Mercenary Tales 96.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Mercenary Tales 95.

Northern Vexil. 

Beldane the cleric senses it about to happen, and briefly catches a glimpse of it too. Just before he winces, having already slammed up the strongest wards he can. 

The powerful fighting cleric in the church of Glaine has extended them to protect Shur Kee the monk who is standing close by. 

He need not of bothered. For when he glances over at the short statured monk, he finds the acolyte in the order of Bru Li standing there with his eyes closed, and a faint white light surrounding him. Just as the impact of the explosion hits the two of them. 

Beldane grimaces as he staggers back as flying debris, mainly trees smash into his barrier and protection spells. 

As a cloud of dirt and other debris goes mushrooming up into the clear morning sky not far from where they're standing. 

The powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell looks around, and sees every single tree has been knocked over in all directions for a least a few hundred feet, with a crater in the center of them. 

Beldane senses, then quickly looks to where Mira Reinholt the mage was standing back from the nearby clearing, which no longer exists. 

The fighting cleric can still sense one of the mage Reinholt's mageglobes heading off to the west somewhere through the forest, at speed too. 

So he knows the Vexillian mage in exile is still alive. But he can't see the once powerful mage at all, and winces as he looks to where a lot of the debris is falling. 

Looking over at the monk who is originally from the far east coast of the continent, Beldane the cleric says "Shur Kee hurry". 

Dropping his wards, the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine adds "Help me find Mira" followed by "He's still alive". 

The physical adept opens his eyes after he comes out of his trance, and after hearing what the powerful practitioner of magic just said, Shur Kee the monk says "Of course friend Beldane". 

The short statured monk who is an honorary member of Lord Farque's personal council, adds "We shall find him". 

And he follows after the powerful cleric who hurries over to where he last saw Mira Reinholt the mage. In a part of the forest that's been absolutely devastated from the explosion where two mageglobes collided and ended their existence. 

"Hell" mutters Helbe the elven thief as he looks away to the east, and he sees the large cloud of debris mushrooming up into the clear winters sky. 

From where he's floating a few hundred feet above the treetops, the highly talented elven magic user can see a little under a mile away. A large chunk of the forest has basically been flattened. 

With trees smashed apart, or whacked straight down to the ground, now with a crater at the center of the where the explosion took place. 

To his elven sensibilities, the destruction of the forest is frankly disgusting to the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. 

But for all that, the elven masterthief can't help but admire the pure force of the devastation created by the living pieces of magic created by two battling mages. 

The elven master assassin, who as usual can't sense his fellow practitioner of magic, Mira Reinholt the mage. 

Senses for something else instead. As he knows that the once powerful mage, is highly skilled when it comes to combat against other mages. 

As Mira Reinholt had the chance of becoming a battlemage, or what was previously known as a war or housemage hundreds of years ago. 

The first such mage in nearly a century here in The Southlands. Until he lost most of his powers a number of years ago when he went offworld through a rift/void he accidentally cast. 

The elven master archer slightly nods his hooded head, after sighing in relief knowing that the mage Reinholt still lives. 

For the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel senses another mageglobe heading this way, and heading this way at speed too. 

The member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel quickly looks down at the mage in the Vexillian army below him. A mage by the name of Garmen according to the soldiers with him. 

The elven princeling from Laerel sourly smiles as he he sees the Vexillian army mage is grinning as he looks up into the sky to the east, and watches the cloud of debris in the distance. 

The highly talented elven magic user continues to sense Mira's mageglobe still heading this way. Wonders if the mage Garmen can sense it too. As it looks like the mage in the army of the city-state of Vexil is busy gloating at what he's just done. 

Then the elven masterthief slightly nods to himself as he feels the mage Garmen sensing. And he sees a frown appear on the face of the mage in the forest below him. 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name and title, floats further to one side as he feels Mira's mageglobe getting closer and closer. 

The elven master assassin wonders what the living piece of magic will do. As he senses it suddenly drop down into the ground. 

Whatever it's going to do. The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel knows that this will be his chance. 

As there's a fairly good chance that the mage Garmen's wards will be weakened with what's about to happen. 

The elven princeling who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, who is also the undead warlord's envoy. Gets ready to act, as he waits for the inevitable. 

Sensing what's coming towards him at speed, and is now below the ground, Garmen the mage calls out "Move!". 

The Vexillian army mage continues with "Something's going to attack me" followed by "Get away!". 

The soldiers with the mage follow orders, and they start hurrying away from him, as they suspect something magical, and rather violent is going to happen. 

Especially considering they just heard a massive explosion somewhere away to the east of them. An explosion which they can see the aftermath of, above the trees in that direction. 

The Vexillian army mage sneers in disgust as he senses the mageglobe heading his way has gone beneath the ground. 

Garmen knows some mages have their living pieces of magic do this, as many of their spellcasting opponents, often forget to ward below them. 

Not so the mage in the army of the city-state of Vexil. Whose wards are completely around him, including above him, as well as underneath him. 

"Come on" mutters the mage who ranks as an officer in the Vexillian army "What have you got for me?" adds the mage, who like all mages, is an extremely powerful spellcaster. 

Garmen knows that his opponent still lives, as a mageglobe is coming his way. For if they were dead from the massive explosion that just took place to the east. The living piece of magic would no longer been in existence. 

The Vexillian army mage slightly nods to himself as he feels his opponents mageglobe slowing down now. 

And he wonders if it's trying to accurately locate him. Most likely to end it's existence directly beneath him. 

So the powerful Vexillian practitioner of magic increases his wards underneath him as he senses the approaching mageglobe has almost reached him. 

Garmen slightly smiles to himself as he waits for what his opponents mageglobe will do. He's also getting ready to create another mageglobe of his own, to send it after the enemy mage. 

But he has to drop his wards to send it off once he creates it. So he waits for the approaching mageglobe to end it's existence. 

The funny thing about Mira Reinholt and the mageglobes he creates. Is that he gives his living pieces of magic the ability to think for themselves. 

All mages do this to some degree or another. But in the case of the mage Reinholt he takes it to the extreme. As his mageglobes almost have a personality of their own. 

And though the once powerful mage gives them their ultimate goal. How they go about it, is more or less up to them. And they have to use their personality, or to be precise, their intelligence to achieve their goal in their short lives. 

And this mageglobe is no different than any other mageglobe created by Mira Reinholt. Who has got better with how he creates mageglobes ever since he lost most of his powers a number of years ago. 

So the mageglobe 'seeing' what it's target has just done, increasing their wards beneath them. Does what it's creator initially wants it to do. 

When just a few feet from the mage who is it's target, it pops up out of the ground, to a height of about four feet, where it does what it's intended to do, and ends it's existence. 

When pretty much most mageglobes come to an end, no matter the amount of power it generates, it does so over the largest area it can. 

Not so this particular mageglobe, which like pretty much all mageglobes, ends in an explosive manner. 

Though the explosion it creates is a hell of a lot different than most explosions, especially ones created by mageglobes. 

For this living piece of magic explodes just one way, directly forwards and not spread out at all. In fact the explosion is pretty narrow, just a few feet by a few feet. All forward, directly into the front of the wards put up by the mage Garmen. 

Who closes his eyes from the flash of the explosion, which significantly weakens his wards. 

And as he stumbles backwards from the explosion, for a brief moment he thinks his barrier and protection spells are going to fail due to the explosion, which is directly in front of him, and no where else. 

And though they almost shatter, and are nearly destroyed. They remain up, even though they're far weaker than were when he put them up. 

That's all Helbe the elven thief needs, for when he sees the damage created by Mira Reinholt's mageglobe hitting the mage Garmen's wards. 

The blurred and shielded elven magic user shifts down, right behind the Vexillian army mage. As he does, the elven master assassin casts a slip spell. His usual spell to go through another spellcasters wards. 

The mage Garmen grunts after almost toppling over backwards, he steadies himself, and grins as his wards though badly damaged, remain up. 

The powerful practitioner of magic in the army of the city-state of Vexil, is just about to drop them, and create another mageglobe, to send it after the mage somewhere to the east, who he's battling. 

When he suddenly feels something at the base of his skull. It's the last thing he feels on this cold winters day, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Helbe the elven thief pulls his right hand spike puncher out of the back of the mage Garmen's brain. 

And the body of the powerful Vexillian practitioner of magic drops to the ground. The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has already shifted away. 

Before the first of the nearby Vexillian soldiers who rushed away, return to see what happened to the mage Garmen. 

The highly talented elven magic user doesn't even bother to look back at the dead mage as he's up in the sky above the treetops in this part of the forest. 

The elf who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, starts heading east, to where the rest of the group are. 

With the exception of Lord Farque, who is on a hilltop, further south, as much as he is east. The elven master archer looks to the cliff like hill the undead warlord is up. 

And prince Helbenthril Raendril who can't actually see the large heavily armoured deathlord at the moment. 

He suspects the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is watching the chaos he's unleashed down on the forest road further to the east and south. 

"Have you found him friend Beldane?" asks Shur Kee the monk as he looks through a pile of debris, mainly broken trees and shrubs. 

The short statured monk looks over at the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine who is nearby looking between some downed trees, who shakes his head no in reply to the acolyte in the order of Bru Li. 

Shur Kee frowns, and glances away to his right when he catches sight of movement. The physical adept spots in the distance, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout. 

The first of the rest of the group, who are making their way back here after Mira Reinholt the mage told them all to flee. 

The monk who is originally from the far east coast of the continent, the kingdom of Wah Lee to be exact. 

Turns back to where he's been searching, and is just thinking that Dorc da Orc with his acute sense of smell could easily find the missing Vexillian mage in exile. When he suddenly finds Narladene the ground pixie floating in front of his face. 

"Shur Kee over here" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie who doesn't show herself often to the humans in the group with the exception of Lord Farque who can see her no matter what. 

The naturally magical creature when she does appear in front of any of the humans in the group, it tends to be either to Mira Reinholt the mage, or Shur Kee the monk. Who she has known the longest, as they were part of the group when she first encountered Helbe the elven thief in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic. 

The physical adept hurries after Narladene who flutters away, heading towards a mound of dirt and debris, about quarter the way around the crater where the short statured monk and the fighting cleric have been searching. 

"Friend Beldane" says Shur Kee as he hurries after the tiny winged creature who only he can see at this moment. 

"This way" adds the monk who is the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior Bru Li, to be exact he's the living conduit for the Jade Warrior's powers. 

The fighting cleric looks up from where he's been searching, then he takes off after the physical adept, who is hurrying around the massive crater in the ground. 

The short statured monk stops and drops to the ground, and starts digging with his hands, into the side of a mound of dirt and debris. 

Beldane glances back behind him, and catches sight of some of the others in the group coming back to this part of the forest, or what's left of it. 

"Here" says Shur Kee when the powerful practitioner of magic joins him. The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine starts digging too. 

And after a few moments, they come across an arm, with a shredded sleeve, black in colour. 

"Hell" mutters Beldane, who then tells the physical adept to step back. When he does, the powerful practitioner of magic casts a spell, and blows away a lot of the dirt and debris in the mound, to reveal the body of Mira Reinholt the mage. 

The fighting cleric winces as he looks at his fellow spellcaster, then Beldane after looking over the once powerful mage. 

Kneels down beside the unconscious and barely breathing exiled Vexillian mage and starts to heal him with the one of the most powerful spells that he knows . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 94.

Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 93.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 92.

Northern Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 91.

Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mercenary Tales 90.

Hill Country. Northern Vexil. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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