To War 74.

Summer. The City Of Calinar. The Capital Of The Kingdom Of Melaurn.

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy looks across the street, and watches the Farqian scout heading this way.
The elf originally from the principality of Alínlae, is standing infront of a merchant's shop, that gives him a clear view away to the left, where across a square, stands the palace of the king of Melaurn.
"Anything?" quietly asks Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy when he's joined by the scout.
"It's confirmed" quietly replies the Farqian scout, who though dressed like a local, is wearing armour, and has weapons beneath his clothing.
Dalinvardèl Tanith, or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, winces as the scout in the armies of Farque, who like him, is a spy, quietly tells him "Our contacts in there tell us that it was the dowager queen's men who took him".
"Shit" mutters the elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses in the principality of Alínlae.
Dalin, who is an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, a company commander to be exact.
Tells his fellow spy "See what else you can find out" followed by "Especially where he's being held".
"That's easy" says the Farqian scout, who like the spy Tanith, is speaking in elven.
"In the palace dungeons" adds the scout who is also a spy.
The elf, who is part of the group that travels with lord Farque, winces once more when he hears that, then he quietly says "Well, find out whatever you can from our contacts" followed by "I'm going back, send word when you've got more information".
The scout nods, then he turns, and goes back across the street, and wanders in the direction of the palace.
Meanwhile, the elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division.
Turns, and heads the other way. Making his way back to the safehouse that's nearby.
The spy Tanith doesn't even bother to look back to see if his shadow is following him.
He knows he's been followed, as his shadow has been watching him from an alleyway a bit further down the street.
The day is cloudy and overcast, but without any rain or drizzle. Though quite windy, as is often the case here on the coast.
And as it tends to do on the coast when it's windy. It's a much cooler summer day than further inland in the kingdom.
Much to the relief of the residents of the capital city Calinar. As the summer days here can often get humid.
It doesn't take long for Dalinvardèl Tanith to get back to the safehouse. The three storey building that has a clear view to both the west. To the port and the harbour, which the palace is close to.
And the north, to beyond the northern outskirts of Calinar. As just another handful miles north of the capital, lies the border with the lands Farque.
At the backdoor of the safehouse, the elven spy who hails from the principality of Laerel.
Looks across the lane behind the three storey building, to a gap between two buildings on the otherside of the lane.
He makes a beckoning motion, then says in elven "Come out" followed by "I need you to do something".
There's a slight pause, then from the gap between the two buildings across the lane, walks Dalinvardèl Tanith's shadow.
His shadow today is a young woman, in her early twenties by the looks of it.
Who is a scout in the armies of Farque. Who has had specialised training, completed by Helbe the elven thief.
The scout is no ordinary scout. She's also a personal bodyguard, and an assassin.
"Guard this door" quietly says the spy Tanith, who continues with "Don't let anyone in, including our own" he then adds "With the exception of the one i just spoke to near the palace".
The Farqian scout, who also happens to be an assassin, nods her head.
Then as Dalin turns, and goes to open the backdoor of the safehouse, the young woman quietly asks him "Sir, how did you know i was there?".
"One of the advantages of being an elf" replies the spy Tanith, who barely even heard her in the gap between the two buildings across the lane.
She was so good at keeping completely still without moving, that the elven company commander. Had to concentrate for a few moments as he listened to where she was.
The elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae, makes his way into the safehouse.
A little while later, and Dalin enters a third storey room, closing the door behind him.
"Find out anything new?" asks the elven ranger at the window who turned when the spy Tanith entered the room.
"He's been taken prisoner" replies Dalinvardèl Tanith who makes his way over to the window, to join the other elf.
The window is the best spot in the entire safehouse, to give a clear view away to the west, and to the north.
"By the old queen's men" adds the elf who previously served as a spy in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, Alínlae.
The elven ranger winces and mutters "Shit" when he hears that from Dalin.
The spy Tanith, who is the younger of the two elves, by nearly three hundred years, then says "He was unable to get any of the messages to the king".
The elven ranger, who is originally from the island principality of Laerel, which lies across the Kuyriers Straits from the kingdom of Melaurn.
And who like Dalin, is a spy. And who is in command of those Farqian spies here in the capital city Calinar.
Shakes his head, then asks the younger elf "So what now?" followed by "You're the one in charge of this".
The company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque, slightly nods, then after a brief pause, says "I've got an idea".
"Oh and what's that?" asks the elven ranger who at over five and a half centuries old, served under lord Farque when the undead warlord was still alive.
When he was the battlelord Kaiuss Farque, the heir to the then lord and ruler of the lands that bare his family name.
"We'll bust him out" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, the older elf blinks in surprise, then says "Er?".
Then watches as Dalin takes out something from under his cloak, that he got from down in the cellar, before making his way up to the third storey of the safehouse.
"Oh shit" says the elven ranger in the armies of Farque as he looks at what the spy Tanith is holding.
"Got plenty of these here" says the elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae, who continues on with "Might as well use them".
The older elf, originally from the island principality of Laerel, sourly smiles, and shakes his head as he looks at what the younger is holding, and quietly, and dryly says to him "The forest gods help us all".
Dalinvardèl Tanith flashes a grin, then he returns what he's holding, to under his gray cloak.
The company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque then says "Have someone go to the airdocks, and bring back the captain of the Quick Gull".
The ranger, who was a youngster, barely a hundred and twenty years old, when he fought under the command of the now lord Farque.
During the invasion of the Southlands by the Holy Norstran Empire.
Frowns as he looks at the younger elf, then asks him "Why do you need the airship captain?".
"He and his ship are going to provide a distraction" is the reply from the spy Tanith.
"I thought that's what you were going to use those for" says the elven ranger with a nod of his head to what Dalin has beneath his cloak.
"Not exactly" says the younger of the two elves, who follows that with "Actually going to use those to get him out".
The older of the two elves, who is also an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, though of a lower rank than Dalin, grimaces when he hears that.
"By all the damn gods, help us all" sourly says the ranger who hails from the elven island principality of Laerel.
Which on a bright, clear sunny day. And you happen to have enhanced eyesight like an elf. You can see it from the light towers at either end ot the city's harbour.
A little while later in the morning, almost three days since Dalinvardèl Tanith took the prisoner, general Sumic to near the gates of the palace, and released him.
A small group has gathered in the third storey room of the safehouse, here near the docks in the port.
One of those in the gathered group, is the captain of the airship, the Quick Gull, who frowns then says "You want me to do what?". After the spy Tanith explains to the group what he has planned.
The elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae, who is now a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Once again, goes over the plan, specifically what he wants the captain of the Quick Gull, and his small, sleek looking vessel to do.
The airship captain who is originally from the Sultanate of Dreese, which is on the far east coast of the continent, then mutters in his native dialect "Fucking hell".
Then switching to the common language, as he isn't that fluent at the elven language, which he only started learning about half year ago, he asks "What do they do?".
As he looks from the spy Tanith, to another in the group, a man in his mid twenties, who looks like he's a journeyman of some kind, who plies a trade maybe in woodwork and carpentry.
Dalin shrugs his shoulders, then says "Anything from my experience in using them".
The fellow who looks like a journeyman carpenter, who is actually a sorcerer, nods in agreement, then says "Who knows".
Followed by "You might get a bunch of flowers from one knowing them" he continues with "Or the largest explosion imaginable from the next".
The captain of the Quick Gull sourly smiles, then he looks over at the elven ranger who tells him "Just treat everyone of them as if they'll kill you and destroy your ship".
The older of the two elves in the room, then says "Which from what I've seen of them over the years, is pretty much true".
"Great" sourly says the airship captain who hails from the far east coast of the continent.
Who along with his ship and crew, decided to stay in the lands Farque, and join the Farqian fleet after flying lord Farque and much of the group back to the Southlands from the otherside of the continent.
"Whatever you do, don't head north into the lands Farque" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, who then murmurs in a dry tone "I might have to flee that way".
The captain of the Quick Gull nods, when the elven spy who is a company commander in the armies of Farque tells him "Head out over the ocean if you're chased".
Dalin continues on with "I doubt there's a single ship in the fleet who can keep up with the Quick Gull".
"There isn't" says the airship captain, who has had a good look around the city airdocks.
At the vessels in dock, both in the fleet of the king of Melaurn, as well as merchant vessels.
Not a single one he judges as fast, or as agile as his airship, the Quick Gull.
The spy who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae looks at the others in the room, and asks "Any other questions?".
It's the older elf, the ranger originally from the island principality of Laerel, who speaks up, and says "If you do get him out, and you get the messages to the king".
The elven ranger in the armies of Farque pauses for a moment, before he continues on with "And by some miracle you actually get out of there alive with him" he then adds "Then what?".
"Like i said, it would be best if we hide out in the city" says Dalinvardèl Tanith who continues on with "But if that's not possible, we'll do as i suggest".
The company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque after a brief pause, adds "We'll go north".
There's silence in the room, as there was when the Dalin first outlined his plan.
Especially the detail of going north of the city. As there's only one place that way. The lands Farque.
Surprisingly this time, it's the figure standing in a corner of the room, who thus far has remained silent, who speaks up now.
"Is that wise sir?" asks the young woman who is a scout, but also an assassin and a bodyguard.
"You could send their men and ships towards our lord's lands" adds the bodyguard to the spy Tanith.
Looking over at his shadow, Dalinvardèl Tanith says "You're right, it could send their men and ships towards the lands Farque".
The elf, originally from the principality of Alínlae, where he served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland, then adds "But they won't go there, no matter what".
After a slight pause, Dalinvardèl Tanith says "They know the consequences if they do" followed by "And if they do, well they'll face the consequences". Everyone in the room nods in agreement with that.
Then the elven company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque then tells them all "Like i said, it'll only be my last option".
Which seems more and more likely if i actually do get him free and out of there, Dalin thinks to himself.
Who then gestures to the others to join him at the window, where they can get a clear view of the palace of the king of Melaurn.
So that he can once again go over the details of the rather audacious. And if he's totally honest with himself, rather crazy plan he's come up with to get the enemy prisoner, general Sumic out of the palace dungeons . . . . . .

To War 73.

Summer. Corlinda. Melaurn.

Mira Reinholt the mage looks over to the surgeons and healers tents. Where he's just seen lord Gormica of Salmah Forest make his way into one.
The once powerful mage looks at Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit standing beside him, who quietly says in the elven language "He's checking on sir Holjma".
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, which he's in exile from. Nods his hooded head as the halfling from the far east coast of the continent, the Sultanate of Dreese to be exact, quietly adds "Beldane healed him, but he's still not completely right".
The hobbit, who like the mage Reinholt, is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, then says "Beldane says he needs rest for a day or so, then he'll be right".
The two of them, continue on their way, heading up the slight rise that overlooks where the army has set up camp.
There's no rain, nor drizzle in this part of northern Corlinda. But the day is overcast, with gray skies above them in all directions.
The army, predominantly made up of the combined armies of the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
Were victorious against the enemy. The king's own army who had crossed over into the province of Corlinda, from the province of Moleau.
And though they didn't totally annihilate the enemy army. They did wipe out a large proportion of the enemy army.
And left the remainder of them retreating to the north. Back all the way to the border, and across into the province of Moleau.
Mira Reinholt, and Jarjin Littlefoot along with their fellow councilor, Helbe the elven thief.
Are happy enough with the result of the battle. But they're more happy that the armies led by lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and his twin brother, baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Actually fought together for the first time, and gave a good accounting of themselves against an army of the king's own.
Up the rise, which is essentially a small hill. The once powerful mage and the halfling former air sailor.
Find the prisoner, under the watchful eye of his guards. A trio of black clad Farqian soldiers.
"They definitely made a mistake putting him in command" quietly says councilor Littlefoot as they look at the city lord.
The halfling who isn't really what he appears to be, then adds "They should of definitely had that general Tam captured in command of them, instead of him".
The Vexilian mage in exile nods his hooded head in agreement with the hobbit, who is a former air sailor, who served in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
"Didn't get much useful information from him either" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage.
The halfling from the far east coast of the continent, who in actuality. Is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of Jarjin Littlefoot. Who died in a battle last summer, in his homeland, the Sultanate of Dreese.
Nods his head in agreement with the once powerful mage, while looking around in all directions. Though paying particular attention to the north.
Whilst the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster.
Watches the nobleman from the capital city Calinar. Who sits there on the damp ground, head cast down, looking at the grass between his boots.
The mage, who is a member of one of the most influential, not to mention wealthiest trading families. Not just in Vexil, but in all the Southlands.
Looks at his fellow council member, who quietly says "What's that?".
"What's what?" asks the spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he lost the vast majority of his powers, when he went offworld through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
The exiled Vexilian swordmaster looks to the north, to see what Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman is looking at.
"I don't know" says Mira Reinholt, who continues on with "You're the one with the better eyesight".
"Can't quite make it out" mutters the halfling who is a former air sailor.
The mage Reinholt thinks about taking out his leather wrapped, brass cylindrical eyepiece.
But he doesn't bother, and instead casts a farsight spell upon himself instead.
"Hmmmm don't see anything" quietly says the once powerful mage as he looks away to the north.
The cloudy skies doesn't make things easy to see, and it's a few moments later when councilor Reinholt finally sees it.
"Wyvern and rider" quietly says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"Heading west" adds the practitioner of magic who at the age of seventeen, was the youngest ever member of the mage council of Vexil.
Until he was kicked off it, and sent into exile, when he betrayed his homeland during the Battle of Vexil.
"Thought it was" says Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson, who follows that with "One of their's I'm guessing?".
"Definitely" says Mira Reinholt, who then nods his hooded head, then quietly adds "Maybe".
In response to his fellow councilor the hobbit, asking him "Can you get it from here?".
As the wyvern and it's rider, is easily fifteen miles away to the north. Basically over in the province of Moleau, as it heads westwards in the cloudy skies.
The spellcaster in the black hooded cloak creates a mageglobe in his right gloved hand, which takes off, heading north over the camp below. In pursuit of the wyvern heading westwards to the north of their position.
"It either gets it, or it doesn't" says the mage Reinholt to the halfling who is a former air sailor.
"Too damn faraway for me to do anything else" continues the once powerful mage, who then adds "And it's getting further away too".
Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin nods in understanding. As in one of the many lives he's been in the last fifteen years, has been as a practitioner of magic.
When he was the Kail Arriss the sorceress. And he knows all about the limitations of spellcasting.
The two of them look down the rise they're up, and spot Beldane the cleric making his way up here.
The fighting cleric, who was in the thick of the battle yesterday. More so than any of the three members of lord Farque's personal council who are with this particular army.
Walks up to where the mage and the former air sailor are standing on the top of the rise.
After glancing at the dejected looking prisoner sitting on the ground.
Beldane the cleric asks Mira Reinholt in the elven language "Why did you do that?".
Referring to the mageglobe the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil just created, and sent on it's way.
"Enemy wyvern" is the laconic reply of the practitioner of magic, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster.
The cleric originally from the kingdom of Nastell, looks to the north, where the mage Reinholt gestures.
Beldane, who is a member of the church of Glaine. A god predominantly worshiped in the north of his homeland, Nastell.
Frowns as he tries to look for a wyvern and it's rider, in the distance to the north.
The fighting cleric in the halfplate armour who can't see Mira Reinholt's mageglobe, but can just sense further away to the north, and getting even further away.
Eventually nods his head, after casting a spell similar to farsight, so that he can see in the distance.
"That's quite far" murmurs the churchman from northern Nastell, who doesn't have any specific rank or position in the armies of Farque.
He's just a member of the group that travels around with lord Farque himself.
The powerful spellcaster, who can barely see the wyvern and it's rider against the gray skies, more than seventeen miles away now.
Even with the cleric's equivalent of a farsight spell cast upon himself, says to his fellow practitioner of magic "Will your mageglobe get it?".
"Maybe" is the reply of Mira Reinholt the mage with a shrug of his shoulders.
Who then drops the farsight spell he's cast, then turns to look at the prisoner.
"What do we do with him then?" asks the Vexilian mage in exile, who follows that with "He hasn't exactly been a fountain of information".
Jarjin Littlefoot turns and looks at the prisoner too, as does Beldane the cleric after he drops the spell he's been casting.
"Not sure" says the halfling who is a former air sailor, who was part of the fleet in the Sultanate of Dreese.
Rubbing his chin, a habit he's had since he was actually Zubutai the barbarian hordesman.
The hobbit who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, adds "We might want to find out how things went for Dalin in the capital".
Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin, continues on with "How that general was received at court, and what were the crown's replies to those terms we sent".
Nodding his hooded head in agreement, Mira Reinholt the mage says "That might be for the best".
As the three of them look at the nobleborn prisoner, the once powerful mage from the city-state of Vexil says "Since he's a favourite of the dowager queen, he might come in handy" followed by "Probably best if we didn't kill him out of hand".
Both the former air sailor, and the fighting cleric nod in agreement with the once powerful mage.
Then the spellcaster who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster, looks from the dejected looking prisoner.
To the practitioner of magic standing on his left, and the hobbit who is a member of lord Farque's personal council on his right, and he asks them in elven "Anyone seen the royal thief?".
The mage Reinholt then dryly adds "He's probably out stealing something knowing him".
Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson grunts in agreement, then tells the Vexilian mage in exile "He went north with those who chased after the remnants of the enemy army".
The halfling who is member of lord Farque's personal council, then adds "He could be anywhere at this time".
Helbe the elven thief is walking through some woods, when he comes to a stop when he thinks he senses something approaching from the south.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, frowns when he turns and looks to the south.
He's pretty sure he sensed something to the south, but he just can't sense it at the moment.
"I'm sure there's something there" Helbe the elven thief murmurs to himself.
The highly talented elven magic user, who as usual when he's out and about, is blurred and shielded.
Senses again, concentrating as he does so. As he's certain there's something magical coming this way.
Then the elven masterthief, who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, mutters "Shit".
As he realises what it is he's sensed. They're notoriously difficult to sense anyway. And he's just able to sense it again. Mere moments before he spots it coming through the trees to the south of him.
The elven master assassin, who is one of the members of the personal council to lord Farque.
Moves to one side, as he sees he's basically in the path of it, as it comes flying through the trees in this direction.
The young elven noble who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
Grimaces as it barely passes by him, as it continues on it's way northwards through the woods.
"Damn stupid things" mutters the elven spellcaster as he turns and watches the dull red coloured ball of light, about the size of a small apple heading through the woods.
The elven princeling from Laerel sourly smiles as he watches the mageglobe go through the trees, before losing sight of it. And once again he's unable to sense it.
The elven archer is just glad the living piece of magic wasn't sent to him. As you can never be too certain what they'll do.
The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel who is across the border in the province of Moleau, continues on his way.
He shifts away, as he too heads northwards. Though more to the northeast. Unlike the mageglobe which was heading northwest.
A short time later, and prince Helbenthril Raendril is walking near the edge of the woods.
Where Narladene the ground pixie suddenly appears on his right shoulder, and quietly says "Was that one of Mira's mageglobes i sensed a little while ago?".
The elf who is the envoy for the armies of Farque, grunts in the affirmative to that.
Then he quietly says "Dull red coloured one, heading to the northwest".
"A deadly one then" says the naturally magical creature who is attached to the young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel.
"That's no surprise" dryly says the highly talented elven spellcaster.
Who after a brief pause, murmurs "I wonder who Mira has sent it to kill?".
The tiny winged creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains, nods in agreement.
Then she takes off, heading straight up into the cloudy skies above.
She returns a short time later, and says to elven master assassin "There's a wyvern and rider in the distance to the west" the ground pixie continues with "It's after them".
Councilor Raendril nods his hooded head, and quietly says "One of their messenger riders".
Narladene nods in agreement with that, as the elven master archer continues walking towards the edge of the woods.
Once he's at the treeline, the blurred and shielded elven magic user, quietly asks the tiny winged creature standing on his right shoulder "Anymore of them about?".
"There's some about two miles to the northeast" is the reply from Narladene the ground pixie.
Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head as he looks at the rough camp of some of the enemy who survived yesterday's battle, who have fled north into the province of Moleau.
"Let's see what we can find out then" murmurs the elven princeling as he makes his way towards the king's own camp.
In search of any of their officers and noblemen who survived the battle, to find out any useful information.
The blurred and shielded elven master assassin will then kill any of them who are of high rank that he finds here . . . . . .

To War 72.

Summer. In The Province Of Corlinda.

They set off early, still nighttime really. Heading north and east. In the direction of where the borders of the provinces of Corlinda, Moleau and Mofosild all meet.
Now it's the morning, and the constant rain of the last day and a bit has ceased.
Now there's only a little bit of drizzle falling in this part of the northeast of the province of Corlinda, and that looks like it will stop soon. Though the early morning skies remain very much cloudy.
Dickhead Thirty Something is out infront, and he stops when he hears movement up ahead amongst the trees.
The goblin, who has been made a scout in the battalion. Knows that no human would of heard what he just heard.
So he remains completely still, trying not to give himself away. Hoping it's one of the actual scouts, or rangers up ahead.
Thirty Something as more often than not he's called by the others in the battalion.
Waits behind the trunk of a tree, and eventually he hears a quiet voice say something in the elven language, from up ahead of him in the trees.
Dickhead Thirty Something doesn't know what the actual word is, but he does know what the correct response to it is.
"Draugadrottin" quietly calls out Dickhead Thirty Something, who suddenly sees movement up ahead.
As a Farqian ranger steps out from behind a tree, and lowers his longbow before nodding his hooded head in greeting to the goblin.
Thirty Something breathes a sign of relief, and nods in return. Glad he didn't get skewered by the expert archer's arrow.
The goblin hurries forward, going over a fallen branch, without even tripping over it, much to his relief and amazement.
As he doesn't want to look like a complete fool infront of the ranger, who quietly tells him in the common language as he knows the goblin can't speak elven "It's just up ahead" followed by "Just a few hundred yards away".
Dickhead Thirty Something nods, then quietly says "I'll go back and get them, and bring them here".
Them, consists of Tovis the war engineer, Dorc da Orc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, Shur Kee the monk Teabagger the Goblin Cunt. A squad of twenty or so goblins, one of whom is Dickhead Thirty Something.
As well as a handful of scouts and rangers from the first army of Farque.
And a dozen or so from the engineering corp in the Farqian mercenary army who have turned up over the last day from being over in the province of Karricaw, helping with the rebuild of the castles, keeps, towns and villages in that province.
With them is captain Domall, the captain of the guard of lord Measum.
They've gone northeast from the castle of lord Measum, the local lord here in the northeast of the province of Corlinda.
They've gone towards where the borders of three provinces, Moleau, Mofosild and Corlinda meet.
"This way boss, er captain" says Dickhead Thirty Something to Tovis the war engineer.
For though Dorc da Orc is a general in the armies of Farque. They all know that it's the young engineer Tovis who is in charge here.
Even all the goblins in the battalion prefer it that way. For their general is great at making decisions on the fly during battle.
Making decisions at any other time isn't the ork warleader's strong suit.
As invariably his decisions that aren't during the middle of a battle are either totally stupid, or just plain dangerous. More often than not, both stupid and dangerous.
Besides Shur Kee the monk is with them here in the very northeast of Corlinda.
And the short, statured monk is the highest ranked one of them here. For though he's an honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque.
He's still a member of the personal council of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
And since the enigmatic acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li. Is letting captain Tovis make all the decisions. Then that's the way things stand.
Dickhead Thirty Something leads them further along from where he spoke with the ranger.
And eventually finds the ranger, along with two Farqian scouts, at the edge of some trees.
And while the bulk of them remain back amongst the trees.
Thirty Something, along with the war engineer, the ork general, the former paladin, the goblin commander, the physical adept, and the local captain of the guard.
Move forward to where the ranger and two scouts in their black tabbards and cloaks are waiting.
The Farqian ranger in the hooded cloak doesn't say anything, and just points instead.
"Any survivors?" quietly asks Tovis the war engineer, as he figures the ranger and two scouts have already had a closer look.
"None" replies the ranger from the lands Farque, who points further to the northeast, and adds "You can't see from here, but there's a couple of farmsteads that way" followed by "They've suffered the same fate".
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic nods, then he turns to the local with them, and switching to the common language, the war engineer says "No one survived".
The captain in the engineering corp of the first army of Farque continues with "Same goes for a couple of farms further to the northeast, closer to the border".
Domall the captain of lord Measum's guard, winces then mutters "Shit".
As they look down at the village that's in ruins just fifty yards from where they stand at the edge of some woods.
And though some of the houses have been burnt down, most are still standing and are in one piece.
As the heavy rain yesterday when it looks like the village was attacked. Stopped the other houses and buildings from being burnt down to the ground.
They can see dead bodies, scattered throughout the village. Men, women of all ages, as well as children.
"Didn't think soldiers would do that" murmurs Tovis, who though only in his early twenties, he previously served as the war engineer to a baron Harkonin in the east of the kingdom of Druvic, his homeland.
"What happened?" asks the young engineer with a nod of his head at the village that's been attacked recently.
"It was hit yesterday morning" says one of the two scouts, who continues on with "A company of about fifty rode in, and attacked it" he then adds "Then they went back north to the border".
"Moleau or Mofosild?" asks the captain in the engineering corp of the first army of Farque.
"Moleau" is the reply of the black clad Farqian scout.
"Raiders perhaps?" asks Tovis war engineer, who follows on from that with "Bandits or the like?".
The scout shakes his head no, as does the other one, as well as the ranger, who says "These were soldiers, or at least some nobleman's guards".
The cloaked and hooded ranger, continues with "The horses shoes were similar to or exactly the same as a some of that lot we fought against in that battle the other day".
"Damn" murmurs the young engineer, who then quietly says "We could very well have another army from Olind and elsewhere in Moleau just across the border".
There's a brief moment of silence, which is broken by Shur Kee the monk who quietly says "This was expected".
The captain in the corp of engineers in the first army of Farque nods, then says "Yes it was" he then adds "But not these tactics".
"Simple" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic in his overly loud and boisterous voice, who continues on with "They've learnt about that recent defeat at our hands, wot".
The nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic then says "Now this new lot are changing tactics" followed by "They must surely know they can not stand up to our army led by young Tam".
Though Dorc da Orc scowls at his bitter rival, the former paladin.
The large ork who is going from tree to tree, trying to find one good enough to give him shelter from the light drizzle that's falling.
Does give a reluctant sounding grunt in agreement with what his bitter rival, the heavily armoured knight just said.
Tovis the war engineer turns to Domall the captain of lord Measum's guard, and tells him "All the surrounding villagers and farmers will have been told to move to the castle".
As the large castle of lord Measum's essentially has a town within it's walls. Easily able to house far more people than currently live there.
The local nods his head, then the young engineer looks back to one of his officers in the corp, and gives him some orders.
A short time later, and a couple of runners have taken off, heading back to the castle they left well before dawn.
Meanwhile the rest of them, have made their way into the village that was attacked yesterday morning.
Tovis the war engineer warns Dorc da Orc not to touch any of the dead.
As the large ork is licking his lips, and starts to drool as they go by the first of the dead bodies on the ground.
Shur Kee the monk repeats that warning to the ork warleader. Who isn't even bothered by the drizzle that's falling. As he's too busy gawking at the dead bodies in the village.
The short, statured monk who is originally from the far eastern coast of the continent, where his homeland, the kingdom of Wah Lee is located.
And who is now the honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Keeps close to the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
To make sure he doesn't take one or some of the dead villagers. As the ork weaponsmith, has a preference for eating human flesh over anything else.
As usual  Teabagger the Goblin Cunt, who commands the goblin battalion in the armies of Farque is close to his general, the ork warleader.
As is the large ork's bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who unconsciously, is always near the ork general where he doesn't think about it.
Otherwise, the nobleborn knight who like Tovis the war engineer, hails from the kingdom of Druvic.
Keeps as far from his bitter rival, the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, as much as possible.
Tagging along with that smaller group, is Dickhead Thirty Something. For the simple fact, one of them is his commander, and another is his general.
Thirty Something and Teabagger make their way out of one of the houses, followed by their general after they've had a look inside.
Outside, Shur Kee the monk asks the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world "Friend Dorc is there anyone in the area?".
"Dorc not your fucken friend" mutters the warleader of the ork race in the incomprehensible language of the orks.
Then Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, sniffs as he looks around and says in the common language to the physical adept "Just fucken us cunts".
The son of the previous matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. Who incidentally, he killed. Which was only fair, as at the time, she was doing her utmost best to kill him.
Ork relationships, no matter between who. But especially between family members. Are a little volatile to say the least.
That's putting it lightly. As one of the favourite pastimes of all orks, is killing one another.
Takes a just few steps towards the next house in the village, more so to get out of the drizzle than to actually see what's inside of it.
When all of a sudden he stops, tilts his head, and sniffs deeply a few times.
"What is it Dorc?" asks the short, statured monk who is the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior, Bru Li.
"Beast, doth you smell something?" adds sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who then quickly says "Wot" followed by another "Wot".
After a few moments, as he stands there in the falling drizzle, Dorkindle grunts, then scowls up at the cloudy skies this morning.
Before hurrying to the next house, that has overhanging eaves, that the large ork is able to duck beneath, for a little bit of shelter.
"Well, demon?" asks the former paladin who is a member of the order of The Knights of Saint Mar-che.
"Is there something or someone about?" adds the physical adept who is the honorary member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The ork, who was named warleader of his race a number of years ago, by lord Farque, grunts in the affirmative to Shur Kee the monk's question.
Meanwhile the two goblins, Teabagger and Thirty Something, who have naturally enhanced hearing like their general.
Try to listen for something or someone, in the area around the village.
They don't notice anything, but their general has, who tells the acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li "There's a cunt to the north of here".
Shur Kee who is best suited to be out in any rain, due to the odd, conical shaped hat he wears, nods then asks "How far away?".
"Couple of fucken miles me guess" is the reply of the large ork who holds up the all the fingers of one of his large, meaty, skillet sized hands.
The physical adept nods, and knows whoever it is, they're between two and five miles from the village. Which would put them on the border with the province of Moleau if they're about five miles away.
The short, statured monk along with the large heavily armoured knight, as well as the two goblins, all look sharply at the large ork, who says "The cunthead just landed" followed by "On one of 'em little fucken dragons".
Shur Kee the monk slightly frowns, then after a moment, he nods in understanding, then says to the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world "You mean a wyvern, friend Dorc?".
"Yeah one of them fuckers" says Dorkindle, who then mutters in his native language "And me not your fucken friend cunt".
The honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque turns to Dickhead Thirty Something, and tells him "Could you go and get captain Tovis" followed by "It is best he knows about this immediately".
"Yes councilor" says Thirty Something who hurries off to get the war engineer, to tell him about this new turn of events.
On this drizzly summer morning, here in the very northeast of the province of Corlinda, not far from the borders of the provinces of Moleau and Mofosild . . . . . .

To War 71.

Summer. The Kingdom Of Melaurn.

The heavy rain for the most part has stopped. Though away to the east, it looks like it's still raining pretty heavily in that direction.
Lisell Maera the scout wipes her face as she stands beneath the branches of a tree.
The attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury sourly smiles.
For though the heavy rain has stopped, and it's only drizzling at the moment.
Fat drops of water continue to fall from the branches above her, occasionally hitting her as she looks away to the north.
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well.
Looks to the right, and gives a hand signal to the ranger in that direction.
The black clad, Farqian ranger nods in reply, then he moves out.
The tall, lean, athletic and attractive young woman who hails from the coast of the Southlands moves out too.
Lis has only taken a few steps away from the tree she's taken cover under.
When there's suddenly a fairly heavy sounding thump just behind and to the right of her.
The scout whips out her shortsword as she spins around. Then she wryly smiles as she sees what it now behind her.
"Anvil" says Lisell Maera the scout as she looks at the massive undead wardog who is standing there, with what can only be described as a grin upon his maw, as his tongue is lolling out the side of his mouth.
The attractive young woman who is in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, frowns as she wonders where Anvil has come from.
Then she quickly looks up into the cloudy sky, and through the drizzle she sees the large, heavily armoured figure of lord Farque suddenly appear in midair, about fifty feet above the ground.
The undead warlord falls to the ground, landing right next to his wardog. Barely bending at the knee as he lands on his feet.
"My lord" says the scout Maera in the elven language.
"Lis" says lord Farque in greeting in the same language.
The heavily armoured deathlord then calls out to the nearby ranger, telling him that the only people in the area. Are some local tree cutters, about half a mile to the east. And that there's no enemy in the direction the ranger and scout were heading.
After ordering the ranger back to the army, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says to Lisell Maera "Back to Tam and the others" followed by "There's things we need to discuss".
With tongue lolling, the undead wardog Anvil gets up, and turns, then takes off running to the south.
The deathlord of Farque, and the scout who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, follow after the massive canine.
As they walk quickly through the trees, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says to Lis "I gather Dorc and his battalion of goblins went east to join up with Tovis?".
"They did" says the attractive young woman whose mother was a prostitute who worked on the streets of the city of Brattonbury.
And whose father, a man she never knew, nor met. Was a sailor, who plied his trade on the Great Western Ocean.
"Percy went with them to that castle out there" continues Lis who serves in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
"I don't know if that's a good idea" dryly says the undead warlord, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"Tam sent Shur Kee with them" says the scout Maera.
A grunt of approval comes from behind the faceplate of the heavily armoured deathlord's full helm.
"Well if there's one person who can keep those two fuckwits in line, it's the monk" dryly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Lisell Maera grins as she nods in agreement, as they walk through the falling drizzle, heading back to the army led by the young field commander, Tamric Drubine.
A rather wet, and disheveled looking owl flies right into the tent through the open front flap.
After landing on a camp seat, it suddenly turns into a cat. A rather displeased one as it hisses, before meowing in a plaintive manner.
"It doesn't particularly care to be out in the rain, even if it is only drizzling at the moment" says Saanea the witch, as she picks up her familiar, and pats it, trying to mollify the upset magical creature.
"I don't blame it" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who follows that with "I don't particularly care to be out in the rain as well".
Saanea's familiar meows in agreement with the nobleborn teenager who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
Who commands a force of about a third of the first army of Farque. Who are here in the kingdom of Melaurn. Fighting on behalf of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest. Who has hired them, as he fights a war against the crown and king of Melaurn.
"Lis is coming back" says the pretty looking spellcaster who is from the Maldin Hills.
A long hill range near the coast of the Southlands, far to the north of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Not far from the port town of Gilsom, which is itself, over fifteen hundred miles to the south of the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
"Her squad find something up that way?" asks the nobleborn teenager, who is the son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
Saanea shakes her head no, and says "She's coming back with lord Farque" the pretty looking witch continues with "The command ship is in the area".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, nods in understanding.
Then steps outside, and tells one of his adjunctants to gather the senior officers here, in the command tent.
Since the battle, they've been heading westwards through northern Corlinda.
Searching for signs of the enemy, who might attempt to cross over the border from the province of Moleau.
Field commander Drubine who knows that there's an enemy army of the king's own further to the west in northern Corlinda.
Knows that the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott have gone into battle against them, either today or yesterday.
The nobleborn teenager who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. Who is the lover of Saanea the witch.
Suspects the lord and ruler of the lands Farque has come here to inform him about that.
And to tell him about what else is happening in the war between lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and the crown and king of Melaurn.
Wonder how that general did in the capital? Tamric Drubine thinks to himself, as he wonders how the prisoner, general Sumic, faired in the capital city, Calinar.
As his subcommander and other senior officers turn up to the command tent.
The young field commander spots outside, the two undead brothers, Arveem the heavy foot trooper, and Dargarven the scout. Wandering through the camp in this direction.
Tam knows that they already know lord Farque is in the area.
And he figures they're silently communicating with him already. As he knows the Farqian undead have the ability to mindspeak with one another.
Looking at one of the messengers standing beneath the overhang at the front of the command tent.
Tamric Drubine after quietly asking his lover Saanea something, the senior officer in the armies of Farque says to the runner "Furnid, lord Farque is that way".
As he points in the direction the undead warlord is coming from, the young field commander adds "Escort him here to the command tent".
"Yes field commander" says the messenger Furnid, who Tam helped to train during the wintertime.
The nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin slightly grins as he watches the young messenger hurry away.
As lord Farque is perfectly capable of finding where they are. After all, he's an undead warlord who can sense all life for miles and miles in all directions around him.
Tamric Drubine who wanted to give young Furnid the honour of being in the presence of his lord.
Looks over at the undead brothers Arveem and Dargarven again. And sees the young teenage adjunct, Hamblin is following right behind them.
The teen from northwest Farque, who Tam, along with Saanea and others also helped to train during the winter.
Is now a junior officer in training, learning as much as he can as the assistant to the undead heavy foot trooper Arveem.
Who truth be told, doesn't need a young adjunct to assist him whatsoever.
But it's the training of the young teens that count. And the youngsters, whether they're runners, messengers, adjunctants or other junior officers in training.
Are getting an awful lot of training on the job so to speak. As they're part of the first army of Farque.
Who have been hired by the Karricawian nobleman, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, who finds himself at war against the crown and king of Melaurn.
As his officers quietly chat amongst themselves, field commander Drubine quietly asks his lover Saanea "Anything else in the area?".
"Nothing that i can tell" is the reply of that spellcaster from the Maldin Hills.
The witch continues with "I'm figuring lord Farque will tell us if there is".
The nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin nods to that.
As he and the others wait for the lord and ruler of the lands Farque to show up.
It's not too long before Tam spots the massive shape of Anvil coming through the camp, that the army has set up along a belt of trees that a farmer has between his fields.
The undead wardog trots through camp, until getting near to the command tent.
Where he wanders over to the undead brothers Arveem and Dargarven, who are beside some of the trees.
There the massive canine sits down, then lies down, letting out a heavy sigh.
Before rolling onto his back, and lying there with his legs in the air, with his head at an angle, so he looks straight into the command tent.
Tamric Drubine is pretty certain the undead wardog is looking at Saanea's familiar, which is in cat form, in the arms of the practitioner of magic from the Maldin Hills.
Soon the young field commander spots the unmistakable figure of lord Farque making his way through the camp.
As the six foot, seven inch tall, three hundred pound undead being, encased from head to foot in a suit, of dark blue, black heavy steel plate armour, or so it seems.
Walks through the camp, those soldiers not outside, make their way from their tents. And join the others, and bow to their lord as he walks by.
Next to the lord of the death realm walks the scout, Lisell Maera.
And though near six foot tall herself, and being lean and athletic. The attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. Has to hurry to keep up with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
As does the young messenger, Furnid. Who is closely following behind the undead warlord and the scout.
Lord Farque, who has the elven name of Des'tier. Which translates to, The Destroyer.
Nods his full helmed head as he walks by the undead brothers Dargarven and Arveem.
The deathlord of Farque walks by the runners and messengers at the front of the tent, nodding in reply to their bows.
Then he enters the command tent, along with the scout, Lisell Maera.
After Tam's senior officers and adjunctants bow to their lord and ruler.
Lord Farque nods, then gestures outside and says to them in elven "Wait outside for the meantime".
A chorus of "Yes my lord" comes from them, before they exit the command tent of Tamric Drubine.
Once they're outside, the undead heavy foot trooper Arveem and the undead scout Dargarven enter.
With Dargarven, the younger of the undead brothers closing the front tent flap behind him.
"Silence spell around the tent if you please" says the heavily armoured deathlord to Saanea the witch.
"Of course my lord" says the pretty looking spellcaster, after Tam lifts an eyebrow at that request from the heavily armoured deathlord.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque makes his way over to the map table, waving for the others to join him.
Once they're all around it. With Tam, Lis and Saanea on one side. And the undead brothers, Arveem and Dargarven to either side of it.
The undead being who is over four and half centuries old, who is on the opposite side of the map table from the trio of living humans, says "So this is what's been happening".
Lord Farque briefly pauses for a moment, as field commander Drubine, the scout Maera, and the witch Saanea look at him, then he adds "And this is what you lot will do next".
Before he goes onto explain the current situation of the war between lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, and the crown and king of Melaurn.
And what he wants the army led by Tamric Drubine to do next, when they move out early tomorrow morning . . . . . .

To War 70.

Summer. Northeastern Corlinda.

"Fucken rains" mutters Dorc da Orc as he looks out the tower door, at the rain hitting the parapet along the west wall of the castle.
The large ork sighs, then crouches back down and gnaws at the bone he's been chewing on for the last little while.
In the tower room with the ork warleader, is Teabagger the Goblin Cunt.
Who doesn't look too closely at the bone his general is gnawing on at the moment.
As to the small, bright, green goblin who is originally from the province of Sorros in the north of the kingdom of Melaurn.
The bone looks suspiciously like a human leg bone to the eyes of the goblin who commands the battalion of goblins in the armies of Farque.
As Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, continues to chew on the bone he's got.
Teabagger glances at the stairwell that comes up through the center of the floor in the tower room.
The small, bright, almost lurid green goblin, can hear someone making their way up the central stairwell in the tower.
He quickly looks at the large ork, who is rather preoccupied on the bone he's gnawing on.
Then Teabagger nods, as he can hear who it exactly is that's coming up the central stairwell.
He knows the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. Will be indifferent to one of those coming up to the top of the tower.
Though the ork weaponsmith will absolutely hate the other one who is heading up here.
The goblin commander steps away from the stairwell in the middle of the floor, and leans back against the wall behind him. Watching his general as he does so.
The small, bright lurid green goblin from northern Melaurn sees his general pause while chewing on the bone in his mouth.
And look towards the central stairwell as he's finally realised someone is coming up.
The ork warleader tilts his head as he listens, then he grunts as he realises who is heading up to the tower room.
Then the large ork, who is a member of the wolf tribe of orks. Who is now a general in the armies of Farque scowls as he realises who else is coming up the central stairwell of the tower on the northwest corner of lord Measum's castle.
Here in the northeast of the province of Corlinda, on what's been a rain soaked day here in this part of southern Melaurn.
"I'm sure it will be perfectly fine" says Tovis the war engineer as he leads the way up the central stairwell of the corner tower.
Behind him comes a grunt, and a muttered oath he can't quite make out.
Which is fairly odd, considering the person following him is usually loud and boisterous.
The young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now a captain in the armies of Farque.
Steps up through the floor into the room, at the top of the northwest corner tower of lord Measum's castle.
Tovis who commands the engineers corp in the first army of Farque steps to the side and looks around.
"Don't throw that Dorc" quickly says Tovis the war engineer.
As sees Dorc da Orc crouching near the open door, looking this way, about to throw what looks like to be a half eaten bone he's holding.
The young engineer frowns as he tries to figure out what kind of bone the large ork has got.
The warleader of the ork race, much to the surprise of the war engineer, stays his hand, and instead of throwing it, goes back to chewing the bone.
Just as the next person in the central stairwell in the tower, comes up through the floor and into the room.
"Should of known the foul smelling beast was up here, wot" declares sir Percavelle Lé Dic when he sees his bitter rival is up here in the room at the top of the tower.
The big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, snarls at the nobleborn knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic.
Though Dorkindle continues to gnaw on the bone in his mouth.
Tovis who is pretty sure that's a half eaten human leg bone the ork weaponsmith is chewing on.
Rolls his eyes, then turns to Teabagger the Goblin Cunt, and asks the small, bright lurid green goblin "Anything out on the road in this rain commander?".
"Nothing boss, er captain" says Teabagger the Goblin Cunt after looking out one of the lower archers slots.
As the former paladin, sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
Sourly smiles as he looks at his bitter rival the ork general, then completely ignore him and walks to the opposite side of the tower room from the ork weaponsmith.
The young engineer who previously served in the army of a baron Harkonin in the east of his homeland of Druvic.
Looks out of one of the other archers slots, or windows in the tower room.
Looking towards the road from the north and west, that leads to the castle of the Measum family.
The local lord here in this part of northeastern Corlinda. One of the handful of nobles who kept out of the recent war between the neighbouring provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
But since his castle and lands are close to the provinces of Mofosild and Moleau.
He won't be able to keep out of the current war between the crown and king of Melaurn, and lord Gormica of Salmah Forest for much longer.
"Nothing alright" says Tovis the war engineer as he watches the road that leads to the castle for a bit.
The captain in the armies of Farque isn't expecting the enemy turning up here anytime soon, especially in this weather.
But you can never be too sure. And it's why he's got lookouts all along the castle walls. And why he has some of the scouts and rangers who came along with the goblin battalion.
Out in the surrounding countryside, looking for any of the enemy who might be coming down from either the provinces of Mofosild or Moleau.
As he continues to gnaw on the human thigh bone he's got in his mouth.
One of a number of body parts he scavenged from the recent battle he and his battalion were in.
Dorc da Orc who has his back to the others in the tower room. Is looking out the open door to the parapet along the west wall of the castle.
The other door, that leads to the parapet on the castle's north wall. Is closed at the moment, as the wind and rain is blowing in from that direction.
The ork who was named warleader of his race a number of years ago by lord Farque.
Spots a familiar figure in the rain walking along the parapet, heading this way.
The ork weaponsmith as he continues gnawing on the thigh bone sourly smiles as he watches the short, statured figure out in the rain.
Then Dorkindle grunts as he realises that person isn't get that wet. Due to the strange, wide brimmed, conical shaped hat they're wearing.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who has always been a bit partial to hats.
The more colourful the better in the opinion of the ork warleader. Wonders if he should get himself a similar looking hat. Though not the same, as he thinks that particular one. Which is severely lacking in colour. Looks absolutely fucking stupid.
Me gets me a fucken pretty looking hat, Dorc da Orc thinks to himself, who then silently adds, not a silly fucken one like that little monkey wears.
The son of the previous matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. Who he killed, which was fair after all, as she was doing her best to kill him at the time. Scoots over to one side as the person out on the parapet approaches the northwest tower of the castle.
"Thank you friend Dorc" says Shur Kee the monk as the large ork moves out of the way of the open doorway, to allow him into the tower.
The ork general just grunts in reply, before he bites down on the thigh bone in his mouth, with a fairly audible crunch.
The big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, where The Ork Range is located.
Can't help but grin as he bites apart the human thigh bone he's been gnawing on for the last little while, up here in the room at the top of the northwest tower of lord Measum's castle.
Gesturing back out the door, to the other end of the wall, Shur Kee the monk says to Tovis the war engineer "They have not spotted anyone from that tower friend Tovis".
Nodding his head, the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic says "I doubt any of us will" followed by "Especially on a day like today".
As the rain here in the northeast corner of the province of Corlinda, where it's close to the border with both the provinces of Moleau and Mofosild.
Is heavier than anywhere else it's raining across the south of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Though even with all the rain they've had so far today, Tovis doubts it will raise the water level in the moat at all.
Which is fairly low at the moment, as it's been a fairly long, hot, dry summer so far this year in southern Melaurn.
With this being the first lot of substantial rain they've had in the south of the kingdom all summer.
The short, statured monk from the far eastern coast of the continent, the kingdom of Wah Lee to be exact.
Nods his head in agreement with the captain in the engineering corp of the armies of Farque.
Then the acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li, the war engineer, the goblin commander, and the former paladin too.
All look at the ork warleader, who with a mouth full of bits of bones, says "A cunt's coming".
The large ork nods to the door on the otherside of the tower room, the closed one where the large, heavily armoured knight is standing.
After a moment, Teabagger the Goblin Cunt nods in agreement with his general, and says to the young engineer "Someone on the parapet that way boss, er captain".
The small, bright green goblin originally from the province of Sorros, in northern Melaurn then adds "Hurrying this way".
"Open that door, and let them in Percy" says Tovis the war engineer.
The member of the order of The Knights of Saint Mar-che grunts, then goes to open the tower door, just as someone thumps on it, as they realise it's locked from the inside.
The nobleborn knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, where he's the former earl of Lé Dic, which is his family's fief in the east of his homeland.
Opens the tower door, allowing wind, rain, and Domall the captain of lord Measum's guard in.
The former paladin quickly closes the tower door, as Domall the captain of the guard says to Tovis the war engineer "One of your scouts has been spotted to the north from the other tower". Meaning the northeast tower of the large castle.
"They're riding back here in a hurry" adds the captain of the guard.
The young engineer nods, then says "Best we see what's up" Tovis then tells the captain of the castle guard "Have some of your men man this room as we find out why the scout is hurrying back here".
They all head down the central stairwell, with captain Domall stopping halfway down the tower, at one of the guard rooms, to send some of the soldiers up to the top of the tower.
Once down the northwest corner tower, they head to the main gates in the west wall.
Dorc da Orc ends up running as he keeps close to the wall, trying to avoid as much as the rain as possible.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world is the first of them to get to the guard house at the gates.
Followed closely by Teabagger the Goblin Cunt, then sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and eventually the others.
In the guard house, that's inside of the wall, Tovis the war engineer looks out of the peep slot in the sally port.
And after a little while, where Dorkindle has been studying the mechanism and chains to lower and lift the drawbridge.
The captain in the engineering corp of the armies of Farque says to captain Domall "Lower the drawbridge".
The captain of the castle guard gives the order, and the mechanism, one in this guard house, and another in the guard house across the otherside of the gates, are put into action, lowering the drawbridge across the moat, here on the west side of the castle.
A little while later, and a Farqian scout rides across the drawbridge, and into the large castle of lord Measum.
The black clad scout is ushered into the guard house, where he speaks with the war engineer.
Dorc da Orc takes another bone from one of his sacks, it's already stripped bare of flesh.
And it's easily identified as a human arm bone, because of the hand, stripped of skin and meat, is still attached to it.
The large ork crunches on the arm bone as he and the others watch the young engineer and the scout, who are speaking in the elven language, which none of the others can understand.
After a few more moments, Tovis the war engineer looks at the others after speaking to the Farqian scout, and he says to them in the common language "We might have a little bit of a problem".Which gets all of their attention, even Dorc da Orc's.
The young engineer who is captain in the armies of Farque then explains to them what the scout, who has just returned to the castle, has found out . . . . . .

To War 69.

Summer. Northern Corlinda.

With the constant rain, the ground is getting churned up in places.
So much so that lord Gormica of Salmah Forest slips over.
A good thing he does, as an enemy sword that's just about to hit, passes over him.
Then just as the lord of Salmah Forest tries to regain his own sword that's slipped from his hand.
A hammer whacks into the side of head of the enemy soldier who just tried to kill the nobleman the king and crown of Melaurn is at war against.
Hands grab Gormica of Salmah Forest, and help him up off the ground, and onto his feet.
Turning to his liege lord, the vassal knight sir Deemus asks "You okay?".
The nobleborn knight from the province of Karricaw swings his hammer at another of the king's own.
Who quickly backs away, as soldiers from the province of Karricaw rush forward to protect the two noblemen.
"Yeah I'm fine" says lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, who is breathing heavily as the constant rain continues to fall.
The nobleman who leads the province of Karricaw, and for the meantime, the province of Corlinda.
Looks around as his vassal sir Deemus says "We're finally pushing them back".
Lord Gormica nods, as from their position, that's what's looking like is happening.
The Karricawian nobleman who led his province in the recent war against the province of Corlinda.
And is now at war against the crown and king of Melaurn.
Asks his vassal knight "Do you see my boy?". Referring to his son, Elmond.
"I don't" says sir Deemus, who follows with "Last i saw of him was with our riders over in that direction".
The lord of Salmah Forest looks in the direction his vassal knight quickly points to.
And as the vassal knight calls out "After them men!" followed by "We've got the bastards on the run!".
Lord Gormica looks around wondering where his son has got to in the battle.
Then as he looks further to the left, or south of his position. The lord of Salmah Forest spots the forces of the army from here in the province of Corlinda.
And he wonders how his twin brother Wilmot is faring this morning in the rain, against the enemy army, the king's own.
Baron Wilmot of Pirtgott is breathing heavily as he looks around after he and one of his vassal knights, sir Crissen cut down a few of the enemy.
Before a number of the baron's men rushed forward to protect the pair of Corlindian noblemen.
A company of riders, led by another of the baron's vassal knights, sir Holjma, go racing by. Attacking the enemy who are backing away, and retreating along this section of the battlelines.
"Bloody hard going" says baron Wilmot of Pirtgott between breathes.
Next to the nobleman who led the province of Corlinda in the recent war against the province of Karricaw.
His vassal knight sir Crissen, who is breating just as heavily as the baron of Pirtgott, nods in agreement with the Corlindian nobleman who is the twin brother of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
"Finally pushing them back though" says sir Crissen the vassal knight who lifts the visor of his helm to wipe his brow with a damp cloth as the steady rain continues.
Just then, a young black clad messenger from the Farqian mercenary army rides up from behind, and says "Baron Wilmot have your men go there".
As the baron of Pirtgott looks to where the messenger points, the youngster says "They're pulling back towards the road" followed by "Trying to get a foothold there, so they can retreat properly".
Wilmot of Pirtgott nods in understanding, and says "Will do".
The young rider heads off, and the baron who led the province of Corlinda in the recent war against the neighbouring province to the east, Karricaw.
Says to his vassal knight sir Crissen "We've got the bastards on the run" he continues with "Have the reserves come up as well, that's if they let us".
The baron has put his son Krissner in command of their reserves. And he along with the Farqians who are in overall command of their army.
Have held back from using the Corlindian infantry reserves. Who number just over a hundred and fifty soldiers or so.
Sir Crissen nods, and looks back to the rear, glad that there hasn't been any explosions amongst their ranks lately.
Then he tells his liege lord "Looks like they've already got the signal to advance". As he sees his foot reserves heading forward.
"Good" murmurs the baron of Pirtgott, who then yells out to his men who can hear him "Advance towards the road!" followed by "To the right!".
As he sees that his orders, will complement the orders most likely given to his twin brother, Gormica of Salmah Forest. Whose infantry are now advancing, though to their left.
The Karricawian and Corlindian foot troops will advance until they meet. Creating a wedge to attack the army of the king's own, who are falling back towards the nearby road.
As the constant rain continues to fall across not just the battlefield, and northern Corlinda. But across a lot of the south of the kingdom of Melaurn on this warm summer's day.
Elmond, the son of lord Gormica circles back with his men. When he sees the bulk of the Corlinda army led by his father.
Is now advancing as the king's own heads back to the nearby road.
The young noble from the province of Karricaw flinches, as do the other riders around him.
As explosion occurs away to their right, just where they've been.
Elmond the son of Gormica hopes that all of his men are following him, and haven't been caught up in that explosion.
As both sides of the conflict utilize magic in this morning's battle, here in the north of the province of Corlinda.
The son of the lord of Salmah Forest sees a figure suddenly appear just up ahead, and to the right.
He immediately recognises the cleric in the halfplate armour as being in the mercenary army of Farque. Even though he doesn't wear a black tabbard, or a black cloak.
The young nobleman, still not yet twenty. As he rides by, sees through the falling rain, the fighting cleric swing his mace in the air, at what seems to be nothing.
Suddenly there's a white flash that shoots from the cleric's weapon. And a couple of moments later. Elmond and the other riders with him.
Hear an explosion back where they've come from. Back towards the enemy who are falling back towards the road.
As Elmond leads his horse company back to come alongside the flank of his father's army.
The young Karricawian noble glances back, and blinks as the rain continues to fall. And he no longer sees the cleric standing there.
On the otherside of the battlelines, the south side of the battle. Sir Holjma the vassal knight to baron Wilmot of Pirtgott, is heading back after leading a charge against the enemy, the king's own.
The nobleman whose lands are to the north and east of the baroncy of Pirtgott, closer to the border with the province of Karricaw.
Knows that he and his company of riders can't keep going into the enemy ranks.
Because one by one, he and his men will get isolated, and picked off as they take on the enemy.
So they're heading back, to come alongside the left flank of the Corlindian infantry, who are advancing on the king's own, who are falling back towards the nearby road.
Sir Holjma with his reins in one hand, and his broadsword in the other, blinks.
As through the falling rain that's continually fallen throughout the morning.
He spots a small, red ball of light, coming towards him and his company of riders as they wheel back towards the left flank of the Corlindian infantry.
The vassal knight to the baron of Pirtgott flinches as the small ball of red light, about the size of a small apple.
Shoots by, between him and the rider directly to his right. As it heads towards the enemy army who are falling back to the nearby road.
The Corlindian nobleman is just wondering what that could be. When a few moments later, he hears a thud in the distance back behind him and his company of riders.
Sir Holjma looks back over his right shoulder, and through the falling rain. He sees in a distance, a fiery cloud of debris mushrooming up into the rainy sky from amongst the king's own army back near the road.
As he looks ahead again, the nobleman from here in Corlinda, is just glad that whoever the spellcaster who did that. Is on their side, and not on the side of the enemy, the crown.
Lord Gormica of Salmah Forest looks away to their right, when his vassal knight sir Deemus gestures that way.
The nobleman who led the province of Karricaw to victory in the recent war against the province of Corlinda. And now finds himself at war against the crown and king of Melaurn.
Sees that his son Elmond, and his cavalry company have come back, and are now along the right flank of the Corlindian army.
That's advancing on the enemy once again, as the king's own are falling back to the nearby road, that comes down from the northeast.
"Keep moving forward!" calls out sir Deemus the vassal knight, the nobleman from Karricaw, who like his liege lord, is in a mix of plate, chain and leather armour, then calls out "Make way!".
As those at the front of their army, have once again engaged with the enemy army who have crossed the border from the province of Moleau, into Corlinda.
As the soldiers infront of the two noblemen start to part to allow the two noblemen and their guards forward.
A figure suddenly appears beside the lord of Salmah Forest, who recognises the man in the half plate armour who is suddenly beside him.
And though he doesn't wear a black tabbard, or black cloak. The Karricawian nobleman knows it's the cleric in the Farqian mercenary army who stands beside him.
"Best you not go forward at the moment with your men" says Beldane the cleric to the lord of Salmah Forest.
"Let them continue to join up with your brother's men" adds the fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
The cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine, a god worshiped predominantly in the north of Nastell, continues with "They've still got an edge on numbers, even with all the fighting this morning".
Lord Gormica who'd hate to think how many of the combined army of Karricaw and Corlinda have been either wounded or killed this morning in the bloody battle, nods his head in understanding.
"Have our men in the fore go more to the left, and join up with Wilmot's men" says lord Gormica of Salmah Forest to sir Deemus.
As the vassal knight and some of the officers shout out that order. The nobleman who leads the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda in the war against the crown and the king.
Walks forward, instead of rushing forward as he was intending to do.
The powerful cleric from the kingdom of Nastell continues walking beside him, telling him a number of things of what's happened so far this morning.
"Their commander has been captured" quietly says Beldane the cleric.
"He has?" says lord Gormica in surprise, who then frowns before he continues with "You wouldn't think it by the way they've been fighting".
Nodding his head, the fighting cleric says "He was appointed by the crown, and not much of a military leader to begin with".
"That lord from the capital?" asks the Karricawian nobleman.
"That's the one" says the powerful spellcaster who is a member of the church of Glaine.
Who has put wards around the lord of Salmah Forest without telling him.
"The senior officers are all the king's men, and they know what they're doing" says Beldane, who briefly pauses as he senses an enemy spellcaster, one that's still alive, is about to cast.
Sensing that, that particular spell isn't coming anywhere near here.
The fighting cleric who is a member of the group that travels with lord Farque, continues with "Though we'll definitely break them if they flee back up the road".
The member of the church of Glaine points away to the right flank of the Karricawian army.
And the lord of Salmah Forest, sees that his son Elmond's company of riders have been joined by the heavy horse troop.
And now they're turning away, heading further to the right, to the north.
Lord Gormica looks sharply at the cleric beside him, who says "We're going to let them get to the road and retreat" followed by "There the cavalry will hit them from the side as they flee northwards".
The Karricawian nobleman nods in approval, and says "Good plan".
Beldane the cleric nods too, and thinks the same of the plan devised by Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as they battle the enemy army.
Who when they first showed up this morning along the road, badly outnumbered the combined army of the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
But not now, as it's after midmorning, on a warm and rainy summer day here in this part of northern Corlinda.
As the war between the crown and king of Melaurn, against lord Gormica of Salmah Forest continues to rage on . . . . . .

To War 68.

Summer. The Province Of Corlinda.

Beldane the cleric appears out of nowhere in the middle of the fighting.
The powerful spellcaster kicks out and sends an enemy soldier flailing backwards into another, after getting hit in the midriff.
The cleric, who is originally from the kingdom of Nastell swings his mace, and there's a blinding flash.
And a dozen of the soldiers in the king's own army drop to the ground, writhing and groaning as the rain continues to fall.
The soldiers in the mercenary army from the lands Farque who are close to the fighting cleric.
Rush forward, and plunge through the gap in the enemy lines Beldane has just created, followed by soldiers from the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda.
The powerful practitioner of magic vanishes. Though not until after he swings his mace again.
And a shaft of white light beams down from the rainy skies. And strikes further back amongst the enemy.
Creating an explosion, where soldiers in the king's own, along with the rain sodden ground they're standing on.
Goes flying up and outwards in all directions from the spell cast by the powerful cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine.
A god predominantly worshiped in the north of Beldane's homeland, the kingdom of Nastell.
"Going to get involved?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as he looks down at the battle that's been underway for a little while now.
"Maybe" replies Mira Reinholt the mage, as they stand beneath the branches of a tree.
About three quarters of the way up the hill, that overlooks the part of the local countryside where they've decided to battle the enemy army.
That's come south across the border into the province of Corlinda. As the war between the crown and king of Melaurn, and lord Gormica of Salmah Forest continues to rage on.
"Perhaps soon" adds the spellcaster originally from the city-state of Vexil, which he's in exile from.
The once powerful mage, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, looks along the line of battle, then behind it on either side, then he asks the halfling who is a former air sailor "What are you doing with the heavy horse?".
As the division in question, has only done one charge at the start of the battle, before the hobbit, who isn't all that he appears to be, ordered them back.
"Just waiting for the opportune time for them" is the reply of Jarjin Littlefoot, who like the mage Reinholt, is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
The spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he lost the vast majority of his powers when he went offworld through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
Nods his hooded head in agreement with his fellow councilor, then he quietly says "They're putting up a fight, that's for sure".
As the enemy, who they've lured away from the nearby road. Haven't broken, and are holding their own against this particular force, of the Farqian mercenary army and the combined army of lord Gormica of Salmah Forest and baron Wilmot of Pirtgott.
Who are leading, well technically the lord of Salmah Forest is leading them. Though in actuality, since three of the members of the personal council to lord Farque are here.
They're just as likely to command what the army does or does not do.
Thinking of the third member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque who is here.
Jarjin Littlefoot asks "Heard from Helbe?" followed by "What's he up to?".
"I have no idea" is the response from the swordmaster Reinholt, who continues with "Just what he told us earlier".
The halfling who though from the far eastern coast of the continent. Is in reality, a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to inhabit the body of Jarjin Littlefoot. Who died in battle last summer, in the Sultanate of Dreese.
The homeland of the hobbit, who is a former air sailor, who served in the Sultan's fleet.
Grunts at hearing that, and isn't too surprised that their fellow council member, Helbe the elven thief hasn't got in contact with the mage Reinholt.
Then the hobbit former air sailor, and the human mage, turn their heads away as a bright explosion rocks the ranks of the combined army of Corlinda and Karricaw.
A moment later, and a bright white light forms, and explodes behind the frontlines of the crown's army.
Slightly wincing from such a bright white light on a gloomy and rainy morning, Mira Reinholt says "That was Beldane retaliating".
"I figured as much" dryly says Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. As without doubt, the fighting cleric is the most powerful spellcaster on both sides of this battle.
Though the practitioner of magic from the city-state of Vexil, the mage Reinholt can still be thoroughly destructive like only mages can be, when occasion requires it of him.
Such as now, as the Vexilian mage in exile says "Think i will get involved now".
And as he watches through the falling rain, Mira Reinholt creates one mageglobe in his right gloved hand. And a second one appears in his gloved left hand.
The first is bright fiery red, and it shoots from the right hand of the spellcaster, who was the youngest member ever of the mage council of Vexil.
The second mageglobe, this one a dark blue coloured one the size of an apple. Takes off from the left hand of the once powerful mage.
With both mageglobes heading down to the battle. One, the red one sinks down into the ground. While the blue travels through the air.
Just then, Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears beside the two members of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"Who's that?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot as he sees an unconscious man over the left shoulder of the elven magic user, who like the two of them, is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
"This is lord Simkins" says Helbe the elven thief, who shrugs the unconscious man off his shoulder. And onto the damp ground, here beneath the trees about three quarters of the way up the hill, where they're watching the battle from.
"Their commander" adds the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, with a nod of his hooded head down at the enemy lines.
"Oh?" says the halfling from the Sultanate of Dreese, who is a former air sailor.
"Nobleman from the city of Calinar" says the highly talented elven magic user, who continues on with "Who happens to be a favourite of the dowager queen".
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel then says "I suspect that's how he got command of this army, instead of that general that Tam and that lot captured, who Dalin took to the capital".
"Well imagine that" says Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson as he looks at the unconscious figure lying on the ground.
The halfling, who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Along with the elf, who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Look at their fellow councilor, the mage Reinholt, who hasn't really been following their conversation, as he's been concentrating on something else.
The Vexilian mage in exile, covers his ears with his hands, as he does, the elven masterthief asks him "Bad?".
"It could be" is the reply from Mira Reinholt the mage, who then adds "They can overdo it at times".
The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head in understanding.
While councilor Littlefoot, who is a little slower to understand what the two spellcasters are discussing.
Winces, then mutters "Oh hell". As he realises they're talking about the two mageglobes Mira Reinholt created.
Just then, there's a rather loud explosion that hits amongst the enemy army. Quickly followed by another. Signifying the mageglobes, which are living pieces of magic. Coming to the end of their brief lives.
Amongst the enemy army, in this instance, the king's own. To be exact, the crown's army. Though everyone calls them the king's own.
A large explosion rips up through the ground, there's flames and fire in the rather large explosion. The largest so far of the battle, this dark, gloomy and rainy morning.
The next instant, just above the location of that explosion. As the ground starts mushrooming up from the explosion.
There's another one, this one flashes blue. As suddenly an explosion of water occurs right above the fiery one. With the inevitable results.
Beldane the cleric who has just teleported to another spot in the battle.
Suddenly feels his mace, which is magical, and at times, has a mind of it's own. Activates in his right gauntleted hand, and cast.
Wards suddenly appear infront of the member of the church of Glaine.
And the next moment, the explosions from the mageglobes created by Mira Reinholt the mage, occur. Not all that far from where the fighting cleric is standing infront of the enemy.
"Bloody hell" mutters Beldane the cleric, who stumbles backwards even with the barrier and protection spells infront of him.
As they're hit by a wall of fast moving steam, is what it can only be described as.
The powerful spellcaster, who didn't even sense the mageglobes. As they're near impossible to locate and find, even if you are actively sensing for them.
Sourly smiles as he figures it was something Mira Reinholt the mage just did, that's hit the enemy ranks.
And as the hot steam starts to dissipate, the cleric who is part of the group that travels with lord Farque.
Though he has never set foot in the lands Farque, nor does he have an actual rank in the armies of Farque.
Sees scores and scores of the enemy soldiers near him are down. Hit by the wall of moving steam.
While others further back, where the explosion actually took place.
Where there's now a crater in the ground between here and the nearby road.
Are dead, with their clothes and armour burnt off them, and a lot of their skin and flesh stripped off them as well.
Beldane winces when he's able to spot this through the dissipating stream as the rain continues to fall this morning.
Not just here in northern Corlinda. But right across southern Melaurn. Infact a fair chunk of the kingdom, that's the southern most nation in the entire Southlands.
The fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, looks back and calls out "Charge!".
A Farqian officer hears the call of the powerful cleric, who is a member of the group that travels with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
And he repeats the call to charge. And the infantry behind Beldane, predominantly from the combined army from the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda, charge at the enemy.
Where there's now a large gap in the battlelines of the king's own army.
"Looks like it worked" says Mira Reinholt the mage as be looks down at his handiwork.
The once powerful mage briefly pauses, before he continues on with "Didn't know if it would, to be honest".
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit looks sideways at his fellow councilor the mage, and sourly smiles.
Then the halfling who isn't really what he appears to be. Looks at the other council member up on the side of the hill, beneath the trees.
Helbe the elven thief, who glances down at him, slightly shrugging, whilst grinning.
"You're no better than him, half the time" mutters Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson in the hordes dialect of the southern tundra.
Then switching to the elven language, the halfling originally from the far east coast of the continent, says in a dry tone to the mage Reinholt "You know, you could of told us what you were doing".
Shrugging his shoulders, the Vexilian mage in exile says "Best not to when mageglobes are concerned" he then adds in a slightly dry tone "The results could be different than what i actual intend".
Next to the spellcaster, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. His fellow practitioner of magic, the elven masterthief nods his hooded head in agreement.
As he's been around Mira Reinholt long enough, to see how mageglobes react when they come to the end of their, normally brief lives.
"We've got a significant breach down in their lines now" says the mage Reinholt with a nod of his hooded head down at the raging battle below.
"And our forces are taking advantage of it" says Helbe the elven thief, who then gestures at the unconscious enemy nobleman he's captured, and says "Without a commander now, i think the twins will have a better time of it now".
"Looks like it" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot, who then turns to the nearby signalmen, and says "Have that heavy horse that's been waiting in reserve move up" followed by "Hit them on the right flank near where that new breach in the enemy lines is".
As the signal is conveyed, the three council members, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, Mira Reinholt the mage, and Helbe the elven thief continue to watch the battle that's taking place below them as it continues to rain this morning . . . . . .

To War 67.

Summer. The City Of Calinar. The Capital Of The Kingdom Of Melaurn.

They arrived in the city of Calinar before dawn. And like elsewhere across the kingdom of Melaurn it's raining.
Though here on the coast, in the north of the kingdom it started raining yesterday afternoon.
Now this morning, the skies above the capital are still cloudy. But the constant rain has stopped.
It's only an intermittent drizzle that's dousing the city of Calinar this morning.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who made his way off the Quick Gull right after they put in at the city airdocks.
Has made his way to one of the safehouses here in Calinar that the spies in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque use.
A handful of them are in the city at the moment. Along with others from the lands Farque. Which isn't all that far from the capital city of the kingdom of Melaurn.
Infact the border is just a handful of miles, three to be exact, from that northern outskirts of the city.
And the spy Tanith, who is looking out of a north facing window on the third storey of the safe house.
Can easily see the lands Farque in the distance to the north through the drizzle that's falling upon the city of Calinar this morning.
"Where is he?" asks the elven scout in the Farqian armies, one of the others who remained here in Calinar.
When the others went east during the war between the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda just a few weeks ago this summer.
"Still onboard" is the reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy as he looks away from the lands Farque to the north.
Then looks to the left, closer to the harbour and ocean, where the castle of the king of Melaurn is just back from the shoreline.
"I'll take him there a bit later" says the elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae, who is now a company officer in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as more often than not, he's called by those who know him well.
Nods in the direction of the nearby castle, and adds "After i find out what's been happening there" followed by "And elsewhere in the city".
The elven scout, who is from the island principality of Laerel. Which can be seen across the Kuyriers Straits on a clear, sunny day from the light towers at the ends of the harbour.
Says to the spy Tanith "What do you what to know?".
After a moment's silence as he continues to look at the palace of the king of Melaurn, the spy Tanith says "Everything".
The scout, who is twice the age of Dalin. Infact he was alive when lord Farque was alive.
And fought in the army led by the then battlelord, Kaiuss Farque as he was known then.
Dryly says "Hell, that's a lot" the scout momentarily pauses before continuing on with  "Well, for starters when we've been able to get someone into the palace, or when we've been able to bribe one of the courtiers, we've found the same thing over and over again".
"Oh, what's that?" asks the spy from the elven principality of Alínlae, where previously he served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland.
"It's that the dowager queen who is the one driving the campaign against lord Gormica, and the provinces of Karricaw and Corlinda" says the elven scout in the first army of Farque.
"The king's mother?" asks Dalinvardèl Tanith, who knows the old queen had a lot of influence at court. He just didn't know how much, especially when it comes to the war down in the south of the kingdom.
"The very one" says the scout, who is originally from across the Kuyriers Straits, where the island principality of Laerel can be found.
"We've got it from very good authority, that she wanted to get the crown involved during the war between Karricaw and Corlinda" adds the elven scout, who continues on with "Before things spilled over into the province of Moleau".
The older of the two elves briefly pauses before he says "It's why the king's own and some of their allies got down into the south fairly quickly once word of what was happening across southern Moleau got to the capital"
The elf from the island principality of Laerel, then says "A lot of them were prepared for war anyway".
"Interesting" murmurs the elven spy who hails from the principality of Laerel, who is now a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the first army of Farque.
Dalinvardèl Tanith then says "She's from the province of Sorros too" followed by "In the field we've encountered hardly anyone from there".
Nodding his head, the elven scout originally from the island principality of Laerel says "I doubt you'll see many from there anyway" he continues with "They're busy fighting themselves half of the time, so it isn't just her wanting to keep them out of what's happening down south".
"The crown can only get the other provinces in the west and the north, and in the middle of the kingdom to join in with them" says the spy Tanith, who then adds "Nobody down south will go to war against Karricaw and Corlinda" followed by "And the eastern provinces along the border with the tundra couldn't care less at what's happening in the rest of the kingdom".
The scout, who with a number of others, have remained here in the capital, nods in agreement with the spy who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae. Who is now a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
"We'll put a dent in any more of the allies from the west, and along the coast they send to Corlinda" quietly says the spy Tanith.
The older elf lifts his eyebrows in curiosity at that. But Dalinvardèl Tanith doesn't elaborate on that.
As the less people who know about the dissatisfied nobles of the southern province of Selvah Na have joined lord Gormica of Salmah Forest, the better in the opinion of Dalin.
The elf who is part of the group that travels with lord Farque, nods his hooded head in the direction of the palace and says "The king?" followed by "Any reluctance there on his part?" he then adds "Does he actually want this war during his reign, or is he just being pressured into it?".
The elven scout who hails from the island principality of Laerel, shakes his head, and says "His mother might be the driving force behind the war" he continues with "But he's fully committed to it, and has been ever since word got here about those attacks across the south of Moleau".
Dalinvardèl Tanith grunts, then dryly says "The one responsible for that is now dead" the elven spy continues with "I helped capture him" followed by "And execute him".
The elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae, where he worked as a spy for one of the more prominent noble houses of that nation.
Then quietly says "Not that, that would appease the crown since they're fully intent on making a point about what's happening down south".
The elven scout, who has served under lord Farque since before the undead warlord actually died, says "Successive royal families for at least three or four centuries have either willfully neglected the southern provinces, or straight out disliked them".
He follows on from that with "Hell, you'd have to go back to the time around when our lord was alive when Melaurn was a kingdom truly at peace and all the provinces got along".
The scout who is originally from the island principality of Laerel pauses for a moment or two, before he continues with "Which you'd think it would be like nowadays, considering the queen is from Corlinda".
Dalinvardèl Tanith blinks when he hears that, and he says "His wife?" . As he didn't realise the king's wife is from the southern province of Corlinda.
The older of the two scouts nods, then says "That's her" followed by "From a family along the border with Karricaw".
"I didn't know that" murmurs the spy Tanith who after a moment, frowns and says "That's not much of a political match" followed by "How the hell did the crown and the palace court allow that to happen?".
"They didn't" says the elven scout, who continues on with "He was crown prince at the time, and fell in love with her, and married her against the wishes of his father and mother".
"Now that is interesting" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith who is silent for a few moments, before continuing with "Anything else from the palace" followed by "And what about the rest of the city?".
After being updated about the situation here in the capital city of Calinar, especially in the palace of the king.
The spy Tanith leaves the safehouse, and heads back to the city airdocks. The elven spy faintly smiles as he briefly catches a glimpse of his shadow.
One of the scouts specifically trained by Helbe the elven thief. A scout in name only, as they're really spies and assassins.
As he walks through the drizzle back to the airdocks. Dalin listens to the conversations of the people who are out and about.
As a little bit of rain on a summer morning, isn't really going to slow down life in the largest city in the kingdom.
And as expected, not too much conversation he hears, is about what's happening specifically down in the provinces of Corlinda and Karricaw.
It's more to do with how the war is effecting them here in the capital, more than anything else.
From prices going up, as the king's own, and his allies taking the bulk of the supplies.
To loved ones no longer here in the city. As they're either in the king's own, or one of the allies armies. Or they've become camp followers.
Those who seek out a living as they follow behind the armies that have gone off to war against the Karricawian nobleman, lord Gormica of Salmah Forest.
The spy Tanith gets back to the airdocks, and heads to the dock where the Quick Gull is tied up.
Though part of the Farqian fleet, the small, single masted, sleek looking airship looks nothing like any ship from the lands Farque. Or for that matter, from here in the kingdom of Melaurn.
It looks like a foreign vessel, a pleasure ship really because of it's size. And all of it's crew, who though Farqians now. Are actually from well beyond the Southlands. As they're from the far east coast of the continent. The Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
Onboard the Quick Gull, Dalinvardèl Tanith heads quickly below deck to the captain's cabin.
There the prisoner waits under guard of two of the crew.
The spy Tanith has the two guards wait out in the passageway as he speaks with the prisoner.
Dalin has found the enemy general to be an affable fellow. Even though the common born senior officer in the king's own hates that he's a prisoner.
He hasn't acted out against it. Nor has he complained at his treatment once he's been onboard the Quick Gull.
The elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae, spent much of the journey from Corlinda to the capital Calinar talking with the prisoner.
Would readily admit the general, who is in his early forties is a decent enough man. Who just got caught in the wrong situation.
Leading a force he wasn't entirely pleased to be leading in the first place.
That ended up facing in battle a superior trained force who had less soldiers than his own army.
"You've mentioned you're somewhat friends with the king" says Dalinvardèl Tanith who knows the prisoner only attained his rank because he knows the king of Melaurn.
For no matter how good he is, he wouldn't ordinarily be a general here in Melaurn, in the king's own, because he's a commoner.
"How well do you know the queen?" continues the spy Tanith, who briefly pauses before adding "Both of them?".
Dalin notices the slight grimace on the face of the prisoner before he answers the question.
"I've meet the queen a number of times, and she's always treated me fairly" says general Sumic, who grew up alongside the king of Melaurn. As his parents were servants in the palace here in Calinar.
"And the dowager queen?" asks the spy Tanith, who figures the prisoner spoke truthfully there.
"I've met her" is the answer to that question from the Melaurian general.
Well, he definitely doesn't like her, Dalin thinks to himself after hearing that blunt answer to his question.
The elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae then silently adds, i wonder if the feeling is mutual?
The spy Tanith is silent for a few moments as he thinks of something, then he says "Concerning your appointment to that army of various lords forces from Olind" followed by "Instead of the king's own like you usually do".
Dalin watches the prisoner carefully as he asks him "Think the dowager queen had something to do with that decision?".
"Maybe" is the answer from general Sumic after a few moments of silence, he then adds "I'm not certain, but it's a definite possibility".
The elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, nods his head, then he asks "Got those messages?".
General Sumic taps where they are in his cloak, and says "I do".
"Come along then" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, followed by "Best i get you to the palace".
The elven spy continues with "Whatever you do when you get into the palace, don't let yourself or those messages get into the hands of the dowager queen".
General Sumic nods in understanding, and says "I won't" followed by "I'll kill myself before I'll let that happen".
They leave the captain's cabin, head up on deck, and disembark from the Quick Gull.
And make their way through the airdocks, and head for the king's palace here in the capital city Calinar.
With the prisoner, general Sumic walking as if he's going into battle.
Which in an odd way, is exactly what he's doing . . . . . .