Mercenary Tales 94.

Vexil. 

Mira Reinholt the mage narrows his eyelids as he looks away to the west, for the moment not sensing as he does so. 

Some of the others in the group stop when they notice the once powerful mage has stopped and is looking away to their right. 

After a moment, the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, slightly nods to himself. Then he puts his right gloved hand into an inner pocket of his cloak, and he drains the power from one of the gems he has there. 

"You should probably run" says Mira Reinholt the mage, and before anyone can ask him why? The Vexillian mage in exile adds "Mageglobe heading this way". 

The spellcaster who was once more powerful than any other mage to be found in The Southlands, briefly pauses before continuing with "Heading towards me". 

"Flee!" shouts Beldane the cleric as Tamric Drubine the field commander is just about to protest what the mage Reinholt has just suggested. 

"Don't cast" says Mira Reinholt to the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and Saanea the witch. 

"It might target you instead" adds the swordmaster who was, and to this day, the youngest ever member of the Mage Council of Vexil. 

The practitioner of magic who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council briefly pauses as if he's listening to something or someone. Which he is.

Then he says "Nevermind" followed by "It's targeted at a mage" councilor Reinholt continues in a dry tone with "Me". 

The once powerful mage turns to his left and says to field commander Drubine "Go" he then adds "You should be fine if you're clear". 

Both Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout don't need to be told again, they're moving off, quickly too. 

Zam the ex mercenary along with Tovis the war engineer quickly follow, and hurry off to the south like the spy Tanith and the scout Maera. 

After a moment, sir Percavelle Lé Dic starts moving off, loudly muttering "Damn evil magic, wot". 

Though the large heavily armoured knight only started moving after Dorc da Orc shrugged and started walking away. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander after one last look at the mage Reinholt, moves off as well. With him goes Saanea the witch along with Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who tells the exiled Vexillian mage "Be careful you idiot". 

The mage Reinholt just nods his hooded head in response to that from his fellow member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

Then finally Beldane the cleric and Shur Kee the monk move off, though the once powerful practitioner of magic sees that the two of them don't go far. As he still see them amongst the trees to the south of the small clearing he's in. 

Both the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine along with the acolyte in the order of Bru Li, have stopped and are looking back at him. 

The Vexillian mage in exile isn't worried about those two. As out of the group with him at this time. 

They're the two who can most easily defend themselves, and the others from whatever it is that's the mageglobe heading this way will do. 

Beldane with his shear brute force of magic that he has, along with the extremely powerful, not to mention highly erratic magical mace that he as well. 

And Shur Kee, due to the strange powers that he possess. Which aren't magical at all. And are something completely different all together. 

"So what does it actually do?" quietly asks Mira Reinholt the mage as he peers through the trees to the west of the small clearing he's in. 

"It's searching you out" is the quiet reply from Narladene the ground pixie who is only visible to the once powerful mage. 

The highly skilled swordmaster steps back amongst the trees, and he slightly scowls when the tiny winged creature hovering to his right, quietly tells him "It's going to find you no matter what". 

The spellcaster who when he had all his powers, was more powerful than any other mage of his generation to be found in The Southlands. 

Who lost the vast majority of his power when he accidentally cast a rift/void spell that sent him offworld a number of years ago. 

Then asks the naturally magical creature who has come to warn him of the impending danger "Then what?". 

"Blow you up of course" is the reply from Narladene the ground pixie, who grins as the Vexillian mage in exile sourly smiles as he looks at her. 

"Where is it?" quietly asks the practitioner of magic who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

"There" replies the naturally magical creature who adds "That way" she follows that with "It's weaving side to side, trying to locate you". 

Mira Reinholt nods his hooded head as he looks to where the tiny winged creature has pointed, then he says "Not moving particularly quickly I take it?". 

"Correct" is the reply from Narladene who is just glad the once powerful mage is speaking in common and not elven. 

Due to the fact both his accent, and the way he pronounces the elven language is pretty atrocious in the opinion of the ground pixie. 

The mage Reinholt slightly nods as he's created such mageglobes himself, and he figures it's moving barely more than walking speed. 

It will increase speed and start moving rapidly when it actually locates him. There will be some advantage to Mira who already has in mind what he'll do to counter the living piece of magic that's heading this way. 

The once powerful mage continues to step back amongst the trees, and he quietly asks the ground pixie "What's that royal thief you hang out with up to?". 

The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster hopes his fellow practitioner of magic Helbe the elven thief is taking care of the mage who has trying to kill him. 

For if there's anyone who can get rid of a powerful spellcaster like a mage, it's the elven magic user who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel. 

"Trying to deal with that mage who is hellbent on trying to kill you" is the reply from the naturally magical creature who is originally from The Sunreach Mountains. 

Mira Reinholt lifts an eyebrow in surprise, and in a tone similar, he says "Trying?" followed by "Are you telling me that thief is having some difficulty with killing someone?". 

Narladene grunts at that, and though she doesn't say anything, she does nod her head yes in reply to what the Vexillian mage in exile just said. 

"Fuck" mutters the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who then silently adds, this might be a bit more difficult than I thought. 

Hmmm, Helbe the elven thief thinks to himself as he steps up behind one of the Vexillian soldiers walking through the forest. 

The blurred and shielded elven magic user glances towards the nearby mage who is leading the group of soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

Then the elven master assassin silently releases the spike puncher from the right sleeve of his cloak. 

And he punches it into the base of the skull of the unsuspecting Vexillian soldier who has no idea who is right behind him. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has already shifted before the Vexillian soldier falls to the ground dead. 

The highly talented elven magic user does the same thing to another of the soldiers, this one further to the right. 

And with two of them dead in mere moments, it's finally noticed by another of the soldiers that two of his fellow soldiers are dead. 

"Mage Garmen!" says one of the Vexillian soldiers, who then quickly adds "Myburn and Quaills are down". 

The large squad of soldiers, along with the mage who is leading them come to a stop, and look around, and find two of their number dead. 

"What the?" mutters the mage Garmen as and the soldiers with him look around, trying to see who was responsible for the deaths of two of the squad. 

"Spread out" orders the mage in the black hoodless cloak, who quickly comes to the conclusion that Myburn and Quaills were killed by a practitioner of magic. 

"Beware" says the Vexillian mage, who continues with "There's a spellcaster of some kind in the area" he follows that with "Keep your wits about you, and call out if you notice something". 

The practitioner of magic in the army of the city-state of Vexil who is sensing his mageglobe in the distance, continuing to head eastwards. 

Thinks about something for a moment, then he quickly casts a spell, sending in all directions out from him. 

"Shit" mutters Helbe the elven thief, who is just glad he shifted back up into the sky, above the treetops after killing two of the Vexillian soldiers. 

As he senses then sees what the powerful mage down below has just cast, the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel slightly winces to himself. 

This mage is a hell of a lot smarter than most of them, the elven masterthief thinks to himself as he watches with his magical senses the detect spellcaster spell the mage has just cast going outwards from the powerful practitioner of magic. 

And though the elven master assassin is shielded, he's pretty certain because of how powerful that particular spell is. If it hit him, there's a good chance the Vexillian army mage would detect him. 

The elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel then looks away to the east as he senses in that direction. 

And quickly locates the mageglobe that's heading in that direction. He feels that it's picking up speed now. And that can only mean one thing. 

"Think it's found you" says Narladene the ground pixie, who after a slight pause, nods then continues with "Yeah it's found you". 

Mira Reinholt the mage sourly smiles, then he looks to where the tiny winged creature hovering to his right, points. 

"It'll directly attack you when it catches sight of you" says the naturally magical creature who hails from the Sunreach Mountains, and has 'attached' herself to Helbe the elven thief. 

"I thought as much" murmurs the once powerful mage who stops backing up, and prepares for the rapidly approaching living piece of magic created by a mage in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

"There" quickly says Narladene who points across the nearby clearing, to the trees to the west of it. The Vexillian mage in exile nods his hooded head a couple of moments later as he too spots the mageglobe. 

Which spins in the air, then finally spots the once powerful mage. And when it does, it shoots through the air, directly at the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

Mira Reinholt might not be as powerful as he once was. But he's far more intelligent than most other mages when it comes to combat. 

So as he watches the mageglobe come shooting towards him, the exiled Vexillian mage creates two of his own, one after the other. Something most mages, no matter how powerful they are, find difficult to do. 

His mageglobes shoot off from him, as they do the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster slams up wards around himself. 

Though he winces and mutters "Shit" as he does so. As braces for the worst. Which he suspects is going to be bad. 

The first mageglobe created by Mira Reinholt goes by the incoming living piece of magic, barely brushing it. Doing nothing to it, or so it seems. 

Mira's first mageglobe continues onwards,  picking up speed, getting faster and faster as it does so. For it's already done half of what it's purpose is. And that was to identify the mage that's attacking its creator. Quickly doing so, as it heads back along the path the incoming mageglobe came from. Though moving much faster, and in a more direct line. 

As for the mage Reinholt's second living piece of magic. It does what it was supposed to do. And that's to intercept the incoming mageglobe. 

And the mageglobes, both the size of an apple. Hit each other in midair, with the inevitable results. A massive explosion in the middle of the forest, on this cold winters day here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Trees are blasted to bits, and others are knocked down, hundreds of feet in all directions from the blast center. Which turns out to be a massive crater in the ground, as dirt and debris are flung up into the sky. 

Mira Reinholt the mage sourly smiles to himself as he's caught up in the middle of the massive explosion and as he's flung backwards, and before he blacks out. The once powerful mage feels his wards being shredded apart as no way they'll survive such an explosion that's rocked this part of the heavily forested hills here in northern Vexil . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 93.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

A bear woken up from it's mid winter slumber by all the commotion near it. Goes running by, growling sleepily as it heads through the trees after crossing the overgrown cart track. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy raises an arched eyebrow as he watches the bear that's lost weight during winter, head into the trees, and disappear from sight. 

The elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque shrugs his shoulders. 

While nearby, Dorc da Orc looks up, and catches sight of the bear before it disappears from view, and he loudly mutters "Could'a been me fucken lunch". 

The large ork grunts in disappointment, then he looks back down at the Vexillian soldier lying at his feet, who it turns out, unsurprisingly, is dead after the ork warleader headbutted him. 

"Hmmm" murmurs the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who then silently adds, me could have one of these cunts for lunch. 

The ork warleader looks at the dead bodies lying close by, then he takes a quick look around at the rest of the members of the group. 

The ork weaponsmith takes a sharp, wicked looking, slightly curved knife from his belt. Then after quickly looking around to make sure none of the others are watching him. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, bends down, and starts discreetly cutting into the dead body he's standing over. Hoping to get a bit of meat for his noon time meal. 

"Any sign of Helbe?" quietly asks Tamric Drubine the field commander, next to the senior officer in the Armies of Farque. His lover, Saanea the witch shakes her head no. 

And when the young field commander, who is of noble birth, and originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin looks at Beldane the cleric. The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine shakes his head no too. 

Field commander Drubine looks over at Mira Reinholt the mage who tells him "No idea" dryly followed by "Not that any of us could sense him anyway".

"Where the hell is he?" murmurs Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, as he looks off back along the overgrown cart track which heads back west. 

The elven masterthief in question, is at the moment floating above the treetops, about a mile and half further to the west and south of the rest of the group. 

Helbe the elven thief who is blurred and shielded, looks at Narladene the ground pixie who points and says "He's up on that large hill there". 

The naturally magical creature originally from the Sunreach Mountains, who has just landed upon the right shoulder of the elven magic user, adds "Think there's some fighting going on, down on the other side of that hill". 

The young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head, then he winces as he remembers what Lord Farque has planned for those who are further to the east. 

"They're in for a shit time over there" quietly says Helbe the elven thief, who after a slight pause adds "All of them". 

The tiny winged creature standing upon his right shoulder, nods her head in agreement with him as they look away to the east and south. 

Then the highly talented elven spellcaster as he floats there above the forest, looks down through the trees. 

The grandson of the ruling prince of the island principality of Laerel who is also a member of Lord Farque's personal council, once again spots who he has been observing of late. 

Down in the section of forest below him, are a number of figures, all moving east. Who are all in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

They're all soldiers in the Vexillian army, except for one of them. Who though he's in the army of the city-state, he's definitely not a soldier. 

The figure leading, who is in a black hoodless cloak, holds up a hand for those with him to come to a stop. 

As the blurred and shielded elven magic user watches those below him in the forest, Helbe the elven thief murmurs "You sneaky bastard". 

Narladene the ground pixie who is also watching what's happening below them, after glancing sideways at the the elven princeling she's attached to. 

Nods her head in agreement with the elven master assassin who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel. 

"Didn't think a mage would think to do that" quietly says the ground pixie who along with the highly talented elven magic user sensed what the individual they've been observing just did. 

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head in agreement with the naturally magical creature who is attached to him, then he quietly says "They're not exactly known for being subtle". 

Narladene grunts in agreement with that, then they watch as the mage starts walking again after he waves the soldiers with him forward. 

They've been observing the powerful practitioner of magic in the Vexillian army since locating him. For the simple reason the mage is hunting another mage. And that other mage is Mira Reinholt. 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name and title, starts floating forward again, so that he keeps pace with the mage and soldiers down below in the forest. 

As he does, the elven master archer quietly says to the ground pixie on his right shoulder "If he creates one before I can intervene, can you stop it?" followed by "Or at least distract it?". 

"Hardly" replies Narladene who then sourly mutters "Those damn things never listen to me" she then says "They've got a mind of their own, and they don't stop until they complete their goal, or if something destroys it". 

"And destroying them is damn near impossible" quietly says the elven masterthief who is not just a member of Lord Farque's personal council, but is also the undead warlord's envoy. 

As he floats forward above the treetops and hills, the young elven princeling from Laerel quietly says "If he does, you might have to go and warn Mira" followed by "He can destroy it with one of his own". 

The elven practitioner of magic continues with "I don't even think Beldane with that wildly chaotic mace of his could destroy one". 

The tiny winged creature who was living in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic, when she first encountered Helbe the elven thief and others in the group, nods at that. 

Then the naturally magical creature quietly says "He probably couldn't" followed by "But I'm sure the cleric and that annoying mace of his can protect him and the others from one" Narladene briefly pauses before continuing with "Whatever type this mage down here creates". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head in agreement with the ground pixie. 

Then he let's out a sigh. For this would be a lot simpler, and he could take care of things. If it wasn't for the fact the mage he and Narladene are observing, didn't have extremely powerful wards around him. Not just around him, but above him, and underneath him as well.

Both protection and barrier spells far too powerful for the highly talented elven spellcaster to get through. 

And though Narladene could easily get through the mage's wards and attack him. The powerful Vexillian practitioner of magic would be able to get off a mageglobe, or a few. Before the ground pixie could kill him with her tiny little sword. 

For though it's extremely sharp, and can take out an eye with ease. It would take a bit of effort, and time for Narladene to slice someone's throat open with her weapon. 

"I'm guessing if he gets an inkling of where Mira is, he'll create one that will seek him out" quietly says the ground pixie who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains. 

Helbe the elven thief thinks about it for a moment, for in the time he's known Mira Reinholt, the once powerful mage has created such mageglobes himself. 

The highly talented elven magic user nods his hooded head, then he quietly says "Those tend to be slower, since they don't exactly know where their target is". 

The naturally magical creature nods at that, then she quietly says "That's true" and after a brief pause she adds "Those ones tend to be damn powerful too". 

The elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel grunts at that, then he sourly mutters "They're all pretty damn powerful to me". 

The tiny winged creature standing upon the elven master assassin's right shoulder, nods her head in agreement with that. 

As the two of them continue to watch the Vexillian soldiers and mage down in the forest below them. On this cold winters day here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

A short time later, and Narladene the ground pixie quietly says "They're on the move again". Helbe the elven thief slightly nods as he senses to the east. 

And though he can't magical sense his fellow spellcasters Beldane the cleric and Saanea the witch, who are holding their power within themselves at the moment. 

Nor can he sense Mira Reinholt the mage due to the amulet the Vexillian mage in exile wears, that hides him from other practitioners of magic. 

The highly talented elven magic user does sense Beldane's magical mace, as well as The Sword of Knockdown, that either sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Dorc da Orc has in their possession. 

As well as the shield of Saint Mar'che that the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic uses. He also senses the magical sword that Tamric Drubine the field commander uses. 

The only reason the young elven noble from Laerel is able to sense them at any distance, is because he knows them, and the properties of the those magical weapons. 

Normally spellcasters can't sense such things, even right in front of them. For the simple reason you have to actively sense for them individually. And not just sense for magic in general like pretty much all practitioners of magic tend to do. 

Sensing that the group is on the move again, heading south, after encountering a group of Vexillian soldiers according to Narladene the ground pixie. 

The elven master assassin is just about to tell the tiny winged creature something, when suddenly the mage and those soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil with him, come to a stop again. 

"What's he doing?" murmurs prince Helbenthril Raendril, who then nods when Narladene quietly tells him "He's going to cast". 

A moment later, and the elven magic user sensed this too, and before he can identify what spell the mage below them is going to cast. The naturally magical creature upon his right shoulder tells him what the spell the mage is about to cast. 

"Hell" mutters the elven masterthief who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, who briefly admires what the Vexillian mage they've been observing is about to do. 

There's a distortion in the air that appears in front of the mage, and it expands and moves out from the powerful spellcaster, and heads eastwards, gathering speed as it does so. 

"That won't locate a spellcaster" quietly says Narladene, Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head in agreement with her, then he says "But it will locate people, no matter who they are". 

"And he'll send a mageglobe after it, once it's located anyone" quietly says the ground pixie, who after wincing adds "Targeting a mage". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods at that as the two of them watch, then sense where the spell, which is now invisible to the eye is going. 

It's heading towards the group, who are a little over a half a mile away to the east and north, from the Vexillian mage and soldiers with him. 

"It's going to hit them" quietly says Narladene, who after a moment of silence, adds "Right, about now". 

"Shit" mutters the elven princeling, who continues with "Go warn Mira" after the naturally magical creature tells him "He's creating one". 

The ground pixie takes off, as below them the mage in the hoodless black cloak is moving again, waving the soldiers with him forward, as a mageglobe forms in his other hand. 

A mageglobe that leaps off his hand, and starts heading eastwards. Heading that way, not particularly fast from what the elven master assassin can see. Or at least, not as quick as some mageglobes he's seen in the past. 

Then after Narladene disappears beneath the ground as she heads eastwards to where the rest of the group are. 

The blurred and shielded elven magic user, shifts down to the ground. And though he probably can't directly attack the powerful mage. He definitely can distract him. So Helbe the elven shifts to behind the soldier closest to the Vexillian army mage and takes action. 

Meanwhile, further east and to the south in the forested hills, Mira Reinholt the mage stops, then says "You feel that". As he's pretty certain something magical just made contact with him. 

He looks back at Saanea the witch, who tells him "I felt it". Then the two of them look over at Beldane the cleric, who nods his head in agreement with them. 

"Felt like a life spell of some kind" says the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, who after a slight pause adds "I think?". 

The mage Reinholt winces, then mutters "Hell" as he realizes what that means. Someone is trying to actively locate them, and in all probability, trying to locate him. 

Most likely someone in the Vexillian army, no doubt a mage. After he killed one a little earlier on this cold winters morning, here in northern Vexil. 

The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, not just here in his homeland of Vexil, but right across The Southlands. 

Is just about to say something to the rest of the group as they continue southwards along the game trail they've been following. 

When Narladene the ground pixie suddenly appears right in front of his face, causing him to flinch back in surprise. 

Then the naturally magical creature quickly tells him something, that causes the mage Reinholt to scowl, then mutter "Oh really?" followed by "By the shape of fire, we'll fucking see about that" . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 92.

Northern Vexil. 

Lord Farque brings the wyvern around, and starts taking it down to one of the nearby hilltops he's been circling. 

Before the large winged creature sets down, the undead warlord glances back north, to a little under a mile away. On the side of one of the hills he sees that the group has encountered a number of Vexillian soldiers. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord rolls his eyes, and shakes his full helmed head, then he has the wyvern land between the trees at the top of the hill. 

With the wyvern settling down, wings folded along it's back, and eyes on the undead being who has taken it from a Vexillian aircorp rider. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque steps forward, and looks down. The hill he's on is steep on one side, almost vertical, basically a cliff. 

And down below, over a couple hundred feet, is a forest road, on which is a column of Vexillian foot soldiers. 

From his position looking south, the lord of the death realm looks into the trees to the right of the road. And he slightly nods to himself at what he sees and senses. 

Looking back at the Vexillian soldiers on the march, on this cold winters morning here in the north of the city-state. Lord Farque quietly says to himself "Haven't noticed them yet". 

They will soon, the undead warlord thinks to himself as he watches what's about to happen down on the forest road that goes by the hill he's on top of. 

A member of the Geist company guards comes back and informs commander Kilmas of what's up ahead, a forest road and who is on it. 

The company commander doesn't have to think long about it, and he looks over at captain Hafnah, who along with a number of his company, has just joined up with the commander and those with him. 

Kilmas quickly outlines what he wants done, and captain Hafnah the cockatrice rider agrees with him. Even though they're outnumbered. 

Then the commander of the Geist company guard has someone shut up the wagons and those on them, who have just come in, and joined them. Who were making a racket as they came through the forest. 

Kilmas waves over some of his officers, and mercenary leaders he trusts and informs them what's up ahead, and what they're going to do about it. 

They move off to give out orders, and the commander of the Geist company guard, nods to captain Hafnah to get underway. 

The mercenary captain and those of his company move out, walking their mounts, heading to the forest road that's nearby. 

They soon mount up, and once they're in front of the rest of the force that commander Kilmas has with him. 

They take the leather binders off the eyes of the magical creatures that they ride. And start moving at speed through the trees. 

While behind them, mercenaries as well as guards in the Geist Trading Company hurry forward. 

Those with bows and crossbows moving to the front, hoping to set up position once they get to the forest road that's close by. Others are drawing weapons as they begin hurrying forward through the trees. 

While the wagons that have just joined those who are led by commander Kilmas, move forward as well, following the others at a distance. 

Up on the cliff like hill, Lord Farque who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

Looks down into the trees off to the west side of the forest road, looking at what he can already sense. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord watches as the cockatrice riders move their mounts between the tree trunks, heading quickly towards the nearby forest road. 

The undead warlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer. Glances back amongst the trees, and sees those on foot. 

Mercenaries, along with guards from the Geist Trading Company. Who are hurrying forward, towards the road that the cockatrice riders have almost reached. 

The lord of the death realm then slightly nods to himself when he sees the wagons further back still. Are on the move, following after those on foot. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque will keep an eye on those more than anything else. 

Though he does watch what's happening up ahead. Where the cockatrice, and their riders. Are about to come out of the trees to the west of the forest road, that winds it's way to the nearby border further to the north. 

A keen eyed soldier towards the front of the column spots them, as he looks away to his left amongst the trees, and he shouts out a warning. 

"Cockatrice!" followed by "To the west!" he then adds "Mercenaries!". 

Though a few in the column of Vexillian foot soldiers, either stop and look to the west, their left. And others who are continuing to walk, look that way too. 

The vast majority of the column of soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil, look down at the ground, while drawing weapons. 

Many with spears, move to the left side of the column after hearing that shouted warning from a fellow soldier towards the front of the column. 

You see the thing with soldiers in an army such as the Vexillian one. They've trained alongside cockatrice, and their riders. As their army has an entire division of them. 

And though most combatants, either soldiers from various armies, or mercenaries from different companies. 

Don't know how to fight with, and against mounted cockatrice. Not so with those in the armies of the city-state of Vexil. 

And though captain Hafnah and his fellow cockatrice riders surprise a number of the column of Vexillian soldiers. 

It's not particularly a lot of them. And not just that, many of the riders and their mounts find themselves running towards a line of spearmen. 

Who have their weapons braced, while their heads are down, looking at the ground on this cold winters day here in the hill country that makes up a lot of the very north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Riders turn their cockatrice to the side, some going left, others to the right, along the west edge of the forest road after they make their way out of the treeline. 

Those with throwing weapons, biff them. Not just at the Vexillian soldiers who are standing their motionless after looking into the eyes of a cockatrice. 

But also at any of the other soldiers in the column, who are either standing there with their heads down with a spear braced for a mounted charge. 

Or are just keeping their heads down, so they don't get paralyzed by any of the cockatrice that might look directly at them. 

Captain Hafnah after throwing a dagger, that catches one of the spearmen in the neck, quietly says to himself "There". 

As up ahead, his second in command Marnell has just taken down one of the enemy spearmen, who has knocked over another. Who has accidentally stuck his spear into the soldier next to him, who drops screaming in pain. 

As Marnell brings his mount up, captain Hafnah rides his cockatrice right into where the soldiers are on the ground. 

He's followed by his daughter Danielle, and another of the riders in his company. As they charge their mounts into the gap in the column of Vexillian foot soldiers. 

Some of the soldiers move, while others whilst still looking down at the ground, wildly swing their weapons. 

All the while the mercenary captain, and those riders in his company behind him, who now include his second in command Marnell. 

Plow through the column of enemy soldiers, with their large mounts easily knocking over any of the Vexillians who get in the way of the cockatrice. 

Captain Hafnah is quickly through the column and now on the other side of the forest road, his fellow riders get through quickly too. 

And the mercenary captain has already turned his cockatrice, and is now riding it back into the side of the column of Vexillian foot soldiers. 

Entering where a number of the soldiers are on the ground, trampled by the large mounts, who are actually magical creatures. 

This time as captain Hafnah and the riders with him go through the column of enemy soldiers. They go at an angle, as they do, arrows and bolts start flying from the treeline along the west side of the forest road. Dropping Vexillian foot soldiers where they stand. 

A sergeant at arms, seeing the futility of what they're doing. Shouts out an order, which is repeated up and down the line of march. 

As almost one, the soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil shout and scream as they break ranks, and start running. 

They run off the road, to the west side, and the treeline in that direction, towards the enemy mercenaries who are attacking them. 

There's someone with at least half a fucking brain down there, Lord Farque thinks to himself as he watches the battle down on the forest road below the cliff he's on top of. 

The undead warlord sees that Vexillian foot soldiers have basically done the best thing that they can do. 

And that's get off the forest road, and engage the mercenaries and guards from the army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen, amongst the trees. 

Making the cockatrice all but redundant, as their riders won't take them in amongst their allies within the trees as the fighting gets heavier and more chaotic. 

And though the company of cockatrice riders attack the back, or east side of the column of Vexillian soldiers. 

A column that's now broken, and individuals are just running as fast as they can into the forest to the west of the road. 

They are far less effective now that the Vexillian foot soldiers are engaging with their allies amongst the trees. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who is now satisfied that the column of Vexillian soldiers are getting off the forest road, and are heading in the direction he wants them to go, and that's to the west. 

Sees that soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil don't yet know that they have the superior numbers. 

And should they do, they should easily overwhelm those of the army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen, who find themselves in this part of the heavily forested hills of northern Vexil. 

As Draugodrottin watches as more and more of the Vexillian foot soldiers run into the treeline to attack the mercenaries and guards from the Geist Trading Company. 

He briefly closes his eyes, then opens them and looks further back amongst the trees. And through the gaps in the forest canopy, Des'tier spots the wagons at the rear of the mercenary force that finds itself cut off from the rest of their army, who are further away to the west in the forest. 

"Time to even things up a bit" Lord Farque murmurs to himself, who then follows that with "More like turn it into a fucking shit show" he then silently adds, for everyone. 

The wyvern lifts it's head a bit, and tilts it to the side, as it watches the large heavily armoured figure that's taken it from it's original rider. 

The large heavily armoured figure that's now glowing slightly blue in the sunshine on this cold winters day, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

They first notice something when the injured company guard in the back of the wagon, screams after they hear a cracking sound. 

A scream that's abruptly cut off, followed by the sound of something, or to be exact, someone. Falling off the back or side of the wagon, and hitting the ground. 

The driver goes to pull up the wagon, as he does he shares a look with his fellow mercenary, sitting on the wagon seat with him. 

Then the two of them turn their heads, and look behind them. Something that both of them wish they had never done. 

The wagon driver goes flying forward after getting hit in the middle of the back. He goes flying over the pair of horses, who have stopped, and he hits the ground with a thud. 

The other mercenary goes to swing his crossbow around to shoot it, when he screams in pain, and he and his crossbow go flying off the side of the wagon seat. 

And he smashes into the trunk of a nearby tree, he smashes into it hard too. He's no longer moving after he drops to the ground. 

The horses take off in fright, taking the wagon with them. The wagon driver groaning on the ground, trying to move. 

Is first trampled by the horses. Then run over by the wagon. He's dead by the time the rear back right wagon wheel goes over him, crushing his skull apart. 

In the wagon bed, the three odd shaped boxes are broken apart, and in pieces as the horses with the wagon take off. 

And standing where the wagon just was, are three individuals, looking a little worse for wear if one was to look closely at them. 

But that's the last thing anymore should do, look at them closely. Because if you get close to them, you'll end up dead. 

For the trio who look corpse like, to say the least. Have a faint blue glow around them, as they stand there in the forest. 

Then they start moving, far quicker than a human should be able to move. They head to where there's fighting up ahead amongst the trees. 

There's six others just like them, nine in total. Who were in the odd shaped boxes, in the back of three wagons that belonged to captain Mackrin's company. 

The nine of them have all been risen, so to speak. And are on the move, their only objective is to kill everyone, and anyone they come across. 

And nothing here, in this part of the forested hill country of northern Vexil will stop them. Except for the individual who has raised them. 

Who stands upon the top of a nearby cliff watching what's happening down in this part of the forest, on this cold winters day, here in very north of the city-state of Vexil . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 91.

Vexil. 

"Calithmél iln Novumëd" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who follows that with "Milathril nillm Halisethelle niem". 

Lisell Maera the scout nods her head and moves off to the right where the smaller trees in this part of the forest is thickest. 

The scout leader in the Armies of Farque, arms her crossbow, and drops to a knee. While away to her left, behind a tall tree. The spy Tanith has his own unique crossbow in hand. And that too is ready to shoot. 

To their right, intersecting with the game trail they've been following this morning as they head south. 

Is an old overgrown cart track, which meanders it's way through this part of the forest, going east through the hill country. 

And on it at this moment, on this cold winters morning. Are a number of Vexillian soldiers, who have either broken off, or gotten themselves lost. From the bulk of their army who have been battling the mercenary army of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. Glances back in the direction he and the scout Maera have come from. 

The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae, can hear the rest of the group coming from that direction. 

The spy Tanith looks around the tree trunk again, down towards the overgrown cart track. And watches the Vexillian soldiers heading this way. Who will pass less than twenty yards from where he and Lisell Maera are hiding. 

The two of them, both in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. Are basically completely still. 

Dalin with the natural stillness of elven kind. While the scout Maera has been trained to stay completely still, since she was basically a child. When it was decided she would be assigned to the division in the Armies of Farque after she was found by the group on the streets of the city of Brattonbury. 

As he stands there completely still, the spy Tanith who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae. 

Can hear the rest of the group getting closer and closer, in particular a certain ork warleader at the back of the group. 

Who Dalin suspects even the human soldiers of the Vexillian army approaching nearby. Will be able to hear the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world fairly soon. 

The elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque, sees Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not she's called by the others in the group..

Make a small hand moment, and glance back his way. The spy Tanith slightly nods his hooded head as they wait in hiding. 

Lis takes aim as she brings the stock of her crossbow up to her right shoulder. A crossbow that once belonged to Shur Kee the monk which was designed by the ork weaponsmith Dorc da Orc. 

The scout Maera takes a calming breath as she continues to wait, and in the line of the Vexillian soldiers, who are basically moving in single file, with just a lone soldier out in front of the others. 

The scout leader in the Armies of Farque takes aim at an individual about four from the front. The soldier is a sergeant at arms, and is clearly older than the others in the line of march. 

While behind the large tree further to the left, the spy Tanith who has also raised his crossbow. A weapon that can extend it's arms to increase it's range. 

Has taken aim at what's clearly an officer amongst the Vexillian soldiers on the old overgrown cart track, which heads slightly uphill where it intersects with the game trail Dalin, Lis and the rest of the group have been using. 

Now Lisell Maera is pretty certain she can hear the rest of the group approaching from the north on the game trail. 

So she slightly nods to signify to the spy Tanith what's she's going to do, takes another calming breath. And shoots off the bolt in her loaded crossbow. 

An instant later, Dalinvardèl Tanith shoots off the bolt in his own crossbow. And the officer in the line of march drops with a steel bolt through his throat. 

While the sergeant at arms is already down, with the crossbow bolt shot from the scout leaders weapon going right through his face, and out the side of his skull. 

Lisell Maera has already pulled the underside of her crossbow back, and reloaded the automatic weapon. 

She shoots off another bolt as the Vexillian soldiers yell and shout, and scramble for cover. And the soldier who was out in the lead, drops to the ground screaming, with the bolt in the middle of his back. 

The spy Tanith's crossbow is also self loading, though it's slower to reload, and has less shots. But because it's can extend, it's more powerful than the one that Lisell Maera uses. And the next bolt he shoots off, proves it. 

For a Vexillian soldier running for cover, heads straight in the direction of the two who have ambushed them. 

And his head shatters apart when it's hit by the elven spy's shot. And the bolt continues on. And though it's flight is wobbly, it still slams into the guts of another Vexillian soldier. Easily going through his leather armour vest and gambeson. 

Meanwhile further back up the game trail, Dorc da Orc who at the back of the group, can hear and smell what's about to happen, suddenly says "Fight". 

Then the large ork takes off running, growling "Out the way cunts" to the others in front of him on the game trail. 

The ork warleader is already cackling, as he draws weapons in anticipation of what's up ahead. 

The others briefly share looks, with the exception of Shur Kee the monk and sir Percavelle Lé Dic who have taken off after the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

Then with a wry smile upon his face, Tamric Drubine the field commander dryly says "Might as well go after them". Next to him, Saanea the witch who briefly closed her eyes, says "There's about forty or so I guess". 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the ground, nods then moves off, followed by the witch who is his lover. Along with Beldane the cleric, Zam the ex mercenary and Tovis the war engineer. 

While Mira Reinholt the mage, and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman share a look again, and the rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, just shrugs her shoulders. 

And Mira Reinholt the mage dryly says "They're fucked". Referring to the Vexillian soldiers up ahead. 

And the two of them, members of Lord Farque's personal council. Continue walking at the pace they were previously. While the others rush ahead to where Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout have ambushed a group of Vexillian soldiers. 

The spy Tanith who has just shot off another bolt into some nearby bushes, and is rewarded with a yell of pain from a soldier in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

Suddenly says "Hell" in a dry tone of voice when he hears the loud commotion coming up behind him along the game trail. 

The spy originally from the elven principality of Alinlae steps further to one side of the tree he's behind. 

Then a chortling Dorc da Orc runs by him saying "Hey cunt" the large ork goes by Lisell Maera, who mutters "Fucking hell Dorc" after the large ork almost runs her over. 

Then the warleader of the ork race who is a general in the Armies of Farque, who amongst the group is only second to Lord Farque himself when it comes to all things military. Not that anyone bothers to tell that to the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

Is quickly amongst the Vexillian soldiers, some of whom are taking cover, or at least trying to. While others are trying to locate who has ambushed them. 

The large ork who is from the wolf tribe of orks, in fact he's the son of the former matriarch of that particular tribe of orks, shouts "Get some!". In the common language as he swings a hammer at one of the soldiers, who has turned and just stands there in shock, not really understanding what's running at him. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith just rolls his eyes, as sir Percavelle Lé Dic runs by him loudly muttering "Damn filthy beast shall not defeat them all, wot". 

As he runs after his bitter rival the ork weaponsmith, who has already slammed one of the Vexillian soldiers into the ground, with a swing of the hammer in his hands. 

While other soldiers scatter at the appearance of the seven and half foot tall, seven hundred and fifty pound warleader of the ork race. 

The former paladin in the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che goes running by the kneeling Lisell Maera, and runs at the closest of the Vexillian soldiers, and in his usual loud fashion. 

The noble born knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic, in fact he's a earl from the south of that nation, shouts "Take that you dastardly villain!". 

As he swings a pick axe in one hand, whilst holding a hammer in the other, at a stunned looking Vexillian soldier, who has turned to find a fully armoured knight, over six foot in height, bearing down on him. 

The scout Maera winces when sir Percavelle or Percy as he's called by the others in the group, slams the pick into the top of the Vexillian soldier's skull he's run up to. 

Lis looks over at Dalinvardèl Tanith and shakes her head, and the elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque just shrugs in reply to her look. 

Dalin lowers his crossbow as Shur Kee the monk who was following the ork warleader and the large heavily armoured knight, stops next to the elf who hails from the principality of Alinlae. 

"You probably shouldn't bother" says Dalinvardèl Tanith to the short statured monk beside him. Then with a nod of his hooded head at what's happening on and around the old overgrown cart track, the elven spy dryly adds "Those two idiots will take care of everything". 

Faintly smiling, Shur Kee the monk says "No doubt". And though the physical adept, who is an honorary member of Lord Farque's personal council, doesn't engage with the Vexillian soldiers. 

He keeps a close eye on both Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, especially the ork general, as they fight the soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil, that Lis and Dalin have ambushed. 

The ork warleader throws his hammer, which slams into the back of a fleeing Vexillian soldier. Who goes flying forward from the impact of the heavy weapon. His back broken, which is insignificant, as he's already dead from the force of the impact. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, slaps another of the Vexillian soldiers across the face, snapping the man's neck, killing him instantly. 

At the same time, the large ork grabs a spear that's jabbed at him. The ork general who has got it by the haft, yanks it forward, and out of the hands of the Vexillian soldier who attempted to stab the large ork. 

Dorkindle headbutts down, catching the Vexillian soldier in the top of the head, who stumbled towards the ork weaponsmith after the spear was ripped out of his hands. 

After dropping that soldier, the large ork flips the spear, and catches it in his right hand. The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, is surprisingly dextrous. In fact he's ambidextrous like all orks are. 

And he throws the spear, while at the same time taking a throwing axe from the front of his weapon harness. 

"Get some ya cunt!" shouts Dorc da Orc when the spear slams into the back of another Vexillian soldier, pinning him to a tree. 

The ork general is loudly chuckling as Tamric Drubine the field commander joins Dalinvardèl Tanith and Shur Kee the monk. 

The senior officer in the Armies of Farque is quickly joined by Zam the ex mercenary, Saanea the witch, Tovis the war engineer and Beldane the cleric. 

And a little bit later, by finally Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

As they watch the ork warleader and the noble born knight fight those Vexillian soldiers who have remained, and haven't fled like a lot of them did when Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic showed up. 

On this cold winters morning, here in the heavily forested hill country that's found here in the north of the city-state of Vexil . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 90.

Hill Country. Northern Vexil. 

They head south through the heavily forested hill country of northern Vexil. With Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout out in front of everyone else. 

After making a brief return, there's no sign of Helbe the elven thief again. While Lord Farque is up in the sky on a wyvern he took earlier from a rider in the Vexillian aircorp. 

They occasionally come across combatants from both sides of the mornings battle, here in the northern hills of Vexil. 

With most giving the group a wide birth when they catch sight of them. Especially when they see Dorc da Orc, who tends to trail the rest of the group, with the exception of Shur Kee the monk, who keeps an eye on the large ork. 

They come across a wounded mercenary, who recognizes them from being part of captain Marqand's company. 

He informs them that further south in the direction they're heading, is a fairly large force of the mercenary army. 

Those with commander Kilmas of the Geist company guards. And others in the mercenary army who have gone along with them. 

Beldane the cleric heals the wounded mercenary. Which ends up being a waste of time just a few moments later. 

As tends to happen when one is healed by either magic or a magic potion. The mercenary is a little dazed as he staggers away, not really looking where he's going. 

And where he's going, is right into Dorc da Orc, who has stopped to look into one of his sacks for something to eat. 

And the ork warleader being who he is, lashes out without even looking at who has bumped into him. And with a backhanded swipe, the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. Caves in the skull of the recently healed mercenary. 

Much to the chargin of Beldane the cleric who yells at the ork weaponsmith to watch what he's doing. 

The ork general in the Armies of Farque pulled his head out of the sack he was looking into, and looks down at the dead body at his feet. 

Then after shrugging, and ignoring the fuming cleric in the church of Glaine, the large ork went back to looking into the sack he just had his head inside of. 

A little bit later, and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout come to a stop halfway up a hill. 

As they look down to the south, to be exact the southeast, the elven spy originally from the principality of Alinlae, spots a fairly large column of Vexillian foot soldiers in the distance, making their way up one of the forest roads in this area of the hill country of northern Vexil. 

As they wait for the rest of the group to catch up, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy points and quietly says "There in the trees, further to the right". 

The spy Tanith who is speaking in elven, quietly continues with "Must be some of those in the mercenary army". 

Nodding her head when she looks to where Dalinvardèl Tanith has pointed, Lisell Maera quietly says in elven "Probably commander Kilmas and those with him". 

As they watch a spot in the forest over a mile and a half to the south of the hill that they're part way up. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as more often than not he's called by the others in the group, is fairly certain he spotted some of the cockatrice riders in captain Hafnah's company in that direction too. 

Then points to a clearing a bit further west to where they assume, correctly as it turns out, is commander Kilmas and those with him are. 

"There, that clearing" quietly says the spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland Alinlae. 

"There they are" adds the elven spy who is now a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well, can't see them all that clearly because of the distance, and she lacks the eyesight of an elf. 

But even from this distance, she can see the distinctive shapes of horse drawn wagons crossing the forest clearing that Dalin has pointed out. 

"Hell" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout, while next to her the spy Tanith nods his hooded head in agreement with her. 

Then the two of them look up, and they both quickly find Lord Farque and the wyvern he's riding, up in the clear blue sky, on what's a cold winters morning here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

The elven commander in the Armies of Farque is just about to say something, when he suddenly turns and looks behind them down the hill. 

And instead says "Something's up" he follows that with "Zam's hurrying up here". 

The scout Maera looks back and after a few moments she too spots the ex mercenary originally from the City Of Ruins, making his way quickly up the hillside to where they are. 

A short time later, and the trio of Lis, Dalin and Zam the ex mercenary are back with the rest of the group. 

And the spy originally from the elven principality of Alinlae asks "What is it?" followed by "Zam said there's a bit of a problem". 

Tamric Drubine the field commander nods his head, then says "You could say that". The young noble who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, after glancing sideways at Mira Reinholt the mage, looks over at Beldane the cleric and says to him "Tell them". 

"Bit of a problem alright" dryly says Beldane the cleric, then after a brief pause, the powerful practitioner of magic who is a member of the church of Glaine, says "Pretty certain a mage is after us". 

"Oh great" sourly says Lisell Maera the scout, who after immediately looking at the mage Reinholt, as she figures it's got something to do with him, she asks the powerful fighting cleric "And why's that?". 

"Because Mira killed one earlier that's why" states Beldane the cleric, who shakes his head, as the mage Reinholt just stands there and shrugs his shoulders. 

As he couldn't care less that a mage in either the Vexillian army or aircorp is after them. Since he killed one earlier in the morning, after a mageglobe was sent their way. And he sent one back in return to where that particular one came from. 

And the living piece of magic created by the once powerful mage was highly successful to say the least. 

Now there's another mage from the military of the city-state of Vexil hunting after whoever it was that killed their fellow practitioner of magic in the Vexillian forces. That whoever, being the mage Reinholt . 

"We'll be fine" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who silent adds, I hope. Before he continues with "We can deal with any threat to us". 

Though the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, wouldn't mind having his fellow practitioner of magic, Helbe the elven thief back here with them. 

As he knows the highly talented elven magic user can easily kill any spellcaster, no matter how powerful they are. 

And mages, especially those with all their powers. Are the most powerful of all the human spellcasters. 

The once powerful mage who is a Vexillian, looks at his fellow practitioners of magic. Beldane the cleric and Saanea the witch. Both of whom are holding their power within themselves. 

And he tells them "Make sure that you remain undetected" dryly followed by "If any of us are located, we're fucking done". 

Both spellcasters just nod, knowing that it will be either one, or both of them who will have to protect everyone else if they're found by a Vexillian mage. 

"Let's keep going then" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who gestures for them all to continue. 

Which causes Dorc da Orc to grunt, as he wants to get going. As he found standing around doing nothing, particularly aggravating since he knows there's fighting going on here in the forests of northern Vexil. 

The group head of again, going along the game trail they've been following as they continue southwards through the forested hills, here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout, who are only a short distance out in front of the others at the moment. 

Come to a stop when the elven commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque hears a familiar whistle come from behind them. 

And it's not too long before the rest of the group catch up to the two of them who are out in front as they make way south through the hill country of northern Vexil. 

"Dorc smells some people close by" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander when he and the others join Dalin and Lis. 

The spy Tanith looks at the others, and notices that Saanea the witch is standing there with her eyes closed. 

The commander in the Armies of Farque slightly nods to himself as he realizes that the spellcaster who hails from the Maldin Hills is communicating with her familiar at the moment. 

"That way" quietly says Saanea the witch after she opens her eyes after looking through the eyes of her familiar, which is a tawny owl at the moment. 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, who is actually paying attention for once, grunts in agreement with the practitioner of magic, who is the partner of field commander Drubine. 

"Who?" asks Lisell Maera the scout "Vexillian soldiers" replies Saanea, who follows that with "Cut off from the bulk of their forces further west as they chase after the mercenary army". 

"How many?" Tamric Drubine asks his lover, the dark haired witch from the Maldin Hills, which is far to the west, near the coast of The Southlands. 

Saanea replies with how many, and the young field commander nods his head and thinks about it for a moment. 

He quickly makes a decision after Saanea tells him which way the nearby Vexillian soldiers are going. 

"Dalin, Lis you can start taking them out if they go across our path" quietly says the young noble who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

The two of them nod, then quickly move off. Shortly followed by the rest of the group, who Tamric Drubine warns to be ready for any Vexillian soldiers who might come their way. 

He also quietly tells his lover Saanea to keep an eye out for the Vexillian mage in the area, who in all likelihood is searching for them. To be exact, searching for Mira Reinholt the mage. 

Field commander Drubine looks up into the clear blue sky on this cold winters morning, when Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson quietly says "He's coming back this way". 

After a moment, Tam spots up in the sky, the wyvern with Lord Farque on it, circling back this way. 

Looking down at the forests and hills below, Lord Farque looks to the south, and sees those he's set in motion, about to converge and meet up. 

The undead warlord slightly nods his full helmed head, then he looks straight down beneath him, as he has the wyvern slow down. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who is about five hundred feet above the treetops here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Spots the group, who he has been keeping a constant look upon. Though look isn't the correct word, as he's been constantly sensing them. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who senses a number of others, not all that far from the group. 

Has the wyvern continue to circle, and in a few moments, the lord of the death realm sees that it's a number of Vexillian soldiers who are fairly close to the group. 

The undead warlord slightly nods to himself again, as he sees that though the group is relatively small. 

They'll easily take care of those Vexillian soldiers who in most likelihood, they'll run into fairly quickly. 

Lord Farque after sensing further west, where he locates Helbe the elven thief and Narladene the ground pixie. 

Has the wyvern turn back south, so that he can keep an eye on the column of nearly four hundred Vexillian foot soldiers who are making their way northwards, or to be precise to the northeast. 

Which the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque definitely doesn't want them going to, as he has plans for a nearby old gold mine, which they might come across if they keep going to the northeast .

On this cold winters day, here in the heavily forested hill country that's the border region between Vexil and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

 

Mercenary Tales 89.

Border Region. 

The wagon driver brings his pair of horses to a stop, much to the chargin of his fellow mercenary on the front seat with him, who demands "What the hell are you doing?" followed by "Keep going". 

The slightly injured merc from another company in the wagon bed, who has hitched a ride with them, is thinking the same thing. As he eyes the odd shaped boxes in the back of the wagon with him. 

Clucking to his horses to get them going again, the driver says "Change of plans". "Huh?" says his fellow mercenary beside him, who continues with "You do know that's fighting we can hear back there". 

The wagon driver nods, and turns his horses and wagons off the forest road they're on, and as the merc in the back holds on as they start heading through the trees off the road. 

The driver says "There's a track not far this way". "There is?" says the mercenary sitting beside him, who has a loaded crossbow in his lap. 

"I saw it on the map" says the wagon driver, his fellow mercenary grunts, as he knows all the drivers in the company have been shown a number of maps by captain Mackrin, whose company they're in. 

"If you say so" mutters the mercenary next to the driver as the ride has got a hell of a lot bumpier now that they're going through the trees. 

Behind them, the wagon that was on the road with them, has also turned off the forest road, and is following them. 

It, like this one, has a number of odd shaped boxes in the back of it. As they continue south, though now they're going southeast instead of directly south. 

As the mercenary army that they're part of, is in a running battle with elements of the Vexillian army, here in the hill country in the north of the city-state. 

Helbe the elven thief looks down from where he's floating in the air, above the treetops. The blurred and shielded elven magic user watches two more of the wagons in captain Mackrin's company heading through the forest, in the direction he's sent them. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has sent all of the wagons in Mackrin's company, those with the odd shaped boxes in the back of them. 

Which due to the spells he cast on them quite some time ago, have survived unscathed so far since the Geists mercenary army have been here in northern Vexil. 

Away to the southeast as they flee the running battle which is predominantly behind them, here in the heavily forested hills of the border region, that straddles the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

The highly talented elven spellcaster glances at Narladene the ground pixie, who gestures up and behind them to the north. 

The elven masterthief looks that way, and spots the wyvern, and Lord Farque who is on it. High in the morning sky, watching the wagons that the elven master assassin has sent to the southeast. 

"Feel sorry for that lot" murmurs Helbe the elven thief, who continues with "And those they're going to run into". 

Narladene winces, then the tiny winged creature nods her head in agreement with the young elven noble who she's attached to. 

Then the grandson of the ruling prince of the island principality of Laerel shifts away, as he starts heading back to where the rest of the group are making their way southwards through the forest. 

Kilmas, the commander of the Geist company guards. Along with quite a number of his guards, not to mention quite a few mercenaries from various other companies. 

Have been cut off from the bulk of the mercenary army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered in their attempt to start a border war between their homeland of Vexil, and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

The guard commander sourly smiles as he knows that's not going to happen anytime soon, or for that matter, ever. 

But what he does know, is that the remnants of the Geist cousins mercenary army, is in a battle of survival this winters morning. Here in northern Vexil, against elements of the city-state's army. 

A couple of his most trusted men, have just run back down from a nearby hill, and informed him of what they were able to see. 

Commander Kilmas who was worried about more Vexillian warships turning up, sighs with relief that a pair of vessels in the city-state's aircorp, are further to the west as they head north. 

The commander of the guard in the Geist Trading Company doesn't fancy getting bombarded again anytime soon. 

He had enough of that earlier in the campaign, when nearly a quarter of the mercenary army was either wiped out, or incapacitated. 

A scout comes running in, and breathing heavily, he tells Kilmas "Commander, heavy enemy movement on our right". 

The guard commander grimaces, as that's the way he wanted to go. As he knows that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen, along with most of the rest of the mercenary army, are that way. As they all head south, away from the border, which they crossed over earlier in the morning. 

Commander Kilmas sighs, then gives the order to continue south through the forest. Though it's actually more to the southeast, thanks to the terrain in this part of the border region they're in. 

The mercenary captain Hafnah runs down a Vexillian soldier just standing there between two trees, not moving at all. 

The mercenary captain's cockatrice tramples the poor soldier dead, stabbing it's beak into the man's neck and throat to make sure the deed is complete. 

Hafnah looks around, and seeing no other enemy soldiers alive in the vicinity. He has his mount move off. 

"To them" commands captain Hafnah, knowing that his cockatrice will head off to where the nearest of it's kind are. 

Hafnah who has been around cockatrice basically his entire life. Know that the animals, which are naturally magical. 

Have a sense that allows them to locate their own kind. And it's not too long before the mercenary captain and his mount join up with a number of their company. 

Among them, Hafnah's daughter Danielle, as well as his second in command, Marnell. A short, almost tubby man. Who looks like he's always angry. But is probably the most level headed of everyone in the mercenary company. 

"Anything?" asks captain Hafnah after he joins up with about fifteen of his company amongst the trees. 

"Nothing here" replies Marnell, who then waves away to their right, as he continues with "Heavy fighting back that way, to the west". 

The second in command of the mercenary company follows that with "Think commander Kilmas and quite a few others are somewhere to the south of us" Marnell then adds "Looks like he might of been cut off from the rest of the army". 

Captain Hafnah grunts at hearing that, then as he tries to recall a number of details from the maps of the area. 

Another of the company rides in, this one from the south. And informs his captain that what Marnell said was correct. 

And that Kilmas, the commander of the Geist Trading Company guards, and quite a number of others, are away to the south, heading southeast. 

He also informs the mercenary captain, whilst up the tallest hill in the immediate area. He spotted a large Vexillian force coming up from the south. On one of the forest roads, the one that splits. And they've taken the easier route, which is to the east. 

"Hell" mutters captain Hafnah, who follows that with "They'll run into commander Kilmas and those with him". 

The mercenary captain winces, then after sighing as he's made up his mind, he orders those with him to head south, to be exact, to the southeast. 

So that they can help out guard commander Kilmas, and those of his company, and the others with them. 

Hafnah has a quick word with his daughter Danielle to see if she's alright. Which she informs him that she is. 

Then father and daughter, along with the rest of the cockatrice riders with them, move off. Heading to the south and east, on this cold winters morning, here in the heavily forested hill country of northern Vexil. 

The soldiers in the Vexillian army who left their camp before dawn further away to the south, are making their way up one of the forest roads in this part of the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

They're an element of the army's infantry, a mix of both lightly armoured and more heavily armoured soldiers. 

And though they're foot soldiers, they make good ground throughout the morning, as they head north to the border, where they've been informed of activity of what's likely mercenaries. 

Who last week, attacked a number of villages and small towns here in the very north of the city-state that's their homeland. 

A couple of scouts return to the column after making their way up one of the hills to the left of them. 

And inform the company commander that a couple of aircorp vessels are further to the west, and that they also spotted a wyvern in the aircorp. Seemingly circling near the border with the kingdom of Girdane. 

One of the scouts points it out, and the commander along with his second in command, can just make it out in the distance to the north as the column continues on it's way along the forest road. 

The company commander as he walks towards the front of the column, is waiting for the other scouts to report back in. 

As he sent out a number of them, in all directions as the company heads north along the forest road through the border region. 

And it's not too long before three more pairs of scouts return to inform him what they've seen and found. 

They tell of him nothing untowards in the immediate vicinity. But when the last pair of scouts finally make their way back to the column. 

These two who went further north, than any of the other scouts. They tell the company commander that they could here the sounds of battle in the distance, away to the north. Though more to the northwest than directly north. 

The commander of the nearly four hundred foot soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil slightly winces. 

As this branch of the forest road he decided to take, which will get them to the border quicker than the branch that goes westwards, before heading north. Goes more to the northeast, than it does north. As it goes around a few of the heavily forested hills in the area. 

"Ah well, nothing to do about it" murmurs the company commander, who after a shrug of the shoulders, orders the column to pick up the pace. 

The foot soldiers respond as they continue northwards. As they do, the commander in the army of the city-state of Vexil. Looks up into the morning sky to the north. 

And he spots the wyvern in the aircorp again. And he sees that though it's still circling. It's heading southwards, more or less in this direction. 

The company commander along with his soldiers have no idea that a number of different elements are heading their way. 

And that soon they'll be in the fight of their lives, on this cold winters day, here in the heavily forested hill country that straddles the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 88.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

"Filthy beast" is all sir Percavelle Lé Dic said when they joined up with the rest of the group, on a rise, just over the border in northern Vexil. 

And though from then, the large heavily armoured knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic, looks like he's ignored his bitter rival, Dorc da Orc. 

The noble born knight has constantly glanced, in a disapproving manner of course, at the large ork who stands nearby. 

As for the ork warleader, he's totally ignored the former paladin in the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Infact the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, didn't know sir Percavelle and the others showed up. 

Until he turned around to take a piss, and found them with Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric. 

Lisell Maera the scout leader just shakes her head as she looks at sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

As the former earl of Lé Dic constantly glares at the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, who stands apart from the rest of the group, here on top of the wooded rise. 

Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not she's called by those who know her well, is just about to say something. 

When next to her, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy says "Up there" followed by "He's heading this way". 

The scout Maera, along with the others look up into the clear morning sky here in northern Vexil, and they see a wyvern flying over the heavily forested hills. 

A wyvern heading this way. A wyvern upon which is the large heavily armoured figure of Lord Farque. 

Helbe the elven thief who has gone off, who knows where. Suddenly reappears next to Tamric Drubine, Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

As the wyvern drops down closer to the treetops, as it heads between the hills, towards the rise that the group is on. 

They, with the exception of Dorc da Orc, move back as the large winged creature, banks to the right, and comes into land. 

The wyvern lands with a flurry of flapping wings, and the undead warlord hops down off it as it settles down. 

Though only after it hisses in anger at Dorc da Orc who stands much closer to it than the rest of the group. 

Lisell Maera faintly smiles as the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque as he walks towards the rest of them, says something in the ork language. 

Which causes Dorc or Dorkindle which is his given name, to scowl in annoyance. Before he steps away from the wyvern, and follows the deathlord of Farque to where the rest of the group are. 

Though the large ork often glances back at the wyvern. And by the look on the ork general's face, Lis is pretty sure, he wants to go fly upon the large winged creature. 

Or kill it. Possibly eat it. Or for that matter, fuck it. The scout Maera isn't too sure. Probably all three of those things, considering one can never be certain with the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

The undead warlord just nods his full helmed head as he looks at Helbe the elven thief, who tells him "Just the dregs left". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel continues with "They're pretty much all over the border now". 

The highly talented elven magic user gestures down to the right of them, into the forest as he adds "Unsurprising there's hardly any Vexillian forces here" he continues with "Most of them are in battle or pursuing the bulk of the Geist mercenary army, who are further south, and southwest". 

Lord Farque nods his full helmed head, then says "There's a bit of a problem". He then explains what the problem is, as most of the group. With the exception of Dorc da Orc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and Shur Kee the monk listen to what the lord of the death realm has to say. 

Lisell Maera shares a look with Tovis the war engineer. For though they're loyal to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. After all they're in his armies. 

They're not that okay with some of the decisions he makes. Like now, as they find out why the undead warlord wants both the Geist cousins mercenary army, and the Vexillian forces here in the very north of the city-state. 

Moving away, further to the south and southwest. And not going anywhere to the east, here in the border region between the two nations of Vexil and Girdane. 

As that way is a number of old gold mines. The closest of which is only a few miles away. Old mines that until recently were abandoned. 

Until they were reopened by the elven maiden Salinéll. Who attempted to start a full scale war, not just between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. But other nations, as well as unruled lands here in the central region of The Southlands. 

"Ooohhh loot" says Dorc da Orc when he hears the mention of the old mines. Which finally distracts him from continuously glancing at the nearby wyvern. 

Which is lying down flat on it's haunches, watching them all. In particular the large heavily armoured figure of the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

Ignoring the large ork who is a general in his armies, Lord Farque says "I want that column of new arrivals gone" followed by "They could end up quite close to that nearest mine". 

"You want me to move them off?" asks Helbe the elven thief, who with a few easy spells can get quite large number of people going where he wants them to go. 

The undead warlord slightly shakes his full helmed head then says "Unfortunately there's stragglers from the mercenary army heading south, that way too" followed by "It'll be a fucking shit show when they meet up". 

The deathlord of Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, then says "What I want done is". 

The lord of the death realm then switches to the royal elven language, which only the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel can speak and understand. 

The eyebrows of the highly talented elven magic user shoot up in surprise as he listens to what the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque has to say. 

"You sure about that?" asks Helbe the elven thief in the same language, which gets him a stare from the large heavily armoured deathlord. 

The elven master assassin, who is a member of the personal council to Draugodrottin, winces. Then switching back to the common language, he says "I'll do it". 

Though by the sounds of it, most of the others think the elven masterthief isn't particularly pleased to do whatever it is that Lord Farque has told him to do. 

The undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, looks at the others, points and in common says "Head that way". 

He gestures upwards, then says "I'll keep an eye on things up there" followed by "I'll warn you if someone's near". 

The lord of the death realm pauses, then looks away to the west of the rise they're on, then says to them "Speaking of which". 

The others look that way, and it's Beldane the cleric who senses it first, as he's the most powerful of the spellcasters in the group, and he says "Mageglobe heading this way". 

Saanea the witch then senses it, followed by Helbe the elven thief, and eventually Mira Reinholt the mage. 

"Must of created it to seek out spellcasters not in the Vexillian army" says Mira Reinholt the mage referring to the creator of the mageglobe, and the living piece of magic that's heading this way. 

And though some of the group share nervous looks, Draugodrottin tells them all "Don't worry about it". 

"Easy for you to say" murmurs Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman which earns him a glance from the undead warlord. 

Which shuts up the rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Malisse. 

Beldane the cleric ducks down as he looks westwards, the mage Reinholt steps forward to stand beside him, and he too ducks down so he can look through the trees. 

"It's coming" states Beldane the cleric who can clearly sense the mageglobe heading this way through the forest. 

After a few moments of silence, Helbe the elven thief says "There it is". Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy spots it too. 

And a short while later, the crouching cleric in the church of Glaine says "I see it". "Same" says Mira Reinholt the mage who spots the living piece of magic in the distance, weaving between the trees as it heads towards the rise the group is on. 

"Like I said" says Draugodrottin, who continues on from that with "Don't worry about it". Both Beldane and the mage Reinholt get up from where they've been crouching. 

And the once powerful mage who hails from here in the city-state of Vexil, gets ready to create a mageglobe of his own. 

While the powerful cleric, along with Saanea the witch, as well as Helbe the elven thief prepare to create wards to protect themselves, and the others from incoming mageglobe. 

Lord Farque glances at them, and sourly smiles behind the faceplate of his full helm. The undead warlord then takes a few steps forward of them all, as well a few steps down the rise on it's west side. 

Then quickly the others all spot the mageglobe heading their way. The apple sized blue ball of living magic, shoots out from the trees, and up the side of the rise. As it heads towards the closet spellcaster. Which is pretty much all of them, as they're standing fairly close to one another. 

Then just before it reaches them, Des'tier puts out his right hand, and catches the fast moving mageglobe. 

The lord of the death realm squeezes his gauntleted hand, destroying the living piece of magic before it can end it's own life and explode. 

"Mira" sourly says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque as another mageglobe, similar to the first. Shoots off from the side of the rise, and head back in the direction the first living piece of magic came from. 

"Force of habit" says Mira Reinholt the mage with an unapologetic shrug of his shoulders as he along with the others, watch his mageglobe shoot off through the trees, heading west, before it drops down into the ground and disappears. 

The undead warlord just shakes his full helmed head, then says to them all "Get going". Then he walks over to the waiting wyvern. And in a few moments, he's up in the clear winters morning sky. 

Meanwhile, about a mile and a half away to the southwest, a mage in the Vexillian army, who is following a company of soldiers who are in pursuit of some of the mercenaries who have crossed over the border into northern Vexil from the kingdom of Girdane. 

Is frowning as he looks off to the northeast, as he can no longer sense the mageglobe he sent off in that direction a little earlier. 

Hoping to catch any enemy spellcaster who maybe trailing after the rest of the mercenaries who have crossed the border into northern Vexil. 

The spellcaster in the Vexillian army who is still frowning, wondering what happened to his living piece of magic which suddenly disappeared without coming to the end of it's life. 

For a brief moment thought his mageglobe was coming back this way. But he can't sense it, and for that matter, any spellcaster in and around the area where his mageglobe disappeared from. 

The Vexillian army mage shrugs his shoulders, then turns, and starts walking quickly to catch up with the company he's with. 

The powerful practitioner of magic walks up behind a few of the soldiers, who have stopped to wait for him. 

The mage in the army of Vexil is just about to say something to them. When suddenly the ground beneath him, and them, violently erupts upwards in a fiery explosion. 

Even if the Vexillian army mage was to hurriedly put up wards. They wouldn't do anything to protect him and the soldiers he's joined up with. 

As he, like particularly every other spellcaster, doesn't put up a barrier spell that also goes underneath him, and the ground he's standing on. 

It's the same reason why the practitioner of magic in the army of the city-state of Vexil, didn't sense underground. As he like pretty much all spellcasters, especially mages. Tend not to sense beneath the ground for any danger. 

It's why Mira Reinholt the mage had his living piece of magic go down into the ground, as it head off, back in the direction the mageglobe Lord Farque destroyed, came from. 

And why he made so, that when it came to the end of it's life, it exploded right underneath it's target. In this instance, a mage in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

So it's on the clear winters morning, the ground explodes upwards in fire and magical energy. Instantly killing the mage and the Vexillian soldiers with him. 

Sending what's left of their charred bodies, along with dirt, rocks, and bits of destroyed trees. Flying upwards into the sky in a mushroom like cloud of burning debris. 

Here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .