Ancient History 2.

More Than Thirty Thousand Years Ago. Another Galaxy.

With his HUD in his helmet, Imperium Legionnaire Commander Osaen Krom zooms in so he can see what's happening in the suburbs on the outskirts of the city about twenty kilometers from his position. 

The commander of the Fifth Legion slightly frowns behind the visor of his powersuit's helmet as he sees the refugees, mostly on foot, heading north and west. 

"Hmmm" Osaen Krom the Legionnaire Commander murmurs to himself as he stands upon a hilltop to the south of the city. 

The legionnaire who is monitoring what's going on the LegionNet, then looks down at the road that heads down the hill, to a nearby town. Which has been devastated by orbital strikes. 

Osaen slightly shakes his head, as from the fine capture from both his helmet HUD and his eye implants. 

He sees just the miniscule remains of a lone Calmaein tank. And not even a main battletank at that. More of an APC than anything else. 

Commander Krom goes back through the data of the attack on this area of the southern continent that he finds himself on. 

And it doesn't take him long. Less than a couple of seconds actual time. To find what he suspected he'd find. 

"Fucking ConFed" subvocalizes The Legionnaire Commander as he sees the orbital strike come from a ConFed Attackship in low orbit. 

Osaen sourly smiles to himself as he watches the ally Attackship bombarding the nearby town. Basically killing everyone in it, mostly civilians. 

The commander of the Fifth Legion knows not to question the orders from the Imperium. But that doesn't mean he doesn't think about them. 

And ever since he was given the orders for his legion to head out and help the ConFed take over the planet of Calmae. 

A planet that broke away from the ConFed centuries ago, here in an outer arm of the Imperium Galaxy where local governments such as the ConFed have more of a say on how things are run. 

He wasn't exactly keen on this operation. And from the quiet chatter over the LegionNet, his legionnaires weren't so happy about it too. 

Commander Krom slightly nods to himself as after a moments contemplation. He has a sneaking suspicion why this operation has no ISS (Interstellar Space Ship) Captain assigned to it. And why there's only a single ISS Pilot with the fleet.

As the ISS Captains are the only ones who can say no to the Imperium without facing any consequences. 

The commander of the Fifth Legion who thinks the Imperium should just fully take over the outer spiral arm governments. 

Or at the very least, have them locally govern just a single planet. Unlike the ConFed which is a collection of over twenty planets. Hoping to add another one with Calmae. 

Catches sight of something on his HUD then he switches to his soft implants to watch things. And a moment later over the LegionNet one of his legionnaires gets in direct contact with him. 

Sir, you see that? stet asks the legionnaire who is a mech operator. 

I did Glaine, stet, replies Legionnaire Commander Krom as he speaks to the legionnaire who he spotted up in orbit earlier, flying his mech directly to planetside. 

I'll be there soon, stet, adds Osaen who checks something, then continues with, ETA seven minutes, fifty seconds, stet. 

Stet, replies legionnaire mech operator Glaine. One of the finest mech pilots that Osaen Krom has under his command. 

Then the Legionnaire Commander who is continuing to watch through the LegionNet, through both his soft implants (Mind) and the HUD of his powersuit's helmet, the battle across the southern hemisphere of the planet. 

Runs down the side of the hill, and leaps into the air, and at height of about five meters in the air, the commander of the Fifth Legion activates his powersuit's jetpack. 

And he's quickly streaking through the sky at an altitude of a hundred meters, on a late spring day. Heading to the eastern outskirts of the city he's been observing. 

Osaen Krom takes his main rifle to hand, selecting projectile munitions. As the enemy tend to use beam weapons. With shields to match. Which are no match for the power of projectile munitions. 

The Legionnaire Commander doesn't even look further away to the east, a good fifty kilometers away. 

Where a massive explosion has occurred in the sky. From where a ConFed transporter, which has just deposited both troops and equipment..

Has been blown out of the sky by hidden Calmaein mech operators. One of whom must of had ballistic missiles. 

Osaen doesn't even have to assign some of his legionnaires to locate and destroy those enemy mech operators. 

As a number of his legionnaires have already moved on to that enemy position. And have already engaged them. 

Some Legion Commanders, and definitely local troop commanders. Might suspect that commander Krom's legionnaires used that ConFed transporter as bait for the enemy. 

Osaen would never publicly admit to that. But that's exactly what his legionnaires did. And with his permission too. 

The Imperium Legion Commander continues to observe the battle across much of the main continent, here in the southern hemisphere of Calmae. 

As he does, he engages his powersuit's camo systems. And he disappears from sight as he continues across the spring sky. 

Commander Krom soon lands next to a badly damaged building. Within which is legionnaire Glaine and his mech. 

The massive machine is in a crouching position, as Glaine keeps if from being too easily spotted by the enemy. 

After the mech operator gets out of his ride, and Osaen Krom opens up his powersuit's helmet, operator Glaine subvocalizes "Around this way sir". 

In response to his commander subvocalizing to him "Where exactly is it?" as he looks around at the environment. Which has been devastated by the conflict being waged for control of the planet. 

They walk about fifty meters to what looks like houses at the beginning of a quiet suburban street. Or what remain of such houses. 

Behind one of which, the legionnaire mech operator Glaine comes to a stop. 

Commander Krom sourly smiles, almost grimaces at what he sees. Bodies, some whole, others in bits and pieces. All of them civilians. Osaen looks at a young girl, six or seven at the oldest. Who is clutching a toy axe of some kind. 

The Legionnaire Commander thinks of his own daughter at that age as he and the mech pilot stand there in silence. 

After a few moments, mech operator Glaine gestures away to another house, which is burnt out and still smoldering. 

"More in there sir" subvocalizes the mech pilot, who continues subvocalizing with "They herded them in there, and set the place on fire". 

Glaine who was a good ten kilometers away as it happened, then adds through subvocalizing "I changed course, and moved this way, they moved off when they noticed me approaching". 

"Where are they now?" asks Osaen Krom via subvocalizion, even though he knows exactly where they are. 

Here sir, stet, says the mech pilot over the LegionNet, who sends his commander not just the data and location, but also a live feed from his nearby mech. 

The commander of the Fifth Legion nods his head, then comes to a quick decision, and through the LegionNet gives mech operator Glaine orders. 

"One of their generals is with them sir" subvocalizes Glaine the mech pilot as he looks at his commander. 

"I know" is the reply from Osaen Krom who subvocalizes too, he then adds "You won't get in trouble, if anyone does, it will be me". 

The mech pilot nods, then he and The Legionnaire Commander head back to the badly damaged building where his mech is located. 

As Glaine gets back in the massive war machine, commander Krom gets in direct contact with one of his subcommanders over the LegionNet. Which is a secure network that only the Legionnaires can use. Along with ISS Captains and Pilots who wish to speak privately with a legionnaire. 

You get that? stet, says Osaen Krom over the LegionNet to one of his subcommanders. 

Got it, stet, replies legionnaire subcommander Madau, whose nickname is The Death Dealer. 

After a few moments of silence, subcommander Madau adds, Target, stet. 

Commander Krom moves away from the half destroyed building as Glaine stands his six meter (20ft) tall mech up. 

Osaen who is watching multiple images through both his powersuit's helmet HUD and his soft implants. 

Then gives orders to both subcommander Madau and mech operator Glaine. Both reply over the LegionNet with, stet. 

Eight kilometers to the northeast, The Death Dealer who is invisible, and lying down upon the top of a building in an empty town center. 

Looks through the scope of his N4 sniper rifle. Not that he needs to. As his weapon is linked to both recon satellites in orbit, as well as the commander ship up in space too. 

But he prefers to do things the old fashioned way, and uses his soft implants to link with his weapon's scope. 

And when he hears his commander over the LegionNet give the order to shoot, he pulls back on the trigger, sending a mini ballistic munition, thirty centimeters in length, hurtling from the barrel of his N4 sniper rifle..

The mini ballistic munition travels at a speed of nearly five thousand meters per second. And in four seconds it's traveled nearly twenty kilometers, where it hits it's target. 

A convoy of ConFed troop carriers, along with tanks and main battletanks, are heading along a highway, a six lane motorway to be exact. 

And the command carrier, the non wheeled floating kind. Is about five vehicles back from the front of the convoy. When it's suddenly ripped apart by the mini ballistic munition, killing everyone inside, including the general who is in command of ConFed forces in this sector of the invasion of Calmae. 

At the same time, there's the sound of a sonic boom away to the south. That reverberates for kay's in all directions. For the simple reason this sonic boom came from the ground, and not in the sky from an atmospheric fighter. 

Osaen Krom flips up the blast shield of his helmet after mech operator Glaine fires a shot from his massive plasma cannon. 

The Legionnaire Commander Krom retracts the long spikes in his powersuit's boots, that held him in place. 

Because just about everything else within fifty meters of Glaine has been knocked over, including the rest of the building the mech was inside. 

Both the commander of the Fifth Legion and the mech pilot, along with a whole lot of the rest of the Fifth Legion watch as the superheated shot of plasma hits it's targets in a couple of seconds, over a dozen kilometers away to the northwest. 

There's a massive explosion on the motorway heading into the city from the east. And a cloud of debris goes mushrooming up into the sky on this spring day. 

As over twenty ConFed troop carriers along with tanks, and main battletanks in a convoy are destroyed by the single plasma cannon shot from the series Legion Mech15. 

Continue, stet, says Osaen Krom the Legionnaire Commander over the LegionNet to his legionnaires. A chorus of replies of, stet. Come from the legionnaires to their commander. 

The commander of the Fifth Legion launches into the sky after Glaine and his mech move off, as the invasion of Calmae continues. 

As he moves away, Osaen Krom decides he better have a chat with ISS Pilot after the invasion is complete. To see if he'll wipe that incident from all records. 

If not, Legionnaire Commander Krom is willing to take the consequences. If fact he's slightly smiling to himself as heads to the city in the distance, hoping that he does face consequences for what just happened. 

Realm Of The Gods. More Than Thirty Thousand Years Later. Another Galaxy.

Krom the god of the orks, faintly smiles to himself as he remembers something from when he was still a human being. 

The large man, pushes off from the fence he's been leaning on. And after looking around, he decides to go and look at some of the orks on the physical plane of existence of the world of Volunell. 

Krom disappears, and reappears near a slightly iced over river, here in the part of the realm of the gods, which is his domain. 

"Wonder how that mad one is doing?" Krom murmurs to himself as he looks at the passing water in the river. Who softly chuckles as all of his followers, the ork race, are entirely mad. 

"What's his name again?" murmurs Krom the wargod, as he sets the water to start swirling, and an image through to the physical world of Volunell starts to form in the water. 

"That's right, Dorc" adds the god of the ork race Krom as he watches what's happening with one of his followers. 

Ancient History.

The Realm Of The Gods. 

The god Krom. The war god of the orks. Makes his way up the hill to where his long hall is located. When he gets to the steps that lead up to the front doors. The war god pauses as he hears the ruckus inside. 

He rolls his eyes as hears his 'people' in the middle of a feast. The war god slightly shakes his head as he doesn't particularly want to be in the middle of that. 

Krom, who by all appearances, is a large man in his middle years. Decides to head around to the west side of the long hall. 

Here a part of the hill has been set aside for his use, and his use only. Even the orks here in the afterlife keep out of here. About the only time they actually obey their god in his realm. 

So much so that they've even built a fence along the west side of the long hall. Not particularly good fence, as it's a mix of wood in parts, and a stone wall in others. 

Orks, in both life and death, aren't particular good at building anything. They're great at making certain things, such as weapons and armour. But building things is something else entirely different to the mind of an ork. 

The war god crosses the twenty yards or so to the fence, which comes to about waist high on him in places. 

Krom goes to lean on a section of the wooden fence, and thinks better of it. And instead moves over to part of the wall that's made up of stacked stones and rocks. 

Which looks a bit more sturdy, especially compared to the wooden part of the fence, which would probably fall over if he leans forward on it. 

The god, one of the few remaining war gods of the world of Volunell. Gently leans on the stone section of the fence, and looks down the side of the hill, and at the landscape in the distance to the west. 

Krom sees flickering images every so often. Orks here in the afterlife, going about their business. Usually fighting one another, or eating and drinking which they tend to do more than anything else here in the afterlife. Which to be fair, is pretty much all they do when alive, on the physical plane of existence. 

The god of the orks sees a young ork, a child really. Or what orks call an orkling. Briefly flicker into view, and look around in surprise at where it finds itself. 

Krom with a distant look upon his all to human face, watches as an axe appears in the orkling's right hand. Then it yell and shout in the language of the orks, as it starts chasing after something. 

The orkling flickers in mid stride, and disappears from view. Though the war god within his mind, still sees it, along with every other ork that's here in his realm of the afterlife with him. 

Krom closes his eyes, and a memory pops into his mind. An ancient memory, from before when the world of Volunell even had gods. From before those would become the gods of Volunell even showed up on this world. 

More Than Thirty Thousand Years Ago. Another Galaxy. 

Imperium Legionnaire Commander Osaen Krom is pushed back in his seat as the gravity well of the planet takes effect, and the single seater ship he finds himself in plummets. Not that you actually plummet in space. You just pick up velocity. 

Osaen who is just wondering why he didn't take one of the dropships, flinches as off to one side, about three thousand meters to his right, a ConFed dropship explodes after it's hit by the debris of a Calmaein warship that's been torn apart by particle beam strikes. 

"That's why you're not in a dropship you idiot" Osaen Krom the Legionnaire Commander mutters to himself as his vessel continues to plummet. 

Osaen sighs, for the reason he's plummeting towards the planet of Calmae is because his single seater ship has lost control. 

The Legionnaire Commander who has crashed landed before, in a number of different vessels. Just shakes his head, as he tries to pilot his vessel through a field of debris. As the battle above the planet of Calmae continues. 

Osaen Krom grimaces as something slams into his ship, and he hears a loud crack from somewhere in the vessel. 

His helmet automatically comes up out of the collar of his powersuit, and envelopes his head. The Legionnaire Commander sourly smiles to himself, as his suit already has a pretty good idea of what's about to happen. 

Osaen who has lost most controls on his ship, can only watch as particle beams, and spacial torpedoes from both sides of the conflict go flying by him in all directions. 

By an utter miracle, Commander Krom who is kinda physically piloting his single seater ship. Goes through the wrecked hull of a ConFed transporter. 

Entering through one side, and going out the ragged hole in the other side of the massive vessel that exploded just after it came out of FTL flight. 

Though he does mutter "Fucking hell" as he sits there holding the joystick which he's yanked out of it's mount because he pulled back on it with so much force. 

The commander in the Imperium Legionnaires sighs, then drops the joystick in the footwell. Kinda wishing his hard implants weren't so powerful. 

Osaen tries flying the vessel by the UI, and when that fails, he tries the touch interface. And that fails too. 

Commander Krom rolls his eyes, then not bothering to use the ship's comms, since they're not working. 

He directly communicates to the command ship using his powerful implants. The soft implants which can be used to communicate for hundreds of kilometers, even in space. 

Commander Krom reporting, stet, says Osaen via a secure Legionnaire network.

Ship out of control, and heading planetside, stet, continues the commander of the Fifth Legion. 

Though not one to usually show it, especially in front of his legionnaires. Osaen Krom nervously swallows when he hears no reply from the command ship. 

The Legionnaire Commander is just wondering if the command ship has been destroyed. He can't tell, because he's unable to access any telemetry of the overall battle at the moment. 

When suddenly his vessel rolls to the left, and he's shoved back into his seat as the single seater ship picks up even more speed. 

"Fuck" groans Osaen Krom as he wonders how he's experiencing so many gee's, when he's yet to drop down into the upper atmosphere of the planet Calmae. 

Then the vessel starts weaving from side to side at an incredible velocity, which would render anyone with lesser hard implants than a legionnaire unconscious. 

Commander Krom winces and grimaces, not just at the forces he finds himself under. But also because he's going through the heart of the battle. 

With particle beams, spacial torpedoes, and even upper atmosphere missles and velocity munitions flying all over the place, as hundreds and hundreds of ships, both large and small. From both sides of the conflict, battle it out above the planet of Calmae. 

The legionnaire commander slowly lets out a breath as he realizes what's happening. And he nods to himself. 

For though there's no ISS Captain with the fleet. If there was, the combined Legion and ConFed fleet wouldn't be in this mess. 

There is a pilot from the ISS onboard the command ship. A pilot who has taken over control of Osaen Krom's single seater ship. 

And by the HUD that's suddenly working again in his helmet, and the ship's UI. The ISS pilot has taken over a lot of the vessels in the combined fleet, which were previously out of control. Or under heavy attack from the enemy. 

The Legionnaire Commander glances to his left, and rolls his eyes at what he sees. The commander of the Fifth Legion doesn't bother reprimanding one of his legionnaires. Who is in his power mech, flying down to the upper atmosphere of Calmae. 

"Probably safer than any of us" mutters Osaen Krom as the power mech is shooting off ballistic missiles in space at a Calmae orbital fighter that's got too close. 

Commander Krom snorts then chuckles as the enemy fighter is blown apart, as it's shields were no match for ballistic missiles designed to destroy other power mechs, and main battletanks. 

Then in mid chuckle, the Legionnaire Commander gulps, then grimaces as his vessel basically stands on it's nose. 

He winces as he has a pretty good idea of what's about to happen. 

"Yep" murmurs Osaen Krom, who then let's out a sigh as the thrusters which he gave up trying to ignite some time ago, suddenly engage. 

And his single seater ship, officially designated a SSDS or single seater dropship. Or unofficially called a flying coffin by the legionnaires. 

"Thought that was going to happen" adds the Legionnaire Commander as his SSDS is shot straight down into the upper atmosphere of the planet Calmae. 

The heat shield slams up over the canopy, much to the relief of Osaen who is pretty sure this class of vessel shouldn't be able to enter atmosphere at such an angle. That angle being straight down. 

After just a few seconds, the heat shield retracts, and the Legionnaire Commander who is now tracking both Legionnaires, as well as ConFed soldiers, entering the atmosphere. Not to mention the Calmaein forces defending their planet. 

Looks straight up, as his single seater ship starts to slowly level out. And he sees a ConFed heavy transporter. Basically a massive dropship. 

Streaking fire and debris as it passes overhead just a few hundred meters, as it rapidly drops down out of the atmosphere. 

Watching the doomed ConFed vessel heading towards the ground below. Commander Krom suddenly feels his SSDS lose power. 

"Ah" murmurs Osaen Krom, who then silently adds, well that fucking sucks. 

CS1 to SSDS18 you'll have to glide her in, stet, says a voice over the LegionNet. 

SSDS18 to CS1 understood, stet, replies Osaen Krom who sees a flight path for him that's come up in both his internal net (Within his mind) and on the HUD of his powersuit's helmet. 

Tell the ISS Pilot thanks, stet, adds the Legionnaire Commander, who knows that no way in hell he could of brought his vessel through the battle up in orbit, down into the atmosphere of Calmae without the help of the ISS Pilot. 

You already have Commander, stet is the reply from the voice onboard the command ship. Which Osaen suddenly realizes isn't just on the LegionNet but straight into his internal neural net (Mind). 

Luck, stet, adds the ISS Pilot onboard CS1. And before the Legionnaire Commander can reply. Comms from the command ship is cut off to him. 

And he understands why, and he pushes most of the other data he's taking in, into the background. As the ISS Pilot wants him to concentrate on bringing the SSDS down in one piece. 

Using both the UI and the touch interface, to control the gliding vessel. What little control he has over those two systems. As he's using power from his own suit to barely run them. 

It takes Osaen Krom nearly twelve minutes of flight to bring the SSDS down to land. Barely avoiding both SAMs and AtmoBeams. 

Both of which need their targets to have a hell of a lot more power than Commander Krom's vessel is pumping out, to get a lock on. 

Osaen who just glad there's no enemy mechs around in the immediate vicinity, who would definitely destroy his SSDS. 

Grimaces as his crippled, basically powerless vessel starts wobbling in midair as it gets closer to the ground. 

"Ah fuck" mutters the commander of the Fifth Legion just before his ship crashes into the ground. 

Osaen Krom, who would freely admit he's an average pilot at best. Especially when it comes to orbital, and space flight. 

Though to be fair he's an above average pilot in atmospheric flight. Especially in planes that actually work. 

Is somewhat of an expert in crashing. As he's done it plenty enough during his time in the Imperium Legions. 

Didn't even bother to deploy the impact foam, or even extra nanites to cushion the blow from crashing. 

As his hard implants and powesuit easily absorbed the impact of the crash. As the SSDS is more or less still in one piece. Though bits and pieces, are flung out behind it, as it dug a trench in the ground for nearly a hundred meters along from when it hit before stopping. 

The restraints retract, and Osaen cuts the power from his suit to the downed vessel, then he has to kick up at the canopy a couple of times, sending it flying as it won't open manually. 

"Government made piece of shit" mutters the Legionnaire Commander as he climbs out of the wreck of his ship, and looks around. 

You alright sir, stet, says subcommander Madau aka The Death Dealer over the LegionNet. 

Looks like you crashed, continues the subcommander, who after a pause adds, again, stet. 

Osaen Krom ignores the laughter from various legionnaires over the LegionNet and just shakes his head as he scans the immediate vicinity. 

I didn't crash, that was just a vigorous landing, stet, is the dry sounding reply from the commander of the Fifth Legion. 

Howls of laughter continue over the LegionNet at that, and even more when The Death Dealer says. 

I don't know sir, that looked like a pretty good crash from here, followed by, infact one of your better ones, stet. 

Legionnaire Commander Krom sourly smiles to himself. Then after finishing his scans, he starts issuing orders. 

As he does, Osaen moves off. Thinking to himself he won't do that again. Which it turns out, he will do again in future, as he has lousy luck when it comes to dropping planetside during operations. 

And though he might not be a great pilot of space and orbital ships. He is great at one thing. And that's battle. Which he's about to enter, here on the rebel world of Calmae . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 100.

Vexil. 

They've been working at this particular mine for most of the winter. Even getting help from the workers from the mine a bit further to the east. Which is unworkable this winter due to it being a pit mine. With the pit half full of water, mostly from snowmelt. 

But this mine, the one out of the three that's furthest west. Is an underground mine, originally dug out by hill dwarves centuries ago. 

It's after their midday meal in camp. A camp that's made up of half a dozen tents, and a wooden shack amongst the trees to the side of the mine entrance in the face of a hill. 

That a few of them spot something in the sky to the west heading this way. At first thinking it one of the Vexillian patrol vessels they occasionally spot here in the hill country in the north of the city-state. 

Which when they do see, they run for cover, hoping their temporary camp isn't spotted amongst the trees. 

But this time it turns out it's something different in the clear winters sky. It's a wyvern, upon which are a trio of people. 

Which lands nearby, in the clearing not far from the camp and the mine entrance. And those few out in the open recognize two of those making their way towards them from where the wyvern has settled down. 

"How did you do that?" quietly murmurs Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy in his native language. 

"We look exactly like those two elven warders" is the reply from Helbe the elven thief in the same language. 

The spy Tanith who is originally from the elven principality of Alinlae, lifts a questioning eyebrow at that. 

And the highly talented elven magic user quietly tells him "I read Beldane's mind to see what they looked like". 

The elven masterthief gestures to where Lord Farque is talking to a pair of the miners, and quietly tells Dalinvardèl in a dry tone of voice "No way could I read his" followed in an even drier tone with "Or Dorc's". 

Which causes the elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division in the Armies of Farque, to grin until Lord Farque glances back at them, and both elves hear him mutter in elven "Would you two shut the fuck up". 

The pair of elves, one a member of the royal family that rules the Island principality of Laerel. And the other who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae. 

Fall silent as the undead warlord continues to speak with a pair of the miners, while a third has gone into the nearby entrance in the side of the hill, to get the mine boss. 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel to give him his full name and title. And Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

Walk forward to stand just behind and to the side of the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque. 

Who now waits in silence for the mine boss to show up. While the two miners he's been talking to. Stand off to one side, looking a little nervously at the lord and ruler of Lands Farque. 

It's not too long before the third miner returns, coming out of the nearby tunnel. And with him is the mine boss. A dwarf, who looks suspiciously at the lord of the death realm. 

Then he relaxes when he spots the two elves standing a bit back from the large intimidating figure in the full suit of blue, black coloured plate armour. 

"Jarkellé, Gillomōnt" says the dwarf who is the boss of this particular mine which has been reopened recently, who continues with "What's all this then?" after he glances sideways at the deathlord of Farque. 

"Galmus" says Helbe the elven thief who the miners think is the elven warder named Jarkellé "Slight change of plans" adds the elven magic user, who has quickly read the mind of the dwarf who is in charge of this particular mine. 

The elven masterthief gestures at the undead warlord, and continues with "This is an associate of Salinéll's" he follows that with "Lord Farque". 

The elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel then says "He'll explain things, and what's to be done". 

Galmus the dwarf, who not a particular old dwarf at just a couple hundred years old, grunts then looks at the large heavily armoured figure who even towers over the tall elves. 

"I understand Salinéll has you send the gold down to the city of Vexil, directly to a certain shall we say place of business" says Lord Farque, which gets a grunt of agreement from the dwarf in the heavy leather smock. 

"That's no longer feasible, as that business has come under the scrutiny of the city council, and more importantly the Mage Council" adds the undead warlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

"Shit" sourly mutters the dwarven mine boss, while the trio of human miners standing nearby wince at hearing that. 

"Indeed" dryly says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who continues on with "Plans have been made to get around this". 

The lord of the death realm who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer, then says "Instead the gold will be sent to one of the city's counting houses". 

The deathlord of Farque then names the counting house that he uses in the capital city of Vexil, one that the Reinholt Trading Company has a stake in. Infact the company, or to be precise, Mira Reinholt's uncle who heads the family business, is the majority owner of this particular counting house. 

"It will seem more legitimate if it goes to one of the counting houses in the capital" says Draugodrottin, who continues with "Especially if either the army or city guard find one of the wagons transporting the gold". 

Lord Farque then gestures at the nearby mine entrance, and says "Or if this mine, or one of the others is discovered to be in use again". 

The dwarf Galmus rubs his beard covered chin, then he looks over at the two elves who he thinks are the warders Jarkellé and Gillomōnt. 

"Which is a possibility" says Helbe the elven thief to the mine boss, the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel gestures away to the west then adds "Considering there's a battle going on that way at the moment". 

The bushy eyebrows of Galmus go up at hearing that, then he says "Her distraction is working I gather?". 

"More or less" replies the elven magic user who has cast an illusion spell upon himself and Dalinvardèl Tanith so that look and sound exactly like the elves Jarkellé and Gillomōnt, who are close associates of the elven maiden Salinéll. 

The dwarven mine boss grunts, then says "I see" then he takes a leather pouch handed to him by Lord Farque, who tells him "Letters of intent and introduction for the counting house" followed by "And a bonus for you and the other miners". 

The undead warlord then gestures to the wooden shack in the nearby trees, and he says "Let us discuss things in more detail". 

Galmus the dwarf grunts, then says "Of course" he continues with "Follow me my lord" and he leads the lord of the death realm and the pair of elves to the shack, that's both his office and abode here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

A little while later and Helbe the elven thief makes his way out of the wooden shack as Lord Farque finishes discussing things with the mine boss Galmus. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is the grandson of Prince Raendril walks away from the small camp and the mine entrance. 

The highly talented elven magic user glances over at the wyvern, which is resting in the nearby clearing. 

Then the elven spellcaster disappears as he blurs himself, and he quietly says in the elven language as he continues walking "Anything?". 

"Nothing" is the reply from Narladene the ground pixie who has just landed upon the right shoulder of the elven princeling she's attached to. 

"The nearest village is a further four or five miles to the south" says the tiny winged creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains. 

"Out of the hills" adds the naturally magical creature who first encountered Helbe the elven thief a number of years ago in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic. 

The elven master assassin nods his hooded head, then quietly says "They get their supplies from down in that village". Referring to the miners. 

The young elven noble who is Lord Farque's envoy, continues with "Once it's spring they'll see more activity up here in the hills". 

The elven master archer then informs Narladene that foresters and woodsmen from the village further to the south. 

Come up here into the hills when the weather is better, to hunt game and to take wood from fallen trees. 

"Think you'll have to do anything to keep the mines from being found?" quietly asks the ground pixie as the elven masterthief walks in a wide circle around the miners camp. 

"Maybe" replies the elf who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, who has something in mind to keep the recently reopened trio of mines here in northern Vexil, from being discovered. 

It actually helps that there's legitimate mines here in the hill country in the north of the city-state. Mines that are owned and operated by both companies based here in Vexil, as well as the council of the city-state too. 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril who is approaching the back of the camp and the wooden shack, spots Lord Farque and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy walking out of the shack, along with the dwarven mine boss Galmus, and one of the other miners. 

The highly talented elven magic user drops his blur spell as he passes behind a tree, and walks to where the undead warlord and the elven spy from the principality of Alinlae are waiting with the two miners. 

As the elven princeling stops beside the spy Tanith, Lord Farque says something in dwarven to the mine boss Galmus. 

Who after a moment of silence where he blinked in surprise a few times, the dwarf responds in his native language. 

Then in common he adds "Yes my lord" and bows to the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, who nods his full helmed head in reply. 

Dalin and Helbe share a look, and before the elven princeling can cast to read the mind of the dwarven mine boss to find out what he and Lord Farque just spoke about. 

The undead warlord says "Don't" in elvish to the elven magic user who is a member of his personal council, and his envoy. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel just arches an eyebrow, before he along with the spy Tanith follow Des'tier to the clearing. 

Where the wyvern has sat up from where it's been lying down, as it's spotted then walking towards it. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque hops up into the saddle upon the back of the wyvern. 

Then the two elves climb up onto the back of the large winged creature, who shakes itself after they settle down between it's spinal ridges. 

After Helbe the elven thief casts a spell so that he and Dalinvardèl Tanith remain on the back of the wyvern while it's in the air. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque gives a command in the language of dragons, which sees the wyvern briefly tense, before it launches up into the sky. 

Draugodrottin has the wyvern circle the miners camp below, and he waves to the dwarven mine boss Galmus and a couple of the other miners who are looking up at them. Then the undead warlord has the wyvern turn to the west, and fly that way. 

As it does, Helbe the elven thief after dropping the illusion spells from himself and the spy Tanith, asks the deathlord of Farque "Is that it?". 

"For now" is the reply from Lord Farque, who then falls silent as they head back to where the rest of the group are further to the west. On this cold but clear winters day, here in the hill country, in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Author's Note: Here ends "Mercenary Tales". The main storyline will continue in "Springtime In The City". 

Mercenary Tales 99.

Northern Vexil. 

After landing near where the group have stopped for the moment, Lord Farque calls over Helbe the elven thief, along with Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

While the others have something to eat and drink now that it's after midday on this cold winters day here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

"Wonder what they're talking about?" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout leader with a nod of her head over to the undead warlord and members of his personal council. 

She looks at Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who is sitting on a nearby fallen tree, who shrugs his shoulders in response to her look. 

"Helbe must of cast a spell" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who follows that with "I can't hear what they're saying". 

For as an elf with their naturally enhanced hearing, he should easily be able to hear the conversation about forty yards away from the rest of them. 

The scout Maera grunts, then she looks at Tamric Drubine the field commander, who is sitting with his lover Saanea the witch, and lifts an arched eyebrow when he looks at her and the spy Tanith. 

"I guess we'll find out eventually" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who after a brief pause, quietly adds "I hope". 

Tovis the war engineer who is sitting on a tree stump, says "I wonder if the mage even knows what they're saying" he continues on with "He still looks a little out of it to me". 

Zam the ex mercenary who is sitting on the ground next to the tree stump Tovis is on, nods his head in agreement with him. 

As they can all see that Mira Reinholt the mage is still a bit wobbly on his feet, and that Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman every so often has to reach out and hold the once powerful mage by the arm to steady him. 

As three of the members of the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque's personal council discuss something in private with him. 

While behind the four of them, the wyvern the undead warlord took from a rider in the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil. Sits there watching them, or to be exact, watching the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque. 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, looks over to where Dorc da Orc is sitting under a tree. Eating what suspiciously looks like part of a human leg, a thigh to be exact. 

Though the large ork is clearly distracted by the nearby wyvern. As he keeps looking over at it while he chews away on his lunch. 

Field commander Drubine rolls his eyes as he knows all about the ork warleader's attraction to flying. And everything that's able to take flight. Especially living creatures like wyverns. 

Tam who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, suspects the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, wants to fly the wyvern. 

Either that, or fuck it, and eat it. And in no particular order, as the ork general isn't fussy about such things. 

The young field commander refrains from sighing, and instead is just glad Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who is nearby. 

Aren't arguing at the moment. Which they started to do once the group got going again after the mage Reinholt was healed by Beldane the cleric. 

Who is off to one side, sitting with Shur Kee the monk as they eat their lunch, under the branches of a rather large tree. 

"At least we won't get attacked by any randoms" says Lisell Maera, for Lord Farque informed them that no one is in this area of the forest at the moment. 

And those that are closest, are further away to the south and heading west, heading that way rather quickly too. As they're the survivors of an attack by some undead that the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque unleashed. 

"That's something I guess" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as those who know him well tend to call him. 

As he along with the rest of them, with the exception of Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

Constantly look over to where the lord of the death realm is discussing something with members of his personal council. 

"You think it'll work?" asks Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman with a look first at Lord Farque, then at Helbe the elven thief. 

"Can't see why not" says Lord Farque as the four of them stand amongst a clump of twisted and gnarled trees, a bit away from the rest of the group. 

With a glance at the elven masterthief who is his envoy when it comes to matters of state, as well as negotiations, the undead warlord adds "Elves all look the same to a lot of people". 

"Thanks" sourly says the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, which illicts a chuckle from Mira Reinholt the mage, who says "True". 

Then the once powerful mage, who has pulled the hood of his cloak down off his head, shakes his head as if to clear it. 

The highly talented elven magic user rolls his eyes, then he looks at the large figure of the deathlord of Farque, and asks him "So you want me to go?" followed by "And presumably Dalin too?" he then adds "Since there were two other elves with that Salinéll". 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that his people also know him by, nods his full helmed head. 

Then with a frown upon his face, not that anyone can see it behind the faceplate of his full helm, the undead warlord steps forward and slaps Mira Reinholt across the face. 

The Vexillian mage in exile after wincing, opens his eyes wide, and is just about to say something to the lord of the death realm that he'll probably regret. 

Instead he grunts, then after cleaning his throat, says "Thanks" to the large heavily armoured deathlord. As now his head is much clearer than it previously was. 

The undead warlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, doesn't say anything in reply to that from the mage Reinholt. 

The deathlord of Farque instead answers the elven master assassin's previous question with "Yes" followed by "They'll never know the difference". 

"If you say so" says the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, who just shrugs his shoulders, then asks the large heavily armoured deathlord "When do you want us to go?". 

"Might as well go now" says Draugodrottin, much to the surprise of the three members of his personal council that he's talking with. 

"Er?" says Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who after glancing around, continues with "I know it's clear here where we are" followed by "But they're still in the middle of a battle in these hills". 

"I doubt for long" says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who continues with "The Girdanians aren't crossing the border, there's no more Vexillians on the ground approaching from the south, at least not anytime soon". 

Des'tier gestures away to the southwest, then says "The only fighting, if there still is any, will be far away to the south and west of here". 

The undead warlord briefly pauses before adding "Besides the rest of the group can start heading east too". 

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, then after thinking about something, he asks the large individual in the full suit of blue, black coloured plate armour "You coming too?". As he gestures to himself, then over to where Dalinvardèl Tanith is sitting with the rest of the group. 

The lord of the death realm nods, then says "I'll do most of the talking" he continues with "I just want you and Dalin to pretend that you're those two other elves who were hanging out with that bitch Salinéll". 

The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head in understanding, then he says "I guess I'll go and get Dalin and explain things to him". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord nods, then he hikes a thumb over his shoulder, to the wyvern behind him and says "We'll be taking that". 

The highly talented elven magic user rolls his eyes, as he's never particularly cared for wyverns, as they're fractious creatures, and are no where near as good at flying, or anywhere as fast as the griffons that elven noble houses use. 

"I'll just have a word with Dalin" says prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel, who then drops the silence spell he's had around them, then makes his way over to where the spy Tanith is sitting with Lisell Maera the scout, near Tamric Drubine the field commander, and Saanea the witch. 

"Heads up, here comes Helbe" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout as the elven masterthief makes his way to where they're sitting. 

As he approaches, the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel says "Dalin come along" followed by "There's something we've got to do". 

The spy Tanith quirks an eyebrow, then he looks at the others who are close by, and he shrugs his shoulders. 

Then the elf who is originally from the principality of Alinlae, gets up from where he's sitting, and makes his way over to the highly talented elven magic user. 

Who has turned and his making his way back to where Lord Farque is waiting with Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson. 

As they walk, the elven princeling who is actually younger than the spy Tanith, basically by a hundred years or so, says to him "This is what we're going to do". 

Helbe the elven thief then quickly informs the elven spy what Lord Farque is going to do, and what he expects of the two elves. 

Dalin's eyebrows shoot up in surprise when he hears what the elven master assassin has to say. Then the spy Tanith, who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae. Nods to Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman as they walk by them to where Lord Farque is standing next to the wyvern. 

The wyvern that hisses in displeasure when the two elves come to a stop next to it, and the deathlord of Farque. 

The undead warlord says something that the elven spy and the elven masterthief don't understand. 

And the wyvern after a glare at the two elves, hunkers down low, grumbling as it does so. Then all of a sudden, with it's head low to the ground, the wyvern starts snorting, followed by blowing air from between it's curled lips. 

As he gets up into the saddle, Lord Farque rolls his eyes, then in common says "Gnat" followed by "Leave it alone". As the wyvern is now trying to bite at something only it can see. 

Narladene the ground pixie softly giggles, then after one more dart in at the head of the wyvern, which tries to bite her again. 

The naturally magical creature wings her way to where Helbe the elven thief is climbing up onto the back of the wyvern. 

The undead warlord just shakes his full helmed head as the tiny winged creature goes by him, to land on the right shoulder of the elven magic user who is seated behind the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith climbs up behind the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel and sits down between two of the spinal ridges along the back of the wyvern. 

Almost as if he's reading his thoughts, which he is, Helbe the elven thief tells the spy Tanith "Don't worry, you won't fall". 

Dalin nods his hooded head in understanding as he figures the highly talented elven magic user has cast a spell on them so they stay upon the back of the wyvern. 

Which leaps into the air after Lord Farque gives it a command, in what prince Helbenthril Raendril figures must be the language of dragons. 

As it's the only language that can truly command a wyvern. A language that the large winged creatures instinctively obey, even if they've never heard it before in their lives. 

The wyvern lifts up above the treetops, and as the wyvern turns east, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy looks back and down. 

And spots the rest of the group in amongst the trees below. The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae waves out to them, before they disappear from sight. 

Dalin then looks ahead as the wyvern levels off at about a thousand feet above the ground on this cold winters day here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

As it heads east to what was previously an old abandoned gold mine here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Abandoned, until it was recently reopened by the elven maiden Salinéll, and the group who accompanied her. 

A mine, like other such recently reopened mines here in the north of the city-state opened by Salinéll, that Lord Farque now wants for himself . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 98.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

The guard commander Kilmas who has just seen one of captain Hafnah's company go down with their cockatrice to one of the undead. 

Is running through the forest, heading west with others. Both in the mercenary army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered. As well as soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

The guard commander looks back, and sees that the undead who was chasing them, has just been pinned to the trunk of a large tree by a thrown spear. 

Kilmas comes to a stop as he sees one of his own guards chop the head off the pinned figure. Then a soldier in the Vexillian army, who has just lit a torch. Sets the flames of the torch to the headless body. Then to the head that's lying nearby. 

The guard commander who is breathing heavily in the cold air of the winters day here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Looks around and sees that others have stopped too, and that they're all looking at one another as well. 

Kilmas who knows that this could all go badly after someone says "I think that's the last of them". Decides he better say something so that those from the mercenary army who have survived what just happened. Aren't then attacked by the remaining Vexillian soldiers, who definitely outnumber them. 

"There might be more of them out there" says guard commander Kilmas, who hopes to hell there's no more of the undead out there. 

The commander of the Geist Trading Company guards, who until earlier today thought the notion of anyone being undead was totally ridiculous. 

Whose thoughts on that matter have definitely changed, then says "Keep moving" followed by "Even just one of those damn things will wipe a bunch of us out". 

Kilmas looks around at those close by, both mercenaries in the gathered Geist army, and soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil, and adds "All of us". 

After a moments silence, a nearby sergeant at arms in the Vexillian army nods his head, then says "You heard him lads keep moving". 

The sergeant at arms who is nursing a broken wrist, continues with "And keep an eye out for anymore of those bastards". 

The sergeant at arms gets moving, quickly walking away to the west, loudly muttering about undead, and how he isn't paid enough to deal with shit like them. 

Guard commander Kilmas looks at some of the nearby mercenaries who are all looking at him, he nods for them to follow him. 

As he starts heading quickly away to the west through the forest, the way the Vexillian soldiers are heading too. As they all want to get away from this part of the forest they're in. 

As his fellow mercenaries follow him, the commander of the Geist Trading Company guards looks away to his right when he spots movement that way. 

And he sees a pair of cockatrice that way, as they and their riders are heading westwards through the forest as well. 

Kilmas wonders how many from captain Hafnah's company survived the ordeal with the undead. In fact the guard commander wonders how many of the mercenaries who were with him, have survived what's just happened. 

He suspects over half have been killed by the undead that they and the column of Vexillian soldiers unfortunately encountered today here in the hill country in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

The guard commander just shakes his head at what's happened so far today. A winters day unlike any other that Kilmas has experienced in his lifetime. 

Up a nearby cliff like hill, Lord Farque looks down into the forest to the west of the road that goes through this part of the hill country in northern Vexil, a forest road that goes to the border with the kingdom of Girdane. 

The undead warlord watches as the last of the undead that he unleashed a little while ago, is brought down by a dozen Vexillian soldiers and mercenaries. Hacked apart and set on fire. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

Watches as most if not all of the mercenaries and soldiers who have survived what's just happened, start heading west through the forest, that covers most of the hill country in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer. Slightly nods his full helmed head as he watches the remaining Vexillian soldiers, as well as guards and mercenaries from the Geist Trading Company army. Fleeing westward through the forest. 

The lord of the death realm watches them in silence for a few more moments, then Draugodrottin looks away to the east. 

Where further away in the hill country, is the first of the previously abandoned gold mines in northern Vexil. 

Gold mines that were reopened by the elven maiden Salinéll, and those who were in cohoots with her. 

The undead warlord who as usual is sensing in all directions for as far as possible, sensing both for magic, and life, which also includes death, slightly nods to himself again. 

Then the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque turns around, and walks to where the wyvern is lying. A wyvern that's been waiting patiently, all the while closely watching the large figure of the lord of the death realm. 

Des'tier climbs up into the saddle on the back of the wyvern, a wyvern that he took from a rider in the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil. 

With a command in the dragon language, which no one speaks except for dragons and Lord Farque himself. 

The wyvern crouches, then springs upwards, and launches into the air from the top of the hill. And with a final look to the east, the undead warlord has the wyvern circle back to the north. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord then heads to where the rest of the group are making their way south through the forest, on this cold winters day here in the very north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Meanwhile further west in the forest covering a lot of hills, here in northern Vexil. The cousins Gamil and Farsen Geist, who are breathing heavily. Share a look when they hear more shouting away to their left through the trees. 

The cousins, who are part of the family that own and run the Geist Trading Company. Who were part of an elaborate scheme to start a war between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. A war, whose architect, their so called cousin Misa Geist, was hoping it would spread to elsewhere, here in the central region of The Southlands. 

Come to a stop and look that way. Wondering who, and what could it be now. The guards from their company, along with mercenaries from the army they've gathered. 

Also come to a stop, and look that way as well, away to the east. In what's been a cold winters day here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. A day that's just gone by midday too. 

To either side of them through the trees, others from the mercenary army the Geist cousins have gathered, continue south through the forest. 

As they flee the Vexillian army, not to mention aircorp who are in this area of the hill country in the border region of northern Vexil and southern Girdane. 

"What's it this time?" quietly asks Gamil Geist the older of the two cousins as he peers between the trees to the left of them all. 

After shrugging his shoulders, the younger cousin, Farsen Geist replies with "No idea" he briefly pauses while he looks away to the east through the trees. 

Then the younger of the Geist cousins quietly says "Hope it's not more of them". Which gets a sour sounding grunt of approval from his older cousin Gamil. 

Then another shout comes from somewhere between the trees, away to the east of them. And the two cousins share a look once again, for this time they heard what was shouted out. 

"Hope the rider has got it's blinkers on" mutters Gamil Geist, which illicts a grunt of agreement from his younger cousin. 

Then Farsen Geist calls out to those in the nearby vicinity "Look down at the ground until we know it's clear". 

Next to him, his older cousin Gamil nods in agreement with that bit of advice, considering what's approaching from the east. 

Then as the Geist cousins look down at the forest floor, a voice in the distance calls out "It's clear" followed by another voice call out "Coming though". 

Of the two Geist cousins, it's Farsen who immediately looks up and away to the east, as he instantly recognized that second voice that called out. 

And it's not too long before he, along with his cousin Gamil, and the others with them, spot a cockatrice and it's rider heading their way..

Gamil Geist gives a sideways look at his younger cousin, for he like Farsen, has just seen who the rider is that's approaching them. 

The older of the two cousins, who have gathered a mercenary army over the last few months steps back and out of the way. As a cockatrice runs straight towards where he and his cousin have been standing. 

"Danielle" says Farsen Geist with a nod of his head to the rider in captain Hafnah's company, who has just brought her mount to a halt in front of him and his cousin Gamil. 

Who is glad to see the rider has blinkered the eyes of the large, magical creature that's her mount. 

Almost out of breath, Danielle Hafnah nods and replies with "Farsen" followed by "Gamil" in greeting to the two cousins. 

Then before either Geist cousin can ask her anything, the daughter of the mercenary captain Hafnah, says to them "Trouble". 

The cockatrice rider continues with "My father sent me ahead to warn you" she briefly pauses before adding "I know it will sound far fetched, but we've encountered undead". 

The cousins are silent for a few moments, then Farsen murmurs "Er?" while next to him, his older cousin Gamil just lifts his eyebrows in surprise at hearing that from the young cockatrice rider. 

Danielle Hafnah then quickly explains to the Geist cousins what's happened further to the east in the forest. 

How those with guard commander Kilmas, along with most of her father's company. Ambushed a column of Vexillian foot soldiers, who were making their way north along one of the forest roads. 

Then suddenly a group of undead appeared, from where no one exactly knows. And how the undead attacked anyone and everyone. 

Which led to mercenaries and guards in the Geist Trading Company army fighting alongside Vexillian soldiers in a fight for survival. 

As they listen, Gamil Geist who is the more skeptical one of the cousins, doesn't know what to believe. 

For though the thought of the undead seems utterly ridiculous to him. Captain Hafnah on the other hand, and by association his daughter Danielle. Are amongst the handful of mercenary captains in the army he and his cousin Farsen actually trust. Who isn't a least bit whimsy. 

For Farsen, he had no doubt that Danielle speaks the truth. And true, he's totally attracted to the cockatrice rider. 

In the time he's known her, the younger Geist cousin has come to trust the daughter of the mercenary captain Hafnah. 

"What's happening now?" asks Farsen Geist who doesn't question Danielle at all if she's telling the truth or not. 

"Anyone who's survived will be heading this way" replies the cockatrice rider, who gestures back behind her, and continues with "The first of them should be turning up fairly soon". 

Danielle Hafnah briefly pauses before adding "I guess there'll be Vexillian soldiers amongst them too". 

The cousins share a look and wince almost in unison, then Gamil Geist sourly says "Hell" followed by "This could end up ugly". 

Next to him his younger cousin Farsen nods in agreement as they and those with them, look away to the east through the trees in this part of the forest that covers much of the hill country here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

It's not too long before survivors from the attack by the undead start showing up in this part of the forest. 

And it's a pair of cockatrice riders who show up first, who have wounded upon the backs of their mounts with them. And it turns out one of the wounded is a foot soldier in the Vexillian army. 

Gamil Geist sighs, then mutters "Hell" once again. And with a look at his younger cousin Farsen, who has barely taken his eyes off Danielle Hafnah since she showed up. 

The older of the two cousins who have gathered a mercenary army over recent months, hoping to start a border war between their homeland of Vexil, and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

Starts issuing orders to those with them, to help the wounded, both their own, and soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

Who start arriving after an attack by some undead, on this cold winters day here in the hill country that straddles the border region between Vexil and Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 97.

Vexil. 

"Ugh" mutters Mira Reinholt the mage, who continues muttering with "What the fuck happened?". 

"You got blown up" is the reply the Vexillian mage in exile hears from someone who sounds familiar to him. 

The once powerful mage, who feels like he's been pummeled to near death, and that he's eaten a lot of dirt. Both of which is fairly true. 

Groans as he's moved by someone, followed by another familiar voice say "There you go friend Mira, that should be better". 

The practitioner of magic who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster opens his eyes, though he blinks a few times, as things seem to be a bit blurry for him. 

The mage Reinholt grunts as he sees two familiar looking people staring down at him, it takes a moment, then he remembers who they are. 

"Beldane" murmurs the mage who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil "Shur Kee" adds the swordmaster Reinholt. 

Beldane the cleric grins then says "You'll live" the powerful practitioner of magic in the church of Glaine who basically used his most powerful healing spell on the mage Reinholt, dryly adds "Just". 

"Doesn't feel like it" sourly says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

Which illicts a laugh from the fighting cleric, who along with Shur Kee, help the exiled Vexillian mage to sit up. 

Mira who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, groans as he sits up, then winces as he looks around. 

"By the shape of fire" mutters the highly skilled swordmaster, who follows that with "Hell". As he looks at all the destruction that surrounds them. 

The mage Reinholt who can see some of the others in the group heading this way, sees that every tree is down or destroyed, for hundreds of feet in all directions. 

As he finds himself sitting amongst debris and dirt at the edge of a rather large crater that wasn't here previously. 

The Vexillian mage in exile winces as he remembers what happened before he lost consciousness, and nearly died. 

Then the once powerful mage quickly senses out to the west, and asks "That other mage still around?". 

"Shur Kee says no" is the reply from the powerful cleric who hails from north of the kingdom of Nastell. 

Councilor Reinholt grunts, and looks at the short statured monk kneeling beside him, who says "Friend Helbe has done away with him". 

The exiled Vexillian swordmaster quirks an eyebrow at hearing that, and wonders how the physical adept knows that. 

Then Mira who guesses that Narladene the ground pixie might of informed Shur Kee of that, grimaces and wryly says "Maybe". In response to Beldane the cleric asking him "Think you can stand up Mira?". 

"Might have to give me a bit" says the once powerful mage as the others in the group start arriving. With Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout turning up first. 

The powerful practitioner of magic in the church of Glaine watches his fellow spellcaster closely. As he knows the Vexillian mage in exile was close to death for a moment. And that if he wasn't around, Mira might not of been able to be fully healed with a healing potion that each member of the group carries. 

"No rush" says the fighting cleric, who like many in his homeland of Nastell who worships Glaine, hails from the north of the kingdom. 

The swordmaster Reinholt accepts the water bottle handed to him by Shur Kee the monk. The once powerful mage takes a sip from the leather wrapped bottle, swirls it around in his mouth, then spits it out to one side. 

The spellcaster who was once, and still is, the youngest ever person to be named a member of the Mage Council of Vexil, then takes a long drink from the bottle. 

""Thanks" says the mage Reinholt after he wipes his mouth with his forearm and hands the leather wrapped bottle back to the monk, who is an acolyte in the order of Bru Li. 

Mira then sourly smiles as he sees the left sleeve of his cloak is ripped to shreds, and that there's more than a few holes and tears in the black hooded cloak that he wears. 

"Looks like I'll have to buy a new cloak" dryly says the once powerful mage who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

Which gets a laugh from the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and the short statured monk who with the help of Narladene the ground pixie, found the mage Reinholt in the aftermath of the massive explosion that rocked this part of the forest. 

The highly skilled swordmaster glances at his left arm, and slightly shakes his head as the illusion spell, and spell lock created by Helbe the elven thief where the lower half of his left arm, is still intact. 

Mira briefly closes his eyes, then slightly nods as he feels the bolt shooter, designed by Dorc da Orc, and refined by Lord Farque in the lower half of his left arm is also intact. 

The once powerful mage then says "I am" followed briefly by a pause, before he continues with "I think?". I'm response to Beldane the cleric asking him "Think you can stand up now?". 

The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine and the acolyte in the order of Bru Li help the once powerful mage to stand. 

And though he's a little wobbly on his feet at first, the exiled Vexillian mage stands steady once Shur Kee puts an arm around his back, and he leans a bit onto the short statured monk, who is an honorary member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

"Not looking to great there mage" says Lisell Maera the scout as she eyes once powerful mage up and down. 

The practitioner of magic who just happens to also be a highly skilled swordmaster, sourly smiles at the young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

The scout Maera chuckles, while next to her, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy just shakes his hooded head as he looks at mage Reinholt, who by the looks of things, is extremely lucky to be alive. 

The others start showing up, first Zam the ex mercenary, along with Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch. 

They're followed by sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Dorc da Orc, both of who are closely followed by Tovis the war engineer. 

Who was keeping a close eye on the large ork and the large heavily armoured knight who are bitter rivals. 

Last to show up is the rotund woman Malisse who is really Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of the woman who is originally from the unruled lands to the south of the city-state of Tuledare. 

"Good to see your still alive" says Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman to her fellow member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

"More or less" dryly adds the rotund woman as she looks at the state of the appearance of the once powerful mage. 

The mage Reinholt just rolls his eyes, and though he'd prefer to stand on his own. Even he can tell he's still a little unsteady on his feet. And that leaning on Shur Kee is the only way he can stand at the moment. 

Looking around at all the destruction he partly caused, the Vexillian mage in exile says to the others "Probably best if we get moving again". 

The spellcaster who just happens to also be a highly skilled swordmaster, continues with "We're a bit out in the open here". 

"No you don't say" is the sarcastic reply from Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin as she looks around at destruction wrought by a pair of mageglobes colliding and ending their existence. 

All the same, the rotund woman who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, looks over at Tamric Drubine and nods to the young field commander, who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

"Let's go" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

Even though he's still young, field commander Drubine gestures to the way they were going, until Mira Reinholt told them to flee. 

And the young noble originally from the forested north of the kingdom Sarcrin, who is a senior officer in the Armies of Farque. 

Says to the rest of the group "There could be more of them close by, or heading out way" he follows that with "Keep alert". 

The others nod to that, with the exception of Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic, both of whom are trying to covertly eye one another up, though both are doing a poor job of it. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout move out first as they are want to do. The two of them have almost reached the new treeline to the south, by the time the others near the large crater in the ground, start moving away. 

As they do, Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears walking beside Mira Reinholt the mage, and Shur Kee the monk, who the once powerful mage is still leaning on. 

"You survived I see" says Helbe the elven thief with a grin upon his youthful looking face as he looks at his fellow practitioner of magic, the mage Reinholt. 

The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster grunts, then dryly says "Thanks to you I take it". 

"Of course" says the grinning elven masterthief, who after a brief pause, continues on with "Though that last mageglobe of yours helped me out a bit". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel looks ahead at Tamric Drubine, who has looked back, and before the young field commander can say anything, the highly talented elven magic user tells him "He's up there". 

Looking up at the hilltop in the distance to the southeast, Tam nods his head when the elven master assassin tells him "He's on the other side of the hilltop". 

Helbe who just happens to be a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, briefly pauses before adding "He's unleashed them". 

Field commander Drubine winces at hearing that, so do a number of others, including Beldane the cleric, who more than winces, but grimaces before he mutters "Hell".

"For the unlucky bastards they come across us" says Mira Reinholt, who follows that with "Not us". Though he'd freely admit, he would rather be in the middle of another explosion like the one he was just in. Than encounter those that Lord Farque has just unleashed, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

So he changes the subject as they enter the trees to the south of the patch of destruction in the forest, and he asks the elven masterthief walking beside him and Shur Kee the monk "Know who that mage was I was battling?". 

"One in the Vexillian army" is the droll sounding reply from the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel. 

"I know that" sourly says the mage Reinholt with a sideways glance at his fellow member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

The highly talented elven magic user chuckles, then says to the once powerful mage "Some fellow named Garmen". 

Mira Reinholt faintly frowns at hearing that, as that name sounds some what familiar to him. Though at the moment he can't quite place it. 

After a few moments as they walk through the trees, the Vexillian mage in exile almost trips over when he finally remembers that name. 

"Are you okay friend Mira?" asks Shur Kee the monk who had to grab the once powerful mage to stop him from falling forward onto his face. 

"Huh" says the mage Reinholt, who continues with "I'm fine" the highly skilled swordmaster looks at the elven master archer to his left, and asks him "Garmen you say?". 

The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head, then says to the Vexillian mage in exile "You know him?". 

"A mage Garmen was on the Mage Council when I was appointed" says Mira Reinholt, who then dryly adds "He was also one of the mages who exiled me". 

"Imagine that" murmurs Helbe the elven thief, who follows on from that with "I doubt it was this fellow" he continues with "He was probably only a babe in his mother's arms at that time, if that". 

The elven master assassin then adds "He was in his mid to late twenties" the elven magic user pauses for a moment, then adds "He might be a relation of course". 

The mage Reinholt grunts at hearing that, then nods his hooded head, as he wonders who this mage Garmen could be. As he and the rest of the group continue to walk south through the forest, on this cold winters day here in hill country of northern Vexil . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 96.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

Lord Farque frowns, then he turns around and makes way to the other side of the top of the hill he's on. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord walks by the wyvern, which keeps still, but looks at him as he walks by. 

The undead warlord walks amongst the trees, then comes to a stop as he looks to the north and west. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque sees the cloud of debris mushrooming up into the sky, and falling back down in a large open patch of the forest in the distance to the northwest. 

The lord of the death realm who is sensing just as much as he's looking, slightly nods his full helmed head at what he sees and feels. 

"He'll live" mutters Lord Farque referring to Mira Reinholt the mage, who has just been found by Beldane the cleric and Shur Kee the monk. 

The lord of the death realm then looks a bit further to the west, and he spots the blurred and shielded Helbe the elven thief making his way back to where the rest of the group are. 

The undead warlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, grunts then turns back around and walks back to the other side of the top of the hill. 

Once again, the wyvern who is sitting still, watches the large heavily armoured figure of the deathlord of Farque walk by, and come to a stop at the edge of the cliff. 

Lord Farque looks down to the nearby forest road, and sees that there's very few of the Vexillian soldiers who were making their way north on it, still down there on the road. 

The lord of the death realm who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to The Destroyer. 

Sees that most of them are amongst the trees to the west of the forest road, and they're engaged in combat with a large force from the mercenary army that's been gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

And both sides are locked in combat, a battle for survival to be exact. Against nine others, who are under the command, so to speak, of Draugodrottin himself. 

The undead warlord could raise the dead who have died this morning, here in the hill country that's part of the border region between northern Vexil and the south of the kingdom of Girdane. 

But raising the newly dead has it's problems. The lord of the death realm only has limited control on undead such as those. 

But those who he raised a number of weeks ago. In fact he had some of the group dig up their bodies from a couple of cemeteries in the city of Vexil. 

He's had plenty of time to control them as they've waited in the boxes that held them for the last few weeks. 

And though they can never truly be fully undead, with their intelligence and personalities they had when they were alive. Like Lord Farque himself, and the undead of his lands have. 

They're the next best thing. And because of that, they're a total menace, and almost impossible for even the most powerful cleric to destroy. 

Des'tier watches the unfolding bedlam and chaos taking part down amongst the trees to the west of the forest road, that goes by the cliff like hill the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is up, this cold winters morning here in the north of the city-state of Vexil. 

Draugodrottin closes his eyes, and senses out for the undead down in the forest. The lord of the death realm finds one, and with his ability to control the undead. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque watches things through the eyes of this particular undead person. 

The mercenary captain Hafnah almost falls of his mount as a Vexillian soldier, who he thought was going to attack him, runs by, knocking into the side of the cockatrice that Hafnah rides. 

With a frown upon his face, the mercenary captain Hafnah mutters "What the hell is he running from?". 

After looking back at the fleeing enemy soldier, who miraculous avoided being caught in the stare of the cockatrice. 

Looks away to his right, and spots another of the riders in his company. The mercenary captain is just about to call out to the rider, when something happens. 

"What?" mutters captain Hafnah who then blinks in surprise after seeing a figure in threadbare clothing, who is leaping, come flying through the trees, just a few feet above the ground, before slamming into both the rider and his cockatrice. 

"The hell" mutters the mercenary captain, for it should be impossible for what just happened. For the simple reason a cockatrice weighs far more than any horse. And no human should be able to knock it down by just running into it. 

Captain Hafnah winces as he sees his fellow cockatrice rider is still alive, and trying to wriggle out from under his mount, which has pinned him underneath it. 

The mercenary captain goes to grab one of his throwing darts, essentially a short spear used by mounted fighters across not just The Southlands, but the entire world. 

He looks back up and blinks in surprise as the person who bowled over the cockatrice and rider, has just stomped on the head of the naturally magical creature, crushing it's skull. 

"Fuck me" mutters captain Hafnah who knows that's definitely impossible, as the head of a cockatrice is basically as hard as stone. 

Then the figure who doesn't even bother to look at the pinned rider, or even to dispatch him, turns and looks at the nearby mercenary captain. 

Who knows that his own cockatrice is now looking straight at the man in the threadbare clothing. 

A man who should be frozen in place, but instead he starts walking towards captain Hafnah and his mount. Picking up speed with every step he takes. 

The captain of the mercenary company that has cockatrice mounts, hurls his throwing dart at the oncoming figure. 

And the short spear takes the man directly in the middle of the chest, almost going right through him. 

And though the figure briefly stumbles, he continues to run at Hafnah and his cockatrice, with the short spear sticking out the front of him. 

"The fuck" mutters captain Hafnah who briefly thinks about grabbing another throwing dart, but instead he wrenches at the reins of his mount. 

And at the last moment as the man running at him, leaps forward, the cockatrice hops to the left. 

And the man leaps by them. Captain Hafnah quickly looks behind them and sees the man in the threadbare clothing, with a short spear sticking out of his chest. 

Smash into a pair of Vexillian soldiers who were running up behind the mercenary captain and his mount. 

Hafnah's eyes go wide as the man stands up, grabbing one of the enemy soldiers by the throat, picking him up well off the ground, then snapping his neck, and throwing the soldiers body away a good dozen feet to the side. 

The man with the short spear in his chest then stomps down on the back of the second downed Vexillian soldier, who is groaning in pain as he attempts to crawl away. 

The mercenary captain winces as he clearly hears the downed soldier's spine snap when the man in the threadbare clothing stomps on him. 

"Fuck this" mutters captain Hafnah who then silently adds, no wonder that soldier was running away. 

And as the man with the throwing dart sticking out of his chest, turns to look at the mercenary captain and his cockatrice. 

Hafnah commands his mount to take off, and as it runs away. He glances back, and sees the man in the threadbare clothing take a couple of steps, as if to pursue captain Hafnah and his cockatrice. 

But instead he stops and turns to one side, and spots a number of Vexillian soldiers and mercenaries nearby who are locked in battle. 

The man starts walking that way, picking up his pace with every step he takes. As he does, captain Hafnah looks on in disbelief as the figure in the threadbare clothing pulls out the short spear in his chest. 

Flip it, catch it in midair. And as he runs, throws it. And the throwing dart slams into the back of one the fighting mercenaries, who screams in pain as he falls forward to the ground. 

Just before the man in the threadbare clothing runs straight into a number of the combatants, sending them flying in all directions. 

"What the hell's going on?" murmurs captain Hafnah as his cockatrice runs between the trees. While the mercenary captain keeps a look out for any other individuals, neither mercenaries in the gathered army of the Geist Trading Company, or in the Vexillian army, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Lord Farque opens his eyes, and let's that particular undead do whatever it wants. The lord of the death realm who is sensing in all directions for as far as possible. 

And is keeping an eye, so to speak, on the rest of the group who are away in the distance, to the north and west. 

Looks down amongst the trees, off to the west side of the forest road that approaches, and goes around the steep hill that he's on top of. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque spots another of the undead, who is busy attacking both Vexillian soldiers, and mercenaries from the army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

The Geist guard commander Kilmas swings with all his might, and takes off the left arm of the woman who has been attacking those with him. 

A woman who by the way has no head, as the guard commander has already chopped that off. Though he suspects he wouldn't of been able to do that if she wasn't already missing half of her head, which was struck by a crossbow bolt before Kilmas encountered her. 

The commander of the Geist Trading Company guards, steps back as the one armed woman reaches out to try and grab him. 

Just then a Vexillian soldier with a rather large axe runs up behind her, and chops into the back of her left leg, taking it off just below the knee. 

The woman in a torn and dirty dress drops to the ground, and the guard commander along with the Vexillian soldier with the axe. Along with two other soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. As well as a pair of mercenaries, the only two left of five, who were with Kilmas when they encountered the woman. 

Start hacking her to pieces with their weapons. Body parts are chopped and hacked from the woman, who is completely silent. Not to mention she's still trying to move. 

"Step back!" shouts another Vexillian soldier, and commander Kilmas and the others move back as this soldier is holding a burning torch .

Which he puts to the torso of the woman on the ground, and sets her on fire. He also puts the torch to the arm the guard commander chopped off. 

As well as the head that lies off to one side. A head that is more than a little disturbing to look at. For though nearly half the skull is missing, the eyes are still open and looking around. 

And a silent scream comes from the mouth as the head catches fire from the lit torch that's put to it. 

Commander Kilmas looks to where one of the mercenaries points at a hand nearby. It's the woman's hand, and it's crawling away by itself. 

Though it gets slower and slower, and eventually stops once most of the rest of the woman's body burns more steadily. 

The guard commander, the mercenaries, and the Vexillian soldiers are all breathing heavily as they step back and away from the burning pieces of body. 

And though they look at each other, and they grip and regrip the hafts and handles and pommels of their weapons. They don't attack one another like they were doing earlier. 

Then the soldier in the army of the city-state of Vexil, who lit the woman, or to be exact, the pieces of the woman on fire, says "Hell spawn". 

He follows that with "Unclean or undead" he continues with "Best way to destroy them is with fire since there's no clerics around". 

He nods at the guard commander in the Geist Trading Company and adds "Chopping them to bits helps too" the Vexillian soldier continues with "Easier to set on fire as well". 

Commander Kilmas nods, then he gestures away to their right amongst the trees "Come on, over there". 

Where a cockatrice has just knocked down a man who is dressed like a court dandy from a couple of centuries ago. 

And is stomping on him, while a couple of mercenaries shove spears in the downed man. Who looks inconvenienced more than anything else. 

Command Kilmas leads both mercenaries and Vexillian soldiers there, on this cold winters morning here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

While up on the nearby hilltop, Lord Farque continues to watch the mayhem he's unleashed take place amongst the trees, off to the side of the forest road that leads to the border further north . . . . . .