".
Both the hobbit, who is from the far east coast of the continent, the Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
And the fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
Nod in agreement with the once powerful mage from the city-state of Vexil.
"Think they're up for it?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the hobbit, who is a former air sailor in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
"Maybe" says the once powerful mage, who shares a look with his fellow practitioner of magic, Beldane the cleric.
"Maybe" says the powerful Nastellian spellcaster with a shrug of his shoulders, who continues on with "His highness seems to think they can".
Referring to Helbe the elven thief, who isn't here with them, onboard the Mountain Dawn at this time.
"That's not exactly comforting" dryly says Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who follows on from that with "The royal thief isn't exactly known for being a tactical genius when it comes to a battle".
"Maybe not" says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of the vast majority of his powers when he went offworld, through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast one day over fifteen years ago now.
Mira Reinholt, who is in his early forties nowadays, looks at his fellow council member Jarjin Littlefoot who is standing beside him, here on the aft deck of the Farqian warship, the Mountain Dawn.
And knows that the hobbit from the far east coast of the continent, to be exact, Zubutai Timaginson.
Has had the most training in battle and warfare tactics, out of all of them here at the moment.
Having been taught by a number of the undead of the lands Farque. Though more in cavalry tactics, both light and heavy, more than anything else.
As he learnt alongside both the ork warleader, Dorc da Orc. And the young field commander, Tamric Drubine.
Whenever they've spent any extended amount of time in the lands Farque over the last decade or so.
Even since Tamric Drubine was found up in the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. When Tam, as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. Was only eight years old, when Mira Reinholt, Dorc da Orc and Kail Ariss the sorceress. Who Zubutai Timaginson was inhabiting at the time. First found the son of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine.
"What do you think?" says the Vexilian mage in exile to the halfling who is a former air sailor.
"Are they capable enough?" adds the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin thinks about it for a little while, then quietly says "They just might be".
Councilor Littlefoot, who will readily admit that his expertise when it comes to warfare, is more to do with mounted warfare, more than anything else.
Then says to his fellow councilor, and the fighting cleric "If we can find some open ground to fight on, i might be able to give them a bit of an advantage".
As a good third of the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Maybe even two, fifths of it, is mounted. Both light and heavy cavalry.
"Their cavalry seems sound enough" says councilor Littlefoot, who continues on with "And they've got enough heavy horse to make an impact".
The once powerful mage nods, then quietly says "Remember we'll be up against the king's own army here" followed by "Not his allies from throughout the kingdom".
"I know" says the halfling from the far east coast of the continent, who served as an air sailor in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
Before he died in battle, and came back to life with Zubutai the barbarian hordesman inhabiting his body.
"Even if we can repel them, it will be like a victory to the twins" says Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson, who continues on with "Remember we're badly outnumbered by the enemy".
The halfling who is on the personal council to lord Farque briefly pauses before he adds "Any respite after pushing them back will be good for our morale, and bad for their's".
Nodding his head, Beldane the cleric says "They'll be coming down here expecting to dominate things".
The fighting cleric, who is a member of the church of Glaine, a god predominantly worshiped in the north of his homeland, the kingdom of Nastell, then says "They know they outnumber us, so even minor setbacks will be seen as a loss to them".
Both councillors Reinholt and Littlefoot, nod in agreement with the powerful spellcaster who is the only member of the group that travels with lord Farque, who has yet to set foot in the lands of Farque. For obvious reasons. He's a cleric.
Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin, looks ahead, and as the sun sets in the west, he spots the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
And though there's a small number of the Farqian mercenary army with them.
Less than a hundred, made up of a couple of companies of scouts and rangers.
Otherwise the army of over three and a half thousand, are predominantly from the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
The Mountain Dawn slows down and flies to one side of the army, that's heading off a road, to an abandoned farm to set up camp for the night.
Onboard the fast frigate in the Farqian fleet, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest looks down at their army.
The nobleman from the province of Karricaw who is on the bow deck of the twin masted airship, turns and looks at his twin brother, and quietly asks him "Think we can do it?".
The baron of Pirtgott, who until his army was defeated by the Farqian mercenary army in the recent conflict between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw. Was always confident in the ability of the army he leads.
Infact he was victorious in the war between Corlinda and Karricaw. For less than half a day. Until he stopped paying the Farqian mercenary army. Who his twin brother Gormica would immediately hire.
As the sun sets behind them, and the Mountain Dawn comes to a stop in the air. And as the army down below sets up camp across the empty fields of an abandoned farm.
Baron Wilmot of Pirtgott quietly says to his twin brother, who he still doesn't necessarily like "I think so".
The nobleman whose baroncy is in the central region of the province of Corlinda pauses for a moment or two, before he quietly adds "I hope so". . . . . .

To War 60.

Summer. In The North Of The Province Of Corlinda.

"Are you alright friend?" asks Shur Kee the monk as he stands over one of the goblins.
"Just dazed councilor" says Dickhead Thirty Something after he shakes his head, and realises who it is that's standing next to him.
The short, statured monk leans down and helps the large green, almost black coloured goblin to sit up.
After blinking a few times, he looks around, Thirty Something as he's called by the others in the battalion, asks "Did we win councilor?".
"We have indeed" is the reply from the physical adept who is the honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Dickhead Thirty Something who like everyone else in the goblin battalion in the armies of Farque, was named by their general. The ork warleader, Dorc da Orc.
Looks around and watches the wounded and injured being carried away.
While the dead are being lined up on the ground off to one side.
While the enemy wounded are being dispatched. And their dead left lying where they fell.
The large, dark green goblin grimaces as he recalls that his friend Shitbrains The Third was killed earlier on during the battle.
He sighs, then nods his head, and says "I can".
In response to the fighting monk in the strange looking clothing, and wearing an even stranger looking conical shaped hat, asking him "Can you stand?" followed by "Best we get you out of this sun".
With the help of councilor Kee, Thirty Something gets to his feet. And though he's a little wobbly at first. He soon gets his balance.
And the short, statured monk calls over a couple more of the goblins from the battalion to help Dickhead Thirty Something to get into the shade.
The acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li, who is originally from the far east coast of the continent. The kingdom of Wah Lee to be exact.
Who has been in the Southlands since he was a young man. For more than fifteen years now.
Watches as the trio of goblins walk away, with the dazed one supported by the other two.
The physical adept slightly smiles as he sees they're keeping to their feet.
Then Shur Kee rolls his eyes when one of them trips, then all three of them go down.
The fighting monk who is the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior Bru Li. To be precise, he's a living conduit for the powers of the Jade Warrior. Who founded the philosophical order the physical adept belongs to.
Wryly smiles, and shakes his head as he watches the trio of goblins get back up, and continue on their way.
Shur Kee then turns, and continues on his way too. Continuing to see if he can help the injured and wounded in the army from the lands Farque, now that the battle is over.
Tamric Drubine walks along the treeline to the north of the battlefield.
He's followed by a number of others, including his lover, Saanea the witch.
As well as his subcommander, and a few of the officers in his command staff.
Behind them, and some of the runners. Walks the massive form of the undead heavy foot trooper, Arveem.
Who looks south across the battlefield, and rolls his eyes as he spots the ork warleader, Dorc da Orc.
The large ork is amongst the enemy dead and dying. And Arveem is pretty sure he just saw the ork weaponsmith stuff a good chunk of an arm into his mouth. And chew it down as fast as he can.
The large, seven foot tall undead human in a full suit of heavy plate armour is certain of it.
As the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world is quickly looking around him, with what can only be described as a gleeful, though guilty look upon his broad, green, brutish looking face.
Arveem just shakes his full helmed head as he follows the group led by field commander Drubine, who are walking along the treeline.
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, or those who know him well.
Spots Lisell Maera the scout up ahead, who gestures him and the others forward to where she's standing in the shade next to a clump of trees.
"Where is he?" asks Tamric Drubine the field commander.
"Further back in there" replies Lisell Maera the scout, who nods her head to the right, further into the woods.
"Got another one too" adds the tall, lean, athletic and attractive looking young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, who follows that with "A nobleman from up in Olind, he led them down into Moleau, where they were met by the king's men".
The nobleborn teenager who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who is now a senior officer in the armies of Farque nods his head.
Then he suddenly frowns as he realises what the scout Maera is implying.
"You mean he's not a nobleman?" asks Tam, who then adds "The king's man?".
"He's not" says Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not, she's called by those who know her well.
The young field commander slightly nods, as the scout tells him "Must be one of the few, or probably even the only general of their's who isn't one".
"Lead the way" says the son of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, a castle and it's lands, that can be found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
The attractive young woman from the coast of the Southlands, whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father. A man she never knew, nor met. Was a sailor, who plied his trade on the Great Western Ocean.
Walks into the woods, leading field commander Drubine and the others.
Tam is just glad to be out of the afternoon sun. As the day has been exceptionally warm. Especially after the battle that started early in the morning, and finished in the early afternoon.
He and the others follow Lis further into the woods. Which has black clad soldiers from the Farqian army going through it. Searching for any of the enemy who have escaped.
In a section of the woods, near the road. That's already been searched by scouts and rangers in the Farqian mercenary army.
They find the undead scout Dargarven sitting upon a fallen tree.
While nearby, between a pair of rangers. Sit two of the enemy, wrists bound behind them. Grateful to be in the shade beneath some trees. And not out in the sun, on this warm summer day, here in this area of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Field commander Drubine looks at the two prisoners. One in halfplate armour and chainmail. Whose sigil is a stylised dog of some kind. He's obviously the nobleman from the province of Olind.
While the other prisoner, the older of the two men. Who looks to be in his early forties.
Wears black chainmail, with leather shoulder pads. And has the city of Calinar outlined on his tabbard. The city sigil has a crown stitched above it.
A sure sign that this is a member of the king's own. The king of Melaurns army.
And the one who is was in overall command of the enemy army that came down from the province of Moleau, and into the province of Corlinda. As the king and crown wages war against lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
Getting up from the log he's sitting on, Dargarven the undead scout walks over to Tamric Drubine and says "How's your dwarven?". In the language of the dwarves.
"Not that great" replies the young field commander in the same language, who then asks "Why?".
"Because that general can understand elven" says the undead scout with a nod of his head at the prisoners sitting nearby.
Dargarven, who has his full helm tucked in the crook of his right arm, continues with "He's trying his best not to give it away, but his eyes do".
The undead scout looks at the others, and gives them a hand signal not to speak elven around the prisoners.
While Tam whispers to his lover Saanea, not to say anything important in elven because the prisoner in the dark armour can understand it.
"Get much out of them?" asks Tam who can understand the dwarven language well enough. It's just that he finds it difficult to speak.
"A fair bit" replies Dargarven, who is the younger brother of Arveem. Who is standing nearby, absolutely silent as he watches things.
"The rangers will tell you" says the undead scout, who then nods in the direction of his older brother, the heavy foot trooper.
And tells the nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin "There's somethings Arv and i need to discuss".
Field commander Drubine nods, and the undead scout joins his brother Arveem.
Where the two of them using the mindspeech of the undead, discuss a few things.
While the nobleborn teen who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque, talks to the two rangers before he questions the prisoners.
"Why the hell do i have to?" mutters Dargarven the undead scout in the ork language after they discuss a few things via mindspeech.
His older brother Arveem the heavy foot trooper grins, then murmurs in the same language "I'll stay here and keep an eye on things".
"Fine" mutters Dargarven in the totally incomprehensible language of the orks.
Since they spoke in the ork language there was actually a hell of a lot of swearing going on there.
The undead scout walks away, and heads out of the woods. While the undead heavy foot trooper remains behind with the group with field commander Drubine.
Who at the moment is questioning the two prisoners. Both of whom Dargarven captured.
The advantage of being undead is that you can sense life all around you. Which of course includes people.
And with their only being one ork in the vicinity. Infact there's only one ork that's actually outside of the southern polar region at the moment.
Dargarven locates Dorc da Orc well before he walks out of the treeline.
The undead scout who died four and a half centuries ago. On the same day his older brother Arveem died. Which was the same day their lord died too.
After walking from the woods, heads across the battlefield, to where he can see the large figure of the ork warleader wandering around amongst the dead and dying enemy.
Dargarven who though is in leather armour, a sleeveless leather vest to be exact. Is carrying his full helm tucked in his right arm.
Nods to a couple of black clad Farqian soldiers who are going around killing any of the enemy wounded they find.
They nod in reply to the undead scout wearing the short, threadbare, and frankly tatty looking cloak as he goes by them.
They're not the only soldiers from the lands of Farque going around searching for the enemy wounded and injured, and killing them.
Dargarven spots a few goblins not far from the ork weaponsmith who is a general in the armies of Farque.
And as the undead scout gets closer to the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world.
He's struck again at how damn large the ork warleader is. As Dorc da Orc who is crouching, gets up quickly and spins around. As Dargarven figures the ork general, both heard and smelled him approaching.
The undead scout sourly smiles as he sees the large ork, who stands at least seven and a half foot tall. Who weighs over seven hundred and fifty pounds.
Quickly swallow a hand that's in his mouth. A finger gets stuck in the fang like teeth of the ork general. Who covers his mouth with one of his skillet sized hands. And pretends to cough as he works the finger free with his tongue so he can swallow it.
"Hey Dorc cunt" says Dargarven the undead scout in the ork language.
"Hey Dar cunt" replies Dorc da Orc after he clears his throat.
Hey cunt being the traditional greeting between orks, and those who know their ways and language well.
The undead scout who fought alongside an army of orks in the battle in which he died.
Asks the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world "What you doing cunt?".
"Oh me just killing dead, any of the fuckers me find" says Dorc da Orc, or Dorkindle which is his given name.
Dargarven nods as he figures that's true enough. But the warleader of the ork race is obviously eating the dead and dying too.
The undead being gestures around them, and says to the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks "Cunt, make sure you only eat the enemy fuckers, and not any of our dead".
With a hurt look upon his broad, green feral looking face, Dorkindle says "Of fucken course" followed by "Me always fucken do that".
The son of the previous matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks then mutters "Besides Farque gets all fucken angries with Dorc if me do that".
Dargarven rolls his eyes. As the large ork doesn't deny he's been eating the enemy dead.
Then the undead scout looks at the ork general, who is obviously overheating here in the afternoon sunshine on what's been a hot day.
"Best you get into the shade and cool down ork" says Dargarven, who speaks in the common language now.
"Fucken good idea" says Dorkindle who is sweating profusely.
The undead scout looks over at the nearby goblins. One of whom is the goblin commander, Teabagger the Goblin Cunt.
Dargarven gestures to them to head to the woods to the north of the battlefield. Then he says to the large ork "Come along general".
Dorc da Orc grunts, then starts moving, with the undead scout following behind him.
Dargarven rolls his eyes, as the ork warleader briefly stops and picks up a severed leg. Before he carries on after some of the goblins in his battalion, towards the woods north of the battlefield.
The battlefield that the Farqian mercenary army led by field commander Drubine today, was victorious on . . . . . .