The Thick Of It 15.

Winter.

Lisell Maera the scout looks up and watches the falling snow for a few moments.
Two of the moons of Volunell are up at the moment, giving off a bit of moonlight to see by on this cold winters night, here in the south of the city-state of Kuradum.
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Then goes back to watching the enemy, and their camp they have less than two hundred yards from her position.
It's the frontlines of councilman Hirrye's army. Well, the southern end of it at least.
And in the distance, just over three, quarters of a mile away to the west. Lies the frontlines of the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, in this part of the city-state.
The attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury.
Who is now in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Sourly smiles, then rolls her eyes as she hears someone approaching from behind.
Lis does so again, when she hears someone else. Who like the first, she immediately recognises.
The scout Maera slightly sighs in relief when she hears lord Farque mutter "Would you two be a bit more fucking quiet" followed by "If not, I'll make you fucking quiet forever".
The attractive young woman who grew up in the poorer districts of the city of Brattonbury.
Hears a grunt from Dorc da Orc, and a quiet clearing of the throat from sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
The two of them are definitely more quiet as they along with lord Farque approach the position where Lisell Maera waits.
"They'll be coming around shortly" quietly says the undead warlord in the elven language when he crouches down next to where the scout is kneeling next to a tree.
Lis looks away to the left at the road that comes around the woods from the south.
And she slightly nods when she hears in the distance, someone on the road.
They wait as it continues to snow in the night, then coming into view are a column of soldiers and mercenaries, on their way to the nearby enemy camp this cold, winter's night in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
"Go" quietly says the large, heavily armoured deathlord in the elven language.
Then as the two of them get up, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque quietly says in the common language "You two, let's go".
Lisell Maera and lord Farque walk out from the trees, they're followed by Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
Further along, others in the group, walk out from the trees.
They too, head towards the road that the column of soldiers and mercenaries are on.
At the front of the column, commander Tracklen along with his adjunctant Morris.
Ignore those they spot away to the right, walk from the woods, and head towards the road.
Where they join the back of the column, where the mercenaries are.
The commander in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, shares a look with his adjunctant.
"It's going to work" quietly says commander Tracklen of the loyalist army.
"I sure hope it does sir" is the quiet reply in an unconvincing tone of voice from the adjunctant Morris.
The two of them share a look again as they walk at the front of the column through the falling snow towards the camp that's on either side of the road they're on.
When commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris were told of the plan earlier.
They both thought it was completely nuts, and not worth doing. And if Tracklen was still in overall command of the loyalist's campaign.
He'd never give the go ahead for such a plan as the one they're doing this night.
Though as they get closer and closer to the camp, here at the very southern end of the battlelines of the forces of councilman Hirrye.
The local army commander and his adjunctant are thinking that there might be a true bit of genius in what they're attempting.
The senior most officer in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, slightly nods when a disembodied voice to the right of him, quietly says "Nothing to worry about" followed by "They'll think you are, who they're expecting".
With a glance at his adjunctant Morris walking beside him, commander Tracklen quietly says "Here we go then".
The junior of the two loyalist officers just nods his head as they approach the sentry guards that are waiting for them on the road.
The army commander, not a religious man at all. Gives a silent prayer to the gods that this works.
Then he gives the order to slow, then halt to the column of soldiers and mercenaries following.
"We were expecting you lot yesterday" says a bored sounding soldier on guard duty on the road.
"Not in the middle of the bloody night" adds the soldier, who definitely sounds like he'd rather be inside his squads tent, and not on guard duty, this cold winters night in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
"We got stuck in the damn snow away to the south" says commander Tracklen in a conversational tone of voice.
"The wagons got stuck on that damn useless road so many times we left them to catch up" adds the commander in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum.
"They should be here in the morning is my guess" continues commander Tracklen, who grunts as his adjunctant Morris sourly says "Maybe".
The soldier on guard duty grunts in sympathy, then he nods and gives the responding word in reply to commander Tracklen saying "Oh" followed by the code phrase to signify they're the relief column to join the usurpers army, at the southern end of the frontlines.
"An area has been cleared out for you lot to set up" says the soldier on guard duty this night.
Who calls over another sentry, and tells him "Show them where they're to set up their tents".
"Thanks" says commander Tracklen, who gives a lazy salute back to the enemy soldier who did all the talking.
Who salutes him, before hurrying off the road, to a nearby burning brazier that a couple of other guards are standing around, trying to keep warm on this cold winters night in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
Commander Tracklen gives the order to the column behind him to resume. And with the sentry guard leading the way. The army commander and his adjunctant, along with two hundred soldiers in the loyalist army. As well as a similar number from the third army of Farque, who are posing as mercenaries.
Enter the camp of councilman Hirrye's forces at the southern end of their lines.
With the snow still falling, commander Tracklen after yawning says "Sure was".
In response to the sentry leading the way, saying "Must of been rough going in this weather".
As he engages in a little bit of small talk with the enemy sentry guard. The commander of the army loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum, wonders how things are faring further back in the column following behind him.
Lisell Maera the scout slightly winces as infront of her, she sees lord Farque grab the left arm of Dorc da Orc, and quietly say to him "Don't cunt".
Followed by something in the guttural, and incomprehensible language of the ork race.
As the large ork who was growling, was about to move out of the column and attack one of the sentry guards they just went by. Who pointed at the ork warleader, and asked if he was a troll.
Lis winces again as she sees the undead warlord squeeze the left arm of the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
Who hisses in pain, before muttering something in his native language. It's only then that the large, heavily armoured deathlord let's go of the ork general's arm.
The scout Maera shares a look with Tovis the war engineer who is walking beside her. Who also saw what was happening right infront of them.
The young engineer who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, and is now a captain in the armies of Farque.
Wryly smiles, and just shakes his head as they and rest of the column make their way along the road through the enemy camp.
On this cold winters night in this part of the city-state of Kuradum.
Back at the front of the column, as the adjunctant Morris is talking to the enemy sentry guard, who is leading the way along the road.
And asking him how things have been of late at this end of the frontlines of the war between the two factions fighting over who is to rule the city-state of Kuradum.
Commander Tracklen is just wondering when things are going to kick off.
As he knows when it does, it'll come from further back in the column following him.
The commander of the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum doesn't have to wait too much longer.
For as the sentry guard points up ahead, away to the right. Where there's open ground for them to pitch their tents.
Commander Tracklen hears it from further back in the column. It's easily identifiable, because it's a loud roar that shatters the relative quiet of this cold, snowy winters night in this part of Kuradum.
After hearing lord Farque murmur in the ork language "Now cunt".
Dorc da Orc loudly roars, and with an axe he's carrying in his right hand.
He hurls it at an enemy soldier, who is up late. Standing out the front of his squads tent. Watching who he thinks are new arrivals in the army of councilman Hirrye in the war against the ruling council of Kuradum.
The ork throwing axe, the size of a large battleaxe if a human was wielding it.
Slams into the enemy soldier, who goes flying backwards into the tent he shares with his squad. A tent that basically collapses from the impact.
There's a momentary pause in the night, then all hell breaks loose in this camp at the southern end of the frontlines.
At the front of the column, commander Tracklen rips his sword out of the back of the enemy sentry guard who was leading the way, then he shouts out "Go!".
The soldiers in the army loyal to the ruling council of the city-state of Kuradum.
Run off the sides of the road, into the enemy camp, and enter the tents where they start butchering the sleeping enemy.
Commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris both had reservations of basically murdering the enemy soldiers as this plan entails.
But the both of them, along with the two hundred soldiers from their army they've brought along with them this night, have no qualms of doing what's needed to be done.
And while most of the loyalist run into the east side of the enemy camp to wreck havoc.
The two hundred or so following Farqian soldiers of that nation's third army.
Head into the otherside of the enemy camp, the west side of the camp.
And while some start slaughtering the sleeping enemy, and those waking up, wondering what's going on this night.
The majority of the black clad soldier from the lands Farque fighting on the side of the loyalist army.
Head straight for the enemy frontlines, which here at the very southern end of the lines.
Are a series of trenches that the enemy have dug, where even at night they keep manned.
Though on such a cold winters night like tonight, where it's snowing. And visibility is poor. And the chances of attack from the loyalist battlelines, three quarters of a mile away to the west, is slight at best.
There isn't too many soldiers in councilman Hirrye's forces in the trenches this night.
And as they're wondering what's going on in their camp behind them.
A wave of black clad soldiers sweeps into the trenches before they know what's happening, on this cold winters night in this part of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 14.

Winter.

"Fine, we're holding our own" says the adjunctant Morris in response to his father asking him "And how goes the war?".
The officer in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum isn't specific when it comes to the war.
After all, members of his family are sympathetic to the otherside.
And though his father, as well as his mother, don't back the side led by councilman Hirrye.
They're indifferent to the war, and really couldn't care less who wins the conflict that's taking place in their homeland.
Morris, who doesn't mention the recent victories over the last few days the ruling council has had.
Just nods his head when his father says "See there's a large mercenary army on the council's side now".
The elder Morris shakes his head, as he continues with "Those black clad soldiers can be seen right across the city".
"Not interfering with business are they?" asks the adjunctant to commander Tracklen.
"No they're not" says the father of the army officer, who then adds "Thank the gods and anyone else who gives a damn".
They're in the old yards, and warehouses. On the property adjacent to the family manse.
Not all that far from the center of the city. Where a large portion of the rich and successful of Kuradian society live.
The old yards is one of the few large open areas in the city center that isn't a public park.
The adjunctant and his father have stopped at a bench seat next to a tree, as flakes of snow swirl through the air, on this cold winter's day here in the city of Kuradum.
Looking towards one of the warehouses, where a couple of wagons are being unloaded this afternoon.
"That's good to hear" says Morris, who only gave his parents one bit of advice when it came to doing business during the war.
And that's not to do any business with councilman Hirrye's side of the conflict.
So far they've stuck to that. And haven't had any dealings with the so called duke of Kuradum.
It's also helped that they've seen how those who collaborate with the renegade councilman are treated.
As more than a few businesses, predominantly traders. Have been shut down by the ruling council when they were caught selling goods to councilman Hirrye's side in the war.
And though executions for those who have collaborated with the enemy have so far been rare.
The adjunctant knows that will be changing, now that the foreign mercenary commander, lord Farque has taken over the council's campaign against the usurper Hirrye.
"Looks like a runner from the council building" says the parent.
The army officer looks away to the right down the path, and spots a young runner in the Kuradian army heading this way.
"I best be going" says the adjunctant Morris.
"Take care son" states the father of the Kuradian army officer.
"I will father" quietly says Morris as his father hugs him.
"Tell mother i said hello" says the adjunctant to commander Tracklen, who then turns and makes his way towards the oncoming runner.
With the teenage runner at his side, Morris makes his way from the old yards.
"There sir" says the young runner in the army still loyal to the ruling council of Kuradum.
They cross the street as two figures step out from between a pair of buildings.
One, tall. Well over six foot in height. Lean in appearance. Wearing a grey hooded cloak.
The other in black armour and black cloak. A young woman, tall, athletic and attractive.
"Return to the council runner" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
"Ah yes sir" says the young runner after glancing at the adjunctant Morris, who nods for him to do so.
"This way" says the spy originally from the elven principality of Alínlae, to the officer in Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council of the city-state.
Morris follows after the spy Tanith and Lisell Maera the scout who head back between the two buildings.
Dropping back to walk beside Morris, letting the scout Maera lead the way.
Dalinvardèl Tanith, or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those in the group.
Quietly says to the local army officer "Best we get the serious planning done elsewhere, and not the council building" followed by "Now that we've found a couple others along with Nahor, who are working for the pretender Hirrye".
The elven spy, who is a battalion commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque then says "We'll keep feeding them information we want them to overhear".
Dalin then adds "Meanwhile the important things will be handled elsewhere".
As he walks beside the tall elf, the adjunctant Morris nods his head as they make their way through the city streets behind the attractive young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
The officer in the Kuradian army still loyal to the ruling council, the faction led by councilman Sammis in the war against councilman Hirrye.
Finds himself being led to an inn, not one of the more opulent inn's in the city.
But definitely one of the better ones, just to the west and north of the city center.
With snow flakes drifting down and swirling around whenever the wind picks up, here on this cold winter's day in the city of Kuradum.
They make their way across the back courtyard of the inn, and enter it via the backdoor.
Waiting for them in the common room is the ex mercenary Zam.
The young man from here in Kuradum, gets up and leads the way upstairs.
To the large double room where the rest of the group is waiting for them.
With the group is commander Tracklen of the army of Kuradum.
Morris goes and stands beside his superior officer, who is at the table in the middle of the large room.
Standing there at the table, is lord Farque. As well as members of his personal council.
Mira Reinholt the mage, Helbe the elven thief, and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit. As well as field commander Tamric Drubine.
The rest of the group are scattered around the large double room here on the second floor of the inn.
With Dorc da Orc sitting in a corner next to an open window. While standing in the opposite corner from the ork warleader.
Is his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who is scowling as he watches the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
Commander Tracklen informs his adjunctant that there'll be another public execution later in the afternoon.
Another ranking officer in the enemy army. Who was captured this morning in the south of the city-state by lord Farque and the group who accompanies him everywhere.
The army commander Tracklen then says "We were just discussing the next phase of plans that lord Farque has devised".
As his superior officer explains a few things about the upcoming attacks, Morris the adjunctant slightly frowns.
"Why the change of plans?" asks the junior of the two local army officers as he looks across at the large, heavily armoured figure of lord Farque.
As these latest plans somewhat differ from the strategy the foreign mercenary leader had been planning to do in the coming days.
"New information we've obtained" says lord Farque, who doesn't elaborate on the information taken from the captain of a mercenary company hired by councilman Hirrye's faction, that they captured this morning.
Looking at the local army commander and his adjunctant, the undead warlord tells them "You and a detachment of two hundred of your men will be joining us and some of my forces".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque points at a spot on one of the maps on the large table they're standing around, and he says "To here".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord continues with "Be ready to depart the city a couple of glasses before midnight tonight".
The undead being who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, then says "Until then, i suggest you get some rest"
The lord of the death realm follows that with "Because it's going to be a cold, not to mention long night".
Commander Tracklen, along with his adjunctant Morris nod their heads in understanding.
Then after discussing few more matters with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The army commander, along with his adjunctant make their way from the double room, then head downstairs.
Once they're out of the front door of the inn, the two local army officers start heading back to the council building of Kuradum.
"What do you make of it sir?" quietly asks the adjunctant Morris, followed by "Bit odd they're changing it up like that".
Nodding his head in agreement with his adjunctant, the army commander quietly says "They must of found something out".
The senior most officer in the army still loyal to the ruling council then adds "Whatever it is, they seem to think it important".
Commander Tracklen briefly pauses before continuing with "Best we find the best two hundred soldiers we've got here in the city to take with us tonight".
"I'll see to it when we get back" says the adjunctant Morris, who follows that with "With us going in the night, I've got a feeling it's going to be rough going".
"Hectic for sure" says the army commander in agreement with the more junior of the two officers.
Then as they round a corner, and make their way along the wide boulevard that runs through the center of the city.
And the grounds of the council building of the city-state of Kuradum come into view.
Commander Tracklen quietly says "If we make a breakthrough all the better" he continues on from that with "Even if we don't, hopefully we can make a major dent in their efforts there".
The adjunctant Morris nods his head in agreement with his superior as they make their way back to the council building.
As flakes of snow continue to swirl about in the air, on this cold winters day here in the city of Kuradum.
Later in the night, a yawning adjunctant to the army commander watches as the two hundred men he's picked, gather in the marshalling yards infront of the army barracks.
The adjunctant Morris is joined by commander Tracklen, who gives the order to move out.
The column of soldiers is meet by Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Zam the ex mercenary. Who give commander Tracklen instructions of where to go.
The army commander and his adjunctant are slightly surprised that they aren't heading out of the city.
As they've done the other times they've traveled with lord Farque and his army by magical means.
Instead they head towards a nearby public park, here in the center of the city of Kuradum.
There they find lord Farque and the rest of the group, along with a gateway that forms as the column of soldiers approaches.
Following instructions, commander Tracklen orders the two hundred soldiers through, led by another of the officers, and a pair of scouts.
Tracklen and Morris go through last, then they're followed by the lord and ruler of the lands Farque and the rest of the group who go with him everywhere.
The army commander and his adjunctant step out of the otherside of the gateway.
And they immediately feel how much colder it is here compared to the city of Kuradum.
And back in the city it had stopped snowing in the early evening. Here, where they are now, it's snowing.
Much heavier than the snowfall that the city of Kuradum had experienced earlier.
Commander Tracklen and his adjunctant Morris share a look, then the subordinate quietly says "Well, here we go".
As they, and the others make their way through some woods this night, here in the south of the city-state of Kuradum . . . . . .

The Thick Of It 13.

Winter.

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy follows the merchant down the street.
The battalion commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque watches the man enter a shop.
The spy Tanith walks by the shop, here in the town of Gosmar, which lies in the east of the city-state of Kuradum.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by those who know him well.
Continues down the street on what's a cold winters morning in this part of Kuradum.
He's posing as a mercenary, from one of the companies based here, in the service of councilman Hirrye's forces.
The spy who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae, makes his way through Gosmar.
Until he gets to the backdoor of building, which opens for him as he approaches it.
Zam the ex mercenary closes the door after Dalin enters. And the young man from the city of Kuradum, follows the elven spy upstairs.
"He's there" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy once he and Zam join the others in one of the upstairs rooms, in an otherwise empty building.
Lord Farque nods his full helmed head, then quietly says to the others "We wait".
They don't have to wait long, as Helbe the elven thief appears out of thin air just a short while later.
"That's where this line ends" says Helbe the elven thief, who continues with "If he ends up here when he returns, we'll know".
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then says "Good" he then adds "Let's go" followed by "We've got other things to do".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head, then looks over at Beldane the cleric, and tells him "Go ahead" followed by "No one will know".
A few moments later and a gateway forms in the middle of the room, and with Helbe the elven thief leading the way, the group goes through, heading to somewhere else in the city-state of Kuradum.
"Their encampment was about two miles further east my lord" says a subcommander in the armies of Farque a short while later.
"They've been bogged down for the last little while" adds the subcommander, who continues with "Finding it rough going down on that road there".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord nods his full helmed head, and glances around the tree he's behind, and looks down to the road about fifty yards below.
There a column of the enemy, based here in the south of the city-state of Kuradum, have halted as they try to get some of their stuck wagons going again.
"They send any scouts or pathfinders up here?" quietly asks lord Farque, who like the subcommander, is speaking in elven.
"Just a couple" replies the officer in the infantry of the armies of Farque, who then adds "Same on the otherside".
The subcommander then says "They didn't spot us" followed by "They only made a token effort at looking".
The disapproving tone the Farqian officer says that in, is evidence of what he thinks of the enemy and their efforts.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque is a little annoyed that he's unable to break up the group, and task certain members to do various things in the war against councilman Hirrye's forces, here in the city-state of Kuradum.
The warning from Helbe the elven thief's forethought that the group must stay together.
Is making things a little bit more difficult and slower than he was hoping, when they first got involved in the war between the two factions that want to rule Kuradum.
The lord of the death realm was hoping to have Tamric Drubine the field commander and a few others in the group, only concentrate on the military effort here in the city-state.
While he oversaw the total effort, and others like Helbe the elven thief, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, went about and did other things, and not get involved in any battles at all.
"Half in half?" quietly asks the undead being who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"Yes my lord" is the reply of the Farqian army officer, who in a slightly dry tone of voice, adds "They've got their mercenaries following the wagon line of all things" followed by "Even those few who are mounted".
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head, as the enemy down on the road below, are predominantly foot soldiers, those both in the army loyal to councilman Hirrye, and the mercenaries they've hired for their cause.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque continues to look down the snow covered hill at the enemy on the road below.
"They'll make a mistake soon enough" quietly says Draugadrottin, the subcommander in his armies, nods in agreement with the undead warlord.
And sure enough, just a short while later. Some in the enemy column below. Too impatient to get going again. Start making their way forward.
Predominantly those in the army loyal to councilman Hirrye. As most of them are infront of the stuck wagons.
"Look at that, they're bunching up for us" says the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier. Which means, The Destroyer.
"Subcommander you have command of the battle" says the deathlord of Farque.
"As my lord wills it" says the subcommander, who then bows to his lord, before he heads further back into the trees.
Draugadrottin continues to watch the enemy down on the road below for a few more moments.
Then he too turns around, and heads back amongst the trees, and makes his way to where the rest of the group are waiting.
"Go and take anyone you think is important before the subcommander gives the order to attack" says Des'tier to Helbe the elven thief.
The young elven noble who is originally from the island principality of Laerel, nods in understanding.
"Are we going to get involved?" quietly asks Tamric Drubine.
"We watch for now" states the large, heavily armoured deathlord, followed by "Come along then".
The group with the exception of Helbe the elven thief, make their way through the trees.
To a vantage point, where they can observe the attack upon the enemy column.
By the time they get to the edge of the trees, the subcommander has already given the order.
And the attack on the enemy column down below, has already got underway.
On what's a cold winters morning, here in the south of the city-state of Kuradum.
Arrows and bolts fly from the hidden positions of Farqian forces on both sides of the road.
Soldiers loyal to councilman Hirrye, and mercenaries who have been hired to fight for their cause.
Drop to the ground, as one after the other, arrows and bolts slam into them.
"Stay there cunt" says lord Farque without looking around.
"You as well Percy" adds the undead warlord.
Dorc da Orc along with his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic, sourly smile as they stand there, watching the battle progress.
Now that the Farqian subcommander has given the order to advance. And black clad soldiers run out from the trees on both sides of the road, and head down the snow covered hills towards the enemy column.
Well, those of the enemy still standing, as dozens and dozens of them have been dropped by arrows and bolts, shot at them by Farqian archers.
Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears next to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
At the feet of the highly talented elven magic user, lies a couple of bodies. A closer look shows that they're unconscious.
One is an officer in the local Kuradian army loyal to councilman Hirrye. Who fancies himself the duke of Kuradum.
The other is a foreign mercenary captain. A pretty well off one at that if appearances are anything to go by.
As his armour and weapons are of good quality, infact they're excellent quality.
The same can be said about his clothing. Especially his thick fur lined cloak.
As the first of the Farqian soldiers make it down to the road, and are amongst the enemy who remain capable of fighting.
Helbe the elven thief says "The company commander" as he points at the local officer.
Then pointing at the unconscious mercenary, the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, says "He's the more interesting one".
"Oh?" says the lord of the death realm as he glances down at the mercenary, who to his eyes looks like a mildly successful captain of one of the many companies hired in the war, here in the city-state of Kuradum.
Switching to the royal elven language, Helbe the elven thief explains to lord Farque what he's found out by reading the mind of the mercenary captain.
As the fighting down on the road below continues. The undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means, The Destroyer.
Listens in silence to what the elven master assassin has to say about the captured mercenary captain.
"That is interesting" quietly says the undead warlord in the royal elven language once the elven masterthief has explain to him about the unconscious mercenary captain.
"We'll keep him with us for a while" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who then adds "As for him". As he points at the officer in the army loyal to councilman Hirrye.
"We'll take him back to the city" continues Draugadrottin, who follows that with "So they can execute him".
The young elven noble, who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, nods his hooded head.
Then the large, heavily armoured deathlord asks him "Where were they headed?".
As the watch the battle come to an end, as the Farqian soldiers who have attacked the enemy down on the road, have overwhelmed them.
The elven practitioner of magic, who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, says to him "They were headed up to the town of Corstae".
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel continues with "To reinforce that lot up there".
The lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head as he recognises the name of Corstae as the town at the southern end of the frontlines between the bulk of the armies on both sides of the war, here in the city-state of Kuradum.
"Well, they'll be waiting for a while then" dryly says the undead warlord as he watches members of his army below, wipe out the enemy.
"I'll speak with the subcommander" says Draugadrottin, who follows that with "Then we'll head off".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord turns and says in the common language "Dorc, carry him".
After pointing at the unconscious mercenary captain, the lord of the death realm points at the unconscious enemy officer, and says "Percy carry this one".
Des'tier knows it's best to keep the two most volatile members of the group occupied and doing things. So that they don't get into trouble.
"And no Dorc, you can't have a nibble on him" says lord Farque.
The large ork shuts his mouth, and sighs in disappointment as he was just about to ask if he could snack on an arm or a leg.
After all, the man is unconscious, and a prisoner. And will probably end up dead anyway.
The best opportunity in the opinion of the ork warleader of having a bite to eat without anyone caring.
After the two bitter rivals pick up the unconscious prisoners.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque says to the group "Come on, let's head down".
And after they make their way down the snow covered hill in the aftermath of the brief battle.
And the undead warlord speaks to the subcommander in his third army for a bit.
The group departs, leaving this area of southern Kuradum by way of a gateway that Beldane the cleric casts . . . . . .

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.