The Thick Of It 9.

Winter.

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy ducks down into the riverbank. Then pops his head up and looks through the trees to the right.
There's a road in that direction, and in the fading light of the afternoon on what's been a cold winter's day in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
The spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae, watches those who are on the road, making their way northwards.
The elf who is an officer in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Watches for a little bit longer, then he gets up from his hiding position along the riverbank.
And keeping low, he heads back in the direction he came from.
A short time later, and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy is standing infront of lord Farque, telling him "Eight wagons, and a squad of forty escorting them, a mix of local soldiers and mercs".
The spy Tanith continues with "Twenty horsemen, the rest on foot" followed by "They've just pulled off to the side of the road and are setting up camp".
"They think they're safe here, and no one will attack them" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, who along with Mira Reinholt the mage, are standing next to the undead warlord.
Nodding with that assessment from the halfling ex air sailor, lord Farque quietly says "We'll hit them as night falls".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord looks up into the late afternoon sky.
Then he looks over to where Dorc da Orc is sitting nearby, with his back against a tree trunk.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque asks him something in orkish, and the large ork responds in his own language after he sniffs a few times while looking up at the sky.
"It's going to snow soon" says lord Farque to the human spellcaster, halfling ex air sailor, and elven spy.
"Which will make things easier" adds the undead being, who to the people of his lands, is also known by the name of Draugadrottin.
Then the lord of the death realm glances to his right, and the next moment Helbe the elven thief appears out of thin air right there.
"No one else on the road in either direction" says Helbe the elven thief, who follows that with "Just that lot who have set up camp about half a mile away".
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then he quietly says "This is what we'll do".
After he explains what they'll do, the large heavily armoured deathlord continues with "I'll keep those two fucking idiots close to me".
Referring to Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Much to the relief of the others.
The undead warlord, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates as, The Destroyer.
Who like those he's discussing things with, is speaking in elven, then says "Inform the others what's happening".
A little bit later, as sun starts to set in the east, on what's been a cold winter's day in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
Dalinvardèl Tanith is making his way back through the trees, next to the river that runs through this part of the countryside.
The elven spy is leading Tovis the war engineer, and Zam the ex mercenary, the newest member of the group.
Somewhere further back behind them, the spy Tanith, who is more commonly called Dalin by the others in the group.
Knows that lord Farque is following them, the large, heavily armoured deathlord has Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic with him.
The battalion commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Glances back at the following war engineer and ex mercenary. As the first flakes of snow starts falling as dusk takes effect.
The spy Tanith just nods his hooded head to the two humans following closely behind him.
Glad that both of them are making as little noise as possible. As he leads them to where some of the enemy have set up camp for the night.
For Zam the ex mercenary, today has been an interesting day to say the least.
This morning started with the battle at Salmet Crossing. His first real battle.
As he was part of the third army of Farque, fighting alongside soldiers in the army still loyal to the ruling council.
Against the forces of the pretender, councilman Hirrye. Who had set up camp around Salmet Crossing.
The battle was relatively quick, not to mention brutal. As nearly all of the enemy where killed.
Zam would freely admit, that the execution of the enemy prisoners was a lot more brutal than the actual battle.
As he has learnt that lord Farque is intending to wipe out as many of the enemy as possible.
To get councilman Hirrye, and his forces to react. And get them doing things they haven't already been doing so far, in what's essentially a civil war here in the city-state of Kuradum.
Now after returning the loyalists, led by commander Tracklen back to the city of Kuradum.
And sending off the contingent of about a thousand Farqian soldiers they were with earlier in the day, to another location in the southeast of the city-state.
The group, via a gateway cast by Beldane the cleric, has made their way about thirty five miles further north of the town of Salmet Crossing, in the east of the Kuradum.
Near what's essentially the border of the city-state with the unruled lands that lie to the east of Kuradum.
Part of lord Farque's plan is to attack the supply lines of the enemy. Much of which is coming into Kuradum from elsewhere.
And though the wagoners and caters are hired hands from both inside and outside Kuradum. The local soldiers and mercenaries guarding them are often the least experienced, and less disciplined of those in the forces of councilman Hirrye's faction.
As it turns out to be with those guarding the eight wagons just up ahead through the trees, to the side of the dirt packed road that cuts through this part of the countryside in eastern Kuradum.
Dalinvardèl Tanith who has signaled to Tovis the war engineer and Zam the ex mercenary to stop.
Shakes his hooded head as he watches the enemy camp. Where fires are blazing to ward off the cold.
Fires that can be seen from a distance, in basically all directions. Which had also wrecked the night vision of the human soldiers and mercenaries.
Who as night falls, and darkness settles. Can barely see twenty yards beyond their camp.
The spy Tanith who has no such problems even when he looks directly at the camp fires.
Looks away to his left, and spots the scout Lisell Maera about forty yards away.
With her is Tamric Drubine the field commander, and Shur Kee the monk.
The scout Maera has stopped almost parallel to where Dalin has stopped.
And she, along with the senior officer in the armies of Farque, and the short, statured monk.
Are waiting just like Dalinvardèl Tanith, Tovis the war engineer, and Zam the ex mercenary.
Waiting for the attack on the enemy camp to begin. An attack to be started by the spellcasters in the group.
The elven spy knows who'll start the attack. He knows Beldane the cleric won't attack unless attacked first.
And Saanea the witch doesn't like putting herself forward. So it won't be her.
Dalin knows it'll be Mira Reinholt the mage who will attack the enemy camp.
Though only after Helbe the elven thief does whatever he is going to do first. And that's exactly what happens.
For one moment, the officer in charge of the enemy. Is looking into the back of one of wagons. Deciding what he can pilfer before reaching their destination.
The next moment he suddenly vanishes. Not knowing what's just just happened before he falls into unconsciousness.
Then just a few short moments later. A small ball of light, dark red in colour. Comes shooting towards the camp from the otherside of the road.
Those in camp, whether they're a soldier in the faction led by the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
A mercenary hired by his faction. Or one of the wagoners and carters.
Don't even spot the small red ball, about the size of an apple. That shoots under one of the wagons.
Where it suddenly stops. There, the mageglobe created by Mira Reinholt, comes to the end of it's existence, simply by exploding.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy winces as he watches the explosion, which sounds like a thunder clap in the early evening.
Behind him he hears Zam the ex mercenary mutter "Hell".
The elven officer in the armies of Farque, nods his hooded head in agreement with the newest member of the group.
As fiery debris goes flying in all directions, though mostly upwards into the early evening sky as snow continues to fall.
One wagon is obliterated, another is shattered to pieces. A third is ripped apart and flung in all directions. And a fourth catches on fire.
Enemy soldiers, mercenaries along with the hired wagoners and carters.
Are either killed instantly by the explosion. Or are ripped apart, some being killed, and others barely surviving. As burning debris slams into them from the destroyed wagons.
With just a quick look, Dalin sees that at least half of those in the roadside camp, are either dead, or dying.
The other half are in the same state a few moments later, as they look around wondering what's happening.
When another mageglobe, this one a brighter red. Strikes one of the four remaining wagons. Where it explodes after the living piece of magic comes to the end of it's brief life.
This explosion is more flames than anything else. Though that doesn't stop it from completely destroying the wagon it initially struck.
One of the three other remaining wagons is instantly ignited. Going up in flames in mere moments.
The one next to that catches on fire. While the very last wagon, is scorched. Though relatively still intact.
Some of the survivors of the first explosion, are instantly set alight by the second.
While others catch on fire, as flames whip and splash in all directions as the enemy camp is devastated in the early evening.
Dalinvardèl Tanith winces as he spots a couple of the enemy who have been untouched by the destruction.
Drop to the ground dead, when a bolt of lightning comes shooting from across the otherside of the road, and strike them.
Then as a screaming wagoner who is on fire comes running in this direction.
And the spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses in his homeland, the principality of Alínlae.
Is just thinking about putting an arrow in the burning wagoner, to put him out of his misery.
A beam of white light from the night sky, hits the wagoner coming this way.
The flames instantly disappear, though the fleeing wagoner drops to the ground dead.
The spy Tanith watches what's going on in the enemy camp for a few more moments.
Then Dalin looks back and quietly says to Tovis the war engineer, and Zam the ex mercenary "Looks like we won't be needed".
A short while later, and they're walking into what remains of the enemy camp next to the road.
There's very few of those who were in the camp still alive, and those that are, they're wounded and dying, with burn injuries.
Lisell Maera the scout goes amongst the injured on the ground, slitting the throats of about eight of them who survived the devastation.
Lord Farque followed by Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic walk into what remains of the roadside camp.
The undead warlord looks over to where Mira Reinholt is standing next to the remaining wagon, that though it's scorched, is still relatively intact.
"I want no sign that they were ever here" says the undead warlord, who follows that with "Their bodies too".
The once powerful mage nods his hooded head in understanding. The next moment, there's a bright white flash enveloping the remaining wagon.
A few moments late, there's just a pile of ashes there. Getting mixed up with the snow that's falling.
Then the mage Reinholt, along with Saanea the witch, and Beldane the cleric.
Go about disposing any remnants of the wagons. And the bodies of those killed here this cold winter's evening.
While the lord and ruler of the lands Farque makes his way over to where Helbe the elven thief is standing.
On the ground infront of the elven magic user, lies the unconscious form of the enemy officer who was in command of this supply run for the forces of the so called duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Before stopping next to the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, lord Farque without looking back, says in orkish "Get that out of your mouth cunt".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord then glances back, and adds "You don't know where it's been".
Dorc da Orc grunts in disappointment as he looks at the burnt leg he's just taken out of his mouth.
The large ork goes to throw it away when Draugadrottin looks away to speak with Helbe the elven thief.
The ork warleader actually keeps it, and quickly stuffs it into one of his sacks when the lord of the death realm isn't looking.
Hoping that none of the others in the group saw what he just did. Those looking his way, did see what he did.
"Find out anything useful?" asks lord Farque as he gestures down at the unconscious enemy officer.
"Just a little" replies Helbe the elven thief as Dalinvardèl Tanith comes over and joins them.
"Where they got their supplies, and where they were heading" says the elven masterthief, who continues with "This greedy bastard here was going to keep some of it for him and his men" followed by "And not deliver it to where they where going".
"And where were they going?" asks the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The elven master assassin tells him where, and what else he found out when he read the mind of the enemy officer.
"Anything else important?" asks the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier.
The highly talented elven magic user shakes his hooded head no.
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then with one of his steel boots, he stomps upon the head of the enemy officer, shattering the man's skull and brains.
"Dispose of the remains" says lord Farque to the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
As Helbe the elven thief does so, the large heavily armoured deathlord turns to Dalin and tells him "Once the spellcasters wipe out any sign of this lot ever being here, inform Beldane that we'll be going back to the city of Kuradum tonight".
"Yes my lord" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
A short while later, and the group is gone from this location, having gone through a gateway that Beldane the cleric has cast.
All the remains of the enemy, and the camp they had here. Is ashes, that mix with the falling snow, on this cold evening in this part of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 8.

Winter.

"That one, and him, along with him" says lord Farque as he walks along the line of prisoners.
Picking a young runner, a man at arms, and an officer in the army swerving the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
"Bring them" adds the undead warlord, who then nods his full helmed head after those three are hauled out of the line.
Commander Tracklen, along with his adjunctant Morris. Wince as the black clad mercenaries standing behind the rest of the prisoners, kill them.
Either by cutting their throats, or plunging swords and shortswords into their backs.
The two local army officers share a look, then they hurry after the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, and the trio of prisoners being marched away.
"Find out anything useful?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage as be looks down at the unconscious prisoner.
"A bit" replies Helbe the elven thief, who nudges the unconscious prisoner with a boot, then adds "Seems he's favoured by the so called duke of Kuradum".
The once powerful mage nods, then looks over at a small group of prisoners, sitting against the front wall of a house across the street.
Here in the town of Salmet Crossing, where a fairly short, and decisive battle took place this morning.
"Wonder if that Tracklen knows him?" muses the human spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil.
"Probably" says the elven magic user, who steps to one side as Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Shur Kee the monk make their way up onto the covered porch the two practitioners of magic and the unconscious prisoner are on.
"The rest are heading this way" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
Both the Vexilian mage in exile, and the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nod their hooded heads in response to that.
As they can both sense Saanea the witch and Beldane the cleric heading in this direction through the town.
"He tell them we're leaving?" asks the halfling, who is from the Sultanate of Dreese, which is beyond the Southlands, and lies upon the far east coast of the continent.
"Not yet that i know of" says the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
"But i assume he will" continues the highly talented elven magic user.
As some of the others in the group come into view down the street. Here in the town of Salmet Crossing.
On what's turned out to be a cold winter's day here in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
As Dorc da Orc walks out further infront of him, as they follow the trio of prisoners who are being escorted away.
Lord Farque glances back, then gestures for commander Tracklen to come forward, and walk alongside him.
The local army commander, followed by his adjunctant, hurry forward to walk beside the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
"You'll have your men ready to depart soon" says the undead warlord, who continues with "We're leaving this town behind".
"My lord?" says commander Tracklen in surprise, who then shares a look with his adjunctant Morris.
"We've taken the town with relative ease" adds the Kuradian army commander, who is in the faction loyal to the ruling council.
"I thought we'd be setting up base here" continues the local army commander, an average sized man in his early thirties.
"That's what they'd expect us to do if we took the town" says lord Farque, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"Our goal is to defeat the enemy, and that's what we're going to do" explains the lord of the death realm.
"Taking this town, and two others this morning" continues the deathlord of Farque.
Commander Tracklen isn't going to question if the attacks on the two other towns this morning here in the southeast of the city-state were successful.
Not after how easily Salmet Crossing fell to them in the attack against the pretender's forces this morning.
"Will severely put a dent in this so called duke's fucking plans" adds lord Farque, who follows that with "Not just numbers wise, but also to their army's psyche".
"All they will know is that their forces based in these three towns have been all but wiped out" says the undead warlord, who continues with "And without us taking over the towns, and basing ourselves here, they won't know where we'll attack them next".
The local army commander nods his head, as this makes sense to him now.
For though now the ruling council's forces have increased in size now that the mercenary army from the lands Farque has been hired.
The pretender's forces, still outnumber the faction that's being led by councilman Sammis.
So the more of the enemy that can be taken out, without them knowing where the next attack could come from, the better.
"Wars are sometimes determined by the fear of what could happen, than what actually happens" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Both commander Tracklen, and his adjunctant Morris, nod when they hear that.
They round a corner, and the black clad Farqian soldiers escorting the trio of prisoners.
Have the three sit down with the six other prisoners, who are sitting down on the ground, with their backs to the front of one of the houses on the street.
While lord Farque, along with the pair of local army officers in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, as well as the large ork after Draugadrottin says something to him in orkish.
Make their way across the street to a house with a covered porch. Where a group are waiting for them.
"Pierce" says commander Tracklen as he looks at who it is that's lying there, unconscious on the front porch of the house.
"Know him?" asks Helbe the elven thief, the local army commander nods yes, then says "We came up through the ranks together".
"Seems he's in the good books of the pretender" says the highly talented elven magic user.
"No surprise there" dryly says commander Tracklen, who then mutters "He was always brown nosing councilman Hirrye".
Next to the local army commander, his adjunctant, Morris. Nods his head in agreement with him.
Lord Farque nods his full helmed head away to one side. And he and Helbe the elven thief walk away in that direction.
The two stand at the corner of the house, where they discuss something in the royal elven language. A language that only the two of them speak.
"We letting them go?" quietly asks the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
"Yes" replies the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means, The Destroyer.
"Once word spreads through their forces about what's happened this morning" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues with "Fear and doubt will start to appear amongst them".
The elven master assassin, who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, nods his hooded head.
Then Draugadrottin quietly asks him "Find out anything useful from that enemy commander?".
Looking at the unconscious figure lying on the front porch of the house, the elven princeling from Laerel says "As a matter of fact i did".
The highly talented elven magic user then goes onto explain to the large, heavily armoured deathlord what he's found out.
Meanwhile, amongst the others as they wait for lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief to finish their conversation.
"Any problems?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage as he looks at the others in the group.
"Nothing really" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who briefly pauses before continuing in a slightly dry tone with "Well, apart from Percy and Dorc running ahead of everyone else".
"Nothing new about that" dryly says the once powerful mage as he looks over to where Dorc da Orc is squatting, watching the prisoners across the street.
Then over to where sir Percavelle Lé Dic is standing at one the end of the porch.
With a look of disgust upon the face of the large, heavily armoured knight who is watching his bitter rival, the ork warleader.
"Anything else?" asks the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
The others shake their heads no, then the mage Reinholt says to commander Tracklen "I think they want a word with you".
As lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief are looking this way, and the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head at the local army commander.
Once commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris make their way off the porch.
And walk over to where the lord and ruler of the lands Farque is standing with the elven masterthief.
Councilor Reinholt quietly says in the elven language "How did that lot do this morning?".
"They were fine" says Tamric Drubine the field commander in the same language.
"I'd say adequate" adds Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit in the elven language.
The halfling who isn't what he appears to be, then adds "They didn't take too many casualties, so that's a good thing".
"I agree" says Tovis the war engineer, who follows that with "They did what needed to be done".
Standing next to the young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, the newest member of the group, Zam.
Who doesn't fully understand what's been talked about as he's only started learning the elven language a couple of months ago.
Does get the gist of the conversation. And he nods his head in agreement with what the Druvician war engineer just said.
Then the halfling, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the hobbit from the Sultanate of Dreese.
Quietly says in the elven language to the others "They're coming back".
As lord Farque, Helbe the elven thief, along with commander Tracklen, and the adjunctant Morris.
Make their way back to the covered porch that runs along the front of the house.
After a signal from the undead warlord, the group make their way off the porch, leaving the unconscious prisoner lying there.
The two local army officers, Tracklen and Morris make their way back onto the porch.
And a few moments later, after a spell from Helbe the elven thief, the unconscious prisoner starts to wake up.
After groaning, and trying to lift his head up before opening his eyes, the prisoner opens them, and after blinking in surprise as he sees who it is that's standing over him, looking down at him, he says in slightly sour tone of voice "Tracklen".
"Pierce" says commander Tracklen as he looks down at his former colleague in the Kuradian army.
"Get up" says the local army commander in the faction led by councilman Sammis.
With the help of the adjunctant Morris, the captured enemy officer is stood up.
Before commander Pierce can say anything, commander Tracklen tells him "Inform the pretender what's happened here this morning".
He continues on with "You and that lot across the street are being set free".
Followed by "You'll head out of town, and go east to that village about six miles away that's under your control".
Commander Pierce looks over at the nine men in his army, who are being guarded by mercenaries by the looks of things.
Though they're more like soldiers in appearance, as they're all in black, with black armour, and a black tabbard, that seems to have some kind of emblem or symbol on the front of it.
"The rest of my men?" asks commander Pierce as he figures there's been a battle here in Salmet Crossing, and that his forces were defeated.
"They're dead" replies commander Tracklen.
"Or are about to be" adds adjunctant Morris.
The local army commander in the faction loyal to councilman Hirrye. Glares at Morris, then at Tracklen. As he realises that his force of over a thousand soldiers and mercenaries that he had based here at Salmet Crossing. Have been all but wiped out.
"Your lucky to be alive Pierce" says commander Tracklen, who follows that with "So show a bit of appreciation".
Commander Pierce sourly smiles at his former colleagues as he wonders how he's going to explain this loss to councilman Hirrye.
The self styled duke of Kuradum, who doesn't take failure too kindly.
"Take them, and get going" says the local army commander in the faction still loyal to the ruling council of the city-state.
"You'll have safe passage" adds commander Tracklen.
A short while later, and the prisoners led by commander Pierce, are making their way out of town, heading east.
As they leave Salmet Crossing, they see the destruction that's been wrought on this cold winter's day in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
And how that the forces of councilman Hirrye, the so called duke of Kuradum.
Have suffered their first major defeat in what's essentially a civil war in the city-state.
Meanwhile in the town of Salmet Crossing, before he and his adjunctant Morris head off to organise their men. Commander Tracklen asks "Now what?".
"We'll attack them somewhere else" replies lord Farque, who continues with "Things have just started really" followed by "This so called duke is in for a bad time this winter" . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 7.

Winter.

"Anything else?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief.
"Just that" replies lord Farque, who continues with "Then take out anyone else you deem important".
The highly talented elven magic user in the white cloak, nods his hooded head. Then he disappears when he shifts away.
Turning to Saanea the witch, the undead warlord tells the spellcaster "Give the signal".
The witch from the Maldin Hills nods, then she closes her eyes. The next moment, her familiar. Which at the moment is in the form of crow. Lifts off from her right shoulder and heads up into the sky.
Then the large, heavily armoured deathlord, followed by the rest of the group.
Make their way through the trees to where commander Tracklen of the Kuradian army and his men are waiting.
They don't have to wait too much longer as the battle is soon underway this cold winter's morning, here in this area of the city-state of Kuradum.
In the town of Salmet Crossing, subaltern Kobus, the adjunctant to commander Pierce.
The commander of councilman Hirrye's forces in this area of the city-state.
Opens the door to the room, here in the inn that they're using as their headquarters.
The subaltern steps in the room and suddenly comes to a stop, and looks around the room in surprise.
Two of his fellow officers are on the floor, obviously dead from pools of blood they're lying in.
The guard in the room, is also dead. As his throat has been sliced open, as he's slumped on the floor, against the wall next to the door.
A pair of runners, are either dead or unconscious. As they're slumped on the bench they usually sit on while waiting for orders.
Subaltern Kobus sees no sign of commander Pierce, who isn't sitting behind the desk he usually sits at when he's in here.
The subaltern makes his way forward, and goes around to look behind the desk.
And breathes a sigh of relief when he doesn't find the commander lying dead on the floor.
Subaltern Kobus then turns to call out to the guards in the corridor. When suddenly he feels something slam into the side of his neck.
The officer in councilman Hirrye's army drops to his knees, clutching the side of his neck, where blood sprays from it.
He slumps over onto his side, gasping his last breath, not knowing what's happening.
Or for that matter, where commander Pierce has got to.
Helbe the elven thief steps back so he doesn't get blood on his boots from the enemy subaltern he's just killed.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user, who has the unconscious enemy commander over his right shoulder. Glances out the open window of the room, then he shifts away.
Meanwhile, out the front of the inn, some of the soldiers and officers loitering around, point away to the west in the sky.
As shouts of an airship can be seen coming from that direction, are called out from across the town of Salmet Crossing.
As one of the officers runs inside to inform the commander of the approaching airship.
The sounds of magetubes firing can be heard from the airship to the west of town.
From the woods just a couple hundred yards to the north of town, they watch the Farqian frigate approach from the west.
The twin masted vessel is less than a mile away, when it turns to starboard. And fires a broadside of twenty magetubes.
Most of the shots of pure magical energy, are aimed for the pair of enemy airships on the ground. On the western edge of town.
One a fighting ship, a brigantine. The other a larger transport vessel in the fleet of the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
The other half dozen shots or so, are directed at the enemy camp. Most of which is outside the north of town.
As the first of the incoming magetube shots are about to hit their targets.
The fast moving Farqian frigate fires another volley of shots from it's starboard side weapons. Before it turns north, and heads off in that direction.
They watch as magetube shots slam into the two enemy airships that are desperately trying to get up off the ground.
They don't stand a chance, as magetube shot after magetube destroy the enemy warship and transporter.
Other shots slam into the camp, sending large explosions of dirt and debris flying up into the morning sky.
And a few moments later, it's repeated when the second volley of twenty magetube shots hit their targets.
Both in the town of Salmet Crossing, and the camp beside it. Buildings shatter apart, some in fiery explosions.
While other hits, just send debris and everything else they hit, flying in all directions, mostly straight up into the morning sky on this cold winter's day.
With more than quite a few explosions mushrooming up into the morning sky above the town of Salmet Crossing.
There's a few moments of silence as debris starts falling back down towards the town and the surrounding area.
Then the screams of pain, and shouts of help can be heard across the town, and from within the camp.
Suddenly there's movement from the woods to the north of town. As the first of the Farqian soldiers from the third army of Farque advance.
They're from the scouts and rangers division, shortly followed by the first of the light infantry.
As he watches the first wave of the attack from his soldiers hit the enemy camp on the north side of the town.
Lord Farque looks at Tamric Drubine, and slightly nods his full helmed head.
"Commander you may begin your attack" says Tamric Drubine the field commander to the local military officer, commander Tracklen.
"Yes sir" says commander Tracklen, who instead of having one of his officers give the command, he does it himself.
"Advance!" calls out the commander in the Kuradian army, still loyal to the ruling council of the city-state.
The two hundred and fifty or so Kuradian soldiers under commander Tracklen's command, move out.
Making their way out of the woods, and advancing at a steady march towards the enemy camp and the town of Salmet Crossing.
With them is lord Farque and the rest of the group, with the exception of Helbe the elven thief.
Who is somewhere in the town, that just took a barrage of shots from the Farqian frigate which is getting further and further away to the north.
"That was close" mutters Helbe the elven thief, on his left shoulder, Narladene the ground pixie nods in agreement.
As they look across the street, at a building that's just a pile of debris and rubble.
While the building directly to it's left, is on fire, burning uncontrollably. While the building to the immediate right, is still in one piece.
The young elven noble who is from the island principality of Laerel, shrugs to get the unconscious enemy army commander, in a more comfortable position on his right shoulder.
"Glad this guy is short and light" murmurs the blurred and shielded elven magic user.
As he stands at the mouth of a lane between two buildings, here in the town of Salmet Crossing.
One of the larger towns in this part of the city-state of Kuradum. And a strategically important town in this area in the war between the two factions fighting over who is to rule the city-state.
The elven masterthief and the naturally magical creature who is attached to him.
Watch as people, both town's folk, and soldiers and mercenaries in the forces of the self styled duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Hurrying along the street in both directions. While others are searching the destroyed building across the street for any survivors.
And more are trying to put out the burning building, forming a bucket line from a nearby well.
"There to the left down the street" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie from her position on the left shoulder of the elven master assassin she's attached to.
The young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Looks that way, and spots an enemy officer trying to organise things. As he's calling out to soldiers, getting them to form up to follow him.
The highly talented elven magic user slightly narrows his eyes, then he casts a spell.
One moment the enemy officer is calling out to more of the passing soldiers, to follow him.
The next moment, he drops to the ground clutching his head after Helbe the elven thief casts a mindblast spell on him.
The spell is so efficient, that it kills the enemy officer in mere moments. His mind so shattered, that his body can't survive what's happened to it.
"I sense him" murmurs the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel in response to the ground pixie quietly telling him "Enemy wizard heading north through the town".
The blurred and shielded elven magic user shrugs once more, getting the unconscious enemy commander into a more comfortable position on his right shoulder.
Then the elf who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque. Shifts away, as he goes hunting for the enemy spellcaster who is nearby, here in the town of Salmet Crossing.
Commander Tracklen of the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council. Has his archers and crossbowmen shoot at anything that moves in the enemy camp, from the side they're approaching it from.
The senior most officer in the army loyal to councilman Sammis and the rest of the ruling council.
Has them shoot another couple of volleys. Then he gives the order for his men to advance into the camp.
As he sees his allies doing the same from the other directions they're attacking from.
The local army commander and his adjunctant Morris are back behind the vanguard of their forces.
But that doesn't stop them from running into the enemy camp that's in disarray after the recent bombardment from the Farqian warship.
"You lot away to the right" orders commander Tracklen to some of his men as he spots some of the enemy in that direction, who are trying to help those who barely survived the explosions of the magetube shots.
The order is to kill as many as the enemy as possible. Both Kuradian soldiers loyal to the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
And those mercenaries hired by the self styled duke of Kuradum.
Only taking senior enemy officers prisoner if they're able to get the chance.
So commander Tracklen has no problem when one of his men, shoves his sword into the back of an already injured enemy mercenary, trying to crawl away from a tent that's on fire.
"Hell, this is going to be chaotic" says the adjunctant Morris.
"Such is battle" replies the local army commander, who follows that with "Make sure our men stick to this side of the camp".
"Yes sir" says the junior officer, who relays that order to a nearby subaltern and a sergeant at arms.
Commander Tracklen and his adjunctant move quickly to one side, as a loud growl comes from behind them.
Both of them wince as the large ork walks by, glancing down at the two of them, as be grunts in satisfaction that they got out of his way, before he walked into them.
Then the knight in the brightly polished steel plate armour, with the pristine white cape.
Hurries by the two of them, saying in a somewhat posh accent "Do keep up chaps, don't want to miss out on all the fun" quickly followed by "Wot".
Commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris share a look after the foreign knight, runs by the large ork, saying "Ha! You smelly evil beast of the underworld, i shall slay more of the enemy than you will".
Before running around behind a tent, from where they can clearly hear him  shout "Take that you villain!".
Followed by a scream of pain by someone, definitely not the large, heavily armoured knight.
Meanwhile the large ork just shakes his head in disgust as he continues on the way he's heading.
While taking an axe from the weapon harness he is wearing, a harness with all manner of weapons on it.
And though the axe looks to be large if it was wielded by a human. Not so for the ork, as it looks pretty small in his hands.
Infact so small, he throws it with force. And it slams into the back of an enemy soldier who is limping away.
The local army commander and his adjunctant turn when behind them, someone says "Keep an eye on your men".
"Yes commander" says commander Tracklen to the field commander, Tamric Drubine.
Then the senior most officer in the army still loyal to the faction in the civil war led by councilman Sammis.
Nods for Morris, and those of his men nearby, to follow him.
As the attack upon the enemy here, in and around the town of Salmet Crossing.
Continues on this cold winter's morning, in the southeast of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 6.

Winter.

"Here, here and here" quietly says Helbe the elven thief as he points at a number of spots on the map.
Lord Farque nods, then quietly adds "Numbers?".
"Over a thousand in camp" is the reply from the elven magic user, who follows that with "And a couple hundred more billeted in town".
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then he falls silent as he thinks about things.
"Alright" says the large, heavily armoured deathlord when he breaks the silence.
"We'll go ahead then" adds the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who looks at the others, then tells them "You know what to do".
"Go ahead" says lord Farque to Beldane the cleric "Go with him Tam and take command".
"Yes my lord" says Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric in unison.
Then the undead being, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, dryly adds "We'll be here".
Then looking at the elven masterthief who is a member of his personal council, the lord of the death realm says "I'm guessing that will suffice?".
"I guess so" is the reply from the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
"Considering they'll really only be less than a hundred yards away, when in fact they're actually more than fifty miles away" adds the highly talented elven magic user.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque just grunts at that, then gestures to the elven master assassin to assist the fighting cleric.
"Go ahead, no one in town can sense you now" says Helbe the elven thief a few moments later after he casts a spell upon the member of the church of Glaine.
A god predominantly worshiped in the north of the kingdom of Nastell, the powerful cleric's homeland.
Beldane the cleric quietly says "Thanks" then he and field commander Drubine move to the middle of the clearing in the woods.
While the elven master assassin who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Hurries back to join the rest of the group at the edge of the woods.
Which is just a couple hundred yards from a town, that's fifty five or so miles to the southeast of the city of Kuradum.
In a part of the city-state that's firmly under the control of the faction in the civil war led by the self styled duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
It's early morning, and just north of the city of Kuradum. Commander Tracklen of the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council.
Has mustered nearly two hundred and fifty soldiers in the council's army.
He stands infront of the men, along with his adjunctant Morris. The two of them share a look.
Then go back to watching their new allies in the war against the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
There's about a thousand soldiers in black armour, and black uniforms. Predominantly infantry, both light and heavy from what commander Tracklen and his adjunctant can tell.
They're basically completely still in the early morning sunshine on what's a cold day here in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
There's no fidgeting, and barely anyone moving amongst the ranks of the black clad mercenary army.
The commander in the local army is just about to quietly mention to his adjunctant that the mercenary army look inhuman.
When his adjunctant Morris quietly says to him "A runner heading our way".
Tracklen, the senior most officer in the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council nods his head when he spots the black clad youngster hurrying along the road to their position.
"Commander if you and your men would follow me" says the young teenage mercenary all in black when he gets to their position just off to the side of the road.
"We're going through now" adds the runner, who is part of the scouts and rangers division of the third army of Farque.
"Very well" says commander Tracklen, who has been told to ready his men for battle.
He has absolutely no idea where, and when. But he has his large company ready as they'll ever be.
Turning to a subaltern behind him and his adjunctant, the Kuradian army commander quietly says "Give the order to move out".
Tracklen, and his adjunctant Morris lead the way onto the road as they follow the young runner.
Who is part of the mercenary army from someplace called the lands Farque.
Who only arrived here in the city-state of Kuradum yesterday morning. And already they're going into the battle against the enemy, the faction led by the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
A short while later and commander Tracklen steps through the gateway and blinks as he realises he's somewhere completely different to where he just was.
The local army commander until now, had never gone through a magical portal of any kind before.
To say it's a little odd, would definitely be an understatement.
For starters, wherever here is. It's a lot colder than just outside the city of Kuradum, where they were just a few moments ago.
"This way commander" says the young teenage runner, who continues with "The field commander is this way".
The black clad youngster then adds "If you could have your men wait over there until the rest of them come through, it would be appreciated".
"Of course" says commander Tracklen, who gives the order to the subaltern behind him.
Then the local army commander and his adjunctant follow the teenage runner from the clearing in the woods, and they head into the trees.
Tracklen who is wondering where they are, finds out soon enough, when they get near to the edge of the woods.
"Salmet Crossing" quietly says adjunctant Morris as they spot the town a few hundred yards away in the distance.
The local army commander nods his head in agreement as he recognises the town too.
A town over fifty miles southeast of the city of Kuradum. A town in the territory under the pretender, councilman Hirrye.
Also a town, where a large war camp has been set up by the enemy. Who want to take over the rule of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Return to your squad" quietly says Tamric Drubine in elven to the young runner.
"Yes field commander" says the runner in the same language, who then slightly nods to the two locals, before heading back amongst the trees.
"Commander" says Tamric Drubine in common to the senior most army officer in the faction that wants to keep the ruling council in power.
"Field commander" replies the local military commander, who nods in the direction of the enemy, and adds "I gather we've got a surprise this morning for that lot".
"We do" says the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who faintly smiles before he explains to commander Tracklen the plan.
The local army commander and his adjunctant listen in silence as Tamric Drubine explains what's going to happen this morning.
After field commander Drubine explains things, commander Tracklen quietly says to him "It's a wonder they haven't sent any of their patrols to the woods here".
"They have" is the quiet reply of Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
"Twice infact" adds the senior officer in the armies of Farque, who continues with "They think no one is here".
Both the local army commander and his adjunctant lift their eyebrows in surprise at that.
And the young field commander tells them "It's the magic of having magic on your side that no one can detect".
Commander Tracklen nods to that, while next to him, his adjunctant, Morris quietly says "Definitely".
Then the former heir of Castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, rolls up the map he's holding.
Puts it away, then takes another one out from his map pouch, and unrolls that one.
Showing the two local army officers, field commander Drubine of the armies of Farque tells them "Here, here and here" followed by "Three pretty sizeable co-ordinated attacks this morning across the southeast of the city-state".
Commander Tracklen nods as sees the two other attacks are at towns similar to Salmet Crossing.
On well used crossroads in this region of the city-state of Kuradum. Where the enemy have camps.
"It's time for the council to take the offensive in this war" quietly says Tam who follows that with "And for your enemies to taste defeat".
Both commander Tracklen and the adjunctant Morris nod in agreement with that.
For since the start of what's essentially a civil war for the control of the city-state of Kuradum.
The ruling council and the faction led by councilman Sammis have been on the back foot against the pretender, the self styled duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Losing ground wherever battles take place. Seeing much of the south and east of the city-state fall under the control of the pretender.
Field commander Drubine rolls up the map, and puts it away as lord Farque and a number of others in the group approach through the trees.
"You tell them?" asks lord Farque once he comes to a stop next to the young field commander in his armies.
"Yes my lord" replies the young noble who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
Switching to the elven language, the undead warlord says "We'll be going with them" followed by "Best to keep a close eye on the weakest link in this attack".
"I understand my lord" says Tam in the same language, who then steps aside so the large, heavily armoured deathlord can address the local army officers.
"Commander if you will ready your men" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque in the common language.
"The attack will begin shortly" adds the undead being, who also has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands know him by.
"Yes my lord" says commander Tracklen who has been informed that the large man in the dark blue and black heavy plate armour, is in ultimate command of the ten thousand strong mercenary army, that's been hired by the ruling council of Kuradum in the war against the pretender.
And one of the stipulations of that hire. Is that he has taken over command of the ruling council's war effort. And that they'll be using his strategies from now on.
Commander Tracklen isn't against this in the least. Infact he welcomes it.
For though he's the senior most officer in the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council.
It was actually the ruling council who were strategizing the war against the pretender, and using their tactics.
Which the local army commander didn't necessarily always agree with.
"Myself, the field commander and some others will be joining you shortly" says lord Farque.
"Yes my lord" says commander Tracklen, who then adds "We'll be off to see to our men".
Then he and his adjunctant slightly bow to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, then make their way back amongst the trees, to where their force of two hundred and fifty Kuradian soldiers are waiting.
The undead warlord shares a look with his field commander, then Draugadrottin asks in the elven language "How do you think they'll do?".
"We're about to find out my lord" replies Tamric Drubine in the same language.
"Where about to find out" adds the young nobleborn field commander in the armies of Farque.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord nods his full helmed head, then he quietly says "That we are" . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 5.

Winter.

"You sure?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage who then yawns as they walk through the darkness before dawn.
"Definitely a number of their spies in the city" says Helbe the elven thief as they head north, away from the city of Kuradum.
"He tell you to kill them?" asks the once powerful mage, who nods his hooded head to where lord Farque is further infront of them.
"He told me to keep them alive" is the reply of the elven magic user, who then quietly adds "They could come in handy later on".
The human spellcaster, who is from the city-state of Vexil, nods his hooded head in understanding.
As they and the rest of the group except one walk through the early morning darkness, heading north away from the city.
"You will take command of a large portion of the third" says lord Farque.
Walking beside the undead warlord is Tamric Drubine, who says "Yes my lord".
"At least a battalion" states the large, heavily armoured deathlord, who then adds "Take Saanea with you" followed by "Have her keep in contact with Mira and Beldane".
"Helbe too?" asks the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
"That ain't going to happen" dryly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who follows that with "He'll get in contact with her, if he deems it necessary".
The undead being pauses for a moment, then after he glances back at the others, he quietly tells the young field commander "Take Lis with you, and".
Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, hopes the lord of the death realm doesn't say Dorc, or for that matter, sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
He breathes a slight sigh of relief, when the undead warlord adds "The newbie Zam too".
Field commander Drubine nods, when the lord and ruler of the lands Farque quietly continues with "He's only just joined us, so make sure he stays alive".
Draugadrottin as he's also known by to the people of his lands, then dryly adds "Who fucking knows how important he is".
Indeed, Tam thinks to himself, who then heads to the right when the large, heavily armoured deathlord gestures in that direction.
As they continue walking through the predawn darkness, here a few miles to the northeast of the city of Kuradum.
Back in the line of march, the mage Reinholt, who has just said to his fellow spellcaster, Helbe the elven thief "Guess you'll be going off to do whatever you want?".
When he shouts "Fuck!" and goes to grab the elven masterthief, whose eyes roll back as he suddenly faints, and falls forward.
The Vexilian mage in exile catches the young elven noble before he hits the ground face first.
"Fuck, now what?" mutters lord Farque, who stops and looks back to see what's happened.
The undead being, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means, The Destroyer. Sighs as he sees that Helbe the elven thief has fainted.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord, along with Tamric Drubine walk back to where the others have gathered around the unconscious elven master assassin.
"He's fine" says lord Farque, who then mutters in the ground pixie language "Stop fucking flapping around like that".
As a distressed Narladene the ground pixie is buzzing around his full helmed head.
As the tiny winged creature calms down, the undead warlord says in common "He'll wake up soon enough".
Then Draugadrottin mutters in the elven language "It better not be too important".
Then the lord and ruler of the lands of Farque snaps his fingers, and points at the unconscious elven master archer, and says in the ork language "Bring him".
Dorc da Orc sourly smiles, then he goes and grabs Helbe the elven thief to pick him up off the ground.
The large ork grunts in disappointment, when the undead warlord tells him in orkish "Gently cunt".
The ork warleader sighs, then lifts up the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who he drapes over his right shoulder.
While an invisible Narladene, curls her upper lip in disgust at the ork weaponsmith who is carrying the elven practitioner of magic she's attached to.
"Will his highness be alright?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as they get underway again, in the predawn darkness on a cold winter's morning.
"He's fine" says Tovis the war engineer, who follows that with "He just has the occasional ah fainting spell".
Which is true enough, the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic thinks to himself.
The local Kuradian nods and takes that at face value. As he's yet to learn of the power of foresight that Helbe the elven thief has.
They make their way off the road, and go through a stand of trees. When they spot farmers and carters who are up early, are heading to market in the city. Appear in the distance on the road.
They make their way to the northern edge of the woods when the first rays of light of the false dawn start to appear away to the east.
On what's a cold winter's morning, here in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
"We wait" says lord Farque after he's brought the group to a stop at the edge of the woods.
"Looks like his highness is about to wake up" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven thief as Helbe the elven thief starts stirring.
Just then in the sky, a thousand feet up off the ground, there's a disturbance.
It's multi coloured, and it ripples across the sky, a good sixty feet wide, and even further in height.
Next thing it stabilises, and an airship appears through it in the sky that's starting to get brighter as dawn breaks this day.
It's an odd looking airship, sleek looking, with a flat deck, with the wheelhouse to aft. An airship without any masts too.
As the mastless airship drops down towards the ground, and more airships, these with masts, some warships, others transporters.
Start appearing in the early dawn sky through the giant ship rift.
Helbe the elven thief groans, then he gags as he gets a whiff of who has a hold of him.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Mira Reinholt the mage grab the elven magic user as Dorc da Orc shrugs him off his shoulder.
As the elven masterthief shakes his head to clear it as he's held upright by the spy Tanith and the mage Reinholt.
Lord Farque says "Saanea, Lis and you Zam, will go with Tam" he gestures at the airships that are coming down to land, and continues with "He'll command at least a battalion of the third" followed by "Maybe more".
"He can't" says a groggy sounding Helbe the elven thief after shaking his head again.
The undead warlord turns to look at the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who says to him in the royal elven language "We have to stick together as a group".
"Oh?" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque who in the same language adds "Why the fuck is that?".
"Because everything you've worked for over the last twenty five years since you found Dorc, will be for nought if we're not together as a group" says the highly talented elven magic user.
"This what your foresight just showed you?" asks the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel nods his hooded yes in reply to that.
"Fuck" mutters the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to, The Destroyer.
Then lord Farque asks "For how long?".
"The foreseeable future" is the reply from the elven princeling from Laerel.
"Fuck" mutters Draugadrottin again, who continues muttering with "There goes my fucking plans for this war".
As he was hoping to take command of this civil war here in the city-state of Kuradum.
Overseeing it from onboard the krean strikeship that's just landed nearby.
While having Tamric Drubine and a few others in the group, in at least one battalion of the third army of Farque that's just arrived.
While the others would of been spread out amongst the rest of the third army.
As they fight on behalf of the faction led by councilman Sammis in the war against the pretender, the self styled duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque sourly smiles behind the faceplate of his full helm.
Then he asks the elven masterthief who is a member of his personal council "Anything else from your latest bout of foresight?".
"Nothing, just that" replies prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel.
"Thank the fucking gods for that" mutters lord Farque in a language that only he, and his family's sword, strapped across his back, understands.
Then switching to the common language so the entire group can understand what's being said.
The undead warlord says in a dry tone of voice "Change of fucking plans".
Mira Reinholt shares a look with Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, then the two of them look at their fellow council member, Helbe the elven thief.
Who though a little unsteady on his feet, is able to stand without any assistance now.
Looking at the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, the once powerful mage asks him "What are the plans then?".
"I'm just working those out" mutters the lord of the death realm, who then says "Whatever they fucking are, we'll be sticking together as one group".
The mage Reinholt glances at Dorc da Orc, then sir Percavelle Lé Dic, before saying "Is that a good thing?" followed by "Especially in battle".
"Probably not" says Draugadrottin with a shrug of his broad, heavily armoured shoulders.
"But there you are" adds the undead warlord, who continues on with "Because that's what we're fucking doing".
As more of the airships start to land nearby. Beldane the cleric suddenly appears next to the group.
The fighting cleric originally from the kingdom of Nastell, went off to get the third army of Farque.
Who were waiting beyond the borders of Kuradam. To see if they would be needed, if the group were to be hired by one side of the conflict or the other.
"Did i miss anything?" asks Beldane the cleric.
"You could say so" says Mira Reinholt in a slightly dry tone of voice.
The powerful cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine, lifts an eyebrow when he hears that. He doesn't get to ask what's happening.
For lord Farque says "Come along then" followed by "I need to discuss things with the senior captain of the fleet, and the general".
"Dorc a fucken general" declares Dorc da Orc, quickly followed by "What you want to fucken knows?".
"Not you idiot" says the large, heavily armoured deathlord, who then sets off. Forcing the rest of the group to follow him.
A little while later, as the sun continues to rise in the east, on what's a cold winter's morning.
The group are onboard the krean strikeship, which lord Farque was intending to use as his command ship in the war between the two factions, here in the city-state of Kuradum.
While the undead warlord, along with field commander Drubine. And three of the members of lord Farque's personal council who are here.
They being Mira Reinholt, Jarjin Littlefoot and prince Helbenthril Raendril.
Discuss matters with the captain of the strikeship, and the general in command of the third army of Farque. In the captain's state room.
The rest of the group roam about the krean vessel. Well, Zam the ex mercenary roams about.
As he's never seen, or heard of an airship like this one before. Nor has ever seen, or heard of the krean before too.
After wandering about, the young Kuradian eventually finds the rest of the group in the galley.
With the exception of those meeting with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
And Dorc da Orc, who is up on the deck of the krean strikeship. Who prefers it up there, than down in the warmth below deck.
"You know what we'll be doing?" asks Zam the ex mercenary after he takes a seat at one of the tables in the galley.
"We'll find out soon enough" is the reply of Tovis the war engineer, who then nods his head towards the nearby doorway, and adds "Infact even sooner".
As Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, Helbe the elven thief and Mira Reinholt the mage.
Followed by Tamric Drubine the field commander, and lord Farque come through the doorway into the galley.
There's an expected moment of silence as those who have been waiting here in galley, look at the undead warlord.
Then the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says "Alright then, this is what we're going to do" . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 4.

Winter.

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy puts the hood of his grey cloak up onto his head as he follows Tovis the war engineer and Zam the ex mercenary.
They're in the south of the city of Kuradum, they've just gone through a market square on what's a chilly day here in this part of the Southlands.
"Which way?" asks Tovis the war engineer as they enter one of the poorer districts of the city.
"That street to the left" is the reply of Zam the ex mercenary, who knows this part of the city well.
Since he grew up here, and only left it just over a year ago. When he decided to become a mercenary, after failing to get into the army of Kuradum, then after that, a brief stint in the city guards.
"It doesn't look like it" says the young ex mercenary, who continues with "But the street curves, and gets there eventually".
Dalinvardèl Tanith, or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Nods his hooded head in agreement, as he knows the city of Kuradum fairly well, having been here a number of times over the years.
Unlike Tovis, as this is the war engineer's first time in the city.
They make their way along the curving street, which is fairly narrow for a relatively long street for this part of the city.
Some of the buildings on the street, are three and four storeys tall. And they loom over the street, as if they're leaning over, and looking down at those who are on the street.
They pass a quartet of dwarven mercenaries who are serving in the Kuradian army.
Glad that Dorc da Orc isn't with the three of them as they head south through the city.
And they round a corner, onto a way that runs along the inner side of the south wall of the city of Kuradum.
"Closest way up is to the left" says Zam as they cross over to the wall after a couple of wagons go by.
Tovis who is already looking closely at the wall, absent mindedly nods as they head left, to the east.
"It's about halfling between the first and second gates" says the ex mercenary from here in Kuradum.
As the city has a trio of bridges that crosses the river that runs along the south side of Kuradum.
As anyone can go up to the top of the wall, they have no problems making their way up the steps.
Helped that there's hardly anyone up on the top, since the day is cold. And there's a fairly strong wind blowing when you get to the top of the wall.
And though there's city guards on duty up here. The only ones they see, are those wandering from guardhouse to guardhouse, as the others are staying indoors, to keep out of the wind.
The spy Tanith has taken notice of this, so has the war engineer Tovis. Who is crouching down, getting a better look at the construction of the wall.
While Zam, who is only seventeen, and the youngest of the group by a couple of years.
Is looking away to the south, at the countryside in that direction. On what's a clear and cold, though windy day here in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Well?" asks Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
As he stands back up, Tovis the war engineer says "Better than the walls of some of the other cities I've been to".
The young engineer, who is in his earlier twenties, and hails from the kingdom of Druvic, briefly pauses before continuing with "Though it's worse than some others".
"Average then?" asks the elven spy who is from the elven principality of Alínlae, where he previously served in one of the noble houses in his homeland.
"Average" replies the war engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
"Better than nothing i guess" quietly says Dalin, who follows that with "That's if the enemy make it to the city".
The newest member of the group, looks at the elven spy and the war engineer, and asks them "Think they will?".
Both Dalin and Tovis shrug their shoulders in reply to that from the ex mercenary.
Then all three of them look over the wall, and down at the river below.
The spy Tanith who is an officer in the armies of Farque, nods his hooded head in the direction of the first bridge, the one furtherest east.
And switching to his native language, he says to the young Druvician engineer "Just that bridge, or i should say, the original version of it was standing when lord Farque took the city during the war against the Empire".
The elven spy continues with "Well, it wasn't a city then, just a large trading town".
Tovis nods in understanding, as he too, has read some of the history books and tomes in the lands Farque.
That tell of lord Farque's time as a battlelord five and half centuries ago against the Holy Norstran Empire, which had traveled across the Great Western Ocean, and invaded the Southlands.
Five and half centuries ago, when lord Farque, who was not lord of his lands at the time, but was the heir. Was still alive.
"When he killed the Kura, the founder of the city" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, who follows that with "Who was in cahoots with the invaders".
"Best not mention that to any of the locals" dryly says Tovis the war engineer in the elven language.
"They won't like hearing what their founding father was really like" adds the young engineer, who is from the southeast region of his homeland, the kingdom of Druvic. Where he previously served in the army of one baron Harkonin.
Zam listens to the other two speaking in elven, not really understanding them.
Since he's just started learning the elven language, he can only pick up a few words here and there.
And has absolutely no idea what the elven spy and the war engineer are discussing.
As the three of them stand upon the top of the south wall of the city of his birth, the city of Kuradum.
Switching back to the common language, Dalin points away to one of the roads to the south, and says "Supplies and more army recruits coming in".
Both the young ex mercenary and the young engineer nod when they spot the trio of wagons heading towards the city.
Wagons followed by about twenty five men on foot, ranging in age from teens to those in their fifties.
Escorted by a quad of mounted soldiers in the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council, who are led by councilman Sammis.
"Guess there won't be too many of them coming in" quietly says Zam, who having been back in the city of Kuradum just over a day.
Knows the plight of the war here in his homeland fairly well. Where the forces of the pretender.
The self appointed duke of the city-state of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye. And his faction, have the upper hand in what is essentially a civil war here in the city-state.
As his army and forces, are larger in number than those of the faction led by councilman Sammis. Substantially more too.
For more than half of the city-state's army is in support of councilman Hirrye.
And the vast majority of all those mercenary companies who have be hired during the conflict.
Are on the side of the self styled duke of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Probably not too much more" says Dalinvardèl Tanith, who follows that with "Especially from that way, the south".
The elven spy, continues on with "Though more should still come in from the north, prominently the northwest".
"So I've heard" says Zam the ex mercenary, who didn't know it when he was found by the others in the autumn, in the City of Ruins.
That he'd end up being fast tracked into an army. An army of a a nation he's never even been to. A nation he never knew existed until he joined the group.
"Every little bit counts" states the elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae.
"Even with our third army showing up tomorrow morning, things will be tight" adds Dalin, who looks around as he continues with "Especially if the fighting reaches the city".
Both Tovis the war engineer and Zam the ex mercenary nod in agreement with the elven spy.
Then the young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, and who is now an officer in the armies of Farque, says "Come on, let's go back down".
The war engineer continues with "I want to have a good look at one of the gates" followed by "And the state of the wall around it".
The three of them head along the wall to the steps they came up. They head down them, and once they're back down on the ground, they make their way to the nearest of the three gates here on the south side of the city.
There they get a few curious looks from the city guardsmen on gate duty.
But they're left alone as Tovis examines the gates, and the state of the wall around it.
"Helped if they had a portcullis" quietly says the Druvician war engineer, who then adds "Either side of the gate would do".
Dalinvardèl Tanith nods his hooded head in agreement, then Tovis says "Let's check out the other gates" followed by "Might as well see how they are since we're here".
They move off, heading westwards. With the young engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
Stopping every once and a while, to check the state of the base of the city wall.
Tovis doesn't say much as he does so. Just grunting and saying "Hmmmm" when he has a close look at the wall.
They soon reach the second gate, which the war engineer examines, along with the surrounding wall.
After that, they move off, and head to the third gate in the south wall of Kuradum, the western most gate.
Once the young engineer examines the final gate. The trio head back through the city.
Making their way to the inn, near the city center, where they and the rest of the group are staying in, whilst here in the city of Kuradum.
As they do, Tovis the war engineer quietly tells the other two that the first two gates are sound. And should withstand a barrage for quite some time.
The third gate, the western gate in the south wall, not so much.
It's the newest of the gates, less than a century old. And the young engineer clearly noted the workmanship to install it was pretty shoddy.
Slightly damaging the wall around it too. Especially on the inner side of the south wall.
"Well if the pretender and his army reach the city" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, who continues with "And end up attacking from the south, they'll definitely target that gate".
Tovis the war engineer grunts in agreement, while Zam the ex mercenary looks a little nervous at the prospect of that happening.
"Hopefully it won't get that far" says the young engineer, who follows that with "But it's war, so who knows".
Zam, the local Kuradian nods. As he's been told by some of the others in the group. That in a war, anything could happen.
It's not like running skirmishes and battles between mercenary companies. Like he had experienced in the City of Ruins, when he was in a mercenary company living and working there.
This will be different. For starters it will be larger, not to mention longer than any skirmish he got caught up during his time in the ancient city of Dalphene.
Or as it's more commonly known by throughout the Southlands and beyond, the City of Ruins.
"Well if the war does make it to the city" quietly says Dalin as they cross the market square they passed through earlier, when they were making their way to the south wall of Kuradum.
"Who knows if the pretender will attack or not" adds the spy Tanith, who follows that with "He might not want to damage the city that is his home".
"Or he might" says Tovis the war engineer, which illicits a grunt from the elven spy in the grey hooded cloak.
Then the two officers in the armies of Farque look at the newest member of the group.
And Dalinvardèl Tanith asks the young Kuradian "What do you think he'll do Zam?" followed by "If he makes it to the city?".
The ex mercenary, who only knew a little bit about the individual councilmen before he left Kuradum just over a year ago.
Does know one thing about one of them. That being councilman Hirrye. Who was known to be incredibly ambitious. Even amongst the residents of the poorer quarters of the city of Kuradum.
"I don't think he'll care one bit that this is his home" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary.
"If he makes it to the city, and the council is still in position to defend it" adds the local Kuradian who is now in the armies of Farque.
"Then he'll attack, I'm certain of it" says the youngest member of the group, who follows that with "He wants to be duke, and i guess he'll do anything to make that happen".
Both Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Tovis the war engineer nod in agreement with the young Kuradian.
As the three of them continue on their way northwards through the city of Kuradum.
As they head back to the inn where the group are staying whilst here in the city . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 3.

Winter.

"No i won't send anymore out" says commander Tracklen as they walk through one of the vast hallways in the council building.
"And twenty is too small of a force to send to the front" continues the commander, who follows that with "The combined force of eighty we sent first thing this morning will have to do for now".
"Yes sir' says adjunctant Morris who was hoping the commander would send more men this morning.
But alas the commander of councilman Sammis forces refuses to.
They're heading through the council building, to meet with captain Forssen. The captain of the city guards.
They're followed by a pair of pages, who are the current runners for commander Tracklen.
"He's in the garrison building i take it?" asks the commander.
"He is" is the reply of the adjunctant, who continues with "Looking at some new recruits to the guards".
Tracklen, and man of average height, and blond hair, in his early thirties. Fairly young for the command of the army that hopes to keep the city-state of Kuradum united. So that it remains a council ruled land.
Grunts when he hears that, for it's winter, and the captain of the city guard Forssen must be scraping at the bottom of the barrel to get new recruits.
"Those too young, and far too old most like" quietly says the commander to his adjunctant.
The junior of the two officers in the army of Kuradum nods in agreement with his commander.
For even they have found it difficult since autumn to find new army recruits.
He can't imagine how hard it is for captain Forssen. As joining the city guard is the lesser in the minds of the populace.
For being a city guardsman has far less training, not to mention inferior equipment compared to those who join the army.
"At least everyone counts i guess" says commander Tracklen who then sighs. Making audible his frustration at the situation they're in.
For though the city guard remains loyal to the cause of the city council led by councilman Sammis.
The same can't said about the army of Kuradum. For more than half of which, predominantly those outside of the city of Kuradum.
Have sided with councilman Hirrye, and his cause. As he's declared himself the duke of Kuradum.
Not to mention councilman Hirrye's side of the conflict are hiring the lion share of the mercenaries who have joined the fray.
For the simple fact most mercenary companies traveling into the city-state after hearing about the conflict here in Kuradum. Encounter councilman Hirrye's forces first.
Rounding a corner, and entering another of the vast hallways here in the council building.
Commander Tracklen quietly says to his adjunctant "If only Jovin hadn't gone over to the pretender".
The pretender being the term to describe councilman Hirrye, the self styled duke of Kuradum.
There's a moment of silence, before the army commander mutters "Bastard".
Adjunctant Morris can only nod in agreement with that. For general Jovin was the overall commander of the Kuradian army.
Jovin who treated the younger Tracklen like a brother, almost like a son considering the near twenty year age gap.
The adjunctant is just about to mention something, to change the subject. As general Jovin is still a sore point with commander Tracklen.
When he spots a runner, running through the hallway, heading in their direction.
People in the vast hallway get quickly out of the way of the runner, as the army commander says "What's this then?" as he spots the runner heading their way.
A short while later, and commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris are hurrying out of the council building, following the runner who has just given the army commander a message.
The senior officer has just sent off his own two runners. One to get councilman Sammis, and the other to get captain Forssen of the city guard.
"Which hall?" asks the commander of the forces loyal to councilman Sammis.
"Second hall commander" is the reply of the runner leading the way.
As they cross the city square infront of the council building, commander Tracklen asks the runner "How much?".
Without looking back, the runner, a young teen in the army, says "A lot" he briefly pauses before adding "The recruitment officer said it's an army" he briefly pauses again, then says "Ten thousand strong".
Both the commander and his adjunctant's eyebrows shoot up when they hear that.
The two of them share a look as they hurry across the Kura Way, the long avenue that cuts through the center of the city.
"Hell" mutters the junior of the officers.
"Hell indeed" murmurs the senior officer who nods his head in agreement with the sentiment from his adjunctant.
They enter the second of the two guild halls that stand next to one another, opposite the city square where the council building is located.
The guild halls are where the forces loyal to the city council, are recruiting those who want to join the city-state's army.
Along with mercenary companies who want to join the faction led by councilman Sammis.
And though mercenaries were continually being hired during the early stages of the conflict in the autumn.
Now in the winter, very few mercenary companies, of any size really. Have signed up to fight on behalf of councilman Sammis and his faction, who want to retain the status quo in how the city-state of Kuradum is ruled.
They enter the guild hall, and stop in their tracks when they see who is in here.
It's fairly empty, with just a few tables along one wall, behind which are the recruiting officers.
Who are usually bored most days, as very few are joining the army of late. And hardly any mercenaries are joining too.
Not this morning though, for the trio of recruiting officers are all alert, and are sitting up.
And the dozen or so soldiers, and their sergeant at arms, are also alert here in the guild hall, on this fairly cold winter's morning in the city-state of Kuradum.
For sitting on some of the benches, and standing near them as well. Are a group, made up of the oddest of individuals you'll ever likely to see.
And even amongst the odd assortment, there's a few who stick out more than the rest. Especially one of them. Who happens to be green and massive, who is covered with weapons of every description imaginable.
"Holy shit" mutters the adjunctant Morris after they stand there for a few moments in silence, just staring at those on the benches.
"That's an ork" adds the junior officer with a shake of his head.
"Eh?" quietly says commander Tracklen in a tone of disbelief.
"That's an ork" repeats adjunctant Morris, who then goes onto explain "I saw one at the end of summer tourney, when i was a child" followed by "It was in the Lé Grande Melee and won after pretty much bashing up everyone else".
The younger, and junior of the two officers then adds "I'm pretty sure i remember it not even using it's weapons" he continues with "Took out knights, men at arms, mercs and others with just it's hands and feet".
As his adjunctant mutters "That one kind of looks the same as the i remember".
Commander Tracklen shakes his head at the differences in his and his adjunctant's childhoods.
While Morris comes from a well to do family here in the city of Kuradum. Who as a child attended the famous tourneys that the city hosts.
Tracklen comes from one of the poorer quarters, and he never got to see a tourney, until he joined the army when he was fourteen years old.
He spent his summers as a child, playing in the river that run alongs the southern side of the city.
Jumping off the bridges with his friends, keeping cool in the summer heat.
And though both his parents, now dead. Were proud he got into the army.
Tracklen knows the same can't be said about his adjunctant's family. Who were dead set against Morris joining the Kuradian army.
The commander hasn't looked closely into it. But he's certain that the parents of his adjunctant, are pretty sympathetic to the cause of councilman Hirrye.
For though there's no nobility here in the city-state of Kuradum. If there was one, then the Morris family would definitely be a noble family.
And they just might end up being one, if the self styled duke Hirrye, is victorious in the war for the control to rule Kuradum.
They go and stand by the tables where the recruiters are. And quietly speak with them as they wait for councilman Sammis and captain Forssen to arrive.
It's not too long before commander Tracklen's runners show up. With them is captain Forssen and a few other officers from the city guard.
As well as councilman Sammis, and some of his advisors and guards. Soldiers in the army that commander Tracklen personally assigned to the councilman.
After those who have just arrived, stop and stare at those sitting on the benches on the otherside of the hall.
Councilman Sammis and those with him, walk over to the tables where commander Tracklen is standing with his adjunctant Morris.
"What is it Tracklen?" quietly asks councilman Sammis, a short man in his early fifties, who has been on the ruling council of Kuradum for the last two decades.
"Those mercenaries are offering their services" is the quiet reply of the senior most army officer loyal to the ruling council.
The councilman frowns as he looks across to the otherside of the guild hall, then he quietly says "Then hire them" followed by "There's only a dozen or so of them, it shouldn't cost too much".
The leader of the faction that wants to retain the political status quo in the city-state, then mutters "What the hell is that big, bloody green thing sitting over there on the floor".
"You don't want to know councilman" dryly says the adjunctant Morris.
Before councilman Sammis can ask Morris what that means, commander Tracklen says to him "Not just them, but their army too".
Sammis blinks in surprise when he hears that, then he says "Huh?".
The army commander nods his head, then he gestures at one of the recruiting officers, and says "Subaltern tell the councilman what you know".
"Yes sir" says the subaltern, who then informs the others listening, with "They're offering the services of their army, which is a little over ten thousand strong".
He briefly pauses to take a breath, then says "Light and heavy infantry, light and heavy cavalry. Spellcasters including some clerics, and even a few mages" he then adds "Airships as well, not just any airships, but warships".
After closing his mouth, which dropped open in surprise, the councilman nods then says "I figured as much" in response to commander Tracklen telling him "They offered the same to the pretender and his lot, who turned them down".
Councilman Sammis nods again, then he quietly asks the subaltern "How much are they asking?".
The recruiting officer answers, and the others all listening wince or grimace.
They're all silent for a few moments, then the councilman looks at one of his advisors, who is in charge of the treasury, and asks him "Can we afford that?".
"They want to be paid weekly?" asks the treasurer who looks at the subaltern, who nods yes for an answer.
"Then yes we can pay them" says the treasurer, who continues with "For at least five or six weeks" followed by "If the fighting continues for longer, i don't know if we can afford to pay them".
The councilman nods, then he looks at commander Tracklen and captain Forssen, and asks the two of them "How many more do you think you can recruit?".
"In here, in the city, probably a couple hundred more" says Forssen the captain of the city guard, who then adds "Two fifty, three hundred at a stretch. Though no one from outside the city".
"Probably the same here in the city, possibly up to four hundred" says commander Tracklen, who continues with "And i guess a similar number from outside the city in those areas still loyal to the council".
The leader of the faction who wants to keep the rule of law, and the ruling council intact, nods then he falls silent after quietly saying "We're still well short of what the enemy can field".
Commander Tracklen nods in agreement with that, and knows it's getting worse as more and more mercenary companies from outside the city-state are signing up with councilman Hirrye's faction.
Councilman Sammis looks meaningfully at the senior most army commander, who nods yes.
"We'll hire them, then" says Sammis, who continues with "For as long as we're able to".
"Councilman, the one doing the talking, he says that they want command of their own army, as well as access to our battle plans" states the subaltern.
The councilman looks at the army commander, who though he slightly winces, he nods yes.
"Do it" says councilman Sammis, who then asks the recruiting officer "How quick can they get their army here?".
"Quick councilman" says the subaltern, who follows that with "Real quick, the one I've been talking to said they can have their entire army here by the day after tomorrow".
There's silence from all of them after hearing that, then councilman Sammis says "Hell, we might have a chance after all against the pretender".
Then he looks at his senior army commander and says "You'll take care of this Tracklen?".
"Yes councilman" is the reply of commander Tracklen.
"Good I'm off, I've got other things to attend to, tell me how things go" says councilman Sammis, who along with his advisors, depart.
"Which one is doing the negotiating?" quietly asks the army commander.
"The one in the white hooded cloak sir" is the reply of the subaltern, who then quietly adds "He's an elf"".
Tracklen pauses for a moment when he hears that, then he quietly tells the subaltern "Bring him over so we can work out the details of the deal".
"Yes sir" says the subaltern, who then looks over to the otherside, and gestures for the one he was talking to earlier, to come back over to this side of the guild hall.
Commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris stand to the side of the table, as they watch the figure in the white hooded cloak make their way over to the tables.
As they do, the senior army commander hopes this deal is successful.
For if it is, then he reckons they might have a slim chance at victory in the war against councilman Hirrye's faction this winter.
Because at the moment, he knows they've got no chance of defeating the pretender and his army . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 2.

Winter.

"What's that away to the south?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as they prepare to leave their campsite.
"Not sure" is the reply from Tovis the war engineer as he looks away to the south in the predawn light, or lack of it, on this cold winter morning in the city-state of Kuradum.
Helbe the elven thief wanders over, and the two of them ask him what it is they can see away to the south.
"A fire mountain" says Helbe the elven thief, who continues with "A volcano towards the eastern end of the Sunreach Mountains".
"That's about a hundred miles away" says Zam who knows a fair bit about his homeland, and the lands that surround it.
"Is it that big?" adds the ex mercenary who is the latest member of the group, having joined during the autumn.
"Nah, pretty average i guess" says the young elven noble, who pauses as Narladene the ground pixie, who is invisible to the two humans, whispers something into his right ear.
"It's constantly erupting, and it's a clear dawn, that's why even you two can see it this morning" adds the highly talented elven magic user.
Who then nods his hooded head for the ex mercenary and the war engineer to follow him, and he says "Come on".
As they walk between the trees in the woods, Tovis the war engineer says "I guess they're not hiring us?".
"They're not" says the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
"Their loss" continues Helbe the elven thief who follows that with "Especially if the other lot end up hiring us".
Both Zam and Tovis nod in agreement with that, as the first light of the day starts to stream down through the branches in the trees.
They stop when they reach the others, the last of them to arrive being lord Farque and Dorc da Orc.
With the large ork looking both miserable, and furious. Due to the fact he's soaking wet at the moment. After the undead warlord chucked him into a nearby stream. Much to relief of everyone else in the group. As the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, has absolute reeked of late.
"We ready?" asks lord Farque ignoring the angry scowl directed at him from Dorc da Orc.
Not waiting for an answer, the large, heavily armoured deathlord says to Beldane the cleric "Go ahead" followed by "You know to where".
The powerful cleric from the kingdom of Nastell nods, then he casts a spell.
A few moments later and a gateway forms, and Helbe the elven thief is the first one through.
Quickly followed by Lisell Maera the scout, then starting with Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, then sir Percavelle Lé Dic, the rest of the group go through.
With the cleric in the church of Glaine, the last to go through the gateway. Which disappears a few moments after he's gone through it.
They walk down to a road after coming through the gateway which was in the middle of a farmer's field.
The road leads to the city of Kuradum, which can be seen less than two and a half miles away to the west.
As the sun rises this fairly cold winter's morning, in this part of the Southlands.
After a brief word with lord Farque, Helbe the elven thief disappears. The highly talented elven magic user will be the first into the city.
"Fair bit of traffic on the main east road already" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary, who then adds "And the sun is just coming up too".
"War tends to do that" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who along with his lover Saanea the witch.
Is walking infront of the ex mercenary and Tovis the war engineer.
Zam would agree with that. This is the first real war he's seen and been around.
And since being back in the city-state that's his homeland, for the past week.
Things are far more busier than a normal winter would be in Kuradum.
With what's essentially a civil war taking place in the city-state of his birth.
Where councilman Hirrye, has declared himself duke of Kuradum.
And opposing him is councilman Sammis, and the faction he leads.
And while the self styled duke Hirrye has most of the local army backing him. Predominantly those garrisoned further out in the state, outside of the city of Kuradum.
The rest of the army, and just as importantly, the city guard of Kuradum. Are with the faction led by councilman Sammis.
Who wants to retain the status quo, where the city-state is governed by a council.
Unlike councilman Hirrye, who wants to be the outright ruler of the city-state of Kuradian.
As Lisell Maera and Dalinvardèl Tanith lead the way along the paved road.
Mira Reinholt the mage says to Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit walking beside him "Who knows if this lot will even hire us".
"Think they might" is the reply of Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit who continues with "Especially if Helbe lets slip Hirrye and his bunch didn't".
Looking at the city they're heading towards this morning, the once powerful mage quietly says "I'm surprised they're not fighting in the city already".
The spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil continues with "Considering from everything we've heard, both councilmen Hirrye and Sammis are in residence in the city".
The halfling, who is from the far east coast of the continent, nods his head in agreement with the mage, who like him, sits upon the council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Jarjin, who is an ex air sailor, glances back, to where lord Farque is walking with Dorc da Orc at the rear of the line of march.
Then the hobbit who previously served in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese, quietly says "If Sammis does hire us, this war can be over fairly quickly if indeed that Hirrye is in the city".
Jarjin Littlefoot, who isn't what he appears to be, nods infront of them, to where infront of Shur Kee the monk, and Beldane the cleric.
Dalinvardèl Tanith and Lisell Maera are about thirty yards infront of the rest of the group.
"One word from Farque, and Dalin or Helbe can assassinate that Hirrye" quietly says the halfling, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the hobbit former air sailor.
"He won't though" murmurs the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"No profit in that" adds the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers a number of years ago. When he went offworld through a rift/void that he accidentally cast.
"True that" quietly says Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who nods his head in agreement with what the mage Reinholt just said.
Coming from the city are a group of horsemen, and though many on the road, most of whom are going into the city this morning. Make way for the riders, simply by getting off the road.
Not so the group, whose only accommodation for the oncoming riders, is to move to one side on the road.
As the riders, a mixed group of city guards, and local soldiers. Bound for the front, away to the southeast.
Pass by, the group garner a lot of looks from the riders. Especially sir Percavelle Lé Dic, lord Farque, and particularly Dorc da Orc. As the three of them stick out like sore thumbs. Often the case when they're out and about, and traveling around.
None of the three are exactly small, especially the seven and a half foot tall, near seven hundred and fifty pound ork warleader.
Though they garner looks from the passing horsemen, none of them actually say or do anything.
After the riders have gone by, Mira Reinholt turns and looks back, then says in the elven language to lord Farque "That Sammis will hire us".
The spellcaster who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil, continues with "That lot didn't even stop and question us" followed by "Bet they're hiring every merc and fighting man who makes it to the city".
The undead warlord doesn't say anything, though he does reply with a nod of his full helmed head.
"We'll know soon enough" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as he walks alongside Mira Reinholt the mage as the group heads towards the city of Kuradum.
A little while later, and they stop a couple hundred yards away from the city.
Standing off to the side of the road, as lord Farque has told them to wait for Helbe the elven thief to return.
"Ever been here before?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as he looks at the city of his birth, a city he still lived in just over a year ago.
"No, first time here" says Tovis the war engineer as he looks at the city of Kuradum. The largest city in the northern central region of the Southlands.
"The others?" quietly asks Zam who is still trying to find his way amongst the group.
A diverse bunch of individuals you'll ever likely to meet. Not only here in the Southlands, but anywhere in the world of Volunell.
"I guess most of the others have" says the war engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, who then dryly adds "They tend to get around a lot".
Also talking about the city as they wait to enter, is sir Percavelle Lé Dic. As usual the large, heavily armoured knight is speaking in his loud, boisterous voice. To anyone who'll listen to him really. Not that any of the others want to listen to him.
"Ah this city, i remember it well" declares sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who continues with "I won many a tourney in this city, wot".
Standing nearby, Mira Reinholt faintly smiles, then says "Except that one tourney a number of years ago".
The Vexilian mage in exile then adds "Well, the Lé Grande Melee in that tourney to be exact".
The former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che thinks about it for a moment.
Then he scowls after the mage Reinholt gestures over to where Dorc da Orc is sitting by the side of the road.
"I remember no such thing" says the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic in a haughty tone of voice.
"Of course you do" says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"It's when we first met you" adds the once powerful mage, who continues with "Me, Farque, Helbe".
Councilor Reinholt briefly pauses before saying "And when you first ran into Dorc".
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Who had been trying to forget that incident from well over fifteen years ago ever since they arrived here in the city-state of Kuradum about a week ago.
Stares at the exiled Vexilian mage for a few moments. Then the former earl of Lé Dic, who has a selective memory to say the least. Remembers something about the mage from around that same time, over fifteen years ago.
"Tell me you evil doer of the arcane arts" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who follows that with "I do believe that was the time before you turned on the group, and attacked them, wot".
The former paladin continues with "Because i doth remember you fighting on the side that i was on a few months later in the war in those mountains yonder south" he briefly pauses before adding "Against the group, wot".
Percy raises a questioning eyebrow, then smirks, before turning and walking away.
After a moment of silence, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit quietly says "He got you there" followed by "You did turn on the group, almost killed Dorc didn't you?" he then adds "Then you fought on the side of the invaders in that war in the Sunreach Mountains".
"Don't look at me like that" says Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson when Mira Reinholt scowls, and glares at him.
"I wasn't part of the group then" adds the halfling who is a former air sailor.
Then as the once powerful mage is about to say something, lord Farque calls out "Gather round".
As they all walk over to where the undead warlord is standing. Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears next to lord Farque, after going into the city of Kuradian to check things out.
"How was it?" asks the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
They all listen, with the exception of Dorc da Orc. To what the young elven noble from island principality of Laerel has to say about what's happening inside of the city of Kuradum . . . . . .