A Grand Design 40.

Winter. Central Girdane.

"One of the scouts has come back through them and into our lines" says a subaltern in the Farqian army to Lisell Maera who walks beside him.
The messenger in the armies of Farque nods her head in understanding. For when someone in the Farqian armies says, the scout, instead of, a scout.
They're referring to just one thing. That the scout in question is a water elemental.
The two of them, the tall subaltern, young, in his early twenties at the oldest.
And the tall, lean attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, who is still not yet twenty years of age.
Make their way forward through their lines. On what's another cold winter's morning.
The day has dawned clear and sunny. With no chance of snow, like there was earlier in the week.
They're crossing a field to a farmhouse, that's been fire damaged. From when the enemy retreated through this part of the duchy of Wostin in central Girdane.
At the half burnt down farmhouse, where one of the forward companies is positioned.
They're ushered inside, where a captain is with one other. The Farqian captain isn't human, she's an elf. And though the other looks like a human being, he isn't.
Lisell Maera, or Lis as she's more commonly called by those who know her well.
Slightly lifts one of her arched eyebrows. For the other, who is a scout, looks exhausted.
Which is indeed rare, considering he's a water elemental. And Lis has never seen one of them look tired, ever.
The elven captain looks at the messenger who has just entered the fire damaged farmhouse, and says to her in the language of the elves "Runner, a message from our lord".
The water elemental scout holds out a small folded leather satchel for Lis, who steps forward and takes it.
"For the eyes of his highness, and the field commander only" adds the female elf, who the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, couldn't even guess at her age.
Lis figures she could be aged between a hundred years to a thousand years old. And trying to figure it out, without rudely asking, would be near impossible.
"Do you understand runner?" asks the tall elf, who towers over Lis and the subaltern.
"Yes captain" says Lisell Maera the messenger in the elven language, as she knows that whatever it is that's in the satchel, is for Tamric Drubine and Helbe the elven thief, and no one else.
If anyone else sees it before them. It will be destroyed as there's been a spell placed upon it.
The captain lifts an arched eyebrow when she hears Lis speak flawless elven, with an accent that most non elves wouldn't recognise.
"Who taught you elven runner?" asks the Farqian army captain.
"His highness, prince Helbenthril Raendril" replies the attractive young woman whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father, a man she never met, was a sailor.
"And our lord" adds Lisell Maera, who always finds it awkward to refer lord Farque as, our lord.
"Ah that would explain it" says the elven captain, who then ruefully adds "Hearing you speak, i thought i was listening to the nobility back in Alínlae".
"Well, councillor Reinholt taught me it too" says the messenger, who didn't particularly want to admit that.
The captain sourly smiles, then says in a tone that matches her smile "Thank the forest gods you didn't pick up any of his atrocious habits".
As it's a known fact, that though Mira Reinholt the mage can speak the elven language well enough, his pronunciation and his accent in the elven language is horrendous.
Helbe the elven thief once admitted to Lis, that his fellow councillor and spellcaster the mage Reinholt. Spoke the elven language almost as badly as Dorc da Orc spoke in common. It's that bad. And the once powerful mage has never bothered to improve his skills in the elven language.
The elven captain nods for Lis and the subaltern to follow her outside, and she points at three of her company and says "You, you and you, get yourselves some mounts, and two for the runner and subaltern here".
She continues with "Escort them back to field commander Drubine and his highness, councillor Raendril".
The trio of soldiers hurry off as ordered. And as they go off and get the mounts, the elven captain nods at the satchel Lis is holding, and says "Well, i guess we won't be advancing until the field commander reads whatever's in there".
The attractive young woman originally from the coast of the Southlands, nods in agreement as she figures the same thing.
Then a short time later, she along with the subaltern, and the trio of Farqian soldiers, are riding back west. To where field commander Drubine has his command post with the bulk of the army, that's rebelling against the crown of Girdane.
Just before midmorning, and in his command tent, which is set up next to a barn on a farm, where the farmhouse has been burnt down.
Tamric Drubine the field commander frowns then says "How did you know?" followed by "You've been here with me the last couple of days".
"I didn't" says Helbe the elven thief, who continues with "Narladene did". The ground pixie in question briefly appears on the right shoulder of the elven magic user, waves at the young field commander, then disappears.
"Where?" asks the nobleborn teenager who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, and is now a field commander in the armies of Farque.
"Here" says the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who then adds "And here" as he points at a map on the camp table.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, says "They're attacking along their southern flank".
The son and former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine, which is located in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin, nods his head.
As prince Helbenthril Raendril of Laerel has informed him that the force lord Farque took with him.
Are now attacking the bulk of the crown's forces, who are retreating across central Girdane.
And this is after they wiped out two large battalions of the regent of Oaklynn's army who had come out this way, to fight against the rebels from the very west of the kingdom.
The elven master assassin has also informed the young field commander that lord Farque, along with Dorc da Orc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, Tovis the war engineer and Beldane the cleric are no longer with that force. And that nobody knows where they are.
"Does she have any" says field commander Drubine, who is interrupted by the elven princeling, who tells him "She has no idea where they are".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, grunts. As he wonders where lord Farque, and those with him, have got too.
The nobleborn teenager originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin is still wondering where they could be. When his two guards outside, specifically trained by councillor Raendril himself. Allows someone to pass them, and come into the tent. It's Lisell Maera the messenger.
"For you" says Lis who hands the small, folded leather satchel to Tam, then she adds "It's from lord Farque".
The young field commander shares a look with the highly talented elven magic user. Then Tamric Drubine quickly opens the satchel, which contains a missive, and two folded maps.
The nobleborn teenager unrolls the parchment, and starts reading it "Er?" says field commander Drubine, who then adds "They're in Oaklynn".
Tam pauses for a few moments, as he continues reading, then he says "Hell, he want us to do what?".
"What is it?" asks the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, the field commander in the armies of Farque hands the missive to councillor Raendril, then he unfolds the two maps, puts them on the camp table, and studies them.
"Hell" mutters the young elven noble, who then adds "A damn gnome tunnel".
The elven master archer reads on, then he slightly winces, and dryly says "I see what you mean".
Lisell Maera who has remained silent, speaks up, and asks "What is it?".
"A change in tactics" says Tamric Drubine as he compares the two maps that were sent by lord Farque from the city of Oaklynn, with the ones he's already got, and he adds "A drastic change in tactics".
"That's putting it mildly" dryly says the elven masterthief who is a member of the personal council of lord Farque.
Who looks over at Lis, and says to her "We're going to the capital Oaklynn".
"Well, yeah" says the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, who continues on with "Of course we're going there eventually".
"We're going there right now" says prince Helbenthril Raendril who joins the young field commander at the camp table, and looks at the maps "Or as soon as possible" continues the elven magic user.
"Fucking hell" murmurs a surprised Lisell Maera who wasn't expecting that.
"Which is going to be difficult" explains Tamric Drubine, who follows that with "Considering we've also got to collect those of our army who went with the lord, who are now attacking the rear, well i should say front, as well as southern flank of the retreating enemy".
The young field commander as he continues to studies the maps on the camp table in his tent, quietly says "Really difficult".
Beside him, the member of lord Farque's personal council, nods his hooded head in agreement, as they start to come up with a new plan now that things have changed.
A little while later, after listening and watching Tamric Drubine and prince Helbenthril Raendril, Lisell Maera exits the tent. Spots sir Kamson the avenger, who is the young field commander's second in command. Waves him over and informs him that Tam wants to speak to him.
After the large, heavily armoured avenger enters the command tent. Lis is about to depart and return to the company she has been assigned to.
When she spots the subaltern who she was with a little earlier, who took to the forward company, to get the message that was sent by lord Farque.
He's chatting with some other junior officers, and when he glances around, and spots the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, he wanders over to her.
"Back to your company?" asks the young subaltern, the messenger or runner as they're sometimes referred to, nods her head yes, then says "I am".
The subaltern nods to the command tent, and asks her "Important".
"Very" replies Lisell Maera who continues with "We'll be on the move again shortly".
The subaltern nods once more, then Lis sets off. After a moment's pause, he comes along with her.
The messenger, glances sideways at the tall, young Farqian officer walking beside her, and after a few moments of silence, she asks him "Going my way are you?".
"Looks like it" says the subaltern with a faint smile on his face.
The attractive young woman who hails from the west coast of the Southlands, wonders if the subaltern is attracted to her.
He probably is, Lis thinks to herself, then the messenger asks him "What's your name?" then after a moment's pause, she adds "Sir". After all, he is an officer.
"Almic" replies the subaltern, the messenger nods and says "I'm Lisell".
"I know" says subaltern Almic, who continues with "Everyone knows".
Lisell's eyebrows go up in surprise when he says that, and he faintly smiles again as he adds "You're the most well known runner in the army" followed by "All of our armies actually".
After a moment pause, as she's slightly surprised at hearing that, Lis says "I am?".
The junior officer nods as they turn onto a wagon track on the farm they're on, then he says "You were raised since childhood by our lord, the warleader, and some of the councillors amongst others".
Subaltern Almic continues with "Just like the field commander was" he then adds "And travelled with them throughout the Southlands and beyond" he follows that with "Trust me, everyone knows who you are".
Lisell Maera nods her head, as she often forgets that since she was very young, just eleven years old, when she joined the group, led by lord Farque, and left her homeland, the city-state of Brattonbury.
And that over the nearly nine years since, they indeed did raise her. As they traveled across the Southlands, and sometimes beyond.
"Must of been exciting growing up like that" says subaltern Almic, Lis faintly smiles, as she remembers some of the adventures she's been involved in since she left Brattonbury with the group who not only raised her, but also trained her.
"It was" says the runner, who continues to faintly smile as she adds "Shall we say more than a little adventurous at times".
Then the faint smile, suddenly disappears from her face when she remembers an incident a few years ago, when she and the others were north of the equator. Something she keeps trying to block out of her mind, but occasionally pops up, much to her annoyance.
Lisell Maera hoping to get rid of those thoughts, asks the subaltern "And you?" followed by "Where did you grow up?".
"The Citadel" replies the junior officer, naming the capital of the lands Farque "My father's a householder, and my mother's a smith, so naturally i joined the army when i turned sixteen" adds the subaltern with a grin.
Lis can't help but grin too, as Almic has an infectious attitude about him.
The two of them continue to chat as they walk across the farm, they talk about trivial things, of what they've got up to in life. They don't ever mention the campaign they're part of at the moment. Much to the relief of both of them.
They get to where Lisell's company is located, as they do, they hear shouted orders from the direction they've come from.
"I better get back" says subaltern Almic, who then adds "It was a pleasure" the junior officer continues with "I'll see you around sometime".
"See you around" says the attractive young messenger, who can't help but grin as Almic gives her a slight bow, and with a smile upon his face, he turns with a flourish, and heads back the way they've come from.
"Definitely likes me" Lis murmurs to herself as she watches the subaltern walk away.
After a while, she turns and rejoins her company, who will soon get their orders to move out . . . . . .

A Grand Design 39.

Winter. The City Of Oaklynn. The Capital Of The Kingdom Of Girdane.

"Who were they?" asks Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy as they watch the company of riders heading west out of the city.
"A local lord's?" adds the elf who is originally from the principality of Alínlae, where he served in one of the more prominent noble houses.
"They are" is the reply from Mira Reinholt the mage "From here in Marsin" continues the once powerful mage, referring to the duchy that the city of Oaklynn is located in.
The spy Tanith nods his hooded head, then he looks up at the morning sky, that has dawned clear, but cold.
"They're determined to get as many of them as they can out there to face the rebels" says the elven spy, who is an officer in the armies of Farque.
The mage Reinholt grunts in agreement, then he gestures back in the way they've come from, here in the city of Oaklynn.
The two of them, the elven spy and the human mage. Turn around, and head back up the street behind them.
They've only taken a few steps, when they both come to a stop in surprise. When they see who is standing further along the street, looking at the two of them.
The mage who is from the city-state of Vexil, and the spy from the elven principality Alínlae, share a look.
Then not showing any of the surprise they feel, the two of them continue along the street.
Making their way to where a large figure in the dark blue/black heavy, steel plate armour is standing.
Lord Farque nods his full helmed head by way of greeting to them, then he turns and says in the elven language "What's been happening here?".
"Did my message get through about the king's death?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage, who has known the undead warlord for eighteen years or so, and knows he's not one for greetings.
"It did" says the heavily armoured deathlord who leads the way through the city streets.
"We've taken out two of the battalions the regent sent out west" adds the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues with "And we were looking for the third" he briefly pauses before saying in a slightly dry tone of voice "Until we got a bit distracted, and came here".
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster, asks "And the crown's main army?" followed by "What about them?".
"Hopefully Tam has broken them and got them on the run" answers Draugadrottin as he's also known by, to the people of his lands.
The lord of the death realm then informs the mage Reinholt, and the spy Tanith.
That he took a third of the Farqian mercenary army, up over the border into the Kaldel Plains.
And headed east, before coming back down into the central duchies of the kingdom of Girdane.
And though they were originally planning to attack the crown's main force from the rear.
Things changed when they discovered the regent's battalions that had left Oaklynn, to help the crown's forces against the dukes of Dalmar, Girnath and Falosen, who have rebelled against the crown.
"Now, like i said" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues with "What's been happening here in the capital?".
The once powerful mage from the city-state of Vexil, who along with the elven spy from the principality of Alínlae. Has noticed the undead warlord is leading them east through Oaklynn.
Heading to the northeastern quarter of the city, where the inn they're staying at is located.
Quietly tells the large, heavily armoured deathlord "The eastern dukes, and some in the central regions have decided to join the crown, and fight against the rebels".
After a moment's pause, the Vexilian mage in exile continues with "We've basically got a full on civil war on our hands now".
"War is good for business" murmurs Des'tier, the elven name of the undead being.
The highly skilled swordmaster, slightly nods his hooded head in agreement, then he says "Well, he's basically king in all but name".
In response to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque asking him "Can the regent get them to do that?" followed by "Or have his own troops leave the capital and surrounding countryside?".
"So he can basically do what he wants to do" says the spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he lost the majority of his vast amounts of power when he went offworld, through a rift/void spell that he accidentally cast.
"How convenient for him" dryly says lord Farque, who as they round a corner, continues in that same dry tone with "What with his cousin the king dying so recently".
"We've got a theory about that" quietly says Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, the mage Reinholt nods his hooded head in agreement with the elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
The heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, glances at the two walking beside him, and slightly nods, then says "Tell me about it when we get back to your inn".
Draugadrottin, who found the inn they're staying at, by simply sensing for them, and finding Shur Kee the monk who is at the Ironmonger Inn.
Quietly and dryly says to the mage Reinholt and the spy Tanith "Could you've picked a worse fucking neighbourhood to stay in?".
"Oh?" says Dalinvardél Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
"Why's that?" asks the exiled Vexilian mage, who rather likes the part of the city that he, Dalin and Shur Kee have been staying in while here in Oaklynn.
It's the part of the city full of smith's, foundries, and the many other businesses associated with those craftsmen.
"It's full of damn dwarves, that's why" sourly says Draugadrottin, who continues with "It was a fucking hassle going through there".
A little while later, and when they're back at the Ironmonger Inn. Mira Reinholt and Dalinvardél Tanith see exactly what the undead warlord means.
For when they're in the suite the deathlord of Farque has on the top floor of the inn. And after they greet Tovis the war engineer, Beldane the cleric, and sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
They see Dorc da Orc, fast asleep, and snoring. in a corner of the main room in the suite.
"I had to knock the silly fucker out coming through this part of the city, and carry him here" says lord Farque, who dryly continues with "He was getting distracted". As the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, kept trying to run off, and kill any dwarf he saw or caught wind of.
And since there's a fair few dwarves living and working in this part of the city of Oaklynn. He was doing that quite a lot.
Shur Kee the monk brings over some maps that lord Farque requested before he went off to find the mage Reinholt and the spy Tanith.
Draugadrottin puts them onto a table, and opens them. Then finding one that shows the area to the east of the capital city of Oaklynn, in particular to the east of the river Tambir.
He looks at the once powerful mage and the elven spy and tells them "I'm planning to bring the bulk of our forces straight here to Oaklynn".
Figuring the deathlord of Farque, is referring to doing that by magic, Mira Reinholt looks over at Beldane the cleric as he says "I didn't think Beldane was powerful enough to leave a gateway open for that long".
"He's not" says the undead warlord, who points to a spot on the map he's unrolled, and adds "They'll be coming here by another way".
After a moment or two of silence, the lord of the death realm continues with "They'll be coming through a gnomes tunnel to get here".
Mira Reinholt blinks in surprise, then as he looks at where lord Farque has pointed on the map, then he says "A portal?". Des'tier nods his full helmed head in response to that.
"Where's the otherside?" asks the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"Here" says the heavily armoured deathlord who opens another map up, and unrolls it, and points to the border between two of the central duchies, Wostin and Fandell. "In the liar of a white worm" adds Draugadrottin.
Both the once powerful mage, and the elven spy wince when they hear that.
"I hope it's dead?" sourly says Mira Reinholt, who has never seen a white worm, but knows they're formidable foes, who can grow up to fifty feet in length, and have a powerful psychic attack. "Dorc and Percy killed it" says the lord of the death realm.
The nobleborn knight who is picking at some food on a side table, turns at the mention of his name, along with the name of his bitter rival Dorc da Orc.
"What?" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who quickly adds "Wot".
"Nothing Percy" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who then switches to the elven language to continue his conversation with Mira Reinholt and Dalinvardél Tanith.
"How many do you think the eastern dukes can muster?" asks the heavily armoured deathlord "From our best guess" says the spy Tanith, who then adds "About the size of the crown's forces that originally went out west to fight the rebel dukes".
"We definitely want to come here then" quietly says Des'tier, who continues with "No way we can stand against that many in the field and be successful".
Both the spy from the elven principality of Alínlae and the mage from the city-state of Vexil nod in agreement with that.
"And the fact they're still hiring mercenaries who are pouring into the city now that word of the rebellion has spread to the surrounding nations and unruled lands" says the swordmaster Reinholt, who continues with "They'll have what? Double our forces?".
"Easily" says the lord of the death realm, who wouldn't normally worry about being so numerically outnumbered.
But since the bulk of the rebellious army from western Girdane, is actually made up of the armies of the duchies of Falosen, Girnath and Dalmar.
And they're not particularly experienced at warfare. He doesn't want to risk having them fight in a campaign against such superior numbers.
"They're gathering somewhere to the west of the city" says the once powerful mage, who continues with "From what we've been able to find out, they're then heading out to some place called Summerton".
"It's a large town in the duchy of Fandell" says lord Farque, who is silent for a few moments as he thinks about something, then he continues on with "The more that head out there the better". Both Mira and Dalin nod in agreement to that.
Then after Draugadrottin looks at one of the maps showing central Girdane, he looks at the elven spy from Alínlae and the exiled Vexilian mage, and asks them "What's these thoughts you've got about the regent then?".
The spy Tanith and the mage Reinholt share a look. Then the two of them explain to lord Farque what they think happened to bring lord Sammis the regent of Oaklynn to be all but king in name, of the nation of Girdane.
In an antechamber in the palace of the king of Girdane, the regent Sammis turns from looking out of a window, as captain Kilmane says "More and more are heading out west" he continues with "Another lord and his men just left the city this morning, and will be in Summerton in a few days".
"Good" says lord Sammis the regent of the city of Oaklynn, who is basically the king of Girdane, though he's yet to be confirmed to be king. He's hoping the defeat of the rebellious dukes from the very west of the kingdom, will spur the court of the king to confirm him as the sovereign.
"Jaqor will be pleased with that" says the regent of Oaklynn, who had his cousin, king Jarnard the Second of his name, killed. Along with the rest of the royal family. And many others who were in the royal quarters of the palace at the time.
"It will more than make up for our missing battalions" says the regent of the city of Oaklynn, who continues with "And bolster the crown's army who are in retreat".
Lord Sammis looks at his most trusted officer, who along with the keeper Sarmac and the wizard Haric are here in the antechamber.
And he asks the captain "And mercenaries?".
"More of them are coming into the city by the day" says captain Kilmane, who is the man most responsible for bringing the regent's plan into effect.
"They're being sent out west immediately after they've singed up to the crown" says the captain in the regent's army, who then adds "Even with the crown's forces retreating from the western part of the kingdom, and with two of our battalions missing or wiped out. We'll still have double the amount of what they've got" captain Kilmane follows that with "And more everyday with mercenaries signing up in their numbers".
"Good" murmurs lord Sammis in satisfaction, who looks out the window, and up at the clear sky above the city on this cold winter's morning here in the east of the kingdom of Girdane.
The regent, who is planning to go back to his mansion up the street for the midday meal, just so that he can take his young wife again, as he hopes to get her pregnant.
Turns and looks at the other three, who have been instrumental in bringing about his plans to be king of Girdane.
"We need a victory soon" says lord Sammis, who continues on with "To break these rebels and send them on the run".
The regent of Oaklynn then adds "When the dukes and others at court see this, they will confirm me as king, and allow me to take the throne".
Captain Kilmane, along with the keeper Sarmac, and the wizard Haric nod in agreement to that.
Then the nobleman, who is all but king of Girdane already, crosses over to the map table, which the captain is standing beside.
"We need a decisive victory somewhere Kilmane" quietly says lord Sammis as the keeper and wizard join them at the map table.
"Where do you suggest?" adds the regent of the city of Oaklynn.
"Here in Fandell" says the captain in the regent's army as he points to the duchy of Fandell in central Girdane on one of the maps.
"It's why i suggested to commander Kaim to hold at Summerton" adds captain Kilmane, who continues with "The terrain there is favourable even in the wintertime" he then adds "And with the numbers we're gathering, the rebels will have to face us sooner rather than later. Because if not, we'll just overwhelm them, even though they've got the crown's forces on the retreat at the moment".
Lord Sammis nods at that, then quietly says "I like that" he looks at the three of them, the captain, the keeper and the wizard, and tells them "Let's make it happen".
And when we're victorious, the regent of Oaklynn thinks to himself, who then silently adds, I'll be the king as I've always wanted to be.
As he continues to talk with the other three. The regent's thoughts turn from him being the king of Girdane soon. To his wife, the lady Mera. Who he hopes to get pregnant. As he thinks about who will be king after him.
Lord Sammis faintly smiles as he thinks of a son he will have one day, who will be his heir, and will be the king of Girdane after him . . . . . .

A Grand Design 38.

Winter. Central Region Of The Kingdom Of Girdane.

Lord Farque is running west across farmland, sensing as he does so.
The undead warlord when he turns slightly to the south and goes to cross a field.
Slows down, and behind the faceplate of his full helm, he sourly smiles at what he senses.
The heavily armoured deathlord walks quickly through the lightly falling snow.
And before long he sees some woods a few hundred yards in the distance.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque who can move quicker than the eye can comprehend if he wants to.
Doesn't hurry, because he doesn't have to. And he soon sees people staggering from this side of the woods.
Farmers and locals by the looks of it. And he senses more of them leaving the woods in other directions.
They leave in ones and twos, or in small groups, families most likely.
Some look bewildered, while others look frightened. Though they all look relieved.
They also keep clear of him as some pass nearby as he enters the woods.
The lord of the death realm heads inwards, to the middle of the woods by his best guess.
Draugadrottin as he's also known by to the people of his nation, which lies faraway to the south.
Slightly nods his full helmed head as he senses away to the west, and locates someone who is heading in this direction.
The undead being quickly realises he's heading to a clearing in the middle of the woods as a couple of people stagger by, without even noticing him.
And as the large, heavily armoured deathlord of Farque walks through the lightly falling snow that's coming down through the canopy of the trees.
He soon gets to the edge of the clearing, and sees what's happened. And who remains in the clearing in the middle of the woods that's between farms, here on the border of the duchies of Wostin and Fandell in the central region of the kingdom of Girdane.
"I see you're still alive then" says lord Farque in a slightly dry tone of voice as he looks at those who are still alive in the clearing.
A slightly dazed looking Tovis the war engineer, who is sitting on a small boulder nearby. Turns his head when he hears the undead warlord.
The young engineer goes to stand up, but he can barely move.
The deathlord of Farque waves to the captain in his armies to remain sitting.
While sitting on a tree stump deeper in the clearing, sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who has his full helm off, and is breathing heavily, with sweat pouring off his brow even though it's cold and snowing.
And whose armour looks to battered and dinged up in places. Lifts a gauntleted hand in greeting to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che, doesn't even say anything. A clear sign that he's exhausted, and is trying to get his breath back.
While in the middle of the clearing, standing there in the lightly falling snow.
Dorc da Orc whose left arm is hanging limply, and is covered in blood, a lot of it his own.
Turns when he hears the lord of the death realm.
The large ork, didn't even hear or smell Draugadrottin approaching the woods. A clear sign that he's both spent, and preoccupied.
At the moment, he's preoccupied with the handful of white looking blubber he's stuffed into his mouth.
The ork warleader doesn't know if it tastes any good or not. But that doesn't stop him from chewing it, and finding out.
The general in the armies of Farque glances to his right. And as he stands there in the middle of the clearing, as the snow continues to lightly fall.
He wonders if he can fuck, what he's eating at the moment. Dorkindle is certainly going to try and find out when he can.
There's bodies littered across the clearing in the middle of the woods. Humans, of all ages. From the very young, to the elderly. Men and women, boys and girls.
All locals from the surrounding farms here on the border between the duchies of Wostin and Fandell in central Girdane.
Also lying in the clearing in the middle of the woods, is another body. This one a creature, that resembles a grub. White in colour, segmented like a grub or maggot.
It's entire body, about forty feet in length. Has come up out of a hole in the middle of the clearing in the woods.
And though it's about eight foot wide at the head. It's far wider than that around the middle of it. Almost twice the width of it's head.
The lange grub like creature has a number of weapons sticking out of. At least twenty of them, most of which belong to Dorc da Orc. While the rest belong to sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
There's also a fair few weapons scattered across the clearing. Also belonging to the ork warleader and the former paladin.
The two of them fought together to kill the creature, which is a naturally magical creature. Which uses a psychic attack upon it's victim. And a psychic attack to draw it's victims in.
Lord Farque walks down to where the ork general is. Where the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks. Has cut a chunk out of the grub like creature, and stuffed it in his mouth.
The warleader of the ork race who isn't sure if he likes what he's eating or not, after he's swallowed some of it.
Grunts as the lord and ruler of the lands Farque walks up, and stands near him.
Looking at the left arm of Dorkindle, and seeing that it's clearly broken. And that the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world, has a wicked looking gash down his side.
Lord Farque says to him "You can take that healing potion you've got in your belt?" followed by "Or have Beldane see to your inquiries when he gets back?".
"That fucken one" says Dorc da Orc who knows he better make a decision, or the undead warlord will make one for him. And the large ork knows which one the lord of the death realm will pick.
"The fucken cleric" adds the ork weaponsmith, who'd rather Beldane cast a healing spell on him. Than to take a healing potion. As he finds them totally disgusting whenever he tastes them.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who has an elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer when translated to common.
Figures the ork general in his armies will be fine until Beldane the cleric gets here. As the large ork's naturally healing ability. Has already stopped the flow of blood from the nasty wound down his side
"He fucken disappear" says Dorkindle, who is the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks.
Nodding his full helmed head, the heavily armoured deathlord says "He'll be back soon".
Draugadrottin who senses Beldane the cleric heading this way from further to the west. Figures the fighting cleric's mace took him away to safety due to the threat of the creature, whose liar is here in the clearing.
Dorc da Orc who moves with a bit of a limp, pulls out one of his spears. That's stuck in the grub like creature, near it's maw. In one of the indentations where an eye would normally be.
"Fucken cunt" growls the large ork, who then adss "Fucked it" as he looks at the spearhead, which is badly bent, showing the force the ork general used to shove it into the large, grub like creature.
Dorc da Orc sighs at the time and effort it'll take to fix the spearhead. Then he kicks away one of the creature's pincers, which came off when it ripped open the side of the big, burly ork who is from the frozen bottom of the world.
"Bit of a tough cunt" mutters the ork weaponsmith, which is the only admission you'll get from him at how difficult it was for him to kill the large, grub like creature.
And the only reason he was able to, was because he and his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic had to work together to defeat the creature that was a threat. Not just to them, but everyone else in the clearing.
"What the fuck is it?" asks Dorkindle who is speaking in the ork language.
Lord Farque who is also speaking in that particular language, tells the ork warleader "A white worm".
The lord of the death realm gestures towards the nearby hole in the middle of the clearing as the light snowfal across this area of central Girdane, as he continues with "And that's it's liar".
The undead being after seeing a half chewed body still in the slit like maw of the white worm. Makes his way around to the hole in the ground.
Dorc da Orc limps after him, after he decides he doesn't like the taste of the creature, which tastes pretty bland to him.
Draugadrottin picks up the tail of the creature as it's lying across the opening in the ground. And he flings it to one side, where it hits the ground with a thud.
And as the snow continues to fall in the clearing, the lord of the death realm looks down into the hole in the ground.
The ork general looks down into it too. And after a few moments, sir Percavelle Lé Dic gets up off the tree stump he's been sitting on, and walks over to the hole in the middle of clearing too.
Eventually Tovis the war engineer, who is still feeling slightly dazed. Makes his way down to where the others are standing next to the dead creature, looking down into the hole in the ground.
They're silent for a little while, then sir Percavelle Lé Dic speaks up and says "Pray tell, what is it?" followed by "Wot".
"Something" says lord Farque who then slightly nods his full helmed head as he carefully senses down beneath the ground in this area.
Now that's interesting, i wonder where it goes? Des'tier thinks to himself, who then gestures to the west side of the clearing, and says "Beldane".
While the deathlord of Farque, and Dorkindle continue to look down into the hole in the ground.
The former earl of Lé Dic and the young engineer look to the west side of the clearing as the snow continues to fall, and they see Beldane the cleric suddenly appear.
The member of the church of Glaine when he sees the others, along with lord Farque standing near the dead, grub like creature in the middle of the clearing. Breathes a sigh of relief, then hurries down to join them.
"Sorry" says Beldane the cleric to Tovis, sir Percavelle and Dorc da Orc "My damn mace took me away" sourly says the fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
"Heal him" the deathlord of Farque says to the powerful cleric as he points at the warleader of the ork race.
Beldane nods his head, then casts a healing spell upon the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world.
The ork weaponsmith grunts, then yawns after he flexes his left arm which is no longer broken. While the wicked looking gash down his side is gone too.
"Wait here" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who then takes a step forward, and drops down into the hole in the middle of the clearing in the woods.
The trio of humans look at Dorkindle, who just shrugs his massive shoulders. As he's the only one who can see more than a few feet down into hole, as it's completely black after that.
The ork general just walks over to the dead white worm, and starts taking out some of his weapons that he stabbed into it.
After a moment, the nobleborn knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic does likewise.
A little bit later, as they're all looking down into the hole again, they hear the voice of lord Farque call up "Get down here".
He quickly follows that with "Don't jump you fucking idiot" in the ork language, as the ork warleader was just about to do that. Dorc da Orc sourly smiles as he grunts in disappointment.
"Cast a lightball, you'll be able to see then Beldane" calls up the heavily armoured deathlord.
The fighting cleric who has already cast a nightvision spell to see down into the hole with no effect.
Does as lord Farque suggests, and sends it down into the hole. And he along, with Tovis the war engineer, and sir Percavelle Le Dic, are now able to see the undead warlord standing at the bottom of the hole, about sixty feet down.
Beldane nods, then he rolls his eyes as he's just about to teleport them down to the bottom of the hole, when Dorc da Orc says to him "Make Dorc fly down there cunt".
The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine levitates the ork warleader up off the ground, then down the hole in the middle of the clearing.
And as the chuckling ork weaponsmith flaps his arms, as he descends down to the bottom of the hole.
Beldane teleports himself, along with the two Druvicians, sir Percavelle and Tovis down to where the lord and ruler of the lands Farque is.
Once they're all down at the bottom of the hole, Draugadrottin points to a tunnel, that goes through bedrock, and says "This way".
He leads the way, with the others following, with Beldane's lightball floating above them, so the three living humans can see where they're going.
The tunnel, which was dug by the white worm over many a year. Twists and turns beneath the ground, as they basically head east, passing beneath the woods.
Until the tunnel gets smaller and smaller, where both Dorc da Orc and lord Farque have to duck down as they continue onwards.
Then as they make a right, the lord of the death realm says "It got too big, and couldn't go back through".
"Back through what?" asks Beldane the cleric "A portal" replies Draugadrottin.
The eyebrows of the spellcaster in church of Glaine go up in surprise as he can't sense a portal anywhere.
Then he murmurs "Hell" when the undead warlord says "It's a gnome hole".
Dorc da Orc's eyes light up when he hears that, as gnomes mean treasure, and lots of it.
"Me get to piss on the ga-nome" declares the ork general, who in the past, has pissed on gnomes to get them to give up their treasure.
Rolling his eyes, the deathlord of Farque dryly says "It's abandoned". The son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks, grunts in disappointment at that.
Then up ahead, the bedrock suddenly disappears, and the tunnel is more dirt packed than anything.
And when they're stepped from the bedrock, to the dirt floor of the tunnel, they've passed through a portal.
"Where by chance are we, wot?" asks sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
"Somewhere to the east of where we just were" is the reply of Draugadrottin, who ignores the muttered "Not north" from Dorkindle, and continues to lead the way through the tunnel.
It eventually goes up, and after a couple hundred yards or so, they come up out of the ground, between some rocks and boulders, within some woods.
Lord Farque senses, then he turns to the right, and leads the way through the quiet woods.
It's snowed here recently, but it isn't now. And at the edge of the trees, they come to a stop, and look westwards.
After a moment, Tovis the war engineer, says "Is that a river over there?".
"It is" says the undead warlord, who continues with "The river Tambir if I'm not mistaken" he looks at the others and tells them "We're in eastern Girdane" followed by "Not far from the capital Oaklynn" . . . . . .

A Grand Design 37.

Winter. Near The Border Of The Duchies Of Wostin And Fandell. The Kingdom Of Girdane.

As they walk quickly through the falling snow and approach the treeline infront of them.
Dorc da Orc says to the others "Smoke" followed by "Fucken campfires".
Behind the large ork, the war engineer Tovis nods.
The captain in the mercenary armies of Farque has noticed the ork warleader is being relatively cautious as they approach the woods.
He's not being overly loud. Nor is he rushing ahead of the others. He's just walking quickly as they get closer to the treeline.
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, glances over at his fellow Druvician, sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
Who is following the example of the ork weaponsmith. Which the former paladin wouldn't normally do.
The nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic is near silent as he walks quickly towards the woods.
He hasn't said a word since they decided to approach the trees. Although he's walking with the shield of Saint Mar-che out infront of him. And a gauntleted hand upon the hilt of the sword of knockdown.
The war engineer then glances at Beldane the cleric who is next to him. And lifts his eyebrows in question.
"Nothing" quietly says Beldane the cleric, who has again sensed ahead into the woods. And found no spellcasters, or anything magical within the trees up ahead.
They enter the woods, where a bit of the falling snow is dropping down through the canopy.
Dorc da Orc who is leading the way, briefly stops when they're about thirty or forty yards into the woods.
"Fucken others" says the large ork who is speaking in a quieter voice than he normally does.
The others look down to the ground where the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks has pointed.
And they see more footprints and boot marks, and not just the ones they've been following.
"Which way?" quietly asks the young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, where he served in the army of a baron Harkonin.
Dorkindle grunts and points to the southeast through the trees. They head that way, moving slower than they did when they approached the woods.
As they walk between the trees, they see more and more evidence of people here in the woods. Much more than those who were in the farmhouse that they were in a little while ago.
Then after awhile as more snow comes down through the canopy of the trees.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world comes to a stop, and points ahead as he quietly says "Fucken through there".
The captain in the Farqian army, who along with the former earl of Lé Dic and the fighting cleric, can now smell the smoke of campfires.
Looks ahead, and though he can't see anything of interest yet. He takes the large ork's word for it that people are just up ahead.
"You still smell that big bug, or worm?" quietly asks Tovis the war engineer, who then adds "Or whatever it is?".
The warleader of the ork race who is a general in the armies of Farque, grunts in a positive manner.
The young engineer then asks "And dead bodies?" as the ork weaponsmith mentioned that earlier.
"Can't smell them no more" quietly says Dorkindle, who continues with "But some fuckers have got killed, dead".
Tovis slightly nods, then after he thinks about it for a moment, he tells the large ork "Lead on" followed by "And try and keep us out of sight".
The son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks grunts that he will.
And as the ork warleader sets off again, the war engineer quietly says to sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Beldane the cleric "Get ready" he quietly adds "There could be anything up ahead".
They follow after the ork general, who starts taking a more roundabout way through the trees, as if he's circling around whatever it is that's up ahead in the woods.
That's exactly what Dorc da Orc is doing, as he can smell and hear a fair few number of people within the woods ahead of them.
They must of come from the surrounding farms to get here. And the ork warleader who usually isn't all that particular about being accurate when he counts. Unless it's soldiers or mercenaries in an enemy army.
Is pretty certain there's nearly fifty people. All human, of various ages, from young children, to the elderly. Gathered up ahead through the trees.
Infact he's caught sight of some of them already. None have seen him, as they all seem to be looking further into the woods, and not out towards the treeline.
A short while later and the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, ducks down. And hisses at the others to keep low.
They do so, as they move fairly slowly, making as little noise as possible. As the snow continues to fall down through the canopy of the trees.
They go from tree to tree as the large ork keeps them out of sight. And eventually Tovis, Percavelle and Beldane spot people up ahead through the trees.
Dorkindle leads them up a slight rise, where he drops down to the ground, and crawls the rest of the way up.
The others follow his example, with sir Percavelle Lé Dic who is in a suit of full plate armour, and Beldane the cleric who is in half plate armour. Moving slowly, so as not to make noise as they crawl to the top of the small rise.
From where he is next to the ork weaponsmith, next to a bush. The captain in the Farqian mercenary army looks down into a clearing within the woods.
What trees that were still in the clearing, were cut down years ago, if the state of the few tree stumps scattered across the clearing are anything to go by.
"What the hell is going on here?" murmurs Tovis the war engineer, next to him, Dorc da Orc just shrugs his massive shoulders as they watch what's going on in the clearing, where the snow is falling more freely with no trees to hinder it.
There's nearly fifty people scattered in and around the clearing, which is probably in the center of the woods.
Most of them looked dazed. And those that don't, look like they've just come out of a daze.
They're the ones it seems who have lit a couple of fires. And are getting some of the others to sit near them, to keep warm, on this cold, snowy, winter's day in the central region of the kingdom of Girdane.
Children, or adults. It's random amongst those in the clearing, who seem to be more coherent, and not so dazed looking.
And the young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic, sees children helping adults to sit. And vice, versa as the more clear headed help the dazed to sit close to the fires.
Meanwhile, those on the outer edge of the clearing. Seem to be the most dazed looking. As they stand there, staring towards the very center of the clearing.
Dorc da Orc nudges Tovis, then quietly says "Fucken there" as he nods towards the very middle of the clearing.
The war engineer who is a captain in the Farqian mercenary army, frowns as he looks to where the ork general has indicated.
Then as both the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic and the fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell, get to the top of the rise, where they lie next to him and the ork warleader.
Tovis realises that it's a large hole that's in the very center of the clearing.
The young engineer glances at the big, burly ork who is from the frozen bottom of the world, who quietly tells him "That fucken worm is in there".
The war engineer is just wondering why all these people, local farmers and their families by the looks of things. Are here in the clearing in the middle of the woods.
And why there's a large hole in the ground, from which the ork warleader smells a large worm or something is in.
When all of sudden, Tovis finds out exactly why they're all here in the clearing. And more importantly what's in the hole in the center of the clearing.
It makes no sound to the human ear as it suddenly comes up out of the hole in the middle of the clearing.
"Wormy cunt" is what Dorc da Orc mutters when he sees it. While Tovis mutters "Fucking hell" when he catches sight of it.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic mutters "By Narille look at that" when he sees it. While Beldane the cleric mutters "What the fuck is that thing?" when he sees what's come up out of the ground.
It's not a worm. It actually resembles a grub more than anything else. It's white in colour, and it's body is segmented like a grub or maggot.
And it's big, really big. It must be eight foot wide. And who knows how long it is, as not all of it comes up out of the ground.
Just it's head, and part of it's body. And as those who are less dazed than everyone else in the clearing, quickly back away. The creature's body, well the part of it that's up through the hole in the center of the clearing. Thumps down onto the ground with a thud, that's clearly heard around the clearing, and up the slight rise where the four of them are lying, watching things.
Then the creature moves it's bulk, turning it's head. And they see that it truly does resemble a grub that's sometimes found in rotting logs.
It's got no eyes as such, just indentations where you'd think eyes would be.
It has a wide slit of a mouth. On either side of which is a large, black pincer. The colour of which is in contrast to the white of the rest of it's head and body.
Then as Tovis grimaces as he looks at the creature that's come out of the hole in the center of the clearing. The creature opens it's mouth, and a horrible sounding, high pitch scream comes from it.
People in the clearing go to cover their ears and eyes, well those who aren't all that dazed looking try to. But they end up slowly staggering towards the massive bulk of the creature in the middle of the clearing.
While those more dazed looking, get up from where they're sitting near the fires. And they too, start slowly staggering to the middle of the clearing, where the large, white grub like creature has come out of the hole in the ground.
Meanwhile up on the slight rise. Tovis the war engineer, Beldane the cleric and Dorc da Orc have got to their, while sir Percavelle Lé Dic gets to a knee as the creature continues to scream it's loud, high pitched scream.
The young engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque. Against his own will, finds himself slowly staggering down towards the clearing.
Tovis tries to scream and shout, and stop himself heading down to the clearing, but he's unable to.
Meanwhile, Beldane the cleric who likewise, is unable to stop himself from staggering forwards, and following after the war engineer.
Accidentally touches the top end of his mace on his belt with his right gauntleted hand.
When he does, a gateway suddenly appears right infront of him, and he staggers through it, and disappears. A moment later, the gateway disappears too.
Dorc da Orc frowns, then says "Where the fuck you goin' cunt?" as he stands there, watching Tovis slowly stagger away down towards the clearing.
The ork general scowls, then mutters "Ah fuck up ya wormy looking cunt" as the large grub like creature in the middle of the clearing continues to scream it's high pitch scream.
Then the ork warleader looks to his left as he stands there, and blinks in surprise as Beldane the cleric is no longer there. Then the ork weaponsmith looks at his fierce rival sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
And sees the former paladin is on one knee, with the shield of Saint Mar-che before him, blocking the sight of the creature down in the middle of the clearing.
The nobleborn knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic might be an idiot at times, and more than a bit of a braggart.
But he's definitely smarter than one thinks when he goes into situations that he has no control over, and doesn't know what's happening.
And though he will often do something rash, and completely crazy to get him out of such situations.
He will be cautious and circumspect if he has to be. Like in a situation such as now.
And when he noticed the ork warleader being more deliberate than he normally is.
The former earl of Lé Dic knew he had to be ready for the unexpected. And to have the shield of Saint Mar-che ready.
The member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che as he crouched down on one knee behind his shield.
Winces at the high pitch scream of the massive grub like creature in the middle of the clearing.
He sees Tovis the war engineer staggering away, the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic who is keeping his shield between himself and the creature in the center of the clearing, so that he doesn't see it.
Looks to his right, and after a momentary pause when he notices that Beldane the cleric has disappeared.
He finds his bitter rival, Dorc da Orc looking at him with a scowl upon his wide, green, brutish looking face.
"Beast" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who then adds "Get the engineer, wot" followed by "Don't let the captain go down there".
The ork general briefly considers telling the nobleborn knight to get fucked. But he grunts as he realises the former earl of Lé Dic actually has a valid point.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world takes a few steps forward, grabs the staggering Tovis, and turns him around.
"Not down there ya cunt" says the large ork to the war engineer, who looks dazed as he stares at Dorkindle.
The captain in the Farqian mercenary army, though dazed, and though he grimaces due to the high pitched scream of the creature in the middle of the clearing, finds that he has got his willpower back.
The young engineer shakes his head, and looks to one side when he hears, sir Percavelle Lé Dic say "Don't look at the gods forsaken creature down there captain".
The Druvician war engineer sees that the heavily armoured knight, is crouching with his shield infront of him, keeping it between him and the large, white, grub like creature down in the middle of the clearing.
Dorc da Orc who because he's an ork, and they're all mentally unstable to begin with, is totally immune to attacks upon the mind.
Which is what the large grub like creature does. And though it's high pitched scream is highly uncomfortable. Especially to the human ear.
It's the actual sight of it, especially it's face and maw, and more importantly, where it's eyes would normally be. That attacks those who look at it.
Dorkindle, immune to the psychic attack of the large, white grub like creature sticking out of the hole in the middle of the clearing.
Looks at it like he looks at all creatures he's never encountered before. And wonders if it tastes any good.
He also wonders if he can fuck it. And also if he can kill it. And not necessarily in that order.
"Wormy looks all fat and tasty" murmurs Dorc da Orc in the ork language.
Then as the snow continues to fall in the clearing in the woods. The large grub like creature, with a surprising amount of speed. Whips it's head to one side, and one of it's pincers skewers a man who staggers towards it.
It flicks it's large head up, flipping than man end over end up into the air. The creature then tilts it's head up, and the man tumbling up in the air, falls back down, and lands into the open slit of a mouth of the grub like creature. That then munches down upon the dead farmer.
The large, white maggot looking creature continues screaming again, though it's scream is a bit muted due to it chomping to bits the dead body in it's maw.
"Oh fucken yeah, Dorc gonna get me some of that" says the ork general who chuckles, then the warleader of the ork race says to Tovis the war engineer "Look at fucken ground, not at that wormy cunt". The dazed looking captain nods in understanding.
Then the ork weaponsmith looks at his bitter rival and tells him "Knight cunt, attack it from behind".
"I know that you overgrown filthy cretin" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who was planning to do that anyway.
As he knows that it'll be up to him and the ork warleader to take care of this threat they face.
Then as the nobleborn knight starts heading down the rise to the clearing in a crouch, making sure to keep the shield of Saint Mar-che between him and the creature in the middle of the clearing so he doesn't see it.
Dorc da Orc who has taken one of his spears from his weapon harness across his back, runs down into the clearing, chuckling to himself, before he shouts "Get some!".
And as the people in the clearing continue to stagger towards where the large, grub like creature is sticking out of the hole in the ground.
The high pitch scream of the grub like creature slightly changes to one of annoyance and pain, when a spear thrown across the clearing, slams into it's side with a thud . . . . . .

A Grand Design 36.

Winter. Central Girdane.

"Looks like it might snow" quietly says Tovis the war engineer as he looks up at the sky that's got cloudy all of a sudden.
Behind the young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, the ork warleader Dorc da Orc grunts in agreement.
While up ahead, sir Percavelle Lé Dic says in his overly boisterous voice "Yes quite" followed "A little bit of snow shall not stop us, wot".
Next to the war engineer, the fighting cleric Beldane rolls his eyes, while Tovis wryly smiles as he shakes his head as they look at the heavily, armoured knight who is out infront.
The young engineer, who is a captain in the armies of Farque, looks back at the following ork weaponsmith, and quietly asks him "Are we still going the right way Dorc?".
"Yeah cunt" says Dorc da Orc who with a wave of one of his large, meaty, skillet sized hands in the direction they're going, adds "He fucken that way".
They're making their way down a country lane, heading east through the duchy of Wostin, here in the central region of the kingdom of Girdane.
The force from their army they've been with, has gone back west, to continue the attack upon the crown's army. The wizard Larris has gone with that part of their army. So that they're not short of too many spellcasters.
Meanwhile it's just the four of them at the moment going eastwards through the duchy of Wostin.
A few days ago, they and part of their army they were with. Ambushed and attacked a battalion of the regent of Oaklynn's army. Wiping them out to the last man.
And though the four of them didn't actually see it. They were in the same area. When that battalion in the regent's army, were raised up from the dead, and attacked another of the battalions in the regent's army, who had come west to fight against the rebellious dukes of Dalmar, Girnath and Falosen.
There's a third such battalion in the regent of Oaklynn's army who have apparently come out west to fight the rebels from the very west of the kingdom. But they're not yet in the duchy of Wostin, where they should be by now.
So the four of them, Dorc da Orc, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, Tovis the war engineer, and Beldane the cleric are heading east to locate them.
Along with lord Farque, who is somewhere out infront of the four of them.
The young engineer originally from the kingdom of Druvic calls a stop. The captain in the armies of Farque is in charge of the four of them. Though Dorc da Orc is a general in the same mercenary army. No one in their right mind would have him in charge of anything unless absolutely necessary.
So Tovis, who is the youngest of the four of them by nearly eight years. As he's in his early twenties, while Beldane the cleric is nearly thirty years old. Put himself forward to be in charge. While they follow after lord Farque who is trying to locate the third battalion of the regent of Oaklynn's army, that's come out to join the fight against the rebellious dukes from the very west of the kingdom of Girdane.
They've stopped on the country lane, at the start of a wagon track that leads to a farmhouse.
The war engineer takes out one of the maps he's got, and looks at it, and after a few moments he says "We could very well be in the duchy of Fandell now".
The cleric Beldane looks at the map too, then nods his head and says "You're right".
The fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell looks around, then adds "This farmland all looks the same".
The young engineer who is a captain in the Farqian mercenary army is in agreement with the member of the church of Glaine.
The countryside they're going through lacks any hills of significance. And it's only broken up by a scattering of woods and stands of trees every so often.
And they've see a lot more people on the farms and in the fields, as they've walked east over the last two days. Far more than they've seen in the rural areas further to the west in the kingdom.
Tovis puts away his map, then he asks the large ork "Is he still that way?" as he gestures along the lane they've been following since early this morning.
"Huh?" says Dorkindle who is looking down the wagon track to the right, that leads to a farmhouse a couple hundred yards away.
"Yeah cunt" is the distracted sounding ork warleader who is sniffing as he looks at the nearby farmhouse.
Noticing this, the young engineer who once served in the army of a baron Harkonin in his homeland of Druvic, asks the ork general "What is it Dorc?".
"Booze" says the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks with a grin upon his wide, green, brutish looking face.
"And foods" adds the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world.
"Fucken get some" says the warleader of the ork race, who then sets off along the wagon track that leads to the nearby farmhouse.
"Dorc, we can't very well go and steal from some farmers" says Tovis the war engineer after he tells the ork general to come back.
"Why the fuck not?" asks a perplexed looking ork weaponsmith as he stops and looks back at the others.
"No cunts at home" says Dorkindle gesturing towards the nearby farmhouse "They not gonna know it us" adds the large ork who is the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks.
Sir Percavelle follows after the ork general, and the young engineer tells him "Hold up Percy".
"Some decent food would be good, wot" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who briefly pauses as he looks back at the other two, then he adds "Farm folk tend to have good food, and this farm looks a prosperous one".
The former earl of Lé Dic in his pompous and overly loud voice then says "Besides the meals we've had to endure of late are a lot to be desired, wot".
"What's that supposed to mean?" demands Beldane the cleric who has been cooking for them over the last few days.
"It means i wouldn't serve them to thy enemies, that's what" says the former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar-che "Wot" adds the nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic, who sets off after the large ork.
The war engineer and the fighting cleric share a look, then they too start making their way along the wagon track that leads to the farmhouse that's a couple hundred yards away.
The four of them make their way to the farmhouse. And at the front door, the ork general briefly thinks about kicking it in. But tries the doorknob instead, and finds that it's unlocked. Dorkindle ducks down, and enters the farmhouse. He's followed by sir Percavelle Lé Dic, or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Then Tovis the war engineer and Beldane the cleric enter the farmhouse.
Inside, Dorc da Orc who is drinking a bottle of wine he's found in the kitchen. Has located a cool room that's beneath the house.
While in the kitchen, the former paladin from the kingdom of Druvic is rummaging through the pantry, taking foodstuffs he's stuffing into a cloth sack he's found.
After Beldane closes the front door behind them, Tovis slightly frowns as he looks around in the main room, and he sees a smouldering fire in the fireplace.
The captain in the armies of Farque looks into the kitchen where Percy is busy procuring supplies.
The young engineer slightly frowns again, as he sees smouldering coals in the open fire pit used for cooking.
He also sees half empty plates and cups on the table in the kitchen. As if the occupants were interrupted in their meal. Breakfast by the looks of what remains on the plates.
"What is it?" quietly asks Beldane the cleric, who follows after Tovis, who makes his way to the back part of the farmhouse, to look into the bedrooms back there.
"Something's wrong" quietly says the young engineer who hails from the Harkonin fief in the east of the kingdom of Druvic as he heads back to the kitchen.
"Can you sense anyone or anything?" asks the war engineer, the fighting cleric frowns, then he senses out from where they are in the farmhouse.
"Nothing within a few miles in all directions, well nothing magical" is the reply from spellcaster who is from the kingdom of Nastell.
The cleric in the church of Glaine then puts a hand on his mace, and after a moment or two, he tells the Farqian army captain "There's no threat" he briefly pauses before adding "Well, i should say there's no threat to me".
Tovis the war engineer nods, and he makes his way to the trapdoor at one end of the kitchen, and calls down into the cool room "Dorc get up here!".
The large ork who has already lifted up two barrels of ale through the open trapdoor, into the kitchen.
Can be heard grunting as he comes up the stone steps from down in the cool room, carrying bottles of wine, and two large hams.
"What cunt?" asks the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, after he places the bottles of wine onto top of the ale barrels, then drops the hams on the floor.
"Can you tell where these people went?" asks the young engineer, who points at the half empty plates and cups on the table, then over to the cooking pit that's still got burning embers in it.
"They left in hurry" adds Tovis, who follows that with "Sometime early this morning by the looks of it".
The son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks, who he killed. Which was only fair, as she was doing her best to kill him at the time.
Grunts as he looks around, then he walks to the backdoor in the kitchen as he repeatedly sniffs at the air.
He opens the door, and looks outside, as snowflakes start to slowly fall from the cloudy midday sky.
"They fucken took off that way" says Dorkindle who points to where he can see boot marks on the ground "In a fucken hurry too" adds the large ork who can tell that the people who were in the farmhouse, both adults and children, ran away from the farmhouse.
Looking outside, Tovis the war engineer slightly nods as Beldane the cleric quietly says "Wonder what caused them to flee?".
"Did lord Farque come here to the farmhouse?" asks the young engineer as he looks at the ork general who is putting the bottles of wine into one of his sacks.
"Nah" says Dorc da Orc he waves in the direction of the country lane they were on, and adds "He went by on that fucken road out there".
The ork weaponsmith then nods to the backdoor, and continues with "These cunts took off way earlier than when Farque went by".
The war engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, whose has suddenly taken interest in what's happened here, quietly says "I wonder what's happened?".
The captain in the Farqian army then says "Come on, let's see where they've gone". Tovis looks at the other three, and nods for them to follow him outside.
Beldane slightly shrugs his armoured shoulders, then follows the war engineer out the backdoor.
Carrying his sack of supplies, sir Percavelle Lé Dic exits through the backdoor too.
Finally, Dorc da Orc carrying the barrels of ale, after stuffing the hams in another of his sacks. Follows the others outside.
And after broaching one of the ale barrels, and he starts to drink from it. The ork general leads the way after Tovis the war engineer says to him "Follow after them Dorc".
They walk across a field, going by a small barn, that has a milking cow in it. That watches them as they pass by.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who as he drinks from the barrel of ale he's opened, leads the way southwards as the light snow continues to fall.
They go through a stand of trees, a woodlot that was planted some years ago by the looks of it.
And beyond, they cut across the countryside, now obviously off the farm they were just on.
The warleader of the ork race as he follows the tracks of those who left the farmhouse in a hurry.
Suddenly stops as he looks towards some woods in the distance, while he constantly sniffs.
"Something up ahead in those woods Dorc?" asks Tovis the war engineer as he does his cloak up tighter, as the snow continues to fall.
"Peoples" says Dorkindle, who then adds "More than there fucken was in that house".
The others glance at one another, then look to the woods about five hundred yards away, as the ork weaponsmith says "And something fucken else?".
"Oh?" says the young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, who then asks Dorc "What exactly?".
"Dorc don't fucken know" is the annoyed sounding reply from the ork general.
Sir Percavelle's eyebrows lift up in surprise. For though he and the ork warleader are fierce rivals. Both of whom wouldn't be upset if harm befell the other one.
He knows his rival has seen a lot of the world, especially the Southlands. And seen a lot of what's in it. Far more than he has. And for the large ork not to know what something is, is a rare occurrence.
"A person?" asks the captain in the Farqian mercenary army "Nah a fucken animal" says the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, who after a slight pause adds in puzzled tone of voice "Or creature".
The other three all glance at one another, when the large ork says "Smells a bit like a fucken bug, nah more like a worm" followed by a loud mutter of "A big fat, fucken worm".
"Any idea what that could be?" quietly asks Tovis as he looks at Beldane.
"I'm not sure" says the fighting cleric, who continues with "I've read about giant bug like creatures, but they're not here in this part of the Southlands".
After a moments pause, the member of the crunch of Glaine, who is the most recent member of the group, after joining last spring, says "And i haven't heard of any big worms".
The war engineer nods, then looks at the former earl of Lé Dic, who like him, hails from the kingdom of Druvic.
The large, heavily armoured knight shakes his head no, and says "I doth not encountered anything of the nature the filthy beast has describe".
Then looking towards the woods that is about five hundred yards away, the young engineer says "Should we check it out?".
"Fuck yeah cunt" says Dorkindle, who wasn't interested before, but definitely is now. As he's curious to find out what's in the nearby woods.
The ork weaponsmith sets off through the lightly falling snow towards the woods.
The others follow after him, and as Dorc da Orc continues to sniff, and to listen carefully, he tells the other three "Smells like some fucker has died in there" as he gestures towards the woods they're heading towards.
Nearly ten miles away, further east, in the duchy of Fandell. Lord Farque is pretty sure he's found the missing battalion of the regent of Oaklynn's army.
He can sense a large body of people in and around what he suspects is a town, a further fifteen or so miles east of where he is standing on a knoll in the middle of a paddock.
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head in satisfaction at locating the enemy. Who have stopped for some reason, and not continued on westwards.
As the heavily armoured deathlord wonders if the regent's battalion has stopped to wait for others from the east of the kingdom, to come westwards to fight against the rebel dukes.
He senses back to the west, to where the others are following him at a distance. He suspects they're now in the duchy of Fandell, or just about to leave the duchy of Wostin and enter Fandell.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque senses for Dorc da Orc as the large ork is easy for him to locate.
The lord of the death realm quickly locates the lifeforce of the ork warleader.
And Draugadrottin as he's also known by the people of his lands, slightly frowns behind the faceplate of his full helm.
The undead warlord senses the three humans, Tovis, Beldane and Percy with the ork general.
They're wandering off south, and no longer going east. He figures they're only a couple of miles south of the country lane he himself used as he crossed over in the duchy of Fandell.
And though that's not necessarily a problem, them not continuing eastwards is.
"What the fuck are they up to?" mutters lord Farque, who then thoroughly senses for all living, dead, and anything or anyone magical back ten miles behind him, in the area the four of them are in.
The heavily armoured deathlord is silent for a few moments, then he frowns in earnest behind the faceplate of his full helm as he suddenly senses something.
"Fuck" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who then takes off running, heading back west in the direction he's come from as snow starts to lightly fall . . . . . .

A Grand Design 35.

Winter. Oaklynn. Girdane.

Shur Kee the monk hurries through the streets of the city of Oaklynn. It's a cloudy morning, that looks like it could snow. The first snow since the night the king of Girdane, and others were killed in the palace.
The short, statured monk who is an acolyte in the philosophical order of Bru Li. Who as usual was up early this morning.
Is making his way through the west side of Oaklynn after being near where the road in that direction, enters the city that's the capital of the kingdom of Girdane.
The physical adept who overheard something rather important from a post rider in the regent's army, who was talking to his fellow soldiers in the regent's army.
Figures it will soon spread throughout the city, and fairly quickly too. Considering what it entails.
The short, statured monk wearing his odd, conical shaped hat as he rushes through the city streets. Is just glad he's not been stopped by the regent's men who are out patrolling the streets this morning.
Infact he's hardly seen any of them this morning. And he wonders if the threat of snow is keeping them indoors. Or if it's something else.
The physical adept who is the conduit or living incarnation of the Jade Warrior, Bru Li. Will try and figure that out later.
Now, he's more concerned about making his way through the city, to find Mira Reinholt the mage and Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy.
The two of them are making their way down the long street in the center of the city.
They've just gone by the king's palace, and are on their way to a taverna on a side street, basically opposite to where the regent's mansion is.
Mira Reinholt the mage who is planning to go to the city airdocks later in the day, probably in the afternoon sometime.
Yawns as he looks up at the cloudy sky that's over the city of Oaklynn this morning.
"Late night?" quietly asks Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy as they make their way down the long street in the center of the city.
Mira Reinholt the mage grunts in reply, then he says "Reading".
The once powerful mage who like the spy Tanith is conversing in the elven language, continues with "Trying to learn something".
The spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil, which he's in exile from, then dryly adds "Learn is the operative word here".
Which causes the elven spy from the principality of Alínlae to softly chuckle, while the mage Reinholt sourly smiles.
The two of them, the spellcaster who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster, along with the elven spy.
Who have only been stopped the once by the regent's soldiers this morning as they've made their way from the northeast in the city. Where the Ironmonger Inn, where they're staying at, is located.
Are about to turn into the side street, when the elf who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alínlae.
Glances back down the long street they're on. And catches sight of the distinctive figure of Shur Kee the monk hurrying in this direction. Infact the short statured monk is running this way.
"Something's happened" quietly says Dalinvardél Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
The elven spy in the grey hooded cloak, quietly tells the mage in the black hooded cloak beside him "Shur Kee is running towards us".
The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands. Until he lost the vast majority of his powers when he went offworld through a rift/void he accidentally cast.
Looks back along the street in the direction Dalin has indicated. And after a few moments, the Vexilian mage in exile spots the physical adept running this way.
"Something's definitely happened" murmurs the swordmaster Reinholt, who then says to the spy Tanith "I wonder what?".
The two of them wait for Shur Kee at the street corner. And when the short, statured monk who is not a Southlander, but is originally from the otherside of the continent. The far east coastal kingdom of Wah Lee to be exact.
Reaches the mage Reinholt and the spy Tanith, he quickly gets his breath back, and indicates they should go into the quiet side street.
And as they make their way to the taverna they often frequent in this part of the city of Oaklynn.
The acolyte in the order of Bru Li quietly tells them what he overheard a post rider in the regent's army was talking to some of his fellow soldiers when he entered the city from the west.
Both Mira and Dalin blink in surprise at what they hear from the short, statured monk. As the clouds above the city start to get thicker, and heavier. Threatening to snow by the looks of it.
"Are you sure?" quietly asks the spellcaster who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"I am" is the reply from Shur Kee the monk who continues on with "He was most adamant about it, though it is definitely not what the regent will want to hear".
"By the shape of fire" murmurs the mage Reinholt, who then shakes his hooded head as they stop near the taverna they often come to, and he quietly adds "We defeated them far quicker than i thought we would have".
The spy Tanith nods in agreement to that, then he quietly says "True" followed by "But one battle doesn't make a campaign".
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster grunts in agreement with the elven spy originally from the principality of Alínlae.
After a few moments of silence as couple of people walk by them, councillor Reinholt quietly says "The regent will be forced to either send the rest of his army west".
The exiled Vexilian mage follows that with "Or to rope in those dukes on this side of the kingdom to fight against the three dukes from the very west of Girdane".
Dalin nods his hooded head in agreement, then the elven spy who is an officer in the armies of Farque quietly says "I'm guessing the latter".
The spy Tanith then adds "I've got a feeling he won't want to send everyone he commands out west to fight against the rebels".
He continues with "He's done whatever he's done to gain power here in the capital, and is king in all but name" Dalinvardél Tanith then quietly says "He won't want to give that up".
Both Mira Reinholt and Shur Kee nod in agreement to that, then the once powerful mage gestures to the taverna they often frequent, and the three of them enter it.
Once inside, and at a corner table. And they've ordered something, as the mage and the elven spy have yet to eat anything this morning.
Shur Kee the monk quietly tells the other two "I wonder if they already know that something has happened?".
Arching an eyebrow as he looks at physical adept, the swordmaster from the city-state of Vexil quietly asks him "Why do you say that Shur Kee?".
"Because i saw very little of the regent's soldiers patrolling the streets so far this morning" quietly says the short, statured monk who has taken off his odd, conical shaped hat after sitting down.
"They might already know what has happened to their battalions, and the crown's army out west" continues the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior, Bru Li.
As the spy Tanith slightly frowns as he thinks about that. The mage Reinholt slowly nods his head, then quietly says "Maybe" and after a slight pause he adds "Dalin and i were only stopped the once this morning".
As the regent's patrolling soldiers aren't stopping people as often as they were the first couple of days after the death of king Jarnard the Second, and others in the palace.
They still stop those who are obviously foreigners and visitors to the city of Oaklynn. But not as often.
The Vexilian mage in exile looks around the taverna they're in, which is a lot quieter than it normally is. Even for this time of the day, which is still relatively early in the morning.
"Not so busy in here this morning" quietly says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who looks at the spy from the elven principality of Alínlae, and says to him "Your buddy that palace official isn't here yet".
Dalinvardél Tanith nods, as the person in question, a bit of a drunk, is usually here in this taverna, even at this time of the day.
"No he's not" quietly says the elven spy, who follows that with "He must be busy at court".
The spellcaster, who was the youngest ever member of the mage council of Vexil quietly says "I'm guessing a few will be at the palace this morning".
Mira Reinholt nods to Shur Kee as he adds "Especially if someone already knows what's happened out west with the defeat of the kingdom's army at the hands of the rebels".
The three all know that the defeat of the crown's army, as well as some of the regent's army that was heading out west. Has everything to do with their own army, the Farqian mercenary army.
Who they know are in command of the campaign of the three rebellious dukes of Dalmar, Girnath and Falosen. Against the forces of the crown, as well as the regent of Oaklynn.
"If others do know what's happened out west" quietly says the mage Reinholt after a serving woman delivers them their food, and their drinks they've ordered.
"Hopefully we can find out what they're up to, in terms of retaliation" quietly adds the once powerful mage who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil.
The short, statured monk from the far eastern coastal kingdom of Wah Lee, and the elven spy from the principality of Alínlae are in agreement with the highly skilled swordmaster from the city-state of Vexil.
As Mira and Dalin start eating their breakfast, Shur Kee watches the front door of the taverna, to see who enters while they're here this morning.
As the other two eat, the acolyte in the order of Bru Li sees very few people entering the taverna. And those that do are locals from the surrounding shops.
The physical adept doesn't see anyone he recognises from either the palace, or the nearby council building.
The living incantation of the Jade Warrior Bru Li quietly mentions this to the other two.
The mage Reinholt nods his hooded head, as he too has noticed it this morning in the taverna.
Then after the member of lord Farque's personal council, and the elven officer in the armies of Farque finish their meals.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster says "Come on, there's something i want to see".
The trio exit the taverna, and walk along the side street, to the long street that goes through the center of Oaklynn.
Mira Reinholt gestures in the direction of the nearby council building, and quietly tells the other two "There first" followed by "It's closer".
The three of them walk that way, on the opposite side of the street from the regent's mansion, and the city council building that's located right next to it.
As they walk that way it starts to lightly snow upon the city of Oaklynn on this cold and cloudy winter's day here in the east of the kingdom of Girdane.
While walking through the falling snow they notice a number of people entering and exiting the city council building.
And most of those doing so, have come from, or are going to the palace of the king, which is towards the northern end of the long street.
Many are traveling by carriage or covered coach. While others are on horseback. Some are even running between the two.
"Busy, busy, busy" murmurs Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, Mira Reinholt the mage who hears this, nods his hooded head in agreement as the snow continues to fall.
Then the Vexilian mage in exile who is shielded from other spellcasters due to an amulet he wears. Starts reading the minds of some of those who are making their way into, or exiting the city council building. Either coming from, or going to the palace at the other end of the long street here in the center of the city of Oaklynn, the capital of the kingdom of Girdane.
It doesn't take long for the once powerful mage to find out something of interest.
The practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster nods for the other two to turn around, and head towards the palace that's at the other end of the long street.
As the three of them start walking back that way, councillor Reinholt quietly tells Shur Kee and Dalinvardél Tanith "They already knew alright".
And as they walk through the lightly falling snow, the exiled Vexilian mage quietly continues with "There's a full session at court this morning" followed by "Dukes from here in the east of the kingdom who were already in the city, are pledging their armies to fight against the western rebels".
The elven spy and the physical adept share a look as the mage Reinholt quietly tells them "Riders and messengers, by magical means have already been sent out to those dukes here in the east, and in the central region, not already here" he then adds in a quiet voice "To see if they'll join in the fight against the rebellious dukes".
"By the forest gods" murmurs Dalin in his native language, who continues on in common with "If it wasn't a civil war already, it definitely is now".
The swordmaster who is member of the personal council of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, and the physical adept who is an honorary member of that same council. Nod their heads in agreement with what the spy Tanith just said.
"We have to find out the numbers that are going to be involved" quietly says Mira Reinholt as they head in the direction of the palace of the king of Girdane, as the snow continues to lightly fall upon the city of Oaklynn and the surrounding countryside.
"Whatever they are, our army, and those of the three western dukes, who if they weren't already, are now going to be severely outnumbered" adds the once powerful mage who worries that this latest development, is going to put a sudden halt to the advance across the kingdom of Girdane by the rebellious dukes of Falosen, Girnath and Dalmar and the mercenary army from the lands Farque they've hired . . . . . .

A Grand Design 34.

Winter. The Capital City Oaklynn. The Kingdom Of Girdane.

The regent of Oaklynn, lord Sammis is in a meeting with members of court. When an officer in his army hurries into the meeting chamber. And makes his way to where the regent is sitting at the table.
The officer briefly whispers something to the regent of the capital city. Who after a slight pause, nods his head yes.
"Members of court" says lord Sammis the regent of Oaklynn when there's a pause in the conversation.
"If you will excuse me, there's something i have to attend to" adds the nobleman who is effectively the acting sovereign of the kingdom of Girdane.
The regent gets up, and says to the members of court here in the chamber "Carry on, i shall return as soon as i can".
Lord Sammis then follows his officer out of the chamber, while inside, the meeting amongst members of the court continues.
"Where?" asks the regent of Oaklynn as he and the officer in his army hurry down a hallway. The officer tells him where, then he says "They came right here".
Regent Sammis slightly grimaces at that, then quietly tells the officer "I hope we don't have to send more of our army out west".
The officer nods in agreement. But from the sudden appearance of those who have just returned to the palace. He thinks more of their army heading out west might be a distinct possibility.
They make their way to an antechamber near the back of the palace. A smaller chamber guarded by the regent's soldiers, and not the palace guards who can be found throughout the palace. Whose morale is low ever since the king, and others in the royal quarters were murdered.
Lord Sammis enters the antechamber, where he finds captain Kilmane pacing back and forth. While Sarmac the keeper stands at the window looking outside. And a tired and unkempt Haric the wizard sits at the table, breathing heavily with his head in his hands.
With the officer who brought the regent here, closing the door, and remaining outside.
Lord Sammis who wants to know why they've returned unexpectedly, looks at the captain, the officer in his army he trusts the most, and asks him "What's happened?".
"Just about everything" dryly says captain Kilmane who stops his pacing to look at the nobleman who is the regent of the capital city of Oaklynn.
"That's what's happened" adds the captain in the regent's army.
Regent Sammis slightly nods and doesn't say anything. He lets the captain take his time, as he knows Kilmane will divulge why he, along with Sarmac and Haric have returned to Oaklynn, when they should be still out in the west of the kingdom.
Captain Kilmane walks over to the table where the wizard Haric is sitting. The officer in the army of the regent leans against the table, and takes a deep sigh like breath.
"Where to begin?" muses captain Kilmane who then looks at the tired looking wizard in the rumpled, ruby coloured robes. Then over at the keeper Sarmac who is still looking out the window. Seemingly not paying attention to the other three in the antechamber.
"Well for starters" says the captain as he looks back at the regent who is standing in the middle of the antechamber.
"The kingdom's army has been defeated in battle against the rebels" adds the captain in the regent's army.
There's a few moments of silence as a shocked looking lord Sammis takes this in, then the regent of the capital city of Oaklynn says "What?".
Captain Kilmane nods, then says "Absolutely routed from what we could see" as the stunned looking regent looks at him, the captain adds "They're fleeing back east, with the enemy in pursuit of them".
The regent of Oaklynn is silent for a moment or two as he takes this in, then he says "How the hell was this able to happen?" he continues with "Even without our army joining them, they still outnumbered those western rebels".
Kilmane slightly shrugs, then says "From what we could find out, the general and most of his senior staff were killed either just before the battle started, or when it got underway" the captain follows that with "Either way, the army was leaderless, and they were trounced and on the retreat in just an afternoon".
"Fucking hell" mutters the regent of Oaklynn, as this defeat of the kingdom's army has, to say the least, put his plans back.
Captain Kilmane then goes onto explain "We got the waagen and went to attack the rebels, but we didn't know they were spread out all through Isanor. We came across a bunch of their supply wagons by accident" he continues with "We attacked them, then took off fairly quickly when a mounted patrol of their's found us".
The captain in the regent's army shakes his head, then says "We came back a little to the east, and attacked some more of them" he then adds "Once again another mounted company of their's found us, and almost got us before we were able to get away again through one of Haric's rifts".
The captain momentarily pauses, before he tells regent Sammis "We left the remaining waagen out west in Isanor, and told them to attack the rebels whenever they could".
"At least that's something" quietly says lord Sammis, the captain, wizard, and the keeper at the window, all nod in agreement with their lord.
Then captain Kilmane says "We headed back east into Wostin, and that's when we found the next thing".
"Oh?" says the regent of Oaklynn, the captain in his army nods, then he slightly winces because he doesn't want to say it, but he continues on with "One of our battalions we sent out west was wiped out" he quickly follows that with "And another one is missing".
The regent's jaw drops down in surprise as he looks at his captain, then the wizard, and the keeper. He looks back at captain Kilmane, who then says "We found the third battalion, the one commander Kaim went out with, they're in Summerton". A town in the duchy of Fandell.
"We told him what happened, and he's going to remain in the duchy of Fandell for now" says the captain in the regent's army.
Lord Sammis who was in shock about hearing the defeat of the kingdom's army. Is absolutely bewildered about what's happened to two of three battalions in his own army he's sent out west to help fight alongside the kingdom's army against the rebels of the duchies of Dalmar, Girnath and Falosen.
"How the hell has this happened?" asks the regent of Oaklynn who doesn't know who to look at as he tries to comprehend what's happened.
"Their army is smaller than the kingdom's one, more so if you add ours" says lord Sammis who follows that with "And they're less experienced than both ours and the kingdom's".
Captain Kilmane nods in agreement with the regent of Oaklynn, then says "You're right my lord" he continues on with "But I'm guessing that mercenary army they've hired know what the hell to do" followed by "And that they're definitely experienced".
The nobleman who as the last living member of the extended royal family, is essentially the defacto sovereign, grunts at that assessment from his army captain.
Then he does so again, when Kilmane tells him "It was only the mercenary companies in the kingdom's army that withstood the enemy and put up a fight against the rebels" the captain in the regent's army then adds "If it wasn't for them i suspect that army would've basically been wiped out in that battle".
Lord Sammis sighs, and looks over at the keeper Sarmac and can now understand why he's standing there, staring out the window.
The regent makes his way to the table, and pours himself a goblet of wine from one of the bottles on it.
He looks at the wizard Haric, who still has his head in his hands, looking down at the table as he sits there, breathing slowly and heavily.
"Will he be alright?" asks lord Sammis who nods at the wizard, who is slightly trembling.
"He should be fine with some rest" says captain Kilmane, who continues with "He exhausted himself magically, i guess that takes a lot out of a spellcaster".
The captain may not particular like the overweight and unkempt wizard. But he has to hand it to Haric, who got them out of a few dangerous situations while they were out in the west of the kingdom.
For if it wasn't for the wizard in the regent's army, they would've of got back to Oaklynn, or got out of those situations alive.
After gulping down the rest of the wine in the goblet, the regent of Oaklynn quietly says "What the hell can we do?" he pauses for a few moments then he adds "Send the rest of our army out west to fight the rebels?".
The other three are silent for a few moments, then Sarmac the keeper turns from the window he's been looking out of, and says "Maybe".
The gamekeeper who previously served on the lands of the family of his lord, then looks at captain Kilmane as he adds "The captain has got a few thoughts on the matter".
Kilmane nods, and after pouring himself a goblet of wine, and another which he places infront of Haric, and says to the wizard "Drink" followed by "It'll help".
He looks at the regent of the capital city Oaklynn, and tells him "We could do that" he briefly pauses, before continuing on with "But what we really need is for the eastern dukes, and those in the central region to get involved".
The captain in the regent's army then says "The duke of Poldis just let the rebels pass through his duchy".
"Western sympathiser" mutters lord Sammis in disgust.
"And the duke of Isanor wisely got his forces out of the way of things" says captain Kilmane who then adds "He would of been crushed between those two armies".
The regent of Oaklynn grunts and concedes that point from the captain, who then says "But we caught sight of some of the duke of Wostin's men" he follows that with "They looked ready to fight, but they won't because they'll be badly outnumbered once the kingdom's force retreat back through there, and into Fandell".
The captain in the regent's army says "If the eastern dukes were to combine with those in the center of the kingdom like the dukes of Wostin and Fandell. I'm sure the western rebels won't be able to get to the eastern duchies, and that we'll be able to defeat them".
Lord Sammis nods to that, then he says "You know what that'll mean don't you?" the nobleman who has devised a plan that's taken him years to bring about, which will see him on the throne, adds "It will be a full on civil war we've got on our hands".
"That's what you've got anyway" says a tired sounding Haric the wizard as he speaks up for the first time "Might as well make it official" adds the spellcaster, who with trembling hands, picks up the goblet of wine captain Kilmane put infront of him. And surprisingly without spilling a drop, the rumpled looking wizard in the ruby coloured robes drinks from it.
"If we don't" says captain Kilmane, who looks at his lord, and tells him "You can kiss goodbye to those years of plans of yours" followed by "And any chance of seeing yourself on the throne as king".
From anyone else, lord Sammis would take umbrage at someone speaking to him like that. But since it's from his most trusted officer in his army. He's not upset at all. Infact, he can see the truth in what his captain just said.
"Yes" says the regent of Oaklynn, who then adds "We have to get the eastern and central duchies involved" he follows that with "A few of the dukes here in the east want to get involved anyway" lord Sammis continues with "With this defeat of the kingdom's army, I'm guessing they'll want to be involved even more so".
Captain Kilmane nods, then says "The sooner the better, if we want to stop the rebels somewhere in the center of the kingdom" he continues with "They'll soon know about the defeat, there's no way we could keep that secret" followed by "Someone will arrive in the capital in the next day or two with information about what's happened out west".
"They're all here at court, i was meeting with some of them when i got the message that you were here" says the regent of the capital city of the kingdom of Girdane, who continues on with "It shouldn't be too difficult to persuade them into fighting against the western rebels".
They quickly go over what they can do, then lord Sammis asks the officer in his army he trusts the most "Those waagen won't prove to be loose ends will they?".
Captain Kilmane shakes his head no, then says "I'm guessing they'll eventually all be killed as they continue to randomly attack the rebels".
"They didn't ask about the ones we brought here to the capital did they?" asks the regent of Oaklynn.
Once again the captain shakes his head no, then he says "It's why we had them in separate groups" he follows that with "So they didn't know what the other groups were up to".
Next to the window, the keeper Sarmac nods, as he devised that. So the groups of waagen didn't interact or work together. As they've created havoc whenever they've gone across the west of the kingdom.
"Good" murmurs lord Sammis who doesn't want anything to come back to him in relation to the death of his cousin, king Jarnard the Second of his name, and others here in the palace.
The regent of Oaklynn then tells the trio who have unexpectedly returned to the capital "I need to gather the other dukes here at court" followed by "And get them to agree to fight those rebels from out west".
Captain Kilmane nods to that, then he says "Even if they don't all agree, there should still be plenty enough to join the survivors from the kingdom's army, and defeat the western rebels". Lord Sammis grunts in agreement, then says "I'll be off to do that". Then looking at three who are part of his army, he asks them "What will you lot do?".
"Get some sleep for the rest of the day" replies captain Kilmane, who like Sarmac and Haric, hasn't had any rest over the last couple of the days, as they've constantly been on the go.
"We'll be up to whatever you want us to do tomorrow morning" adds the captain in the regent's army, both the keeper and the wizard nod in agreement with him.
"Very well" says the regent of Oaklynn, who heads to the door, and before he opens it, looks back at the trio who went out west, and says to them "I'll see you in the morning".
Lord Sammis exits the antechamber, and with the officer who brought him the message that Kilmane, Sarmac and Haric had returned.
They head back to the meeting chamber here in the palace, where members of the court are.
As they do, the regent of Oaklynn tells the officer to send out messengers to those dukes in the city, and not in the palace to attend court.
And to send out riders to all the duchies here in the east of the kingdom, and to the duchies in the center of Girdane. And have those dukes not already in Oaklynn, to quickly come to the capital.
The kingdom's army might of been defeated. And one of his battalions in his own army has been wiped out, and another one is missing.
But that's not going to stop lord Sammis continuing on with his plans that he's worked on for years, that will see him take the throne, and be the king of Girdane.
No one is going to stop me, the regent of Oaklynn thinks to himself as he makes his way through the hallways here in the palace of the king.
I will be the king of Girdane, and that's that, silently adds lord Sammis, who after he's finished with things here in the palace later today, or this evening.
Intends to return to his mansion further down the long street here in the center of Oaklynn.
There he intends to take his wife, the lady Mera by force again. For she never willing comes to there bed these days.
The regent of Oaklynn hopes to get her pregnant, so in the future he can have a son that will follow him onto the throne, and be the king.
Even with the recent setbacks, lord Sammis can't help but slightly smile as he makes his way through the palace, that he hopes in the near future, will be his, when he's the king of Girdane . . . . . .