The Thick Of It 12.

Winter.

Adjunctant Morris looks at the trio of condemned men, and slightly winces as he recognises one of them.
"Sarreb sir" quietly says Morris the adjunctant.
"I see him" quietly says commander Tracklen, who follows that with "He decided to join the otherside, this is what you get for doing so".
Next to the army commander, his adjunctant nods his head in agreement as they look across the square at the gallows.
The trio of condemned were brought in this morning by the foreign mercenary group led by lord Farque.
The three were taken from the eastern town of Holstein, which lies far behind the enemy lines.
The sergeant at arms overseeing the execution, looks across the square to where the commander, his adjunctant and assorted others are watching proceedings.
Commander Tracklen, though a young man, in his early thirties. Is the senior most officer in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum.
The army commander gives a nod for the sergeant at arms to get underway.
"By authority of the ruling council!" calls out the sergeant at arms from the raised platform that is the gallows.
"You three have been condemned to death for being part of the insurrection against the ruling council" continues the sergeant who then adds "May the gods have mercy on you".
He then nods, and the soldiers standing behind the condemned, kick out the three low stools the trio of enemy officers are standing upon.
The gathered crowd in the square cheer, well most of them do. As others are more pragmatic as they watch the trio hang there up on the gallows.
Commander Tracklen watches as Sarreb, the only one not to die instantly with a broken neck.
Kicks for the last time as he's strangled to death.
Then the army commander quietly says to his adjunctant and the others with him "Come on" followed by "Let's head back".
They turn, and leave the square and the gathered crowd, and head back to the council building, which isn't all that far away.
"Can you believe it sir?" quietly asks Morris the adjunctant as he walks alongside his commanding officer.
"About Sarreb?" asks Tracklen, who earned his position the hard way. As he came up through the ranks after joining the army as a young teen, where he started as a runner.
"No, the other thing" quietly says his adjunctant, who unlike his commander. Comes from one of the more wealthy and influential families in the city of Kuradum.
Joining the army is something his parents were explicitly against. And to this day, they're still annoyed at his decision to join.
Commander Tracklen slightly winces at what his adjunctant is referring to.
It seems councilman Hirrye, the so called duke of Kuradum. The man who leads the opposition to the ruling council. Isn't actually in the city-state at this time. He's somewhere else. Where exactly, no one is sure.
What they do know. Thanks to information gathered by the mercenary group led by lord Farque in the eastern town of Holmsted.
Which the enemy has been using as a supply and distribution depot.
Is that councilman Hirrye is beyond the borders of Kuradum. Buying up supplies, and more importantly mercenaries for his war against the ruling council.
"Trust him to be elsewhere" says commander Tracklen, who follows that with "No wonder we've had no sighting of him for over a month".
"And why even with the addition of lord Farque's mercenary army, our numbers are still less than their's" quietly says the junior of the two officers in the army that's loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum.
Commander Tracklen grunts in agreement with his adjunctant as they round a corner, and make their way onto the wide street, basically a boulevard, where the council building is located.
"We're making a serious dent in that now" quietly says the army commander.
His adjunctant nods in agreement. For since yesterday morning, the enemy have suffered a number of defeats behind their own lines.
Where the mercenary army from the lands Farque, sometimes with elements of the army still loyal to the ruling council.
Have attacked towns where councilman Hirrye's forces are located.
Lord Farque who has taken over the strategy for the ruling council's war against the usurper Hirrye.
Has concentrated the first phase of his plan behind enemy lines. And isn't really bothering about the frontlines of the conflict.
Which have bogged down due to it being winter. Where troop movement is difficult, especially when it snows and some of the roads become impassable.
"Them losing those towns in the east will make a difference" quietly says commander Tracklen, who continues with "And soon too".
The army commander as they enter the grounds of the city council building, then says "Word will get to Hirrye of the continuing losses, and i expect him to get back to Kuradum as quickly as he can".
"Let's hope so" says the adjunctant Morris as they enter the main building of the council of the city-state of Kuradum.
Looking up from one of the maps on the table, councilman Sammis asks "How was it?" when commander Tracklen and the others enter the room.
"Went as well as expected" replies the army commander, who follows that with "The crowd watching approved of it".
"As expected" says another of the councilors gathered around the table, who have been waiting for word of the public execution.
The senior most officer in the army still loyal to the ruling council is just about to say something.
When councilman Sammis gets in first with "He wants to see you" followed by a nod to a side door to a chamber off the larger room.
Tracklen nods, and along with his adjunctant make their way to the side chamber.
While the others who went to the execution with them, remain in the larger room where the council hold their meetings.
Entering the side chamber, commander Tracklen and adjunctant Morris find lord Farque and the group who are usually with him.
They're either standing around, or lounging on bench couches. With the exception of the ork, who is sitting beneath an open window, enjoying the cold air blowing in from outside.
"Take a seat" says lord Farque to the local army officers, as he gestures at an empty bench couch.
The undead warlord who is standing at the table in the center of the chamber.
Makes his way to the bench couch where Helbe the elven thief is sitting. It's opposite the one where the local army commander and his adjunctant sit, just six feet apart.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord after sitting, glances at the elven masterthief beside him, and slightly nods his full helmed head.
Looking at the two officers in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, Helbe the elven thief asks them "How well do you two know Nahor?" followed by "He's an assistant to councilman Kolmar".
While commander Tracklen slightly frowns as he tries to recall the individual mentioned.
The adjunctant Morris says "I know who you speak of" followed by "Not well, but i know of him".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is the envoy and chief negotiator for the armies of Farque, nods his hooded head.
Then the highly talented elven magic user says "Seems Nahor is a spy for the enemy".
The adjunctant Morris quickly looks at the closed door to the larger room, and says "He's in there with Kolmar and the other councilors".
"We know" says the elven master assassin who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
"Where we want him to be" adds the elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Commander Tracklen, whose first instinct was to grab his sword, go into the next room, and strike down Nahor, one of the assistants to councilman Kolmar.
Nods his head in understanding, then he quietly asks "Why tell us?".
"Because you two can be trusted" says lord Farque.
"Even with, where some in your family's sympathies lie" adds Helbe the elven thief who nods at the adjunctant to the army commander.
Morris winces when he hears that, though he's not in the least bit surprised.
"Who?" asks the adjunctant Morris fearing the worst.
"Don't worry, it's not your parents" says the elf who is the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, Prince Raendril.
"They're pretty ambivalent to the war, and couldn't care less who wins" states the elven envoy.
The adjunctant Morris sourly smiles, then sourly says "Figures".
"Most of the rest of your family, both close and extended have similar feelings" says the elven princeling from Laerel.
Once again the adjunctant isn't all that surprised at hearing that.
"While two in your family can't be trusted" says the elven master assassin, who follows that with "More than their sympathies lie with councilman Hirrye's cause".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril briefly pauses before he adds "They fully back him and support him".
The elven magic user then tells the adjunctant who he's referring to.
Morris grimaces when he hears who the two family members who fully support the so called duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye are.
The adjunctant slightly nods, when next to him, his commander murmurs "Sorry Morris".
He nods again, when the elf in the hooded cloak sitting opposite to him, says "Best to leave them alone" followed by "We certainly will".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then says "We've got more important things to worry about".
"Such as?" asks the commander of the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum.
"Like that traitor in there" says the elven master assassin with a nod of his hooded head to the large room, the chamber they're in, is connected to.
"Nahor" adds the highly talented elven practitioner of magic, who briefly pauses before he continues with "This is what we'll  do".
The army commander and his adjunctant are silent as the elven envoy explains to them what they'll do about the traitor Nahor.
Then Tracklen and Morris get up when lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief do, and make their way to the table.
It's a map table, and the army commander nods when the elf in the white hooded cloak gives them more of an explanation as to what they'll be doing about Nahor.
"I take it this isn't at all as it seems?" asks commander Tracklen.
"Correct" says lord Farque who until now has been fairly quiet.
"It's to draw a number of others out" continues the undead warlord, who then adds "And for them to lead us to others, in particular, councilman Hirrye".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord points at one of the maps, then says "We will attack some of those towns, but not all of them" followed by "Nahor won't know this, nor those he informs".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque gestures to the larger room next door, then says "Best you inform the council that i intend to attack those six towns under the enemy's control over the next two days".
Both commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris nod in understanding.
They do so again, when Helbe the elven thief tells them "Ignore Nahor, don't watch for a reaction from him" followed by "We don't want him to suspect anything"
"We understand" says the local army commander, next to him, his adjunctant nods his head in agreement.
"Very well, get to it" says the undead being, who has the name of Draugadrottin that the people of his lands also know him by.
Commander Tracklen and adjunctant Morris, turn and make their way to the door to the larger room.
They make their way from the chamber into the larger room, where the army commander informs councilman Sammis and the rest of the ruling council what lord Farque intends to do against the enemy over the next couple of days.
Against one of the walls in the large room, are a number of benches. Where army officers, runners, pages, as well as assistants to each of the councilors are sitting.
One of the assistants to a certain councilman Kolmar, is paying particular attention to what commander Tracklen is telling the ruling council.
Making sure to remember every single thing the army commander has to say about the intended plans against the forces of councilman Hirrye over the next couple of days . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 11.

Winter.

"Of course i had to be near one of the one's fucking Mira blew up" Lisell Maera the scout mutters to herself.
The attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury. Rolls out from beneath the broken bits of planks she's beneath.
The scout in the armies of Farque looks around, and grimaces at what she sees.
The warehouse that she was standing opposite is no longer standing. It's just a pile of broken wood and debris.
The one to it's immediately left. The warehouse that first exploded. Is no longer there. It's just a crater in the ground.
Lisell Maera sourly smiles as she sees the next warehouse along to the right, is on fire.
And knows that one of the other spellcasters in the group has done that.
Because the mage Reinholt, even though he's no longer as powerful as he was more than fifteen years ago.
He still would of blown that warehouse to pieces if given the chance.
The scout Maera sees the other three warehouses here on the western outskirts of Holmsted are on fire as well.
She goes to get up off the ground, when someone grabs her by the left arm, and lifts her to her feet.
"Sorry" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy as he draws the Farqian army scout away.
"Should of warned you that Mira would of attacked the ones at this end" continues the elf who is a battalion commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group, just grunts in reply to that.
As the two of them hurry around to the side of a building, the front of which has been peppered by flying debris.
While frightened people in nearby houses and other buildings, look outside to see what's happened along the western outskirts of Holmsted.
Keeping close to the side of the building, Lisell Maera and Dalinvardèl Tanith watch what's happening across the street.
Seeing the survivors of the attack upon the half a dozen warehouses. Looking around, trying to figure out who it is that's attacking them.
"We don't have to worry about spellcasters do we?" quietly asks Lis in the elven language.
"His highness took care of them" is the quiet reply of the scout Tanith in the same language.
Then the spy, who is originally from the principality of Alínlae, where he served in one of the more prominent noble houses in that elven nation.
Nods his grey hooded head towards one of the warehouses that's on fire.
The attractive young woman from the coastal city of Brattonbury spots an enemy officer yelling orders, getting survivors and others to form a bucket line to a nearby well.
One moment that officer is pointing and shouting instructions. The next moment he disappears.
"Someone got him" murmurs Lisell Maera the scout, next to her Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more often than not called by the rest of the group, nods in agreement with the scout.
"No you can't" says lord Farque, who then adds "So leave him the fuck alone".
Dorc da Orc who has just asked if he could eat him. Grunts in disappointment as he looks down at the enemy officer who lies unconscious on the ground.
An officer in the forces of councilman Hirrye, who just a moment or two ago, was out on the nearby street, yelling orders.
When he suddenly disappeared from infront of one of the burning warehouses.
"How are you at reading minds?" asks lord Farque with a glance at Beldane the cleric who captured the enemy officer.
"Not my strong suit" says Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "Though I'm more than adequate".
"Read his" says the undead warlord who points at the unconscious enemy officer lying on the ground between them.
"Find out as much as you can" adds the large, heavily armoured deathlord who follows that with "Especially anything to do with troop movements and supply lines".
"Yes my lord" replies the powerful spellcaster who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
Then without looking back, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says "Stay" followed by "You too".
Dorc da Orc who was just thinking about heading out from between the two buildings, where they are, scowls.
As does his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who was thinking the exact same thing as he leans up against the building on the right.
As they continue to look across the street to the warehouses, well those that are still standing, that are on fire.
"There's one" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit who points between two of the burning warehouses.
"There amongst the smoke" adds the halfling who hails from the Sultanate of Dreese, which lies upon the far east coast of the continent.
"I think i see him" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who glances to his right, and asks "Do you?".
"I think so" says Saanea the witch who set the two northern most warehouses on fire, here on the western outskirts of town.
The short, pretty looking spellcaster from the Maldin Hills, briefly closes her eyes.
Then when she opens them after looking through the eyes of her familiar which is circling above the destruction wrought this morning.
She quietly says "Got him" followed by "He's going to come this way".
Both Tamric Drubine, who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque. And Jarjin Littlefoot who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Nod as they see some of the survivors of the attack upon the warehouses come staggering out of the smoke.
One of them, an officer in the army of the so called duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
Continues staggering across the street, coughing and sputtering. Heading in this direction. Where the three of them are standing to the side of one of the last houses on this side of Holmsted.
A town well behind enemy lines in the city-state. A good forty miles from the frontlines in the war between councilman Hirrye's forces, and those still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, led by councilman Sammis.
The enemy officer waves off the attention of some of the locals who have come outside to see what's happened this morning.
Then he makes his way around to the side of the house where Jarjin Littlefoot, Tamric Drubine and Saanea the witch are watching things.
He blinks a few times in confusion, then he's promptly faints, falling to the ground infront of the young field commander in the armies of Farque.
"You get to carry him" quietly says the halfling who is former air sailor, having served in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
"Thanks" sourly says Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Then the young noble who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, asks his lover the spellcaster from the Maldin Hills "You want to read his mind before we take him away?".
Saanea the witch nods her head that she will as they continue to watch the remaining warehouses, here on the western outskirts of Holmsted, burn.
On this cold winter's morning, in this part of the east of the city-state of Kuradum.
A little while later in the morning, in the empty two storey building they appeared in just after dawn.
Zam the ex mercenary enters the large room, and nods when Mira Reinholt the mage who he was following, tells him "Over with those two".
The teenager from here in the city-state of Kuradum walks over to where a pair of enemy officers are lying on the floor unconscious.
And with the help of Tovis the war engineer who is following him. Zam puts the unconscious enemy officer he's carrying over his right shoulder. Down on the floor next to the other two.
"You get to keep an eye on them" says Tovis the war engineer to the ex mercenary.
"Holler out if any of them wakes" adds the young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, who is now a captain in the armies of Farque.
As Tovis wanders away to where the others are, leaving Zam over on this side of the large room.
The newest member of the group, having only joined during the autumn.
Glances away to the left, to the nearest corner. Where Dorc da Orc is squatting.
At first the teenager from the city of Kuradum thinks the large ork is taking a crap.
As Zam has seen him in that position before, doing exactly that. Something he doesn't particularity want to see again. Or to be exact, smell again.
But no, the ork warleader isn't taking a dump, much to the relief of the ex mercenary.
What the big, burly ork is doing. Is looking this way, at the trio of enemy officers, drooling as he does so.
Zam slightly grimaces and hopes to hell the ork general in the armies of Farque doesn't take it in his head, to come over here and start munching on one of the enemy officers.
As there's no way in hell that he'll be able to stop the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
The ex mercenary looks around for the ork weaponsmith's shadow. And he finds him in the opposite corner of the large room from general Dorc.
And though sir Percavelle Lé Dic is near where the others have gathered and are discussing things.
The nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic is paying them no attention.
The large, heavily armoured knight is looking this way, eyes on his bitter rival, Dorc da Orc.
Zam feeling uncomfortable, clears his throat, and looks to where the rest of the group are talking about things. Hoping they don't take too much longer with their discussion.
The ex mercenary, who can see through the open windows, smoke in the distance from the remnants of the burnt out buildings on the western outskirts of town.
Sees that the rest of the group are here, with the exception of Helbe the elven thief.
Zam isn't at all surprised at that. As he's learnt since joining the group in the autumn.
That the nobleborn elf from the island principality of Laerel, who is a member of the royal family that rules that elven nation.
Tends to go off on his own, doing something or another on behest for lord Farque.
Zam the ex mercenary is just wondering where the elven masterthief is.
When the elven magic user suddenly appears in the middle of the room.
"You're not going to believe this" says Helbe the elven thief, who then says something in the elven language. Or what Zam assumes is elven, but it isn't.
For lord Farque responds in the same language, and the elven master assassin tells him something.
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then looks across the room in this direction.
"Bring them!" calls out lord Farque, who then adds something in the ork language as Dorc da Orc suddenly gets up and heads this way.
Zam picks up the enemy officer he brought in. And quickly steps out of the way, as the ork warleader picks up the other two unconscious enemy officers.
The ex mercenary, followed by the ork general, make their way across the large room to see what's happening.
When they do find out, Zam's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and wonders what they'll do next.
He along with the rest of the group, listen to what lord Farque has to say, before they depart the town of Holmsted by way of a gateway cast by Beldane the cleric.
On what's a cold winter's morning here in this part of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 10.

Winter.

Zam the ex mercenary is woken up early, and told to make himself ready.
The young man who hails from here in the city of Kuradum. Yawns as he makes his way out of the inn's common room.
With his breakfast barely settling in his stomach, he steps out into the back courtyard of the inn.
And makes his way over to where some of the others are waiting in the predawn gloom this winter's morning.
Zam, who finds himself standing next to Tovis the war engineer and Lisell Maera the scout.
Winces as the boisterous sir Percavelle Lé Dic steps out into the back courtyard, and in his overly loud way, says "Good morning!" to those already out here.
"Why's he always like that" murmurs Zam the ex mercenary, who wasn't intending for that to be heard by anyone else.
But the war engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, and the scout originally from the city-state of Brattonbury heard him.
"I'd like to say you grow accustomed to it" quietly says Lisell Maera the scout, who then dryly adds "But you don't".
"Just try to ignore him" quietly says Tovis the war engineer, who continues with "That helps".
The captain in the engineering corp of the armies of Farque briefly pauses, before adding "Kind of".
Beside the war engineer, the scout Maera sourly smiles, but she does nod in agreement with the captain in the armies of Farque.
While away to their right, the overly loud sir Percavelle Lé Dic, is trying to strike up a conversation with Beldane the cleric.
Who is doing his best to ignore the large, heavily armoured knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic.
While Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy has discreetly moved away without sir Percavelle noticing.
Zam, who is just glad the nobleborn knight isn't trying to talk to him. And is also glad that they're staying in one of the city's inns.
And not the army garrison in the center of the city near the council building.
Looks to the back of the inn, as the rest of the group joins those who are already out here in the back courtyard, on what feels like it's going to be another cold winter's day here in the city of Kuradum.
Tamric Drubine the field commander makes his way outside alongside Saanea the witch.
They're followed by Mira Reinholt the mage, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit and Helbe the elven thief.
Last into the back courtyard is lord Farque, who is followed by Dorc da Orc. Who has to duck down to exit the inn.
"Percy, shut it" says lord Farque in the common language, which causes the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, to stop talking in his loud voice.
Much to the pleasure of Dorc da Orc who chuckles, and continues to do so when his bitter rival, the former earl of Lé Dic glares at him.
The large ork stops chuckling, and scowls when the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says something to him in orkish.
Then the undead warlord, nods for Beldane the cleric to join him and Helbe the elven thief, over in a corner of the back courtyard.
A short while later, after the three of them look at a map, Beldane the cleric starts casting.
Then as the gloom of predawn starts giving way to the first light of the winter's morning.
A gateway forms, and one by one, with Helbe the elven thief leading the way.
The group heads through the gateway cast by the powerful cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
A gateway that takes them from the city, to somewhere else in the city-state of Kuradum.
Looking out of a window, Zam the ex mercenary slightly frowns, then murmurs "Seems familiar".
Then he nods his head, when from behind him, Mira Reinholt the mage quietly says "The town of Holmsted".
Zam has been here a couple of times before. Once when he was leaving Kuradum. And he stopped off here in Holmsted. One of the larger towns to be found in the east of the city-state state.
The second time was just a couple of weeks ago. Before the group joined what's essentially a civil war here in Kuradum.
When they were crisscrossing the city-state so that Beldane the cleric could get his bearings, so to speak.
So the powerful spellcaster could learn various locations he could send them to through a gateway.
As a cleric, or any practitioner of magic for that matter. Has to know where they're going with their gateway, rift or portal.
Zam looks outside again, and watches the town, where the day is just getting started.
He watches, and recalls that Holmsted is behind enemy lines. A town under the control of the so called duke of Kuradum, councilman Hirrye.
"Things look fairly normal" quietly says the ex mercenary who hails from the city of Kuradum.
"That's because they are" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who stands alongside Zam and looks out the window.
The ex mercenary is just wondering why they've come here, when the once powerful mage quietly tells him "Those supply wagons we hit were bound for here".
The mage who hails from the city-state of Vexil, and is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, continues with "That Hirrye is using this place as a major depot in the east of the city-state".
Zam nods in understanding when the mage Reinholt quietly tells him "We're going to change that".
They head out of the room, and join the rest of the group, with the exception of Helbe the elven thief, who has already gone off on his own.
Standing in the second storey corridor of the empty building, lord Farque quietly says "We're mercs looking to join up if anyone asks us any questions".
Then looking first at sir Percavelle Lé Dic, then secondly at Dorc da Orc, the undead warlord tells them "You two keep quiet".
The large, heavily armoured knight goes to protest, but he falls silent when the lord of the death realm looks straight at him.
Zam the ex mercenary, who is pretty sure he saw a flash of blue light within the eye slot of lord Farque's visor. Suddenly feels cold here in the corridor.
The young man from the city of Kuradum slightly winces when Dorc da Orc gruffly says something in his native language.
And the large, heavily armoured deathlord snaps back at him in the same language.
Which causes the warleader of the ork race, who is a general in the armies of Farque. To wince, then scowl in disapproval.
Though he, like his bitter rival. The nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, keeps quiet, and doesn't say a word.
As the group head off, making their way downstairs, then outside onto the streets of Holmsted.
On this cold winters morning, here in the east of the city-state.
And unlike in the city of Kuradum, here in the eastern town of Holmsted. There's snow on the ground, after a fall during the night.
"Head around to the left" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage who is right behind the young man who is the most recent member of the group.
They've split up, and Zam finds himself with the Vexilian mage in exile, Tovis the war engineer, and Shur Kee the monk.
Who in the opinion of the ex mercenary, is the most enigmatic, and mysterious member of the group. Not to mention the quietest of the group.
Zam who finds himself leading the way, not really knowing where they're going.
Nods when councilor Reinholt moves up beside him, and quietly says "See those buildings in the distance?".
The ex mercenary, who is the youngest in the group, he's still a teenager at just seventeen.
Spots the warehouses on the western outskirts of Holmsted.
"That's where they keep their supplies when they come into town" quietly says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"From there, their quartermasters distribute it amongst their forces here in the east".
As they near the buildings in question, the streets get busier. Even though it's just after dawn.
Mira Reinholt gestures towards a nearby tavern after he looks around, and he quietly says to the other three "Around the back".
The spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers a number of years ago. When he went offworld through a rift/void that he accidentally cast.
Leads the ex mercenary, the war engineer, and short statured monk around to the back of the tavern.
There they find Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy standing next to a small stable.
"You can see them from that corner of the stables" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy in the common language.
For the benefit of the ex mercenary Zam, who is just learning elven. And Shur Kee the monk who doesn't speak the elven language at all.
Nodding his black hooded head, the mage Reinholt quietly says "I don't need to see it" followed by "I can hit them no matter what".
The spy Tanith, who is a battalion commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque nods, then quietly says "You've got the first one to the south councilor" followed by "Then the next one up, and so on".
The practitioner of magic, who is in exile from his homeland, the city-state of Vexil, nods his hooded head.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more often than not, called by the others in the group, quietly says "Wait for the signal" followed in a dry tone with "His highness is in there, doing whatever it is he's doing".
Then switching to his native language, the spy Tanith says to Tovis the war engineer "Keep the newbie safe if any of them come your way".
"I will" says Tovis the war engineer in the same language in reply to the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
Then Dalin nods to the two councilors, the mage Reinholt, and the monk Kee, who is an honorary member of the personal council to lord Farque.
The battalion commander in the armies of Farque heads off, making his way to the street around to the front of the tavern.
While the four of them stand at the corner of the stables, and look around the corner to the west.
And between a pair of houses, they get a good view of the nearby warehouses on the western outskirts of town.
As Mira Reinholt watches the warehouses, then occasionally looks up into the dawn sky on this cold winters morning.
Zam the ex mercenary after watching enemy soldiers loading up a couple of wagons infront of one of the warehouses, then head off.
Quietly says to Tovis the war engineer who is standing to his right "They don't seem very" he pauses and adds "Ah" as he thinks of what to say.
"Alert?" asks the young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic.
"On guard?" continues the captain in the armies of Farque.
"Yeah" says the young man who only joined the group in the autumn.
"Probably because we're a good forty miles behind the frontlines" quietly says Tovis, who previously served in the army of the baron Harkonin, in eastern Druvic.
"Armies tend to get less cautious the further back from the action they are" adds the war engineer.
Behind the ex mercenary and the captain in the Farqian armies. Shur Kee the monk nods in agreement with what the war engineer just said.
"All the better for us to do what we're doing" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage as he continues to alternate looking at the nearby warehouses, and the early morning sky directly above them.
Then the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster.
Looks up, and spots a bird above them. It's a crow, and it comes down low, and circles above them and the stable they're standing next to a couple of times, before it heads off.
"Here we go" quietly says the once powerful mage who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
"Keep an eye out for any of them who might flee this way" continues the mage Reinholt who then adds "Try and capture any officers who might come this way".
Zam the ex mercenary nods, then he sees a small red ball of light, about the size of an apple, appear in the right gloved hand of councilor Reinholt.
Who then flings it away in a nonchalant manner in the direction of the nearby warehouses.
Zam watches it shoot between the two houses, then turn to the left, and fly towards the first of warehouses, the southern most one, here on the western outskirts of the town of Holmsted.
The ex mercenary from the city of Kuradum sees the red ball of light adjust in flight again, so that it's now heading straight towards the large front doors of the warehouse that's just been opened.
And after the small ball of red light goes shooting over the heads of a few enemy soldiers loitering around the open front doors, and enter the warehouse where it goes out of view.
Next to Zam, the ex mercenary hears Mira Reinholt the mage quietly say "Boom" . . . . . .

TYOFT.

Author's Note.

Test Post.

CJM.

The Thick Of It 9.

Winter.

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

The Thick Of It 8.

Winter.

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

The Thick Of It 7.

Winter.

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