Mercenary Tales 88.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

"Filthy beast" is all sir Percavelle Lé Dic said when they joined up with the rest of the group, on a rise, just over the border in northern Vexil. 

And though from then, the large heavily armoured knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic, looks like he's ignored his bitter rival, Dorc da Orc. 

The noble born knight has constantly glanced, in a disapproving manner of course, at the large ork who stands nearby. 

As for the ork warleader, he's totally ignored the former paladin in the order of The Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Infact the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, didn't know sir Percavelle and the others showed up. 

Until he turned around to take a piss, and found them with Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric. 

Lisell Maera the scout leader just shakes her head as she looks at sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

As the former earl of Lé Dic constantly glares at the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, who stands apart from the rest of the group, here on top of the wooded rise. 

Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not she's called by those who know her well, is just about to say something. 

When next to her, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy says "Up there" followed by "He's heading this way". 

The scout Maera, along with the others look up into the clear morning sky here in northern Vexil, and they see a wyvern flying over the heavily forested hills. 

A wyvern heading this way. A wyvern upon which is the large heavily armoured figure of Lord Farque. 

Helbe the elven thief who has gone off, who knows where. Suddenly reappears next to Tamric Drubine, Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman. 

As the wyvern drops down closer to the treetops, as it heads between the hills, towards the rise that the group is on. 

They, with the exception of Dorc da Orc, move back as the large winged creature, banks to the right, and comes into land. 

The wyvern lands with a flurry of flapping wings, and the undead warlord hops down off it as it settles down. 

Though only after it hisses in anger at Dorc da Orc who stands much closer to it than the rest of the group. 

Lisell Maera faintly smiles as the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque as he walks towards the rest of them, says something in the ork language. 

Which causes Dorc or Dorkindle which is his given name, to scowl in annoyance. Before he steps away from the wyvern, and follows the deathlord of Farque to where the rest of the group are. 

Though the large ork often glances back at the wyvern. And by the look on the ork general's face, Lis is pretty sure, he wants to go fly upon the large winged creature. 

Or kill it. Possibly eat it. Or for that matter, fuck it. The scout Maera isn't too sure. Probably all three of those things, considering one can never be certain with the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. 

The undead warlord just nods his full helmed head as he looks at Helbe the elven thief, who tells him "Just the dregs left". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel continues with "They're pretty much all over the border now". 

The highly talented elven magic user gestures down to the right of them, into the forest as he adds "Unsurprising there's hardly any Vexillian forces here" he continues with "Most of them are in battle or pursuing the bulk of the Geist mercenary army, who are further south, and southwest". 

Lord Farque nods his full helmed head, then says "There's a bit of a problem". He then explains what the problem is, as most of the group. With the exception of Dorc da Orc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and Shur Kee the monk listen to what the lord of the death realm has to say. 

Lisell Maera shares a look with Tovis the war engineer. For though they're loyal to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. After all they're in his armies. 

They're not that okay with some of the decisions he makes. Like now, as they find out why the undead warlord wants both the Geist cousins mercenary army, and the Vexillian forces here in the very north of the city-state. 

Moving away, further to the south and southwest. And not going anywhere to the east, here in the border region between the two nations of Vexil and Girdane. 

As that way is a number of old gold mines. The closest of which is only a few miles away. Old mines that until recently were abandoned. 

Until they were reopened by the elven maiden Salinéll. Who attempted to start a full scale war, not just between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. But other nations, as well as unruled lands here in the central region of The Southlands. 

"Ooohhh loot" says Dorc da Orc when he hears the mention of the old mines. Which finally distracts him from continuously glancing at the nearby wyvern. 

Which is lying down flat on it's haunches, watching them all. In particular the large heavily armoured figure of the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

Ignoring the large ork who is a general in his armies, Lord Farque says "I want that column of new arrivals gone" followed by "They could end up quite close to that nearest mine". 

"You want me to move them off?" asks Helbe the elven thief, who with a few easy spells can get quite large number of people going where he wants them to go. 

The undead warlord slightly shakes his full helmed head then says "Unfortunately there's stragglers from the mercenary army heading south, that way too" followed by "It'll be a fucking shit show when they meet up". 

The deathlord of Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, then says "What I want done is". 

The lord of the death realm then switches to the royal elven language, which only the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel can speak and understand. 

The eyebrows of the highly talented elven magic user shoot up in surprise as he listens to what the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque has to say. 

"You sure about that?" asks Helbe the elven thief in the same language, which gets him a stare from the large heavily armoured deathlord. 

The elven master assassin, who is a member of the personal council to Draugodrottin, winces. Then switching back to the common language, he says "I'll do it". 

Though by the sounds of it, most of the others think the elven masterthief isn't particularly pleased to do whatever it is that Lord Farque has told him to do. 

The undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, looks at the others, points and in common says "Head that way". 

He gestures upwards, then says "I'll keep an eye on things up there" followed by "I'll warn you if someone's near". 

The lord of the death realm pauses, then looks away to the west of the rise they're on, then says to them "Speaking of which". 

The others look that way, and it's Beldane the cleric who senses it first, as he's the most powerful of the spellcasters in the group, and he says "Mageglobe heading this way". 

Saanea the witch then senses it, followed by Helbe the elven thief, and eventually Mira Reinholt the mage. 

"Must of created it to seek out spellcasters not in the Vexillian army" says Mira Reinholt the mage referring to the creator of the mageglobe, and the living piece of magic that's heading this way. 

And though some of the group share nervous looks, Draugodrottin tells them all "Don't worry about it". 

"Easy for you to say" murmurs Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman which earns him a glance from the undead warlord. 

Which shuts up the rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Malisse. 

Beldane the cleric ducks down as he looks westwards, the mage Reinholt steps forward to stand beside him, and he too ducks down so he can look through the trees. 

"It's coming" states Beldane the cleric who can clearly sense the mageglobe heading this way through the forest. 

After a few moments of silence, Helbe the elven thief says "There it is". Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy spots it too. 

And a short while later, the crouching cleric in the church of Glaine says "I see it". "Same" says Mira Reinholt the mage who spots the living piece of magic in the distance, weaving between the trees as it heads towards the rise the group is on. 

"Like I said" says Draugodrottin, who continues on from that with "Don't worry about it". Both Beldane and the mage Reinholt get up from where they've been crouching. 

And the once powerful mage who hails from here in the city-state of Vexil, gets ready to create a mageglobe of his own. 

While the powerful cleric, along with Saanea the witch, as well as Helbe the elven thief prepare to create wards to protect themselves, and the others from incoming mageglobe. 

Lord Farque glances at them, and sourly smiles behind the faceplate of his full helm. The undead warlord then takes a few steps forward of them all, as well a few steps down the rise on it's west side. 

Then quickly the others all spot the mageglobe heading their way. The apple sized blue ball of living magic, shoots out from the trees, and up the side of the rise. As it heads towards the closet spellcaster. Which is pretty much all of them, as they're standing fairly close to one another. 

Then just before it reaches them, Des'tier puts out his right hand, and catches the fast moving mageglobe. 

The lord of the death realm squeezes his gauntleted hand, destroying the living piece of magic before it can end it's own life and explode. 

"Mira" sourly says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque as another mageglobe, similar to the first. Shoots off from the side of the rise, and head back in the direction the first living piece of magic came from. 

"Force of habit" says Mira Reinholt the mage with an unapologetic shrug of his shoulders as he along with the others, watch his mageglobe shoot off through the trees, heading west, before it drops down into the ground and disappears. 

The undead warlord just shakes his full helmed head, then says to them all "Get going". Then he walks over to the waiting wyvern. And in a few moments, he's up in the clear winters morning sky. 

Meanwhile, about a mile and a half away to the southwest, a mage in the Vexillian army, who is following a company of soldiers who are in pursuit of some of the mercenaries who have crossed over the border into northern Vexil from the kingdom of Girdane. 

Is frowning as he looks off to the northeast, as he can no longer sense the mageglobe he sent off in that direction a little earlier. 

Hoping to catch any enemy spellcaster who maybe trailing after the rest of the mercenaries who have crossed the border into northern Vexil. 

The spellcaster in the Vexillian army who is still frowning, wondering what happened to his living piece of magic which suddenly disappeared without coming to the end of it's life. 

For a brief moment thought his mageglobe was coming back this way. But he can't sense it, and for that matter, any spellcaster in and around the area where his mageglobe disappeared from. 

The Vexillian army mage shrugs his shoulders, then turns, and starts walking quickly to catch up with the company he's with. 

The powerful practitioner of magic walks up behind a few of the soldiers, who have stopped to wait for him. 

The mage in the army of Vexil is just about to say something to them. When suddenly the ground beneath him, and them, violently erupts upwards in a fiery explosion. 

Even if the Vexillian army mage was to hurriedly put up wards. They wouldn't do anything to protect him and the soldiers he's joined up with. 

As he, like particularly every other spellcaster, doesn't put up a barrier spell that also goes underneath him, and the ground he's standing on. 

It's the same reason why the practitioner of magic in the army of the city-state of Vexil, didn't sense underground. As he like pretty much all spellcasters, especially mages. Tend not to sense beneath the ground for any danger. 

It's why Mira Reinholt the mage had his living piece of magic go down into the ground, as it head off, back in the direction the mageglobe Lord Farque destroyed, came from. 

And why he made so, that when it came to the end of it's life, it exploded right underneath it's target. In this instance, a mage in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

So it's on the clear winters morning, the ground explodes upwards in fire and magical energy. Instantly killing the mage and the Vexillian soldiers with him. 

Sending what's left of their charred bodies, along with dirt, rocks, and bits of destroyed trees. Flying upwards into the sky in a mushroom like cloud of burning debris. 

Here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 87.

Northern Vexil. 

Farsen Geist is breathing heavily, leaning over, hands on knees, trying to get his breath back. While next to him, his older cousin Gamil, is leaning back against a tree trunk, also trying to get his breathing under control. 

The younger Geist cousin is just glad it's the middle of winter. As he's perspiring heavily, glad that it isn't the middle of summer. 

Farsen Geist just grunts after standing back upright, when Gamil Geist loudly mutters "I'm fucking stuffed". 

The younger of the two cousins picks up the sword on the ground in front of him. It's not even his, as he lost his some time ago during the battle here in the heavily forested hills of northern Vexil. 

One of the nearby Geist company guards suddenly says "Hear that?" followed by "Sounds like cavalry". 

"I fucking hope not" says Farsen Geist, his older cousin Gamil grunts in agreement as that's the last thing they need. Cavalry units from the Vexillian army suddenly turning up. 

Another of the company guards runs back to them through the trees, and as he approaches he calls out "Look away!" followed by "Or close your eyes!". 

"Oh shit" says Farsen Geist, next to him his older cousin Gamil says "Fuck". As they, like every one of the company guards, and mercenaries with them. Know what's nearby, and heading this way. 

Farsen looks down at the ground as they hear what sounds like cavalry approaching, getting closer and closer. 

Then it's upon them. To be exact, going by them. Through the trees, just to the left of them. Not slowing down, except for one. 

Farsen Geist nods his head as he continues to look straight down at the ground in front of him, when a familiar voice says "We'll hit them on the left flank, giving you and the others more time to continue south". 

"Thanks Hafnah" says Farsen Geist to the mercenary captain who sits upon his cockatrice less than five yards from the Geist cousins and those with them. 

"Best of luck" says the mercenary captain Hafnah whose company are cockatrice riders, and without doubt the only reason the mercenary army of the Geist cousins, hasn't been decimated this morning since they've crossed over the border into northern Vexil. 

"You too" replies the younger of the Geist cousins, which is echoed by his older cousin Gamil, who stands there with his eyes closed as he leans back against the tree behind him. 

They hear the cockatrice with the mercenary captain upon it, moving off. Then after a few moments, one of the nearby company guards says "It's safe" followed by "They're out of sight". 

Farsen Geist looks up, while next to him his older cousin Gamil opens his eyes, then says "That's always unnerving being around them during battle". 

The younger of the Geist cousins nods his head in agreement with his cousin. As no one wants to look at a cockatrice when their blinders are off as they are during battle. 

And though cockatrice don't actually turn you to stone if you look them in the eye. They make you basically go stone like, and not move. 

Making it pathetically easy for them, or their rider to kill you. As you're unable to defend yourself when you're in that state. 

Farsen Geist who desperately wanted to ask Hafnah if his daughter Danielle was alright. Looks at his older cousin Gamil, and asks him "You okay to move off?". 

"I could ask you the same thing" dryly says Gamil Geist with a sideways look at his younger cousin Farsen. 

"You were wheezing and huffing like a broken bellows there for a bit" adds the older of the two cousins who have gathered a mercenary army. Which they were hoping would start a border war between their homeland the city-state of Vexil, and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

"I could say the same thing about you" dryly says the younger of the two Geist cousins, with a shake of his head as he glances at his older cousin Gamil. 

Farsen Geist looks around, then asks "Where's the commander". Referring to Kilmas, the commander of the company guards. 

"That way" says one of the nearby company guards, who points away to the right of them, where the sounds of combat can just be heard, from where they are in the heavily forested hill country, that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

"Head that way?" asks Farsen Geist as he looks at his older cousin "It is south" adds the younger of the two cousins. 

"Might as well" says Gamil Geist, who then says to the around twenty or so guards and mercenaries with the two cousins "Come on you lot, let's go". 

They move off, as they do, there's a thud in the distance somewhere further back behind them in the forest. An explosion, most likely caused by one of the spellcasters on either side of the battle. 

After wiping the sweat off his brow, Farsen Geist looks around, then sends a couple of guards off in front of the rest of them, as they continue, more or less to the southwest. 

The younger of the Geist cousins as he jogs with the others, looks directly to their left, when one of the mercenaries with them, spots movement that way. 

In turns out to be more of their army, a mix of both company guards and mercenaries, about a dozen of them. 

And with them, limping, is the wizard Hoptas. Whose robes, down at the edges, are scorched. With smoke trailing behind him as he limps to the Geist cousins, who along with those with them, have slowed to allow the new arrivals to join them. 

"Got caught in the middle of an explosion a little earlier" says Hoptas the wizard after he joins the Geist cousins. 

The spellcaster from here in the city-state of Vexil, who has served the Geist trading company for a couple of decades, coughs to clear his throat, before he adds "A damn mage globe" followed by a muttered "Thought I was a goner there for a bit". 

Both Geist cousins wince at hearing that. They've yet to encounter any mage in the Vexillian army and aircorp so far this morning. And they certainly don't want to either. As they know going against one of them in battle will get you killed real quick. 

They move off again, as they do, one of the company guards who just joined them, gestures upwards, then says "Wyvern". 

Everyone looks up, and see the large, winged creature pass overhead, a few hundred feet above the treetops. 

"Huh?" says Hoptas the wizard, who quickly casts a spell, then drops it after he adds "Doesn't look like a typical rider in their aircorp". 

The Vexillian spellcaster as he walks quickly alongside Farsen Geist, nods his head then says "It's that big fellow from captain Marqand's company" followed by "Just cast a farsight spell to see him more clearly". 

The Geist cousins look sharply at the wizard who tells them "You know, that one who turned up early this morning with that cleric, and the deformed looking troll". 

"Huh, imagine that" says Farsen Geist, while beside him, his older cousin Gamil says "How the hell did he get a hold of that?" 

With a shrug of his shoulders, the younger of the two cousins says "Who knows" followed by "Hopefully that can be an advantage to us". 

He like his older cousin Gamil, along with the wizard Hoptas, as well as quite a few of the guards and mercenaries with them, look up to see if they can spot the wyvern again, but it and the rider in the saddle upon it's back, are out of sight at the moment. 

Though a short while later, the Geist company guard who first spotted it, points then says "Look, it's circling back this way". 

And though they can all hear the sound of fighting somewhere away to their left amongst the trees, they all look up, and spot the wyvern heading this way. 

It briefly disappears from view as it circled behind them and some of the taller trees that way, then it comes around again, slowing as it does so, less than a hundred feet above the treetops. 

And they see the large heavily armoured figure in the saddle as the wyvern leans slightly to the side, so they get a good look at the rider, who they see pointing, moving his arm as he does so. In the universal gesture to go that way. 

Farsen Geist replies with a raised fist to signify they will. The large heavily armoured figure on the back of the wyvern nods in return. Then the wyvern tightly turns, and heads back to the north. 

"Ah well, looks like we should head more to the west" says Farsen Geist followed by "As much as to the south". 

"Sounds good to me" says Gamil Geist, who wants to get away from the elements of the Vexillian army they've come across this morning, as quickly as possible. 

The wizard Hoptas nods in agreement with the cousins, then the younger of the two Geist cousins calls out to the company guards and mercenaries with them "That way!". 

As he points more to the west, the way the large heavily armoured figure on the wyvern gestured to. 

Higher up in the air, Lord Farque looks back and spots the Geist cousins, and those with them, start heading in the direction he pointed to. 

The undead warlord nods his full helmed head as he looks ahead again, then down at the forest below as he has the wyvern head back north towards the border. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who has been continuously sensing in all directions. Knows that the rest of the group have arrived, and made it across the border. And are now with Tamric Drubine the field commander, Beldane the cleric and Dorc da Orc. 

The lord of the death realm glances back behind him, and looks further to the south, and slightly frowns. 

"Hmmmmm" Lord Farque murmurs to himself as he senses, then sees more Vexillian soldiers on one of the roads to the south, making their way through the hill country to the border with the kingdom of Girdane. 

The undead being who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, then scowls behind the faceplate of his full helm. As he can see more Vexillian warships away to the south, heading this way. 

Des'tier, which is Draugodrottin's elvish name looks north again, and sees another Girdanian warship has turned up along the border. And he can see a couple more on the horizon to the north. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord shakes his full helmed head, then he has the wyvern slow down as much as possible. Then he has it turn to the northeast, as it does the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque looks down. 

Below him he watches the fighting between the Vexillian army and the mercenary army of the Geist cousins. 

It's predominantly a running battle through the forest. As elements of the mercenary army gathered by the Geist cousins move as quickly as they can to the south, and the southwest. 

With the elements of the Vexillian army mainly in pursuit of them. Though where the fighting is heaviest, the mercenary army has run straight into those soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. 

The undead warlord doesn't particularly care about the outcome of the running battle. Just as long as all of them keep heading southwest. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord just doesn't want any of them, from either side, going east. The direction of the nearest abandoned gold mine, which the elven maiden Salinéll had recently reopened. 

Draugodrottin looks to the south again, and what he sees causes him to scowl. As the Vexillian army company coming up one of the roads, has taken an eastern turn off, to avoid one of the hills, so they can get to the border more quickly. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque sighs, then mutters "Fuck". Then with a command in the dragon language, he has the wyvern head north once more. 

And head to the nearby rise on this side of the border, where the group are watching the last of the mercenary army of the Geist cousins, fleeing south as they're pursued by elements of the Vexillian army. 

On this cold winters morning, here in the heavily forested hill country that straddles the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 86.

Hill Country. Border Region. 

Mira Reinholt the mage doesn't complain all that often about losing the vast majority of his powers a number of years ago. 

But this morning as they head south to the border with his homeland, the city-state of Vexil. The once powerful mage can be heard every so often muttering to himself about his lack of power. 

"Fuck me" mutters Mira Reinholt the mage, who continues muttering with "By the shape of power". As he looks to the south from the hilltop Saanea the witch has teleported them too. 

"Your turn mage" says Zam the ex mercenary, which earns him a glare from the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

The Vexillian mage in exile sighs after Saanea the witch says to him "Best you continue doing it from now on". 

The attractive spellcaster who hails from the Maldin Hills, gestures away to the south, up into the morning sky, as she adds "I can't hide while I'm casting" followed by "Holding my power within myself so I can't get detected is the best I can do". 

The mage Reinholt grunts at that, for his fellow practitioner of magic speaks the truth. As Mira has an amulet that hides his ability to cast from other spellcasters..

And with a Girdanian warship not that far away to the south of them, there's a good chance they'll detect Saanea if she was to keep on casting. 

"At least they won't have any mages onboard" mutters Mira Reinholt the mage, who then silently adds, I hope. 

The practitioner of magic who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in The Southlands. 

Knows that the kingdom of Girdane tend not to have mages onboard their aircorp vessels. As other spellcasters are more trusted, to keep a cool head. Unlike mages who on average, are more hot tempered than other practitioners of magic. Who tend to blow things up first before thinking. 

Looking further south, in the distance across the border. The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster. 

Knows that in all likelihood there's mages over there in northern Vexil. Either with their army, or onboard their aircorp vessels in the area. 

As he looks to the south to find a spot to take them too, the mage Reinholt takes hold of the gem in the inner pocket of his cloak, and drains the rest of the power from it. 

"Over there Mira" suggests Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, which gets a nod from the Vexillian spellcaster in the black hooded cloak. 

Mira Reinholt sourly smiles as next to him, Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman quietly tells him in a dry tone of voice "A bit of cover from those up in that airship would be ideal". 

The practitioner of magic ignores his fellow member of Lord Farque's personal council, and instead says to everyone "Stand close". 

The group gather around the once powerful mage, standing as close as possible. Including sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who has been told a number of times already this morning. 

If he doesn't stand close to the two spellcasters taking turns to teleport all of them to the border, he'll be left behind. 

Which sounds pretty ideal to most of the others. As being in the presence of the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic can get more than a little tedious to say the least. 

The mage Reinholt who can still clearly remember the days when he was able to teleport a group this size, far in excess of a dozen miles. 

But those days are long gone. For now he teleports them just three quarters of a mile to a tree covered hilltop to the south. 

When they reappear, they quickly get beneath the cover of the tree branches, as the Girdanian warship isn't all that far away from them. 

"Hear that?" quietly asks Tovis the war engineer, next to him, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy or Dar as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, says "Fighting". 

They look to where the spy Tanith has pointed further to the south, and a bit to the west, as he adds "They've run into the Vexillian army". 

The spy who is originally from the elven principality of Alinlae, continues with "Sounds like a pretty good battle going on there". 

Mira Reinholt nods his hooded head, as next to him his fellow council member Malisse, nods as well as she says "It was to be expected". 

The rotund woman, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to find himself inhabiting the overweight woman. 

Is just about to say something else, when suddenly out of nowhere, a voice familiar to them all, says "Well would you look who it is". 

"Fuck" sourly mutters the mage Reinholt in fright, when suddenly he finds Helbe the elven thief standing next to him. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel grins at the reaction he gets from his sudden appearance. 

Then the elven magic user, who like Mira Reinholt and Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, says "Might as well walk for a little bit". 

The elven masterthief follows that with "There's s hill nearby that'll give you a good view of things" he continues with "It's close enough that a walk there won't do any harm". 

Mira Reinholt nods his hooded head, then he and the rest of the group, follow the elven master assassin. 

Who leads them to the border, which is marked by a narrow stream. And up the small hill that he described. 

As they walk, the Vexillian mage in exile asks his fellow practitioner of magic who is Lord Farque's envoy "How's things going?". 

The once powerful mage gestures away to the south and west where the sound of fighting can clearly be heard in the distance through the forest as he says this. 

The elven master assassin tells him, and the others who are listening to their conversation. That the Geist mercenary army are putting up a pretty good fight, all things considered. Since their numbers are already down from earlier in the week, when they first ran into the Vexillian army and aircorp. 

As they top the rise, which they see has been hit by a magetube shot, pretty recently by the looks of things. 

Mira Reinholt the mage frowns after Helbe the elven thief explains the situation here in the border region between the two neighbouring nations. 

Then the once powerful mage, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster asks the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel "Why does he want them heading that way?". 

Referring to Lord Farque along with those who make up both sides of the conflict, here in the hill country that's the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel to give him his full name and title rolls his eyes, before dryly saying "Where do I start?". 

The highly talented elven magic is silent for a few moments as he looks away to the south, then after slightly nodding his hooded head, the elven princeling quietly says "You know those old abandoned mines I found?". 

Both the Vexillian mage in exile and the rotund woman who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, nod their heads in reply to that from the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. 

"What about them?" asks Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson, who along with the mage Reinholt, have moved away from the others, and are standing with the elven princeling at the southern end of the hilltop. 

"He wants them well away from those" pointedly says the elven master archer, who looks first at the rotund woman, then the practitioner of magic, who is originally from here, in the city-state of Vexil. 

It's the once powerful mage who understands at first what the highly talented elven magic user is actually saying. 

The mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, wryly smiles, then dryly says "I see". 

It takes a couple of moments for the other member of Lord Farque's personal council to figure out what the elven masterthief is actually referring to. 

Then Malisse aka Zubutai the son of Timagin says "I thought that elven maiden Salinéll reopened them?". 

"She did" says Helbe the elven thief, who continues in a dry tone of voice with "She no longer has need of them". 

Both the once powerful mage and the larger woman, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra, a member of the Pony Archers horde, look closely at the highly talented elven magic user. 

Who informs the two of them to what's happened to Salinéll the elven maiden, and those who were with her. 

"So much for her then" dryly says Mira Reinholt the mage after the elven princeling from Laerel informs them of what happened to Salinéll the elven magic user. 

The Vexillian spellcaster in exile, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, not just here in his homeland of Vexil, but right across the Southlands, continues with "Now he wants those old gold mines for himself?". 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head in reply to that from his fellow practitioner of magic. 

Then the rotund woman, who in actuality is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who just happens to inhabit the woman known as Malisse, says  "Speaking of" followed by "Where is he and the others?". 

Helbe the elven thief points then says "See that small rise further south?" followed by "That one there?". Both Mira and Malisse see the tree covered rise just a bit further south of where they are. 

"Tam, Beldane and Dorc are there" states the highly talented elven magic user, who after a brief pause, adds "As for Farque". 

The young elven noble who is part of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, looks up at the sky, and points to something in the distance, before adding "There he is" followed by "Heading back this way". 

Mira Reinholt the mage and Malisse aka Zubutai Timaginson after a few moments see what the elven masterthief has pointed out. And the two of them glance at one another. 

"Subtle" dryly says the rotund woman who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council. "Yeah no one is going to notice that" dryly adds the exiled Vexillian mage. 

Helbe the elven thief chuckles at that as they look at the wyvern in the morning sky away to the southeast, upon which is Lord Farque as it heads back this way. 

Then the highly talented elven magic user says "Mira, best if you get this lot down to that rise where Tam, Beldane and Dorc are" then he suddenly disappears as he shifts away. 

The mage Reinholt sourly smiles, then shares a look with his fellow council member Malisse aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who just shrugs her shoulders. 

The once powerful mage then calls over the rest of the group here on the hilltop, before he teleports them all away, on this cold winters morning. 

Here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 85.

Border Region. 

The Vexillian aircorp warship tilts to starboard as it starts circling a few hundred feet above the treetops. 

Those onboard can see fighting down amongst the forest. Obviously soldiers from their own army in combat against an enemy. 

Most likely mercenaries who have crossed the border from the kingdom of Girdane. As there's been reports of this happening over the last couple of months, here in the hill country that makes up the border region between Vexil and their neighbours to the north. 

The airship captain not wanting to fire upon their own. Decides to set down about five hundred yards back to the south, where there's a clearing. 

After all he has a company of fifty soldiers onboard, and they'd be better served down on the ground fighting the enemy. 

Besides there's a Girdanian warship not that far away, just across the border. And there's another one just a few miles away to the north, heading this way. 

And the Vexillian aircorp captain doesn't want any stray magetube shots going their way. Which could accidentally set off a war between the two nations. 

As the Vexillian aircorp vessel heads back to the clearing, and starts dropping down in altitude. A wyvern goes by just a few hundred feet to port. 

It's one of the scout-spotters assigned to the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil. No doubt it's rider will be getting an even closer look at the battle taking place down in the forested hills below. 

Walking along the small tree covered rise, Lord Farque suddenly stops, and Helbe the elven thief asks him "What is it?". 

The highly talented elven magic user looks down to their right, and sees the Geist cousins mercenary army continuing to head to the southwest. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel looks at the large heavily armoured deathlord standing beside him, who is looking up into the clear morning sky, here in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

"Get me up there" says Lord Farque who nods his full helmed head up at the morning sky. The elven master assassin looks to where the undead warlord has indicated. 

The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, quirks an eyebrow when he sees what the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque is looking at. 

"Might take me a couple of goes to get you there" quietly says the elven masterthief who is a member of the person council to the deathlord of Farque. 

Infact he's the most important member of that particular council, as he's also Lord Farque's envoy. 

"Damn thing's circling away" adds the elven master archer in a mutter, who then nods his hooded head when the undead warlord tells him "I want to clearly see what's happening". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by, then says "Head back north" followed by "Mira and the rest of the group are approaching, make sure they get across the border unscathed". 

"Will do" says Helbe the elven thief, or prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel to give him his full name and title. 

The highly talented elven magic user then grunts, when the lord of the death realm tells him "Tam and Beldane should be able to keep that big fucking idiot Dorc out of trouble". 

Then Draugodrottin who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer, says to the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel "Now". 

The undead warlord allows magic to have an effect on him, and he disappears as the elven master assassin shifts him away. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque briefly appears in mid air, about a hundred feet above the ground, though a couple hundred yards from the small tree covered rise he was just on. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord disappears once more as Helbe the elven thief shifts him again. 

The lord of the death realm reappears just above a Vexillian aircorp wyvern that's flying by, he drops and lands upon the back of it, just behind the rider. 

Who goes flying off it, when Des'tier grabs him by the head, and throws him out of the saddle, sending him falling to the treetops below. 

The wyvern lets out an indignant, not to mention angry screech. And is about to dive, and try and shake off the new arrival who is now in the saddle upon it's back. 

That's until Lord Farque gives it a command in the language of dragons. Something the wyvern has never heard before, but instinctively knows to obey. 

"Idiot thing" mutters the undead warlord after the wyvern shakes itself, then settles down as it realizes it has an experienced rider upon it's back, who has total command of it. 

Draugodrottin who has never really cared that much for wyverns. For the simple reason they're fractious creatures, who are more than a little flighty to say the least. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord has the twenty five foot long wyvern, which has a sixty foot wingspan, circle back to where the fighting is taking place down amongst the trees. 

So that he can get an good overview of what's happening between elements of the Vexillian army, and the mercenary army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen, who have rushed over the border into northern Vexil. 

On this cold winters morning, here in the forest heavy, hill country that straddles the border region between the nations of Girdane and Vexil. 

"Where Farque?" asks Dorc da Orc when Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears beside them again on the top of the small tree covered rise. 

"There" replies the elven princeling who gestures up into the clear morning sky above the hill country. 

"Dafuk" mutters the large ork when he spots what the elven masterthief gestured to "Motherfucker has all the fucken fun" grumbles the ork warleader as he watches the wyvern in the distance, upon which is the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world has always liked to fly, in fact he's obsessed with it. 

Only eating, drinking, killing and fucking animals, particularly goats. Is better than flying in the opinion of the ork weaponsmith. 

As Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, mutters away to himself in the incomprehensible language of the orks. 

Helbe the elven thief quietly tells Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric "Mira and the others are nearing the border". 

The highly talented elven magic user who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, continues with "I'll get them safely across the border". 

The elven master assassin glances over at the muttering ork warleader, then quietly says in elvish to the other two "Keep an eye on the big psycho here, make sure he doesn't go off and does his own thing". 

The elven master archer says that last bit with a nod of his hooded head down to the passing mercenary army of the Geist cousins, who are engaged in a battle with the Vexillian army. 

"We will" says Tamric Drubine the field commander in the same language, who along with Beldane the cleric know, more or less, how to keep the large ork out of trouble. 

The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel nods his hooded head, then after a final glance at the ork warleader, who is still muttering away to himself. 

He disappears as he shifts away, heading back north. To cross the border, to meet up with the rest of the group who are on their way here. 

Lord Farque has the wyvern climb in altitude, and slowly circle to the east. Where the undead warlord with his farsight, looks for something. 

After a few moments, the large heavily armoured deathlord nods to himself when he spots one of the abandoned mines, about eighteen miles away. 

He sees movement near it, and spots a few tents amongst the trees near the old gold mine, that was until recently abandoned. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods in understanding when he realizes who that is. And now with the death of Salinéll the elven maiden, the lord of the death realm has plans for that mine, and the others that have been abandoned for decades, but there's been activity in them over the last year or so. 

Draugodrottin has the wyvern fly even higher, as he knows from the map that Helbe the elven thief showed him, that there's a couple of more of these old mines, between the one he spotted, and this area of the hill country, he's flying over. 

The deathlord of Farque can't see one of them, which he guesses is about a dozen miles further east. 

But he can see the one that's closest to the part of the border region where the running battle is taking place between elements of the Vexillian army and mercenary army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered. 

"Hmmm" murmurs Des'tier as he sees the nearest abandoned gold mine is a lot closer than he thought, as it's less than three miles away to the east. 

And though he's got Helbe the elven thief make the Geist cousins along with their guard commander, have their army head to the southwest. 

Which in turn has made the running battle down amongst the trees, head that way too. It's still a little too close for Lord Farque's comfort. 

As he can clearly see, not to mention, sense. Movement to the east in both directions. With Vexillian troops heading north, and mercenaries from the Geist army, heading south. 

Can't have them blundering into that old mine, the undead warlord thinks to himself, who then spots a Vexillian aircorp vessel, rise up out of a clearing, after dropping off the detachment of soldiers it's had onboard. 

The lord of the death realm slightly frowns to himself behind the faceplate of his full helm when he sees the Vexillian warship turn east after it clears the treetops. 

"Fuck" mutters Draugodrottin after he estimates the path of the vessel in the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil, and what it could possibly pass right over. 

"Can't have that" murmurs the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque who with a command, has the wyvern head east, in pursuit of the Vexillian warship. 

From the tree covered rise where he's watching Lord Farque and the wyvern he's riding, Dorc da Orc who has also seen the Vexillian aircorp vessel, rise up out of the forest, and head east, grunts. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric who have been watching the fighting down in trees to the west of the rise they're on, turn and look at the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who is a general in the Armies of Farque. 

"They fucked" says Dorkindle with a nod of his head up into the clear morning sky to the south of them. 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, along with the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, look to where the large ork has nodded. 

And they see the wyvern in the distance, quickly gaining on the Vexillian warship that's flying to the east. 

"Wonder what he's up to?" quietly says Beldane the cleric, field commander Drubine is wondering the same thing. 

"Gonna fuck 'em" states the warleader of the ork race as the three of them watch the fast moving wyvern approach the vessel in the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil from a stern. 

Lord Farque waits to see if the Vexillian warship turns either north, or south. But it continues to head directly east. 

Don't say I never give anyone a chance, the undead warlord dryly thinks to himself, who then has the wyvern pick up speed. 

The large winged creature is far quicker than the warship in the aircorp of Vexil. Which like a lot of vessels operating in the border region, is a patrol ship. In this case, a converted twin masted brigantine. 

The warship isn't quite big enough to have a wheelhouse, so Des'tier has the wyvern fly directly at the stern of the Vexillian warship. 

The aft lookout, isn't worried about the fast approaching wyvern. After all it's part of his own aircorp. 

And he suspects it's come to deliver a message. Probably about the battle down in the hill covered forests. 

Though he thought the wyvern riders wore leather armour. And not a suit of full plate armour. Nor are the riders so large as the one in the saddle of the fast approaching one from a stern. 

Draugodrottin pulls back on the reins of the wyvern, and it abruptly pulls up less than fifteen feet from the stern of the Vexillian warship. 

Lord Farque commands in the language of the dragons for the wyvern to hover just behind the airship. 

Then the undead warlord leaps up, and out of the saddle, and forward, passing over the long neck, and head of the wyvern, and lands upon the aft deck of the Vexillian airship .

The lord of the death realm lands right behind the helmsman at the wheel, and the captain standing next to him. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord before either can turn around and see what's behind them. 

Grabs the helmsman, and biffs him over the starboard side rail. With the other hand, Des'tier does the same to the warship's captain, though he goes flying over the port side rail. 

The undead warlord then grabs the wheel, and rips it, along with the plinth it's on, out of the deck, taking a fair chunk of the decking as well. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque then throws it at the aft mast, so hard that there's a clearly audible crack, and the mast from about halfway up, starts to break and fall forward. 

Draugodrottin turns, and as a crossbow bolt harmlessly bounces off his back, he leaps off the aft deck, shouting a command in the dragon language to the hovering wyvern. 

As the large winged creature turns to starboard and starts to drop, the undead warlord lands upon it's back, into the saddle. 

The wyvern turns back west, while behind it, the doomed warship in the aircorp of the city-state of Vexil is quickly dropping out of sky towards the forest below. 

On this cold winters morning here in the hill country that makes up the border region between Vexil and it's northern neighbour the kingdom of Girdane . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 84.

Vexil. 

Farsen Geist punches a Vexillian soldier in the face who just tried to stab him in the stomach with a shortsword. 

The younger Geist cousin gets the satisfaction of seeing the enemy soldier stumble backwards, clutching at his broken nose. 

Farsen follows that with a kick to the groin of the soldier, who groans when he drops to the ground. A groan that's short lived as one of the Geist guards stabs him in the throat and neck with his sword. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins takes a deep breath and looks around at the surrounding chaos. Where basically a full on battle is taking place amongst the trees, between the mercenary army the Geist cousins have gathered, and the Vexillian army elements, here in the very north of the city-state. 

Farsen spots his older cousin Gamil nearby, pick up a Vexillian soldier, and give the enemy soldier a bear hug. 

Both the Geist cousins are big men, and the older Gamil the larger of the two cousins, crushes the soldier in the Vexillian army.  Before delivering a headbutt to the enemy soldier. 

The cousins, who though run their family's trading company. Are a rough and tumble pair, who have been taught various combat techniques since they were small children. 

Gamil who was a toddler during the Battle of Vexil, and Farsen who was born just after the largest battle in The Southlands in recent history. 

Know how to use their large frames to effect. And once they get a hold of someone, or hit them. The other person tends to not get up anytime soon. 

Farsen picks up his sword that he dropped, and takes a quick step back, and to the side when a Vexillian soldier runs at him. 

The younger Geist cousin who can see the irony of fighting his fellow countrymen. Narrowly avoids an axe swung at him. 

And he slashes the charging soldier across the thigh as he runs by, cutting through the leather armour, breeches, and finally flesh, almost to the bone. 

Farsen Geist moves away, leaving the wounded enemy soldier to be finished off by one of the Geist company guards keeping close to the younger of the two cousins. 

"Hell" mutters Farsen Geist who flinches as there's an explosion somewhere away to the right amongst the trees. 

From the corner of his vision, he sees red energy, and flames engulf some of the trees about fifty yards from where he is. 

Spellcasters on both sides of the fighting are engaged with one another. And though the casting has been sporadic so far. It's been both deadly and destructive when it has happened. 

The younger Geist cousin, who is warm despite the cold winters morning, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

Looks the other way, to his left. And spots some of the Vexillian soldiers heading up a rise or small hill that way. Most likely trying to get around the Geist company guards and mercenaries. 

Farsen spots a group of people already on top of the rise, and he's pretty sure he recognizes them. He nods to himself, when he spots the mercenary named Tam, who is from captain Marqand's company. 

He also sees the large heavily armoured figure, along with the deformed looking troll, which is infact an ork, not that he knows that. With the cleric named Beldane from the company led by the mercenary captain Marqand. 

Farsen Geist quickly looks away from them up on top of the nearby rise, when one of his company guards shouts a warning. 

The younger Geist cousin is nearly skewered by an enemy spear that's thrown his way. Farsen barely steps out of it's path. And instead it hits the mercenary who was right behind him. 

Farsen Geist moves forward as more of the Vexillian soldiers charge at him, and the others with him as they continue south, away from the border, here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

First one of the Vexillian soldiers heading up the rise drops, followed by another, then another. As the blurred and shielded Helbe the elven thief deals to them. 

Two more fall over dead, before the rest of them decide to not continue up to the top of the rise where Lord Farque and those with him are. 

All the same, that doesn't stop Dorc da Orc from taking one of his spears, and throwing it down the rise through the trees at the soldiers in the Vexillian army, who are now going along the western side of the small hill, hoping to outflank the Geist company guards and mercenaries further down amongst the forest. 

The massive spear slams into the side of one of the soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil. Basically cutting him in half at the waist as the massive weapon was thrown so hard. 

The spear which is near enough to ten foot long, not to mention way thicker than any spear used by a human. 

Goes on to smash into another of the Vexillian soldiers heading along the side of the rise. Picking him off his feet, and slamming him into the trunk of a tree, pinning him to it, where he screams in pain as he's still alive, though not for long. 

Dorc da Orc chuckles "Get some" as he looks down at his handiwork. Then the large ork grunts in disappointment, as no more of the Vexillian soldiers on the rise, are heading up the to where they are. 

They're keeping towards the base of the small hill, as they try to get around the forces of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

"Spell" says Beldane the cleric who points, and they all, including Dorc da Orc, look that way, further to the west amongst the trees. 

And they see another explosion rock the forest, sending bits of trees and debris mushrooming up into the clear winters sky, that's across this part of the hill country, that's the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

"Mage" quietly says the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine, next to him Lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement. 

Then Helbe the elven thief who has just reappeared next to the others, quietly says "There's a couple of them out there" he follows that in a slightly dry tone with "The Vexillians trend to have them in their army". 

"Unless they directly attack us, don't worry about them" states Lord Farque who after a moments pause, dryly continues with "Which knowing them, they probably fucking will". 

Both Beldane the cleric and Helbe the elven thief nods in agreement, as does Tamric Drubine the field commander. While Dorc da Orc sourly grunts. 

As they all know that mages. Since they know one personally. Tend to attack everyone and anyone not on their side. 

And to be honest, they're not all that picky when it comes to targeting those they're after. As they just likely to get those on their own side, caught up in their spellcasting just as much as the enemy they're attacking. 

"The cousins and their mob are going to have a bad time of it" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who then looks back to the north, then adds "Still could be worse, they could be back over the border in Girdane". 

For to the north, across in southern Girdane, another warship from the kingdom's aircorp has shown up. And another one can be seen further north of that, rapidly approaching the border here in the hill country between the neighbouring nations. 

"Think they'll cross?" asks Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well. 

Lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief both shake their heads no when they see the young field commander who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, is looking back to the north. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, then looks to the south, and he points as he says "They won't even cross with that heading this way". 

In the morning sky to the south is a warship from the Vexillian aircorp. It's about ten miles away, and will be here fairly quickly. 

"Nor will they" says Lord Farque referring to the Vexillian airship in the distance to the south, he then adds "They'll concentrate on those on the ground". 

The undead warlord follows that with "The aircorps on either side won't want to fuck things up". 

"Which is good for them" says the highly talented elven magic user who is both a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel, and a member of Lord Farque's personal council. 

"Not so much for them" adds the elven masterthief who gestures down into the forest at the fighting taking place. As he refers to the mercenary army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered to their cause. 

"We might want to get them moving to the southwest" quietly says Lord Farque who also has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands know him by. 

Helbe the elven thief or prince Helbenthril Raendril to give him his full name, glances sideways at the large heavily armoured deathlord, then slightly nods his hooded head in understanding. 

For the elven master assassin who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, knows that the recently reopened gold mines in the north of Vexil, are further east from where they are at the moment.

The elven practitioner of magic looks down amongst the trees at those who are fighting. And after a moment, he spots a number of people that are familiar. Including the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. And a bit further in front of them, their company's guard commander, Kilmas. Then Helbe the elven thief starts casting spells. 

Farsen Geist looks ahead when he hears Kilmas the guard commander yell out "This way!" followed by "Hurry!". 

The younger Geist cousin is just wondering why Kilmas wants to go that way, when he suddenly realizes that it's actually a pretty good idea. 

As the ground looks a little more flat that way, and that the enemy have been thinned out that way too. 

Farsen Geist turns to look over at his older cousin Gamil, and sees that he's already on the move that way, as he too heard the guard commander call out. 

"Move!" shouts Farsen Geist to those of his company guards, along with the mercenaries with him. And he starts heading in the way that Kilmas the guard commander is already going. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins starts moving away to the right, to the southwest. A Vexillian soldier who is running straight at him, with sword raised. Suddenly trips over, and falls and smacks his head on a snow covered rock. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Farsen spots an enemy archer between the trees. Draw his bow back, then shoot off the arrow he has to the bow. 

The shaft goes high and wide, going well clear of Farsen Geist and those running with him, as they rush to the southwest. 

And though one of the mercenaries running just ahead of the younger Geist cousin, drops to the group after taking a sword stroke to the guts. 

Farsen Geist along with those with him, easily overwhelm the trio of Vexillian soldiers who stand in their way. 

"This way!" shouts Farsen Geist, which is repeated by his older cousin Gamil, as they head off to the southwest through the forest. 

On what's a cold winters morning, here in the hill country that's the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

As their mercenary army, or what's left of it. Battle elements of the army of Vexil, here in the very north of the city-state . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 83.

Border Region. 

Tamric Drubine the field commander looks around through the trees, then over at Beldane the cleric, who shrugs his shoulders when he sees the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin look his way. 

The young field commander in the Armies of Farque looks back at Dorc da Orc, but the large ork just has a bored look upon his broad green brutish looking face as he looks around. 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, looks back up to the top of the hill they were previously on. 

Until Beldane teleported them off it, just before it was struck by a magetube shot from a Girdanian patrol ship. 

A warship that's in pieces somewhere off to their right, after it was taken down by Helbe the elven thief. Who along with Lord Farque has gone off somewhere. 

Field commander Drubine knows that Beldane won't be able to find them. But someone else might know where they are at the moment. 

"Dorc" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who follows that with "You know where they are?". 

"Fucken who cunt?" asks Dorc da Orc who is peering away through the trees to their right, where he spots more of those in the mercenary army of the Geist cousins, hurrying south to the nearby border with the city-state of Vexil. 

After rolling his eyes, Tamric says "Farque and Helbe" followed by a mutter in elven with "Who the fuck else do I think". 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world grunts, then he deeply sniffs as he looks around. 

Then the ork warleader gestures to the south and tells the young field commander "Fucken that way". 

The ork weaponsmith follows that with "Me hear fucken fighting that way too's" then he loudly mutters "Me fucken missin' out on that shit". 

Tamric Drubine who is the son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, looks away to the south through the trees. 

Then he looks over at the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and quietly asks him "Think we should head that way?". 

Beldane the cleric thinks about shrugging his shoulders in reply again, but instead he says "Might as well". 

Then the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell looks back at Dorc da Orc, and he asks the general in the Armies of Farque "Dorc who's fighting away to the south?". 

"Not north" mutters the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. 

"Lord Farque and Helbe fighting down there?" adds the powerful cleric in the half plate armour who waves away to the south, then says "Against any of them?". 

Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name grunts, then after a few moments, where he deeply sniffs then listens carefully, before saying "Nah cunt". 

The large ork who actually holds a higher rank in the Armies of Farque than Tam, which everyone conveniently forgets to mention to him, says "Them cunts". 

Gesturing away at the passing mercenaries through the trees further to their right, as he adds "Fucken 'em". 

The warleader of the ork race follows that with "Against them other cunts that ways" as he waves away to the south, indicating to across the border into the city-state of Vexil. 

Beldane the cleric nods, then dryly says in the elven language to field commander Drubine "Not like it wasn't expected". 

Tam nods his head in agreement, then in the common language he tells the other two "Come on then" followed by "Might as well head that way" as he points to the south through the trees. 

Then the senior officer in the Armies of Farque, who is noble born, and originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, says "Since that's where everything seems to happening". 

The young field commander sets off, and he's quickly followed by the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine, and eventually the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world. Who grunts as he follows after the two humans. 

After checking on the wreckage of the Girdanian warship that he brought down. In this case, a twin masted cutter. That's mainly in three large pieces on the forest floor. Helbe the elven thief heads off south, and across the border into the city-state of Vexil. 

The young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel who has just shifted. Watches as some of the Geist company guards hurry between the trees, heading south to where the elven masterthief can clearly hear fighting taking place. 

The highly talented elven magic user glances at his right shoulder, to where Narladene the ground pixie is standing. 

"Where is he?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief, the ground pixie leaps off his shoulder, then dives down into the ground. 

After a few moments, the tiny winged creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains pops back up out of the ground, and makes her way back onto the right shoulder of the elven master assassin who she is 'attached' to. 

"That way" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie who points off through the trees, more or less to the southeast. 

The naturally magical creature who went down into the ground, so that she could locate the movement of a particular individual. 

The only person, in the entire world to be exact. That feels a certain way to Narladene by the way they move upon the ground. 

Says to the elven master archer who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel "Think he's watching that fighting we can hear". 

"Makes sense" dryly murmurs the elven practitioner of magic, who then shifts away, heading southeast through the forest. Here in the hill country that makes up the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

Lord Farque slightly turns his full helmed head to the right as he senses who it is that's rapidly approaching the position he's watching the fighting between regular Vexillian army soldiers, and the hired mercenaries of the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

The undead warlord who is on a slight, tree covered rise is watching elements of the Vexillian army who are engaged with mercenaries from the army that the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen have gathered. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who is crouching down, on one knee, slightly behind the trunk of a fairly large tree. 

Looks away to his right again, and wryly smiles behind the full helm that encloses his head as he watches the hooded figure of Helbe the elven thief moving at speed through the forest as he continuously shifts. 

The highly talented elven magic user who is originally from the island principality of Laerel is blurred and shielded. 

Making him invisible to prying eyes. But not to the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, who can easily see the young elven noble who is a member of his personal council. 

The undead being who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

Goes back to watching the nearby fighting, and a few moments later the blurred and shielded Helbe the elven thief appears beside him. 

"They're getting stuck into each other pretty good" quietly says Helbe the elven thief, whose actual name is prince Helbenthril Raendril, as he's the grandson of Prince Raendril, who is the ruler of the principality of Laerel. 

The elven practitioner of magic who is speaking elvish, continues with "Don't know who has got the better of it". 

The lord of the death realm, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer, stands up then nods his full helmed head in agreement with the elven masterthief. 

The large heavily armoured deathlord who can sense Dorc da Orc, Tamric Drubine the field commander and Beldane the cleric heading this way too. 

Looks closely at one of the Vexillian soldiers, who is on the ground, on top of one of the mercenaries, trying to choke the mercenary to death. Then he looks away to the south, then up into the morning sky in that direction too. 

"More of them are heading this way" quietly says Lord Farque in the elven language as he and the elven princeling from the island principality of Laerel, continue to watch the fighting down amongst the trees, not that far from where they are. 

Helbe the elven thief nods his hooded head, as he suspected more elements of the Vexillian army were here in the north of the city-state. 

So he's not that surprised that more of them are on their way here, just over the border from the kingdom of Girdane. 

"We going to get involved?" quietly asks the highly talented elven practitioner of magic as the two of them, along with Narladene the ground pixie watch the fighting nearby. 

After a few moments, the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque shakes his full helmed head, then quietly says "We'll stay out of it". 

Draugodrottin briefly pauses before continuing in a slightly dry tone of voice with "Unless someone fucking attacks us" followed by "Then it's the usual". 

The elven master assassin nods his hooded head in understanding. As he knows the undead warlord would prefer to keep our of the way of the conflict between the Vexillian military and the mercenary army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

But if anyone, from either side were to attack them. Then Des'tier will reply in force and expect the rest of the group to do likewise. 

The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then quietly asks the deathlord of Farque "So what will we do?". 

The lord of the death realm doesn't reply immediately as they watch the fighting nearby. Then eventually he says "You know this wasn't such a bad idea" as he gestures down at some passing mercenaries in the Geist cousins army. 

"I thought you reckoned it was a bad idea?" says the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel. 

"I thought it was a badly executed idea" says Draugodrottin in a dry tone of voice, then he continues more normally with "Not a bad idea in general". 

The lord of the death realm who can sense Dorc, Tam and Beldane getting closer, then adds "In fact there's a couple of genius ideas, that we just might take advantage of". 

The eyebrows of the elven magic user, who is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, lift up in surprise at hearing that, then he says "Oh?". 

Des'tier after glancing at Narladene the ground pixie, switches to the noble elven language, and tells the elven princeling "For instance those old gold mines that were reopened by that Salinéll and her lot here in northern Vexil". 

Prince Helbenthril Raendril looks sharply at the undead warlord, then after a moment, he slowly nods his hooded head in understanding. 

"You want them?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief in his first language, the noble or royal elven language. 

The lord and ruler of the Lands Farque nods his full helmed head slightly, then he gestures down at those fighting down below, not that far from them. 

"Without any of those fuckers from either side knowing" quietly says the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier. 

The elven magic user wryly smiles, as he know first and foremost. That the lord of the death realm likes to take an opportunity to increase his coffers whenever he can. And during any kind of conflict is often the best opportunity to do that. 

"If war does break out between Vexil and Girdane, neither side is going to hire any mercenary armies" says Draugodrottin, who then adds "So that leaves us shit out of luck". 

The large heavily armoured deathlord continues on with "So the next best thing, is what can we take advantage of" followed by "And those newly reopened mines sound pretty fucking good to me". The elven master archer grins at hearing that, after all he does have the soul of a thief. 

Then Des'tier switches back to the normal elven language, and says "Here comes Tam, Beldane and Dorc". 

Helbe the elven thief looks back behind them, and through the trees, he spots the trio of the young field commander, the fighting cleric and the ork warleader approaching the rise from the north. 

"Going to tell them?" quietly asks the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel as he glances sideways at the large figure standing beside him. 

With a slight shake of his head, Draugodrottin quietly says "Not yet" followed by "Not until the others get down here". Referring to the rest of the group, who are still up in the kingdom of Girdane, and won't be down here in the hill country of the border region until later in the morning. 

The elven princeling nods his hooded head in understanding, then as an errant arrow goes flying by them by a few yards. 

The undead warlord and the elven masterthief go back to watching the fighting down amongst the trees between soldiers in the Vexillian army, and mercenaries and guards from the army gathered by the Geist cousins Gamil and Farsen. 

Who were hoping to start a border war between their homeland of Vexil, and the kingdom of Girdane. Which they were hoping to take advantage of, and make a profit from. 

But at the moment, things are not going their way. As more and more soldiers in the army of the city-state of Vexil are a turning up, as they approach the border from nearby positions. Here on what's a cold winters morning in this region of The Southlands . . . . . .

Mercenary Tales 82.

Girdane. Vexil. 

Farsen Geist is running. Something he's not normally accustomed to doing. But he's better at it than his older cousin Gamil. Who he can hear huffing and puffing behind him, as he tries to keep up. 

As he runs between the trees on this cold winters morning here in the border region between the kingdom of Girdane and the city-state of Vexil. 

The younger of the two Geist cousins, briefly looks around. And sees quite a few of the army. 

Predominantly from the Geist trading company's guard, running nearby as they head south towards the border with the city-state of Vexil. 

Farsen briefly grimaces, and behind him he hears his older cousin Gamil Geist groan then say "Fuck". When the loud, echoing sound of an airship's magetubes firing isn't all that far away. 

The younger of the two cousins, glances back to his left, and looks up towards the top of the hill they made their way over. 

And he briefly sees movement up there. Before whoever it is up there, disappears just a few moments before a magetube shot hits the top of the hill. Sending dirt, and bits of trees, along with residual red coloured energy flying into the morning sky. 

Farsen looks ahead when someone further in front, yells out about the stream. That more or less is the border in this part of the hill country, is close by. 

Breathing heavily as he runs, the younger Geist cousin sees the guard commander Kilmas further ahead, leap over something. That Farsen a few moments later, finds out is the stream in question. 

Farsen Geist grunts as he leaps, and barely makes it over the stream without getting wet. Not so Gamil Geist, who mutters "Fuck". 

When he comes up short, and is helped by his younger cousin Farsen, who turns and grabs his arm to pull him up the small bank on this of the stream. 

As others from their company's guard, along with mercenaries they've hired for their army, continue running this way. 

The two cousins look further back, and up. And spot the Girdanian warship that's been attacking their mercenary army. 

It's a patrol vessel, which they immediately identify as a cutter. The cousins may be a lot of things. A lot of which aren't particularly good. 

But they definitely know their airships. After all, they do own one of the more successful trading companies in the city-state of Vexil. 

They see the cutter has circled around the hill, on the other side of which, is the campsite that the mercenary army had. 

And it's turning south, this way. That is until it slightly tilts to port as if it's about to shoot the magetubes on that side, down at targets on the ground. 

"Oh hell" mutters Gamil Geist thinking about those in their mercenary army amongst the trees fleeing south towards the border, who are just about to get hit by a dozen magetube shots. When suddenly a loud cracking sound comes from the Girdanian warship. 

The cousins look at one another, then they look up at the patrol ship from the kingdom of Girdane's aircorp which is only a couple hundred yards away to the north, if that. 

"Huh?" murmurs Farsen Geist, while next to him, his older cousin Gamil says "Er?". As they watch the cutter violently swing to starboard, and start dropping towards the tree tops. 

"Think one of the spellcasters got it?" asks Farsen Geist "Maybe" is the reply from Gamil Geist. Who doesn't know of any of the practitioners of magic in their mercenary army, who could take down a warship so easily. 

Both cousins, and a few of their guards, who have stopped to look back as well. Watch as the Girdanian aircorp vessels which is listing badly, starts hitting the forest canopy, breaking apart as it does so. 

Then it disappears amongst the taller trees, they don't see it plow into the ground, but they definitely hear it. As the thud of it impacting the ground, can easily be heard for quite some distance in all directions. 

First Gamil then Farsen Geist spot the wizard Hoptas amongst a group of others, running this way. 

And when the Vexillian spellcaster, who is an older man, gets to the stream, and levitates himself across it to get to the Geist cousins. 

The younger of the cousins asks "Did you bring down that cutter Hoptas?". The wizard, who is breathing heavily, and perspiring even though it's a cold winters morning, shakes his head no. 

"Wasn't me" says Hoptas the wizard after a few moments when he gets his breath back. The practitioner of magic who works for the Geist trading company, continues with "Thought it was going to shoot at me there for a moment". 

The wizard in the red coloured robes, then adds "When I looked up it suddenly started losing altitude" followed by "Think it's keel failed". 

Farsen Geist grunts at hearing that. As he knows that once an airship, any airship for that matter. When it's magical keel is badly damaged, it can no longer stay aloft, and will quickly fall out of the sky. 

The Geist cousins and those with them, turn and continue south, now that they're in the city-state of Vexil. 

"Think the Girdanians will attack us over here in Vexil?" asks the younger of the Geist cousins as they set off. 

"Who knows" replies Gamil Geist, who starts breathing heavily again as they run through the forest, heading further south into Vexil. 

The Geist cousins who wanted to start a border war between their nation of Vexil, and it's northern neighbour, the kingdom of Girdane. 

Still at this moment, hope that this will eventuate. Though they've got a feeling it will be a lot worse, due to the actions of the elven maiden named Salinéll, who for all this time, had been posing as their long lost cousin, Misa Geist. 

Who wanted a full scale war between Vexil and Girdane, that would draw in other nations, not too mention those in the unruled lands, here in the central region of The Southlands. 

Farsen Geist looks ahead through the trees when one of the nearby company guards gestures ahead. 

He spots guard commander Kilmas and others have stopped, and the guard commander is talking with one of the cockatrice riders in captain Hafnah's company. 

Farsen Geist who was hoping it was Danielle, captain Hafnah's daughter. Hides his disappointment when they reach Kilmas and the others. 

"Movement further ahead" says guard commander Kilmas when the Geist cousins and those with them, join him and the others with him. 

"About quarter of a mile away" adds the commander of the Geist trading company's guard, who points away to the left, to the southwest. 

"Vexillian army no doubt" says Gamil Geist, his younger cousin Farsen nods his head in agreement with him. 

"Those further to the left in that direction, are going to run straight into them" says Kilmas, who has led the Geist company guard since the two cousins, who are in their twenties, were children. 

"Can't be helped" says the older of the two Geist cousins, who dryly follows that with "Beats being over the border in Girdane and getting attacked by warships". 

The wizard Hoptas nods his head in agreement with that, then the Vexillian born practitioner of magic says "As I was coming over the hill, I cast a sight distance spell to see what's happening". 

The spellcaster who is his late forties, maybe early fifties, continues with "I saw two more Girdanian warships heading this way from the north". 

The practitioner of magic in the red coloured robes, follows that with "And there was more on the northern horizon, heading this way". 

Farsen Geist grimaces as he hears that, then as some of the company guard, wave mercenaries onward who have just crossed the border, sending them south further into northern Vexil. 

His older cousin Gamil says "Girdanian warships or Vexillian army companies" after a moments pause, he adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "I know who I don't want to face, that's for sure". 

The younger of the Geist cousins nods his head in agreement, then Farsen Geist says "Keep moving" he looks at commander Kilmas and adds "Make sure every one who crosses the border, continues southwards". 

The guard commander nods, then he starts yelling out orders after briefly speaking to the cockatrice rider, who after listening to what Kilmas has to say. Mounts his beast, then takes off, heading due south between the trees, here in the hill country of northern Vexil. 

They set off again, moving as quickly as they can. With many of the Geist company guards and the mercenaries the cousins have hired, running as they flee south. 

As for the Geist cousins and those with them, they move at a jog more than anything else. As Farsen and Gamil, both of whom are big men. Are feeling the effects from running since leaving their camp over the border in the kingdom of Girdane. 

Looking through the trees to his left, the younger Geist cousin Farsen spots the road that goes through this part of the hill country in the border region between the city-state of Vexil and the kingdom of Girdane. 

The road through the forest is more of a wagon track. A cart track to be honest. As it isn't very wide, as it weaves in and out the trees. 

Farsen Geist spots a couple of wagons from the mercenary company of captain Mackrin. Most of whom left much earlier, before dawn on this cold but clear winters morning. 

Amongst the trees, both mercenaries and guards from the Geist trading company occasionally call out to one another. 

"Might want to cut that out" says Gamil Geist referring to the calling out by both mercenaries and guards. 

"The Vexillian companies somewhere away to the left will hear that" adds the older of the two Geist cousins. 

His younger cousin Farsen nods his head in agreement with that. Then he has a couple of guards spread the word to keep things quiet, and for no one to yell out. 

The Geist cousins, along with the wizard Hoptas, and those with them, briefly pause. When they hear the boom of magetubes firing in the distance, somewhere away to the north, over the border in southern Girdane. 

"Hell another warship has turned up" sourly says Farsen Geist, next to him his older cousin Gamil grunts in agreement to that. 

Then the younger of the two cousins waves for them to continue. And they move off through the trees here in the hill country of the border region. 

Following behind the two cousins, is the wizard Hoptas, who is breathing more heavily than the older Geist cousin Gamil, as they continue southwards. 

Then the group of them come to a stop when they spot the guard commander Kilmas, and those with him up ahead, have stopped. 

And the commander of the Geist trading company's guards, is holding an arm up, signalling for those following to stop. 

Farsen and Gamil Geist share a look, and after the younger of the two cousins slightly nods, the older cousin Gamil, quietly says "Come on, let's see what's up". 

The Geist cousins and the group with them, move ahead. And once again join the guard commander Kilmas and those with him. 

And before either Gamil or Farsen can ask what's happening, Kilmas the guard commander, who has a  hand up for silence, quietly says to them "Listen". 

The younger Geist cousin frowns as he listens, as does his older cousin Gamil, as they try to figure out what it is they are barely able to hear. 

It's the wizard Hoptas who finds out first, as he doesn't have to try to do something mundane, like listen with his normal hearing. 

The Vexillian born spellcaster who has been with the Geist trading company for quite some time, quietly says to the cousins and the others "Fighting". 

The wizard in the red coloured robes points to the left, more to the southeast than anything else, and he quietly adds "Certain some of our lot have run into those companies from the army of Vexil". 

Farsen Geist grimaces when he hears that, while his older cousin Gamil, sourly smiles then he says "We might want to avoid that". 

"That's if we can get around them" says the guard commander Kilmas, who follows on from that with "They might spread out, and head in this direction". 

Gamil Geist sighs in frustration, while Farsen who is equally as frustrated, says "All the same" followed by "Best if we keep as far away from the Vexillian army as possible". 

Guard commander Kilmas nods in agreement, then he gives a few orders to those with him. Then he, and the rest of them continue on their way again.

Farsen Geist tries to listen carefully, but all he can really hear is the heavy breathing of those around him as they make their way through the forest as they hurry southwards. 

As he jogs, the younger of the two Geist cousins keeps looking away to his left, he sees that the road they've been running parallel with, turns back this way. 

And he and the others, cross it as they hurry south through the forest. Looking both ways, before he goes back amongst the trees. 

Farsen Geist sees wagons from captain Mackrin's company in both directions along the road. The younger of the Geist cousins slightly frowns to himself as sees some odd shaped boxes in the beds of some of the wagons. 

Then once again amongst the trees, Farsen continues to look away to the left. As he's pretty sure he hears something in the distance that way. 

"Hear that?" says Gamil Geist who is jogging beside his younger cousin now. Farsen Geist replies with a nod of his head, as they can now hear fighting away to the south and east. 

From further ahead comes a shouted warning. And the Geist cousins look forward, and see the guard commander Kilmas drawing his sword. And those with him, take their weapons to hand. 

The two cousins who wanted to start a border war between their homeland, the city-state of Vexil, and the kingdom of Girdane. 

So that they could benefit from it, selling what they transport to both sides of the conflict. Hoping to make a large profit from the turmoil. 

Share a look as they now hear fighting up ahead, from further in front of where guard commander Kilmas and those with him are. 

Then after glancing back and telling the wizard Hoptas to do the best that he can. Farsen Geist along with his older cousin Gamil, draw their weapons. 

As up ahead, some of their company guards, and mercenaries from their army. Have run into elements of the Vexillian army, who are here in the hill country that's the border region between the two nations of Vexil and Girdane . . . . . .