To War 32.

Summer. Southern Melaurn.

Narladene the ground pixie makes her way up through a burnt out house, and looks around.
The naturally magical creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains.
Wings her way through the village, looking at the destruction that's been wrought.
The ground pixie stops near the body of a half burnt child. Before she continues on her way.
The tiny winged creature goes flying through the only house in the entire village that isn't completely burnt down.
Narladene goes out the backdoor, and makes her way over the bloated corpses of a man and woman.
The summer heat has corrupted their bodies, making it difficult to see how they died.
The ground pixie knows they died violently, like just about everyone else in this village.
She rises up into the morning sky, and looks further afield.
The tiny winged creature narrows her eyelids as she looks at the hill just behind the burnt down village.
Narladene wings her way up the hill, carefully looking down between the shrubs and bushes that dot the hillside.
The ground pixie nods her head, as she finds what's she's been searching for.
"So you've gone north" Narladene the ground pixie murmurs to herself as she looks at the tracks, both human and horse, that head north.
The naturally magical creature who hails from the largest mountain range in the entire Southlands.
Is about to head north, here just across the border in the province of Moleau.
When she spins around in midair, and looks away to the west, the northwest to be exact.
The ground pixie, like all of her kind, both pixies and sprites.
Can magically sense in all directions, for a very long way. Much further than any spellcaster.
The tiny winged creature who can also see vast distances thanks to her naturally enhanced eyesight.
Slightly frowns as she looks away to the northwest.
Then Narladene mutters "Fuck". For in the distance, about fifteen miles away, she spots an airship coming this way.
It's obviously a warship, and just as obviously it's from the capital, and belongs to the king's fleet.
The ground pixie with her extraordinary vision, can clearly see the pennant of the king of Melaurn flying from one of warship's masts.
The naturally magical creature sourly smiles, then she turns to the east.
And senses in that direction, Narladene nods her head when she locates who she's sensing for.
The small, four and half inch tall magical creature, who hails from the Sunreach Mountains.
Wings her way in that direction for a bit. Before diving down into the ground.
Which she can fly through, even quicker than what she can fly through the air.
Helbe the elven thief walks through the village, that has all but burnt down recently.
It's one of a number of villages, here in the south of the province of Moleau that's been attacked in the last few days.
Villagers for the most part killed, though a small number from each village have been able to escape.
The highly talented elven magic user isn't so sure about that. He's of the opinion that those who have survived the attacks upon their villages, have been let go.
The young elven noble who is from the island principality of Laerel, looks around at the burnt down village.
That was apparently attacked by the first army of Farque.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the elven principality of Laerel.
Knows that's not true in anyway. And that these villages here in the south of the province of Moleau.
Have been attacked by someone else completely different.
The elven master assassin looks down at a shovel on the ground, that's been warped by fire for a moment.
Then as he looks up, and as he's just about to shift away, Narladene the ground pixie appears on his right shoulder.
The young elven noble, who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
Listens to what the naturally magical creature who is attached to him, has to say.
Then he turns and looks away to the west, then northwest in the sky.
The elven master archer who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Blurs himself, then shields himself. Before he shifts up into the morning sky, here in the south of the province of Moleau.
Helbe the elven thief when he's a few hundred feet above the ground. Nods his hooded head, when he looks to where Narladene points.
The elven princeling from Laerel then shifts away. Heading to the northwest.
Heading towards a warship in the distance. One of a number in that direction, pointed out to him by the ground pixie sitting on his right shoulder.
A little bit later, and after resorting to teleporting a number of times. As he can go further doing that, than he can by shifting.
Helbe the elven thief is floating above the deck of a destroyer in the crown's fleet.
The highly talented elven magic use who is blurred and shielded, floats backwards so that he's above the aft deck.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril doesn't even bother to set foot upon the airship.
He just reads the minds of a number of the officers onboard as he floats about thirty feet above the airship.
"Hell" mutters Helbe the elven thief to Narladene the ground pixie who is sitting on his right shoulder.
"They think we did it alright" continues the young elven noble in a murmur.
As they suspected such when they spotted the airships from the capital Calinar.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
And who is also a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Looks away to port as he floats at the same speed as the warship below him.
The elven master assassin sees another of the warships in the king's fleet about a mile away.
Which along with a number of others, has traveled to the south of the kingdom to investigate the attacks upon the villages and settlements in the south of the province of Moleau.
For though the conflict between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw was fine to the crown and the king.
Just as long as the nobility in those two provinces in the south of Melaurn. Kept their war within the two provinces that have always been rivals.
But to have it expand beyond either Corlinda and Karricaw. That's a definite no, no in the eyes of the crown, and the king of Melaurn.
Especially acts of violence perpetrated by a mercenary army from a foreign land.
At the behest of one of the leading nobles in the conflict between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
In this instance, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest. Who in all intensive purposes, has been victorious in the conflict between the two warring provinces in south of the kingdom.
As military action outside of either Corlinda or Karricaw after one side is victorious.
Might be seen as push for land and power. A sure sign of someone who wants to achieve more than their position in life.
A sign of an impending civil war in the kingdom of Melaurn.
For that is how the king and the crown's councillors see it at this time.
And why the king has sent a fair few of his fleet south to see what's actually going on.
And to stop those who have perpetrated the attacks upon a number of villages in the south of the province of Moleau.
Although Helbe the elven thief could easily destroy the warship he's floating above. And the other one, about a mile away to port.
He falls on the side of caution for the moment. For the simple reason that he, along with the rest of the first army from the lands Farque. Are still in the service of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
The elf, who is the envoy for the armies of Farque when dealing with those who want to hire them, or have hired them.
Thinks it's best to discuss the situation with his fellow council members, as well as lord Farque himself.
With Narladene holding onto his right shoulder, the elven magic user shifts away.
And he's soon back down on the ground, looking up at the passing airship that's come from the capital city Calinar.
The elven master archer looks at the ground pixie who attached herself to him, when they met a number of years ago in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic.
"Where's the command ship?" asks the elven princeling referring to the krean strikeship.
"Anywhere close?" adds adds the young elven noble who is from the island principality of Laerel.
Which is just across the Kuyriers Straits from the coast of the kingdom of Melaurn.
The naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains murmurs "Hmmmm" as she senses.
After a few moments, she says "No where close". Meaning it's not between twenty five to thirty miles in any direction from where they are. As that's how far she can sense anything magical.
"Fuck" mutters prince Helbenthril Raendril in the royal elven language.
Narladene sourly smiles, for though she doesn't understand the royal elven language.
She can clearly guess that what the elven master assassin just said, was obviously a swear word.
The elven master archer frowns as he thinks about something, then he looks up at the warship in the crown fleet.
That's bound for the nearest village that's been attacked, or the local lord here in southern Moleau who has sent for them.
The highly talented elven magic user nods his hooded head, then says to Narladene "Keep sensing and looking for the command ship".
The member of the personal council to lord Farque then adds "Tell me when you locate it".
"I will" says the tiny winged creature, who holds onto the right shoulder of the elven princeling as she senses he's about to cast.
The next moment, and the young elven noble has teleported away.
Later in the morning, closer to midday than midmorning. And Helbe the elven thief stands upon a hilltop on this warm summer's day in the province of Moleau.
The blurred and shielded elven spellcaster looks across a river at a town, and the castle of a certain lord Panharst.
The local lord, on whose lands, a lot of the villages and settlements here in the south of the province of Moleau have been attacked and destroyed.
One of the airships from the capital Calinar has just set down beside the town, next to the local lord's castle.
As he's watching things across the river, councilor Raendril is saying to the ground pixie sitting on his right shoulder "We still have to find that lot responsible for destroying those villages".
Narladene nods in agreement, then says "Maybe one of the others will find them".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel slightly nods to that.
Then the naturally magical creature asks him "Who do you think is doing it?" followed by "Pretending to be our army?".
"Obviously someone from Corlinda who isn't happy with the way things have gone in the war against Karricaw" says the elven masterthief.
Who looks at the tiny winged creature, who has suddenly stood, and is looking back behind them.
"Is it?" asks the elven envoy, the ground pixie nods, then says "It's them".
Narladene follows that with "Back across the border in Corlinda, heading this way fast".
The elven magic user turns around, then teleports as far as he can back to the southeast.
The best thing about the krean strikeship that's the command ship of the fleet and the army from the lands Farque.
Is that it moves so quickly, that it doesn't take all that long to close the distance between it, and the teleporting elven spellcaster.
After teleporting a number of times, and as it nears midday, Helbe the elven thief appears on the flat deck of the krean strikeship.
The council member spots lord Farque through the windows of the wheelhouse at the stern of the sleek looking mastless airship.
And hurries to the wheelhouse to inform the undead warlord what he's discovered in the south of the province of Moleau.
After they heard the rumours of what was happening there, concerning the villages, that had apparently been attacked by the first army of Farque for lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
But in reality has been perpetrated by someone else, who wants to see an escalation of the recent war between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw . . . . . .

To War 31.

Summer. The Province Of Corlinda. The Kingdom Of Melaurn.

Tovis the war engineer watches as another block of stone is craned up onto one of the large Farqian transport ships.
He looks away to the right as another wagon comes up the track from the quarry.
There's a line of them coming up, to bring up more blocks that are bound for the province of Karricaw.
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest wants to rebuild his castle, along with many of the other castles and keeps throughout the province of Karricaw.
And he's using stone from here in the province of Corlinda to do so.
The nobleman who led the province of Karricaw in the recent border war with Corlinda.
Who has retained the services of the first army of Farque.
Isn't taking the stone without paying for it. Quite the opposite, he's paying top price for it.
He's using what he's taken from the nobility here in the province of Corlinda to pay for it.
And considering there's no local lord at the moment on the lands where the quarry is located.
The lord of Salmah Forest is paying the quarrymen directly for the stone.
Which they're more than happy with. As they've never been paid this much for their stone ever. And they have the added benefit of not paying tax to a local lord, since there isn't one at the moment.
The young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now an officer in the armies of Farque.
A captain to be exact, who commands the engineering corp in the first army of the lands Farque.
Walks over to the edge, and looks down into the quarry.
Where the local workers are busy cutting out the gray coloured stone that's prevalent throughout southern Melaurn.
Some of the engineers in the corp are down there helping them out when necessary.
But for the most part, the locals are working efficiently and quickly on what's another warm summer day, here in the province of Corlinda.
"Great motivator keeping the coins you earn" murmurs Tovis the war engineer who knows the quarrymen would usually pay at least half of what they earn to the local lord.
The captain in the armies of Farque turns and walks away from the edge of the giant pit, that's at least a few hundred feet across in places. And near a hundred and fifty feet deep at it's deepest point.
The young engineer who has spotted a number of dwarves amongst the locals down in the quarry.
Is just glad Dorc da Orc and his battalion of goblins isn't here with him and the engineering corp, and the others.
The war engineer walks to the trees next to one of the large transporters, and stands in the shade there, next to his friend Beldane the cleric who has just showed up.
"How's things going?" asks Beldane the cleric as another horse drawn wagon goes by after coming up from the quarry, with a large, square cut stone in the bed of it.
"Pretty good actually" replies Tovis the war engineer, who continues on with "The quarrymen have roped in other locals who aren't working at the moment".
The young engineer who was previously the war engineer for a baron Harkonin in the east of his homeland, the kingdom of Druvic.
Pauses for a moment or two, before he quietly tells the powerful spellcaster "Soldiers in the local lord's army who have nothing to do since he's dead".
The member of the church of Glaine nods, as Tovis tells him "They're not complaining" followed by "They're earning more now than they ever did as soldiers".
"So it is elsewhere throughout the province" says Beldane the cleric, who like his friend the war engineer, is speaking in the elven language.
As an empty wagon, pulled by a team of four horses heads back down the track into the quarry.
The spellcaster who is a member of the group who travels with lord Farque, but out of all of them, has never set foot inside the lands of Farque.
Quietly tells the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic "It's only been a few days since the baron surrendered" followed by "And life is returning to normal here pretty quickly".
The powerful cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, continues with "Both here in Corlinda, and across the border in Karricaw".
"That's a good thing" quietly says the young engineer, who pauses for a moment, before asking the spellcaster originally from northern Nastell "How much longer do you think he'll hire us for?".
Beldane shrugs his armoured shoulders, the cleric in the burnished dark gold coloured half plate armour, whose only concession to being in the armies of Farque, is a lightweight black, knee length cloak.
Which at the moment is bundled up, and tied up, and slung across his back, quietly says "I have no idea" followed by "He's paid us for another week after this coming seventh day".
The powerful cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine, a god predominantly worshiped in the north of his homeland Nastell, then adds "He's certainly got enough to pay us for many more weeks to come".
"That's for sure" dryly murmurs Tovis the war engineer.
As they know lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, has enough wealth, that he's taken from the nobility here in the province of Corlinda.
To pay for the services of the first army of Farque, for months if he wants to.
The nobleman who led the province of Karricaw in the recent border war with Corlinda.
Has effectively made the nobility here in the province of Corlinda paupers, as he's taken all their wealth from them, while also destroying basically every keep and castle throughout the province.
Glancing sideways at his friend the war engineer, the fighting cleric says to him "Here" followed by "Some messages for you from command".
As he hands over a couple of missives to the engineer, who is the younger of the two of them, by about six years.
The powerful spellcaster continues with "Lis came with me, and is giving the other messages to subcommander Mesra".
Tovis looks at his friend, then over to the nearby destroyer that subcommander Mesra is using as her command post at the moment.
The war engineer spots the subcommander on the deck infront of the wheelhouse, speaking with the scout Lisell Maera.
Beldane who knows that his friend is still strongly attracted to the scout who is part of the group that travels with lord Farque.
Even though Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Doesn't think of the war engineer in that way.
Infact, the powerful cleric is pretty certain Lis doesn't think of anyone in that way.
At least as long as he's been in the group. The young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, hasn't been attracted to anyone, anywhere.
Beldane glances at his friend again, who is watching the attractive young woman who is in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
And though the war engineer says he isn't interested in Lis anymore. As she's made it clear, she doesn't feel attracted to Tovis at all.
The powerful spellcaster without even resorting to magic, knows that the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, still pines after the attractive young woman who hails from the coast of the Southlands.
Thinking it's best to get Tovis to concentrate on something else, Beldane gestures towards the quarry, and asks his friend "How much do you think you'll ship to Karricaw?".
Taking his eyes off the scout on the nearby warship speaking with the subcommander, the war engineer says to the cleric "A lot".
The captain who commands the engineering corp in the first army of Farque, continues with "We'll load up two of the large transporters, and send them off across the border to Karricaw".
Tovis follows that with "It'll give the quarrymen more time to cut out more stone" he then adds "There's going to be a lot of rebuilding going on over in Karricaw".
The practitioner of magic originally from the kingdom of Nastell nods his head in agreement with the young engineer, then quietly says to him "Not so much here in Corlinda".
As the noble families here can't afford to rebuild. As they've basically been stripped of all of their wealth.
"They might have some of their wealth in the capital Calinar" says the fighting cleric, who continues on from that with "And other business interests throughout the kingdom" he then adds "Even if they do, there won't be a hell of a lot of rebuilding going on here in Corlinda for some time".
"That's for sure" quietly says the war engineer, who sees the scout Lisell Maera finish her conversation with the subcommander.
Then make her way along the deck of the destroyer, and climb over the port rail, and make her way down the cargo netting draped over the side of the warship.
Beldane the cleric also sees Lis coming down off the nearby destroyer, and head this way.
"I'll be heading back" quietly says the fighting cleric, who then asks his friend the war engineer "Anything you want me to tell the others?".
The young engineer slightly shrugs, then says "Just that everything here is going pretty smoothly".
"Lord Gormica will be pleased to hear that" says the powerful spellcaster as the scout Lisell Maera makes her way to the trees that the two of them are standing beneath.
Not wanting to draw things out for the sake of Tovis, Beldane says to Lis as she walks up to them "We're off".
The scout nods, then Lisell Maera looks the war engineer's way, and says "Tovis".
"Lis" is the reply from the young engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
"I'll see you the next time i come down this way" says the powerful cleric who is already casting.
He points to their right, and a few moments later a gateway forms where he pointed.
After a nod from Beldane, the scout Maera goes through the gateway first.
The fighting cleric nods farewell to his friend the war engineer, then he goes through the gateway he's cast.
A couple moments after that, Tovis sees it disappear.
The commander of the engineering corp in the first army of Farque looks at the spot where the gateway just was for a little while.
Then he makes his way from the shade, and heads to the edge of the quarry again.
To see how things are progressing down there, on what's another warm summer day here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Meanwhile on the otherside of the gateway, the scout Lisell Maera, and the cleric Beldane, step out into a hive of activity.
The tower room here in the city of Pirtgott, that usually only has a couple of guards at the doors.
Has at least a half a dozen soldiers in the armies of Farque in it. All messengers, all of whom have been waiting for the two of them to return.
The fighting cleric and the scout share a look as each of the runners starts speaking at once.
Then Beldane holds up a hand, and says "Silence" followed by "Just one of you will do, since you're all trying to say the same thing by the sounds of it".
Nodding at one of the runners who she somewhat knows, Lisell Maera says "Furnid what's the message?".
"Scout Maera" says Furnid the runner, who continues with "The councillors want to see you and the cleric Beldane immediately".
"Where?" asks the attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury.
"They said you'd know" is the reply from the teenage runner, who only joined the first army of Farque in the springtime after finishing a course of basic training during the winter.
The powerful spellcaster and the scout share a look, then Beldane says "Very well".
He then tells the runners "Dismissed" followed by "Return to your posts".
As the messengers with the exception of one file out of the tower room.
The cleric and the scout walk over to the window, that faces north out of the city.
Beldane sticks his head outside, and has to crane his neck to one side to look away to the right.
Then the practitioner of magic teleports himself and Lisell Maera away.
A short time later, and the two of them are on the roof of an inn, here in the city of Pirtgott.
The city in the province of Corlinda, that's under the temporary rule of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
The two of them, the cleric and the scout make their way down the steps in the middle of the roof.
And once in the hallway below, they head to one of the rooms, that's guarded by a pair of Farqian soldiers.
One of whom opens the door for the two of them.
Beldane the cleric and Lisell Maera enter, and walk through the room, and step out the open doors into the central courtyard here in the middle of the inn that the army of Farque has taken over.
In the central courtyard are a number of people, one of whom is the councilor Jarjin Littlefoot, who turns as they walk into the courtyard.
"Good you're back" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"What is it?" asks Beldane the cleric, followed by "What's going on?". As he and Lisell Maera wonder what's happening.
Next to the halfling who is a former air sailor, and is now a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
His fellow councilor, Mira Reinholt the mage turns around too, and says to the fighting cleric, and the scout who have just arrived "Trouble, that's what's going on" . . . . . .

To War 30.

Summer. Across The Border In The Province Of Moleau.

They crossed over the border into the province of Moleau two nights ago.
Moleau, which is directly north, and northwest of the province of Corlinda.
Lord Milson of Mottman Deep has gathered other displaced soldiers to him from western Corlinda.
Whose lords are either dead, or have been scattered. When their castles and keeps were destroyed by the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
These men, who were on the border with the province of Karricaw, with the lord of Mottman Deep, and baron Wilmot.
Who returned home, after Corlinda was victorious in the border conflict with the province to the immediate east.
Are now willing to do anything for lord Milson. Now that their lords have either been killed, or are unable to be found.
The lord of Mottman Deep, along with the wizard Smesall. Have only be able to find two other local lords.
A sir Polmark of Yarmouth, and a certain lord Gimell of Farrow Downs.
Both nobles with small holdings in the northwest of the province of Corlinda.
Who are more than willing to follow lord Milson, after they found out their keeps weren't the only ones destroyed in Corlinda.
Word is starting to spread that every noble's keep or castle right across the province has been destroyed.
All by the mercenary army from the lands Farque, at the behest of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
The nobleman who led the province of Karricaw in the recent conflict with Corlinda.
Lord Milson has led his ragtag force across the border into the province of Moleau for one reason, and one reason only.
To escalate and spread the conflict that started as a border dispute between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
As he knows his home province has very little going for it of late. What with a seeming defeat at the hands of lord Gormica, and the mercenary army from the lands Farque he's hired.
Ironically, the same mercenary army the province of Corlinda had hired before the lord of Salmah Forest did so.
The mercenary army that got Corlinda the victory, however brief. In the border war between the two provinces in southern Melaurn, that have always been rivals over the years.
Lord Milson contemplated crossing the border over into the province of Romial. Which is directly to the west of the province of Corlinda.
But after discussing things with the wizard Smesall. He decided not to. Because Romial is the smallest and least influential province in the entire kingdom.
While Moleau, is one of the three largest, and most important provinces in the kingdom of Melaurn. Along with the provinces of Sorros, and Calinar.
The reaction lord Milson is hoping for, is more likely to come from something happening here in Moleau, than it is in the province of Romial.
The lord of Mottman Deep looks away to his right, and spots the guard scout Grimmard hurrying up through the shrubs and bushes dotted up and down the side of the hill.
Grimmard, like everyone else. Isn't wearing a tabbard, or any type of uniform that can identify him, and what lord he serves.
Lord Milson isn't wearing anything to identify him as the lord of Mottman Deep.
Likewise for the other two noblemen, sir Polmark and lord Gimell.
Who at first were a little reluctant to give up their tabbards and sigils. But once lord Milson explained why. They both decided to give up those things that could identify them.
Milson of Mottman Deep looks down at the unsuspecting village below them at the base of the hill.
The nobleman who has been the staunchest ally to baron Wilmot in the border war with the province of Karricaw.
Knows that what he and those he's gathered to him are doing isn't right, or just in anyway.
But it will get a reaction, and reaction from the one entity in the kingdom the lord of Mottman Deep wants to get a reaction from.
The crown, in particular the king of Melaurn.
It's dusk on what's been a hot summer day here just over the border in the province of Moleau.
Lord Milson nods to the scout Grimmard, who joins him and quietly says "They have no idea my lord".
"Good" murmurs lord Milson of Mottman Deep as he looks through the fading light of the day, at the village just below the base of the hill.
The noblemen looks at the others lying on the ground to his left and right.
The lord of Mottman Deep waits until the last light of dusk fades, with the sun dropping below the horizon to the west.
Then now, as it's essentially the early evening. Lord Milson gives the signal to move out.
Those to either side of him and Grimmard get up, and they start moving down the hill towards the village.
Where a few lights can be seen on in some of the houses, as people have their evening meals.
The lord of Mottman Deep sits up, and watches what happens.
It's not long before he and the others who remained on the hill with him, hear the first screams, and shouts from in the village.
It won't be the last of them, and not just from this village. As another village, about three miles away to north.
Is being attacked by some of the others, who are being led by lord Gimell of Farrow Downs this evening.
These aren't the first places here in the province of Moleau they've attacked. And they won't be the last.
Lord Milson and those he leads will continue to do so, until they get the reaction the lord of Mottman Deep wants.
The wizard Smesall walks over, and crouches down as he joins lord Milson and Grimmard.
"You want me to burn it like the other ones?" quietly asks Smesall the wizard.
Nodding his head, lord Milson says in reply to the spellcaster "After they've let some of them get away".
The wizard, who is wearing dark clothing like everyone else, quietly says "The local lord must of got word of what's happening now" followed by "What's his name?".
"Panhurst, or Panharst" says the lord of Mottman Deep, who follows that with "Something like that".
The nobleman from the lands to the west of the baroncy of Pirtgott, in the middle of the province of Corlinda, then says "I've only ever come through here a couple of times before, and I've never met the man".
Lord Milson continues on from that with "Tend to take the main north road out of Corlinda into Moleau" followed "Not northwest to here".
"He'll know what's happening soon enough my lord" says Grimmard the scout, who continues with "This is the fourth village we've attacked in his lands, five counting the one lord Gimell is attacking tonight".
The lord of Mottman Deep, who even out of his tabbard, and regular tunic and cloak, still looks disheveled.
Nods in agreement with the guard scout, as they watch the attack upon the village at the base of the hill.
They see flames, as one of the houses is set on fire, and lord Milson says to the wizard who grew up with him "You might not need to set this place on fire after all" followed by "The men seem to be doing a good job of it themselves".
The spellcaster nods in agreement with his friend the nobleman, who says to him and the scout "Come on, let's go down and put in an appearance" he then adds "Time to tell some of them who it is that's attacking them".
The three of them make their way down the hill, going between the bushes and shrubs.
On what's a warm and clear summer evening with two of the moons of Volunell already up in the night sky.
The lord of Mottman Deep, points away to their right as they approach the village.
Where some of the men have dragged out a few of the villagers from one of the houses.
The men see them approach, and stay their hands as they were about to kill the villagers.
"Kill one of them as i speak to them" quietly murmurs lord Milson to the scout Grimmard, followed by "And I'll give you hand signal when to do it".
"Yes my lord" is the quiet reply from the guard scout.
Then the nobleman quietly asks his friend the wizard "Can you cast something that will compel the other two to get to the local lord's castle no matter what?".
"I can" is the quiet reply of Smesall, who then asks "Why?".
"Because i just don't want them to know who is attacking them" quietly says lord Milson, who continues on with "I want this lord Panhurst or whatever his name is, knowing as quickly as possible if he doesn't know already".
The spellcaster from Mottman Deep nods his head in understanding.
Then they fall silent as they walk up to the villagers being held by the men.
Lord Milson looks at the trio, a man and his wife, and their teenage son for a few moments, before he speaks to them.
"Do you know who we are?" asks the lord of Mottman Deep.
"Murders" spits the woman, as across the way from them, another woman's screams are cut short as her throat is sliced open by one of the men.
"So you say" says lord Milson with a shake of his head, who gives a hand signal to Grimmard.
The guard scout steps forward with dagger in hand, and shoves  it into the side of the neck of the woman, and rips it along her throat.
The two soldiers from lord Milson's army holding her, let her go. And she drops to the ground, with blood gushing from the fatal wound.
The man, and the son shout and scream, and wail in distress as they try to break free from those holding them.
They both groan and fall silent, when Grimmard the scout punches them both in the guts, knocking the wind out of them.
As the two villagers get their breath back, lord Milson says to them "You may of heard about the border war between the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw".
The lord of Mottman Deep briefly pauses, before he continues on with "Well, we're the mercenary army from the lands Farque that lord Gormica of Salmah Forest has hired".
The nobleman from the province of Corlinda follows that with "He's defeated the armies of Corlinda, now he's got wider designs" he then adds "His eyes are on more now, to be exact, they're on the throne".
As the men holding the villagers, pull the father and son's heads back so they're forced to look directly at lord Milson, who says to them "Tell your lord Panhurst".
"Panharst" mumbles the man through his tears.
"Tell him what I've told you" says the lord of Mottman Deep, who continues on with "We're just starting in his lands, we'll be elsewhere throughout Moleau".
The nobleman briefly pauses and glances at Smesall the wizard. The spellcaster nods his head in reply to the glance directed at him.
"Do you understand?" says lord Milson as he looks at the father and son, both of whom respond with "Yes".
"Let them go" says the lord from the province of Corlinda.
His men let the two villagers go. Who take off running, without looking back at the dead woman, who is one's wife, and the other's mother.
"They won't stop until they get to lord Panharst's castle" quietly says Smesall the wizard, who then adds "Which is about a dozen miles away".
"Good" murmurs the lord of Mottman Deep, whose face is lit up when the house next door is set on fire by some of the men.
They wander through the village, with many of the houses and buildings now on fire.
A dog can be heard barking, and a milking cow can be seen running between the burning houses as it escapes from it's barn.
A handful of horses are taken by the men, as not all of those with lord Milson have mounts.
After the men let a few more of the villagers escape. After the lord of Mottman Deep speaks to them. Telling them that they've been attacked by the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
They move out when one of the soldiers who remained up on the hill as a lookout.
Informs that a rider has just arrived from Corlinda. One of those lord Milson left behind in their home province to gather information. And to find any other displaced soldiers whose lords are either dead, or can't be found.
The nobleman from Mottman Deep, along with the wizard and the guard scout hurry back up the hill.
And as the village down below them burns this night. Lord Milson speaks with the rider who has just crossed over into the province of Moleau earlier this afternoon.
"My lord, I've got word" says the rider, who pauses as he doesn't particularly want to impart the information he has.
"Go on son" says the lord of Mottman Deep as he sees the rider is reluctant to tell him what he knows.
The nobleman just nods his head as the rider says "The baron Wilmot surrendered to lord Gormica a couple of mornings ago at the gates of the city of Pirtgott" he briefly pauses as he adds "The baron's army has been disbanded".
Lord Milson nods his head, and listens in silence to what else the rider has to say.
Once the rider has finished, the lord of Mottman Deep dismisses the man, telling him to get something to eat, before he returns back across the border to Corlinda.
"So, we're alone for now" quietly says lord Milson.
"Looks like it my lord" says Smesall the wizard, who after a brief pause adds "Should we continue with this course of action?".
After a few moments, the nobleman says "Yes" followed by "Even though defeated, the baron will find a way to fight back against his brother".
He briefly pauses before continuing with "I know the man, he hates his brother Gormica like nothing else" he then adds "He'll find a way".
Even if the lord of Mottman Deep wanted to give up on what they're doing, it's too late.
For in the morning, the father and son who they let go from the village. Arrive at the castle of lord Panharst, who after hearing what they have to say.
Dispatches a wyvern and it's rider he has in his service for the capital Calinar.
To inform the crown what's been happening here in the southern region of the province of Moleau.
That the war between the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda this summer has now spread into a third province.
As the mercenary army from the lands Farque have apparently attacked villages in southern Moleau . . . . . .

To War 29.

Summer. Pirtgott. Corlinda. Melaurn.

Helbe the elven thief looks between the twin brothers. Noticing their differences, and their similarities.
Not necessarily the physical aspect of the two noblemen who are twins.
But more their attitudes, and demeanours. Which he confirms by reading both men's minds.
Wilmot the baron of Pirtgott is seething with barely suppressed anger as he stands there with his vassal knight sir Holjma.
Opposite his twin brother Gormica, the lord of Salmah Forest. Who is standing with one of his vassal knights, sir Deemus.
The lord from the province of Karricaw as he stands infront of the main gates of the city of Pirtgott.
Though he looks relaxed and confident, is nervous underneath the exterior calm.
As he looks at his twin brother, who he's not been this close to in two decades.
When he was last here in Pirtgott, just after his nephew, the baron's son, Krissner was born.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is standing off to one side.
Drops his mind reading spell upon the noblemen who are twin brothers.
The highly talented elven magic user who is the envoy for the armies of Farque when dealing with those who have hired them.
Has been ordered to not interfere magically when it comes to those they're dealing with.
As it was when both baron Wilmot and the nobility of the province of Corlinda hired the first army of Farque.
Then again when lord Gormica of Salmah Forest hired the first army of Farque for the province of Karricaw.
The main objective of the elven envoy on this hot summer morning, here outside the main gates of the city of Pirtgott, in the middle of the province of Corlinda.
Is to observe and watch the opposing noblemen from the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
And if necessary to keep them from killing one another. At least keeping lord Gormica alive. As he's the one who has hired the first army of Farque at this time.
So the elven magic user, has another spell he's casting, which he still has up as he watches things.
The twin brothers, after glancing again at the figure of the elf in the white hooded cloak who is standing off to one side, between the four noblemen.
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest looks to the nearby army on the road that branches off to the north gates of the city.
The nobleman who has led the province of Karricaw in the border conflict with the province of Corlinda.
Spots a young man upon a horse at the front of the army. Who from his appearance, can only be his nephew Krissner.
The lord of Salmah Forest hopes one day his nephew Krissner will be the next baron of Pirtgott. Just that it's not this day.
But as he looks again at his twin brother Wilmot standing opposite him by about ten paces. That's a distinct possibility.
The nobleman from across the border in the province of Karricaw, who was born, and grew up here in the city of Pirtgott.
Decides to break the silence again, and speaks.
With a flick of his right hand at the city behind him, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest says to his twin brother "Like what I've done to the place?" followed by "Thought it needed a bit of renovating".
Shaking his head, and sourly smiling, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott says to his twin brother "That keep was your home, and you destroyed it".
"That keep hasn't been my home in over twenty years" says lord Gormica, who knows his twin brother has never forgiven him for leaving the province of Corlinda, and marrying a noblewoman from the province of Karricaw.
The province to the immediate east, that's always been the rival of it's neighbour here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
"And besides, you destroyed my castle at Salmah Forest" says lord Gormica, who continues with "So it only seems fair i destroy your home".
"I didn't actually destroy your home" loudly mutters the baron of Pirtgott with a sharp look directed at the elf in the white hooded cloak standing off to one side.
"No you didn't" concedes the lord of Salmah Forest, who follows on with "But you allowed them too".
The nobleman from across the border to the east, in the province of Karricaw, continues with "As i did here in Corlinda" he then adds "Like i did with the city's keep".
Wilmot of Pirtgott just grunts, as his only acknowledgment that his twin brother Gormica speaks the truth.
Then the older of the twins, by less than a quarter of sand glass if the rumours are true.
Quietly says to his younger brother, the lord of Salmah Forest "What are you doing here Gormica?".
The baron, who is surprised as any of the others, that he's keeping his anger in check, then adds "Gloating?".
"As a matter of fact" says Gormica of Salmah Forest, who continues on with "I am".
The nobleman who has led the forces of the province of Karricaw in the recent border war with Corlinda, then adds "To see you and your army, and your province humiliated, and embarrassed for what you've done".
As his twin brother Wilmot glares at him, lord Gormica says "You might of won the war along the border".
The lord of Salmah Forest momentarily pauses before continuing on with "It was only very briefly".
He then adds "I've retaken the border, and sent the maps of the new one off to the capital, for the crown to acknowledge".
Lord Gormica follows that with "But more importantly, i did something you didn't figure on" he continues with "And that was to expand the war, right across your province, and to exact revenge, and payment for what was done to Karricaw".
The baron of Pirtgott narrows his eyelids at the last bit, and the lord of Salmah Forest quietly says "Good, you understand clearly then".
Lord Gormica who has the upper hand, and knows that he does, then says "Unlike you, i didn't allow them".
He gestures at the figure in the white hooded cloak as he continues with "To destroy the crops and fields, and farms, villages and towns here in Corlinda, like what happened over in Karricaw".
The nobleman from the province across the border to the east, then says "But i did allow them to destroy the keeps, and castles of the nobility here in Corlinda" followed by "And take every damn coin you lot had hoarded".
Lord Gormica follows that with "That will not just pay them for however long i require their services" he follows that with "But it will also pay for the rebuilding of the province of Karricaw, and to buy everything we need to continue on, such as seed crop for our farmers".
Next to the lord of Salmah Forest, his vassal knight sir Deemus, nods his head in agreement with his liege lord.
The younger of the twins then says to his brother the baron of Pirtgott "When you defeated us on the border, you made a number of mistakes brother".
Wilmot of Pirtgott is silent as his twin brother continues with "First one was not paying the mercenary army from the lands Farque another week, and have them come after me, instead of you and your army doing so".
Gormica of Salmah Forest follows that with "But the main mistake, is realising what you always told me when we were youngsters, the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda have always been rivals, and often enemies in the past".
The nobleman who was born here in the city of Pirtgott, but moved to the province of Karricaw when he was a young man, then says "So if there's going to be conflict between the two, why confine it to what the border should be between the provinces".
Lord Gormica continues with "Why not make it an actual, all encompassing war between the provinces".
He continues with "You unwittingly did so when you hired the mercenary army from the lands Farque, and they did what they did in Karricaw" followed by "But that wasn't your objective".
As he knows his twin brother only wanted the border changed, and seeing his younger twin dead, and Gormica's army wiped out.
"While i decided when i hired them after you stopped paying them, that's exactly what I'd do" says the lord of Salmah Forest, who follows that with "Bring your province to it's knees, and defeat you right across Corlinda".
Lord Gormica without pausing adds "Destroying every keep and castle, and taking all your wealth" followed by "Making the nobility of Corlinda paupers in just a few days".
The lord of Salmah Forest falls silent as he looks at his twin brother Wilmot.
Who may seem like he's still calm. But there's a slight tick in the muscle of his left cheek. Giving away that he's more than a little angry with what he has just heard from his twin brother Gormica.
The baron, who like his vassal knight, sir Holjma standing next to him, is roiling with anger beneath the surface.
Slightly nods his head as he looks at his twin brother just ten paces away, then he says "You might of won for now Gormica" followed by "But not forever".
"Oh?" says the lord of Salmah Forest, he then adds "What makes you think that?".
The younger of the twin brothers continues with "You and your army is the only force of significance left here in Corlinda".
With a nod at the elven envoy standing off to one side, lord Gormica says "All i have to do is give them the word, and they'll destroy your army with their fleet".
"Please" says baron Wilmot in a tone of disgust, who then continues on with "If you had wanted me dead, and my army destroyed, you would of done so already".
The baron of Pirtgott follows that with "I know you too well brother, there's no way would you'd attack us this close to the city".
The nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the border war with the province of Karricaw, gestures away behind him, to the north as he says "They attacked Milson's army further away from the road, further from the city itself".
The older twin then adds "You won't attack me and my army on the doorsteps of the city".
Lord Gormica is silent, as his brother Wilmot is indeed right.
The lord of Salmah Forest as part of his negotiations in hiring the first army of Farque.
Was to if possible, leave the villages, towns, and the city of Pirtgott, here in the province of Corlinda alone.
As he didn't want them to do what they did in his province of Karricaw.
Gormica of Salmah Forest thought they might refuse that stipulation. As part of their terms of hire is to be able to do whatever they want in helping him to achieve his goals.
So he was relieved when the elven envoy who represents the Farqian mercenary army, agreed to that stipulation.
"You're right, i won't" says the younger of the twins, who pauses as his brother slightly smirks.
Then lord Gormica tells him "But what i will do, is have you surrender infront of your city, infront of your people" he briefly pauses before he continues with "And that you disband your army, and send those who aren't garrisoned here in the city, back to their homes throughout the baroncy".
The baron of Pirtgott is silent for a moment or two, before he says "Why the hell should i do that?".
The older of the twins puts a hand on the hilt of his sword, as he adds "Why shouldn't i just walk over there and cut you down?".
For as young men, he was the better swordsman of the two of them.
Though he doesn't know if his twin brother Gormica, who is militarily superior when it comes to tactics and the like. Has improved his swordsmanship in the last two decades.
"Well for starters, if you do surrender and disband your army, i might return some of your fortune you had hiding in the city counting house back to you" says lord Gormica, who falls silent for a few moments to let that sink in.
Then the lord of Salmah Forest continues with "And second of, if you come over here and cut me down".
The younger twin then grins, and says to his brother Wilmot "Well, why don't you try and find out".
The baron of Pirtgott doesn't need another invitation. He knows he's at a major disadvantage here.
So he's already moving before his twin brother finishes speaking. Pulling his sword out of it's scabbard while on the move.
Baron Wilmot doesn't even glance at the elven envoy who just stands there watching him, as he advances upon his twin brother Gormica.
The baron snarls as he swings his sword, as his twin brother just stands, continuing to grin at him.
The baron of Pirtgott's swinging blade hits the lord of Salmah Forest.
The older twin stumbles as his sword goes right through Gormica of Salmah Forest.
Then Gormica's vassal knight, sir Deemus. Who he realises is also grinning.
"That's what happens when you try and cut me down" says lord Gormica, followed by "Nothing".
As he and his vassal knight sir Deemus, stand in the tower room, looking down at what's happening infront of the main gates of the city.
In the room with them, is Mira Reinholt the mage, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, and Beldane the cleric.
Who have all be silent as they stand off to one side, watching both the noblemen from the province of Karricaw in the room with them.
As well, as what's happening down infront of the north gates of the city of Pirtgott.
It takes a moment for baron Wilmot to realise what's happening, then he says in disgust "Magic".
As he waves a hand back and forth through the image of his twin brother Gormica.
"Yes" dryly says Helbe the elven thief, who then adds "That's how it tends to work".
As he watches the baron of Pirtgott step back from his Greater Illusion spells he has cast of lord Gormica, and his vassal knight, sir Deemus.
An actual projection of what they're actually doing at the exact same time.
While they're up in the tower room that they are with the others in the group, who are here in the city of Pirtgott.
On this hot summer morning, here in the province of Corlinda, in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
As his twin brother Wilmot steps back to stand with the vassal knight sir Holjma.
Lord Gormica, both the lord himself up in the tower room, and the illusion that's a perfect projection of him that's standing infront of the city gates, says "Well brother, what do you say?".
Gormica of Salmah Forest briefly pauses before he adds "Will you surrender or not?" . . . . . .

To War 28.

Summer. Corlinda. Southern Melaurn.

They're silent as they ride down off the hill, heading towards the city of Pirtgott.
A city that usually has the dark brown, almost red stone keep, sticking up from behind the gray walls of the city.
But not this hot, summer morning. As the sight they see is something some of them feared.
Hoping it wouldn't be like elsewhere as they came back through the province of Corlinda.
But this morning as they look at the city of Pirtgott, the keep in the middle of the city is nothing but a large pile of rubble.
Once they come down off the hill, they're spared the sight of seeing the pile of rubble that was the baron of Pirtgott's keep.
The current baron, rides at the front of his army. With only a handful of scouts further out infront along the road.
There's a small number of others on the road, who get off it as the army comes down off the hill.
As they stand off to the side of the road with their carts, or wagons, or horses.
They watch in silence as the baron and his army go by.
When ordinarily they would be cheering his return. Especially after being victorious in the border war against the province of Karricaw.
But that victory has turned out to be short lived. Infact, extremely short lived.
Now the province of Corlinda, which the baron has led during the conflict against the neighbouring province to the east.
Has well and truly come under attack. And for all the locals know, they've been defeated in a more wide ranging war than the one over the contentious border between the two provinces.
The baron of Pirtgott looks at the city walls about a mile away, and from here, down on more flat terrain, all seems normal.
Except you'd normally see the keep sticking up from the middle of the city, over the walls.
Now all one sees, are the occasional towers within the city that are higher than the walls of Pirtgott.
Baron Wilmot lets out a deep breath as he looks at the city that's been the home of his family for centuries.
The nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in it's border war with the province of Karricaw.
Feels physically sick at the sight of the city of Pirtgott minus the keep of the barons.
He'd seen all the destroyed castles and keeps further to the east in Corlinda as they came back through the province.
But he was hoping it wouldn't be the same in his home city of Pirtgott.
But those hopes have been dashed, as the keep in the middle of the city no longer stands.
After a little while, the baron looks back at the group following directly behind him.
And after a moment, he nods for his vassal knight sir Holjma to ride forward and join him.
Silent for a few more moments, baron Wilmot finally breaks the silence and quietly says "Thoughts?".
"From what i could see coming down the hill" says sir Holjma the vassal knight, who continues on with "It looked like it's just the keep that's been destroyed" he then adds "The rest of the city looks to be intact, so that's something".
The baron Wilmot of Pirtgott just grunts to that, as he thought the same thing as they rode down the hill.
Though that's some small comfort, considering the massive keep in the middle of the city, that his family has called home for centuries, no longer stands.
They don't need to voice who did it, they know who did. But the baron can't help it, and mutters "Damn those mercenary bastards and their warships".
The vassal knight sir Holjma can only agree, then he looks away to the north.
And sees the craters across the fields and countryside that way.
And what looks to be like dead horses, and bodies.
He spots some of the local farmers in the distance digging graves by the looks of it. And he mentions this to the baron of Pirtgott.
With a wince, the baron says "Some of our allies most like" the nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the border conflict with the province of Karricaw, mutters "Poor bastards".
Baron Wilmot turns, and has sergeant Morbic send some of his scouts out, to see who it is the locals are burying out there, to the north of the city.
Meanwhile the army continues to follow the road that leads to the city of Pirtgott.
As they do, sir Holjma the vassal knight quietly says "The gates are open, and people are coming and going as normal" followed by "That's a good sign".
The baron nods in agreement, then he slows his mount down, so that the rest of the army has to slow down.
As he waits for sergeant Morbic's scouts to return, to see what they've found out concerning what happened in the fields and open countryside to the north of the city of Pirtgott.
They move so slowly now that the baron calls a halt, to allow the foot soldiers, and the camp followers with the wagons, who are strung out along the road, to catch up.
Wilmot of Pirtgott is silent as he sits there upon his mount, as he looks at the city which isn't all that far away now.
The nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the recent border war with the province of Karricaw.
Doesn't even notice sergeant Morbic's scouts come back from the fields to the north and report to the sergeant at arms.
Who rides forward to where baron Wilmot is with one of his vassal knights, sir Holjma.
"My lord baron" quietly says sergeant at arms Morbic as he interrupts the baron's silence.
"Who was it Morbic?" asks baron Wilmot with a nod of his head away to the north.
"Lord Milson of Mottman Deep and his army" replies the sergeant at arms.
The baron and his vassal knight both wince at the mention of the lord of Mottman Deep. Who has been baron Wilmot's staunchest ally in the border war against the province of Karricaw.
"They were attacked a few mornings ago just as the city was attacked" says sergeant Morbic, who continues on with "Seems they were at the wrong place at the wrong time as they were making their way back home".
"Hell" mutters the vassal knight sir Holjma.
"Some few of them escaped through the woods up there baron" says the sergeant at arms, who follows that with "Of lord Milson, the farmers have found no sign of him".
Wilmot of Pirtgott winces again as he looks to the north, at the crater pocked fields, obviously hit by magetube shots fired from airships.
The baron hopes his friend and ally Milson was one of the ones who was able to escape.
If not, then he hopes he was killed instantly, and didn't suffer when his army was attacked a few mornings ago.
"Thank you sergeant" says the baron of Pirtgott.
The sergeant at arms nods, and rejoins the others at the front of the vanguard.
"I should of listened to you Milson" murmurs baron Wilmot, which sir Holjma hears.
The vassal knight stays silent on that matter. As he was present when lord Milson tried to talk the baron out of crossing the border into Karricaw to hunt down the baron's twin brother, sir Gormica.
And to leave it to the mercenary army from the lands Farque to take care of that.
The only advice from the lord of Mottman Deep that the baron of Pirtgott didn't heed.
Knowing that's the only time the baron will probably admit his mistake, sir Holjma says to him "Should we continue?".
As he tries to get the baron to concentrate on what they're doing now.
The nobleman who has led the forces of the province of Corlinda in the recent border conflict with the neighbouring province to the east, Karricaw.
Nods his head, and quietly says to his vassal knight "Yes, let's continue". Then waves for the army to resume the march towards the city of Pirtgott as he tries not to think about how lord Milson of Mottman Deep, had an army of nearly eight hundred soldiers with him.
The city of Pirtgott, the only city in either province of Corlinda and Karricaw, here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
As they get closer to the walled city that's been home for the baron's family for centuries.
Sir Holjma notices something, then quietly says "No one's coming in through the gates, or leaving now".
Baron Wilmot as he looks at the north gates of the city, which are also the main gates of the walled city. Notices the same thing as his vassal knight.
Then the two of them, see a trio walk out through the main gates off Pirtgott, then stop.
After a moment, the baron holds up a fist, a signal for his army to halt, which they do behind him.
Baron Wilmot then shares a look with his vassal knight sir Holjma.
As the two of them recognise all three of those who have just walked out of the north gates of Pirtgott.
The first, is an individual in a white hooded cloak, a couple inches over six foot in height.
Whose features are obscured due to the hood of his cloak, that's up on his head at the moment.
The baron of Pirtgott, and the nobility of the province of Corlinda have had dealings with this individual recently.
"Damn mercenary" mutters sir Holjma from where he sits upon his horse next the mounted baron.
Who nods in agreement with his vassal knight.
The other two are nobleborn, from here in southern Melaurn. Though from across the border to the east, in the province of Karricaw.
The one on the left of the figure in the white hooded cloak, is who baron Wilmot believes is sir Deemus.
A man he's never met before, who he knows by reputation only.
While the nobleman from the province of Karricaw on the right of the foreign mercenary in the white hooded cloak, the baron knows extremely well.
For even though apart from only catching an occasional glimpse of him from across the border recently, when the two armies from Corlinda and Karricaw faced off against one another.
He's only seen him up close the once in the last twenty or so years.
For he's baron Wilmot's twin brother, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest. The leader of the forces of the province of Karricaw in the recent border war.
"What should we do?" sir Holjma murmurs to his liege lord.
The baron of Pirtgott glances at his vassal knight who he sees is looking around.
To the northwest and the woods in that direction, and up at the morning sky too.
The baron does likewise, considering how confident the trio are just outside of the city gates are.
Things could go extremely wrong, extremely quickly for the baron and his army if he does something rash here.
"They could have warships behind the south side of the city for all we know" quietly says sir Holjma.
Wilmot of Pirtgott nods in agreement, then he quietly says "I'm guessing if they had wanted to do something, they would of done so already".
The baron looks back at his army who are spread out along the road, who would have no chance against a fleet of warships.
The nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the recent border war with the province of Karricaw, looks at his vassal knight, and quietly tells him "No, they want to talk about something".
"Probably our surrender" mutters sir Holjma in disgust.
Baron Wilmot winces as he catches that, then he waves his son Krissner forward, as well as another of his vassal knights, sir Crissen forward.
The baron of Pirtgott tells them a few things, making it extremely care to them not to anything without an order from him.
Then the baron nods to sir Holjma, and quietly says to him "Come on, let's see what my brother wants".
Baron Wilmot and his vassal knight sir Holjma dismount, and hand the reins of their mounts to a soldier who comes forward.
Then the two noblemen walk away, heading for the main gates of the city of Pirtgott, while the baron's army waits on the road, this hot summer morning, here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
"A little advice my lord baron" quietly says sir Holjma as they walk side by side towards the city gates.
"Sure" replies baron Wilmot as he looks at the trio standing infront of the north gates of Pirtgott.
"Don't lose your temper here Wilmot" says the vassal knight, who continues with "I bet that's what Gormica wants".
Sir Holjma knows how much the baron hates his twin brother Gormica for leaving the province of Corlinda all those years ago, to marry a noblewoman of Karricaw.
And he figures the lord of Salmah Forest will want his twin Wilmot to lose his temper, and do something stupid here.
"I'll keep that in mind" quietly murmurs the baron of Pirtgott as they get closer to the open gates of the city.
They come to a stop about ten paces from the trio standing infront of the north gates of Pirtgott.
The baron and the vassal knight watch the figure in the white hooded cloak.
The elven envoy from the mercenary armies of Farque, by the name of Helbe who they've had dealings with in the recent past.
Step away from the two noblemen from the province of Karricaw, and stand off to one side from the four Melaurian nobles.
The two nobles from here in the province of Corlinda face their fellow nobles, their equivalents from across the border in the province of Karricaw.
The baron of Pirtgott glances at the elven envoy from the armies of Farque, who just stands there.
The baron figures he's just going to witness what's said here between the opposing noblemen.
So baron Wilmot looks straight at his twin brother, lord Gormica and breaks the silence by saying with a touch of malice in his voice "Brother".
"Brother" replies lord Gormica of Salmah Forest in a cold tone of voice as they face one another for the first time in two decades . . . . . .

To War 27.

Summer. The City Of Pirtgott. The Province Of Corlinda. The Kingdom Of Melaurn.

A gateway appears in the middle of a room, nothing happens until a couple of moments later.
A figure in a black hooded cloak, with a strange double bladed sword strapped to his back, walks out of the gateway.
Mira Reinholt the mage moves to one side after walking out of the gateway, which he looks back at.
A moment later, and Beldane the cleric walks out of the gateway.
The powerful spellcaster who is a member of the church of Glaine drops the spell he's cast, and the gateway disappears.
The fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell turns to his fellow practitioner of magic, and is about to ask him something.
When the door to the room opens, and a fairly nondescript looking man looks into the room, and says in the elven language "Councilor" followed by "Cleric" he then adds "If you would follow me".
The two spellcasters share a look, then after shrugging his shoulders, Mira Reinholt the mage says in the same language "Lead the way".
The once powerful mage, and the cleric in the half plate armour make their way out of the room.
And follow the nondescript looking fellow. Who from his attire, looks like he could be a clerk of some kind, here in the city of Pirtgott.
Who is one of those in the scouts and rangers division in the armies of the lands Farque.
Who have been specifically trained by Helbe the elven thief, to be a spy and an assassin.
The mage from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland that he's in exile from. And the fighting cleric from the north of the kingdom of Nastell.
Follow after the Farqian spy, and head down a hallway, to some stairs. On what's already a hot summer morning, even though it's just after dawn.
They arrived in the city just before dawn, after being dropped off nearby from the fighting frigate they've been traveling on for the last few days.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy opens the window shutters wide, to let in the breeze, as the morning is already hot. Here in the city of Pirtgott, in the center of the province of Corlinda.
The elf who is an officer in the scouts and rangers division in the armies of Farque, looks away to the right out the window, to the northeast of the city.
Then the spy Tanith who is from the the elven principality of Alínlae, where he served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland.
Looks to his left, at the short figure sitting on a chair yawning, who has just asked "See them yet?".
"Not yet" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit grunts, then he yawns again, before muttering "Damn it's hot this morning".
They're in a room up a tower, which is just back from, or that should be, just inside the north wall of the city of Pirtgott.
A room that gives them an excellent view to the north of the city, as well as to the west and the east.
Particularly the northeast, where from over the hills in that direction, comes the main road from the east that goes through the province of Corlinda, and comes by the only city in the province.
With another yawn, as he and the elven spy got here far too early for the halfling's liking.
Jarjin Littlefoot, who isn't at all what he seems. He's actually a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the former air sailor by the name of Jarjin Littlefoot.
A hobbit who is from the Sultanate of Dreese, a nation on the far east coast of the continent.
Gets up out of the chair, and drags it to the window that the elven spy is looking out of.
Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman stands up on the chair, and resting his arms upon the windowsill, enjoys the breeze blowing inside, as he looks to the road that approaches the city from the northeast.
Though there's a few people on that particular road this morning, both approaching Pirtgott, and leaving on it.
None of them are who the elven spy and the halfling, are waiting for this hot summer morning.
"Their scouts first?" quietly asks Jarjin Littlefoot, who like the spy Tanith, is speaking the elven language.
"Definitely" is the reply of Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
As they continue to watch the road to the northeast of the city of Pirtgott, on what feels like it's going to be the hottest day of the summer so far, here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
The two of them, the elven spy, and the hobbit who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Share a look, as they hear who it is that's coming up the stairwell in the middle of the tower.
Then as the two look back outside, to the northeast of the city, a short time later there's a knock on the door of the room they're in.
"It's open" says Dalin without looking back, as he and Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman keep looking to the northeast of the city.
The door opens, and Mira Reinholt enters the room, followed by Beldane the cleric, who closes the door behind him.
"Not here yet?" asks the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
"Not yet" replies the elven spy who is an officer in the scouts and rangers division in the armies of Farque.
As Mira Reinholt and Beldane join him and Jarjin Littlefoot at the open window.
The four of them, who have been in different places here in the province of Corlinda over the last couple of days.
All look to the northeast of Pirtgott, to the hills that way, and in particular the road that comes from that direction.
"What have they been up to?" asks the Vexilian mage in exile, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster.
"Nothing apart from trying to get here as quick as they can" replies the halfling who is a former air sailor.
"And here's the first of their scouts" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith.
As on the road to the northeast, a number of riders come into view over the hill it comes down.
"Well they know now" says Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson, as they watch a couple of the riders turn around, and race back over the hill.
While the others sit upon their mounts, looking stunned as they look at the city of Pirtgott.
"Well they're here, that's all that matters" says the mage Reinholt, who along with Beldane the cleric.
Have come from the flagship of the Farqian fleet this morning, which is over a hundred and twenty miles away to the northwest of the city of Pirtgott.
The spellcasters who came by way of a gateway cast by the fighting cleric, see more of the advanced scouts come into view on the hill road to the northeast of the city.
While the elf and halfling who were dropped off near the city by a fighting frigate this morning.
A vessel that's been shadowing for the last few days, those who are approaching the city of Pirtgott.
Share a look again, then look at the once powerful mage, and the spy Tanith says "We have no idea" followed by "We thought you'd know".
In response to councilor Reinholt asking the two of them "Where's the royal thief this morning?".
Getting that answer, the highly skilled swordmaster rolls his eyes, then mutters "Just like him not to be here".
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who was once the youngest ever member of the mage council of his homeland, then sourly says "Like hell I'm going out there to treat with them".
"Me either" says the halfling who like the mage, is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"That's his job" says the spellcaster who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster.
His fellow council member nods in agreement with him.
"Well, if his highness doesn't show up, then one of you two has to go out and discuss things with them" says Dalin, who then adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "You two are councilors after all".
The fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell nods in agreement with the elven spy from the principality of Alínlae.
While the once powerful mage and the former air sailor, both sourly smile.
As the four of them watch the van of the army of baron Wilmot of Pirtgott come over the hill, which the road to the northeast comes down.
"I guess that's the baron" quietly says Beldane the cleric as a few of those on horseback stop off to one side of the road, and look at the city about a mile and a half away to the southwest of the hills.
"That's him alright" says Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin, who follows that with "Along with his son Krissner, and his vassals Holjma and Crissen".
Even without the benefit of the enhanced eyesight of the elf and the hobbit.
The two practitioners of magic, even without the aid of spellcraft to help them see the army in the distance clearly.
They can tell the soldiers are just as stunned as the nobility who lead them.
As they look at the city of Pirtgott, which in the middle of it. The massive stone keep of the barons of Pirtgott, is no longer standing.
From where they are up on the hill, they can see the mound of rubble in the middle of the city, where the baron's keep once stood.
"They won't be in shock forever" says the Vexilian mage in exile, who continues on with "They'll be at the city gates soon enough".
The spellcaster who is a member of the personal council to the lord of Farque "He better well get here our thieving prince".
"Missing me are you?" suddenly says a familiar voice from behind them.
The four of them quickly look around, and they find Helbe the elven thief standing behind them in the middle of the room.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who like Jarjin Littlefoot, and Mira Reinholt the mage, is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Joins them at the window, and as he looks away to the northeast of the city of Pirtgott, says "So, they finally made it".
The elven master assassin nods his hooded head, then says "Away in the south of the province".
In reply to Jarjin Littlefoot asking him "Where have you been the last few days?".
The highly talented elven magic user, then informs the other four what happened yesterday down in the south of the province.
Where a number of the mercenary companies that the province of Corlinda hired from throughout the Southlands, in their border war with the province of Karricaw.
Were wiped out by a force of the Farqian first army, led by general Salmic.
"They had no chance" states the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
The elven master archer gestures at the army on the hills, about to head this way, and he adds "Nor do they really".
The other four, the two spellcasters, the halfling former air sailor, and the elven spy.
All nod in agreement with the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
After a few moments, the halfling who is from the far east coast of the continent, quietly asks the young elven noble "Our losses down south".
"Less than fifty dead" is the quiet reply of prince Helbenthril Raendril, who continues on with "He wanted to see the first in action, so the warships just did one strafing run before they moved in".
The others nod in understanding, as this is the first time the first army of Farque has been hired out into a conflict in another land.
As previously, nearly a couple of years ago, it was the second army of the lands Farque.
That were hired to fight in a war in the north of the kingdom of Nastell, for the robber barons north of that nation.
Beldane the cleric who was found by the group during that conflict, points out the window, and says "What's the chances they'll give up?".
"I'm guessing they won't" replies Helbe the elven thief.
"Same" says Mira Reinholt the mage.
"Same here" adds Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
While Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy nods in agreement and says "Same".
"They've got nothing to fight for" says the powerful cleric with a shake of his head.
"Every keep and castle across the province is destroyed, or will be eventually" adds the member of the church of Glaine.
A god predominantly worshiped in the north of Beldane's homeland of Nastell.
"And the nobility have lost most if not all of their wealth" continues the powerful spellcaster who has a magical mace on his belt.
"That's exactly why" says the mage Reinholt as they look at the baron of Pirtgott and the others with him, who cannot believe what they're seeing in the city.
"Well, this is their chance to give up" says the elven masterthief who is a member of lord Farque's personal council.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel looks at his fellow councilor, the Vexilian mage in exile, and asks him "Is Tam and the flagship coming back here?".
"They are" replies the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster "They'll be back tomorrow I'm guessing" adds the once powerful mage.
Councilor Reinholt then asks the elven master assassin "Do you want lord Gormica here?" followed by "Beldane can go and get him if you want".
The elven princeling is silent for a moment as he watches baron Wilmot and the others with him, finally move.
And lead his army down the hill road that makes it's way to the city of Pirtgott.
The elven master archer briefly closes his eyes, and gets in contact with a navigator onboard the krean strikeship.
As the command ship of the Farqian fleet, is high up in the morning sky, circling the city of Pirtgott.
After a few moments, Helbe the elven thief opens his eyes, and says "That would be best" followed by "We might get a different reaction from the baron if his brother is here".
The elven envoy looks at the fighting cleric and asks him "Would you?".
"I'm on my way" says Beldane the cleric, who points at a corner in the tower room, and adds "Keep clear of that corner".
A short time later, and the powerful cleric is gone through a gateway he's cast, and the gateway disappears behind him.
"And now we wait" quietly says Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, and the others nod in agreement.
As they watch baron Wilmot and his army make their way towards the city of Pirtgott.
On a morning that feels like it's going to be the hottest day so far this summer, here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn . . . . . .

To War 26.

Summer. The Province Of Corlinda.

"Go down and keep an eye on things" says lord Farque.
"I'll keep in contact with the ship" replies Helbe the elven thief.
Who nods his hooded head to the undead warlord, and makes his way along the flat deck of the krean strikeship that's the command ship of the fleet from the lands Farque.
"Stay here" murmurs the heavily armoured deathlord in the ancient language of command as Hammer the undead wardog was about to follow the elven magic user.
The massive canine lets out a soft whine as he sits back down at the feet of his master.
While the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Breaks out into a run along the flat, mastless deck of the krean vessel.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, veers to his right, and leaps off the starboard side of the strikeship.
He falls through the clear, sunny, midmorning sky here in the south of the province of Corlinda.
The highly talented elven magic user freefalls towards the ground which is over ten thousand feet below him.
The elven masterthief disappears in midair well before he even gets close to the ground.
They've come up from the province of Selvah Na. Mercenary companies originally hired by the nobility of Corlinda. In their border war against the province of Karricaw.
And though more than half of the mercenary companies turned around and headed back to the port city of Ramaee on the south coast of Selvah Na.
When unexpectedly one night every single commander, and senior officer in each company was found dead.
Some of the mercenaries companies, many of whom have traveled from as far afield as Gilsom along the coast of the Southlands.
Have decided to push on, and continue across the border into the province of Corlinda.
After all, they've been paid to fight for the Corlindians. And the fact most of them don't know what else to do.
Once in the province of Corlinda, and the first town they come across. They learn that the province has been successful in it's border war with it's neighbour to the east, Karricaw.
Which is a little odd, considering that the local lord's castle, that's on a hill less than a hundred yards from the town which it overlooks.
Is completely destroyed, and recently from what the town folk tell them. Destroyed by an airship, that turned up a couple of mornings ago.
Giving those inside the castle a short time to vacate it, before the warship with it's magetubes destroyed the castle.
The mercenary companies, who number about three and half thousand soldiers and followers.
Continue on their way through southern Melaurn. Heading northeast, bound for the city of Pirtgott in the center of the province.
As that's the location they were originally heading to, before they were to head east to the border with the province of Karricaw.
Helbe the elven thief stands at the edge of some trees on a hilltop that looks over the road that goes through this part of southern Melaurn.
The elven spellcaster looks up into the midmorning sky, when he's contacted by one of the krean navigators onboard the strikeship.
The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head as he replies to the powerful krean spellcaster who is in contact with him via mindspeech.
Once the practitioner of magic onboard the command ship breaks off contact, the elven master assassin looks at his right shoulder and quietly says in the elven language "They're in place".
Narladene the ground pixie nods, then quietly says in reply "I know". As she has sensed them.
The naturally magical creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains, and is attached to the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, asks him "You want me to go and watch them?".
The elven masterthief, who is a member of the royal family that rules Laerel, who is now a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Thinks about it for a few moments, then he says "No, I'll look on them as well".
The ground pixie arches one of her thin eyebrows, as she wonders how the elven magic user is going to accomplish that.
The highly talented elven spellcaster looks away from the mercenary companies making their way along the road down below.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril who has easily avoided the scouting patrols of the mercenary companies.
They're not particularly good at scouting in the opinion of the elven master archer. Who is of the belief that a blind cow would make a better scout than most of the one's the mercenary companies have at their disposal.
Then the elven magic user, who is blurred and shielded as he's want to do, casts a spell.
It's a viewing spell. Not a particular difficult or taxing kind of spell to cast for someone of his talents.
Though it's a new iteration of a viewing spell. Infact, the first of it's kind.
As it's another completely brand new spell that Helbe the elven thief has come up with, after having some lengthy discussions with the powerful navigators on the krean strikeship.
A viewing spell is usually cast upon something, or someone, usually the caster. Making it what is referred to as a fixed spell.
With it on something like a tree, or the side of tower, or a rooftop. The caster can see what it sees.
Either in one direction, or all around depending on the talent of the one who cast the viewing spell.
The same goes for the distance, and the ability to see in various light conditions, like in the middle of the night.
That all depends on the talent and skill of the practitioner of magic who casts it, and not all that necessarily upon how powerful they are at magic.
All of these things, Helbe the elven thief can do with ease. Having mastered the viewing spell at a young age.
A spell that comes in rather handy when one is a prolific thief like he is.
But the viewing spell the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel just cast now. Is different again.
The one he's just cast isn't affixed or anchored to anything. The viewing spell is free, and floating above him in the midmorning sky, about a few hundred feet up.
"Well, look at that it worked" murmurs the elf who is the envoy for the armies of Farque when they deal with those who have hired them.
On his right shoulder Narladene the ground pixie arches an eyebrow again, then nods at the accomplishment of the elven masterthief.
"Got the idea from Mira" prince Helbenthril Raendril explains to the tiny winged creature, he then adds "He's done it with mageglobes he's created".
The elven master archer who is a member of lord Farque's personal council then dryly says "Which is a hell of a lot easier for him to do than to cast it in spell form".
The elven envoy with his eyes closed, looks through the viewing spell, which is an invisible orb in the sky.
Councilor Raendril moves it away to the right over the trees, so he can get a better view away to the east and south, behind the hills, one of which he's on.
The elven master assassin nods his head, and murmurs to himself as much to Narladene "There they are".
With his eyes closed, the elven magic user watches through his hovering viewing spell, a sizeable force of the first army of Farque under the command of general Salmic.
The young elven noble briefly opens his eyes, and glances down at the nearby road, where the mercenary companies are continuing on their way to the east and north, here in the province of Corlinda.
"Your morning is going to get a whole lot more interesting" murmurs the highly talented elven spellcaster.
On the right shoulder of the elven masterthief, the naturally magical creature widely grins as she nods in agreement with the elven master assassin.
Who again closes his eyes, to look through the viewing spell he has cast, which is floating above the hilltop he's on top of.
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest in the province of Karricaw, who has hired the first army of Farque. After the same mercenary army won a victory for his enemies here in the province of Corlinda.
Doesn't want the conflict between the two neighbouring provinces to expand beyond it's borders.
And to put a stop to any possible chance of attack upon his home province of Karricaw.
One such possible attack, could come from the mercenary companies. Who are from further to the north in the Southlands.
Predominantly along the coast, and as faraway to the north as Gilsom. Which is an easy two and a half thousand miles to the north of northern Farque.
Even further from the kingdom of Melaurn, which is the southern most nation in the Southlands.
Who have entered the province of Corlinda, and are making their way to the city of Pirtgott, which is near the middle of Corlinda.
Obviously this is something lord Farque has agreed to as well. And the undead warlord has sent a portion of his first army, under the command of general Salmic.
Into southern Corlinda, to deal to the potential threat of the mercenary companies from elsewhere in the Southlands.
"They going to do a strafing run at them?" quietly asks Narladene the ground pixie.
"One by the looks of it" replies Helbe the elven thief as he stands there with his eyes closed, looking through the viewing spell he has up in the air.
The young elven noble who is the grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel, sees that general Salmic has a few of the warships in the fleet at his disposal. As they're just out of sight behind the hills.
"The lord wants to see the army in action" quietly says the elven masterthief who will have a fairly close seat to what's about to happen.
The highly talented elven spellcaster who knows that lord Farque up onboard the krean strikeship, that's the command ship of the fleet.
Will also be watching what's happening, through viewing spells cast by the navigators onboard.
"This is the first time the first will face a sizeable force" continues the elven master archer.
Who is glad that over the months since the end of winter when he and the others in the group returned to the Southlands.
After spending months and months traveling back from the far eastern coast of the continent.
His power of foresight hasn't come upon him at anytime, which it has often done in the past.
As he's still yet to master it, something he figures will take decades to fully control.
As it's not related to casting magic in anyway. It's a separate power altogether. Something that's more than a little odd to say the least.
Helbe the elven thief with his eyes closed, watches the portion of the first army of Farque under the command of general Salmic.
The highly talented elven magic user sees the trio of warships the general has with him about to move.
The elven princeling from Laerel opens his eyes, and as he looks down to the road that the foreign mercenary companies are on, he quietly says to Narladene "Not long now".
The naturally magical creature nods her head in agreement as they watch what's about to happen.
The mercenary companies, even though there's still more than a dozen of them, are varied in numbers.
Move more or less as one as they travel through southern Corlinda as they head towards the city of Pirtgott.
And though the scouts from so many different companies are a lot to be desired.
The companies as a whole, even with their camp followers. Move fairly swiftly, with the foot soldiers marching behind those in the van who are mounted.
Even with multiple leaders, new leaders too. They're pretty cohesive in their line of march.
That all falls apart, and their lack of a proper chain of command comes about in the middle of the morning.
When they're traveling eastwards along a road to the north of a small hill range.
As sweeping over the eastern end of the hills, comes a trio of warships. A pair of fighting frigates, and a larger destroyer.
Which come down, heading westwards, flying at an angle to the ground, in particular the road.
With the two frigates infront, and the larger destroyer following as they fly bow to stern.
The starboard side magetubes of the warships open up.
Firing down at an angle at the foreign mercenary companies down on the road.
Who have absolutely no idea who is hitting them.
Magetube shots explode amongst the various mercenary companies.
With those with quick thinking officers, having them, whether they're mounted or on foot, scatter.
As the three Farqian airships do a strafing run upon those on the road that goes through this part of the province of Corlinda.
And though the three warships fire just a single salvo from each starboard side magetube.
They wreck havoc amongst the various mercenary companies from further north in the Southlands.
Explosion after explosion wracks the countryside as magetube shot after magetube shot, blasts anything, and everything away when they hit the ground.
On the hilltop they're up, Helbe the elven thief and Narladene the ground pixie watch the trio of Farqian warships come up, and head back over the hills after raining down a barrage of magetube shots upon those on the road below.
The young elven noble who is a member of the personal council then looks to the end of the hills, where the cavalry under general Salmic's command, comes into view.
And heads for the foreign mercenary companies, well those of them who are still alive.
The cavalry, both light and heavy. Are followed by the foot troopers, who run after their mounted comrades.
"They had no chance" murmurs prince Helbenthril Raendril, on his right shoulder, the ground pixie, Narladene nods in agreement.
As they watch the black clad soldiers in the first army of Farque under the command of general Salmic.
Descend upon the devastated foreign mercenary companies, who find themselves under attack on this warm, summer day, here in the south of the kingdom of Melaurn . . . . . .

To War 25.

Summer. Southern Melaurn.

The army knew something had gone terribly wrong when they went back across the border.
And they found not a single soldier from any of the other forces of Corlinda on the new border.
They knew some had returned home, but at least half were still on the border when they left, and went into the province of Karricaw.
And to make matters worse, the town on the border where they had built up their armies throughout the end of spring, and the start of summer.
Has been absolutely flattened. There's not a house or building standing anywhere.
In it's place are vast craters, the impact of multiple magetube shots fired from airships.
The telltale sign of what destroyed the town that was previously on the Corlinda side of the border.
And though the baron tried to keep the turn of events secret. After they crossed back into Corlinda, and headed further west.
Even the thickest and most simple minded of soldiers and camp followers have worked out what has happened.
Especially when they got just half a dozen miles from the border region.
And they came upon the keep of a certain sir Koppel. And found the keep just a pile of rubble. Though the nearby village still stands.
Everyone in the army had deduced that the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
Who had previously been hired by the nobility of the province of Corlinda, in the border war with the province of Karricaw.
Who infact, had won the border conflict for the side of those in Corlinda.
Have now switched sides as they're no longer being hired by the province of Corlinda.
As they continue westwards through their home province. Heading back to the city of Pirtgott.
They come across locals, to find out what's happened.
And though the local commoners aren't hostile to the baron's army. Hardly any of them are friendly too.
As they've now all heard how the baron of Pirtgott and his army went into the province of Karricaw to find and attack the retreating army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
When all the baron had to do was give the go ahead to pay the mercenary army from the lands Farque another week.
So they could chase down, and wipe out lord Gormica's army. The last force of any significance in the province of Karricaw.
Especially considering the war concerning the border had been won by the province of Corlinda.
As the baron's army continues to march westwards quickly, not stopping all that often.
They find no sign of any significant force as they go through the lands of the nobility in this part of the province.
Nothing of their allies. Nor of the army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
Who the baron of Pirtgott knows is now with the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
Though occasionally they get a glimpse of what they believe is the Farqian mercenary army.
As it is this morning, when at the front of the army, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott looks at sir Crissen who has just come in from riding their northern flank.
"Airship to the north" quietly says sir Crissen the vassal knight as he comes alongside his liege lord, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
"A sharp eyed scout is sure it's keeping pace with us" quietly adds sir Crissen.
After slightly wincing, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott quietly says "They want us to notice them".
"Why father?" asks Krissner, the son of the baron of Pirtgott.
"A sign that they don't care about us, that's why" replies the baron.
Who then nods, as another one of his vassal knights, sir Holjma says in a slightly sour tone of voice "And to show that they couldn't care less about us, and that they could attack us whenever they like".
As it's no surprise, that they all believe, correctly as it turns out. That the airship away to the north, keeping pace with baron Wilmot's army, is a warship in the fleet from the lands Farque.
"They still heading quickly westwards?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as he drags a wooden crate over to the port side rail.
"They sure are" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who is leaning on the port side rail, just forward of a midships.
As the halfling joins him at the rail, and stands upon the crate so he can look over the rail, away to the south.
The elf who is from the principality of Alínlae, and is now an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, says with a grin upon his youthful looking face "Bet they're wondering if we're going to attack them".
"We're giving them something to think about, that's for sure" says Jarjin Littlefoot with a chuckle as he leans his arms on the rail, as he looks away to the south.
The two of them, with their naturally enhanced eyesight. Can easily see the army of baron Wilmot away to the south, heading westwards through the province of Corlinda.
The halfling, who as a member of the personal council to lord Farque. Is the highest ranking figure onboard the fast frigate.
Has the captain of the warship shadowing the baron's army. Keep just within sight of a human with keen vision.
So that baron Wilmot, and his army know that they're being shadowed as they head back west through Corlinda, to the baron's lands of Pirtgott.
"Another keep coming up" says Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
The elven spy, who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, the principality of Alínlae.
Nods his hooded head along the road the baron's is on, where in the distance, about six or seven miles away to the west. Is what remains of the keep of the local lord in this part of the province of Corlinda.
Jarjin Littlefoot, who isn't exactly what he seems. He's infact, really a barbarian hordesman of the southern tundra, by the name of Zubutai Timaginson. Who just happens to inhabit the body of the halfling, who is from the far east coast of the continent.
Looks ahead, and sees the pile of rubble that was a keep until recently.
"Wonder if they'll find out?" quietly says the hobbit who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"They're bound to sooner or later" says the spy Tanith.
Next to him, Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman nods in agreement as they continue to watch baron Wilmot's army on the road to the south of them, as it heads westwards through the province.
The baron orders his army onwards when they get to the village, to the right of which, to the north of it.
Lies a big pile of rubble and stone. All that remains of the local lord's keep.
As his army marches by the village, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott. Along with his son Krissner, and the vassal knights Holjma and Crissen. And the baron's personal guards dismount.
And enter the village, where sergeant at arms Morbic and a handful of the advanced scouts are waiting.
"Found something interesting my lord baron" says sergeant Morbic when the nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the border war with the province of Karricaw, walks up to the sergeant at arms and his party of scouts.
"What is it Morbic?" asks the baron of Pirtgott.
"Best you hear for yourself" quietly says the sergeant at arms to his lord.
The baron nods, and gestures for Morbic to lead the way.
Wilmot of Pirtgott and the others with him, follow after the sergeant at arms, who leads them into the village.
What few locals are about, aren't hostile towards them as their tabbards are recognised.
Then again, the looks directed at them, aren't exactly friendly either.
"In here my lord baron" quietly says sergeant Morbic who points to one of the houses closest to the destroyed keep.
"Krissner remain out here with sir Crissen and the others" quietly says baron Wilmot who follows on from that with "Holjma will come in with me and the sergeant".
The baron's son nods, and remains outside with the vassal knight sir Crissen, the baron's personal guards, and the scouts.
The nobleman who rules the lands of Pirtgott in the middle of the province of Corlinda, along with his vassal knight sir Holjma.
Follow after the sergeant at arms, who after knocking on the front door, and saying "It's me again". Opens the door, and leads the way inside.
"You know who this is?" says sergeant Morbic to the occupant of the house, as he gestures at the baron.
The local, a young man, maybe in his late teens, early twenties at the oldest, nods his head, and says "Yes" followed by "Baron Wilmot of Pirtgott".
"This is Refuss my lord baron" says the sergeant at arms, who goes onto explain "One of sir Yammick's men, he broke his leg in the spring, so remained as a keep guard when sir Yammick's force joined us out on the border with Karricaw".
The baron of Wilmot nods, and sergeant Morbic says to the local man "Tell him what you saw".
"Baron" says the guard Refuss, who continues on with "We on guard duty waited for sir Yammick and the others to return when word got to us that victory was ours on the border".
The local man looks out the window that faces the pile of rubble just thirty yards away, where the keep once stood.
Then he looks at the baron of Pirtgott and tells him "Instead of my lord returning, a warship turned up instead. One belonging to that fleet from that mercenary army we had heard had been hired to help with the war against Karricaw".
The guard in the local lord's small army, swallows before he continues on with "Some of those black clad soldiers entered the keep, and ordered us out. Giving us a quarter of a turn of a sand glass to take what we could carry and leave" he then adds "With them were others, who from what their sigils were, i understand are lord Gormica of Salmah Forest's men".
The guard Refuss is silent for a moment, as he's got rapped audience in baron Wilmot, and sir Holjma.
As they both wonder what the young local man is going to tell them.
"Some of them went down into my lord's cellar, that he uses as his strongroom" says the guard, who stands, leaning back against the table behind him, as he's still not all together steady when he stands for an extended period of time.
"Took his family's strongbox, as well as the chest with the year end taxes" adds the guard Refuss, who continues on with "There was nothing any of us could do to stop them".
Baron Wilmot nods in agreement with his vassal knight sir Holjma who sourly mutters to him "Now we know how he's able to pay them".
Referring to how lord Gormica of Salmah Forest is able to pay the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
When previously there was no way in hell that the lord of Salmah Forest could afford by himself to pay the Farqian mercenary army.
"Anything else?" asks baron Wilmot as he looks at the young guard.
"Nothing much baron" says Refuss the guard, who follows that with "They destroyed my lord's keep quickly as we all watched, then they flew away".
The local man momentarily pauses, then he says "Now we wait for sir Yammick and the others to return" he then adds in a low murmur "That's if they'll return".
"They might be coming back cross country and avoiding the roads" says the baron of Pirtgott offering the young guard a bit of hope.
Though deep down, baron Wilmot is sure that sir Yammick and his small force have been wiped out.
"Keep an eye out for his return, and when he gets back, send word to Pirtgott that he's back" says the nobleman who has led the province of Corlinda in the border war with the province of Karricaw.
"Yes baron" says Refuss the guard, who watches the baron, the vassal knight, and the sergeant at arms walk out of his house.
Knowing that his lord, sir Yammick and the rest of his force. Will never return.
For if they're not back from the border by now, they'll never get back. Outside, the baron of Wilmot shares a look with his vassal knight, sir Holjma.
Then the baron says to the others who have been waiting "Back to the horses" followed by "Let's rejoin the army".
As they walk through the village back to their mounts, Krissner the son of the baron asks "What did you find out father?".
Wilmot of Pirtgott is silent for a few moments, then he answers his son with "We found out how that bastard of a brother of mine is paying that army from Farque".
As they get back to their horses, and get up into the saddle, and ride off to join back with the baron's army.
Baron Wilmot hopes to hell, and all the gods. That his city of Pirtgott hasn't been attacked like the keeps and castles they've seen as they've come back through the province of Corlinda.
For in his keep in the middle of the city, is his family's fortune amassed over centuries.
Not just that, but in the city, is the only counting house in the entire province.
Where he and the vast majority of the nobility of Corlinda keep some of their wealth.
Mostly the tax payment sent to the crown in the capital Calinar once a year.
If that's gone, there'll be hell to pay for the province of Corlinda. As the crown, in particular the king, won't be happy with that.
As they ride to rejoin his army, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott winces at the prospect of that.
And hopes that the city of Pirtgott has so far gone untouched in this new conflict he, and the province of Corlinda finds itself in . . . . . .