Story by Character

Setup

This book takes place in the last half of winter of the year 4E 987 through the spring and beginning of summer of the year 4E 988. Covers a time of 3 and a half months.

Sanctum: They have now lost their capital Mora, a city they have never lost before. This pushes them into an even tighter spot. However Vyruk is not finished yet; he plans to rally the Sanctum forces and at least push out the Fel.

Terragar: Olin has taken control of Terragar with the support of most of the Lord-Governors. He plans to consolidate his forces and abandon the Pale.

Glattian Empire: They have all but won in the Pale, but their Matriarch is dead, betrayed by Peitor and Gii, and her position left open. The empire seems to be looking for new outlets of invasion.

Clan Telgori: Vhrashess has gained the support of Clan Sea-Snake and their fleet. He plans to return to Black Temple, sort out these assassinations, and continue to gather clans to his cause.

Fel Weavers: They are unaware of the loss of their leader Yullanna but under the Butcher’s command they still raid and massacre the Pale. The Butcher and his horde stand as the most imminent threat to the Sanctum.

Enclave: Young Earolk is made Chief of the Xoh tribe. He is inexperienced. Surely the glattii will plan to retaliate; so he prepares the defenses of his lands in Sea-Spear.

Peitor Shol

In a meeting room somewhere in the Palace of E’sharr, Iphalia stares off in disbelief. Peitor sits across the table from her. He begins to explain that the pirate raids on the west coast was merely a distraction. Their true goal is obvious now, they sent assassins to kill Peila. Iphalia questions how, with Vrotok, were they able to succeed. Peitor reveals that they discovered poison in Vrotok’s blood, which would have likely slowed him in combat. Iphalia questions how he got poisoned. Peitor answers with, “There is likely a traitor in the Capital”. Peitor walks over to Iphalia and places his hand on her shoulder. He tells her to take some time off; Peila’s passing is sad, but the Empire’s enemies are still out there and they will be dealt with in the following months. Iphalia nods in agreement and takes her leave. Gii walks in right after she leaves. As soon as they are sure that Iphalia has gone the two begin arguing. Gii argues that Peitor’s way of offing Peila left too many mouths to buy off. Peitor rebukes with the fact that Gii’s poison did not work on Vrotok, it only slowed him. The amount of force they used was necessary to take down Vrotok. Peitor explains “You know the stories Gii, but you have never seen Vrotok in action. He was something else entirely”. Gii begrudgingly accepts Peitor’s reasoning. He then tells Peitor to accept the fact that they should expect to silence some of those who participated in the future. Rigth before Peitor heads out, Gii tells him one last thing; that after the memorial service is when Gii will accept the mantle of Patriarch. Peitor confirms, “Just as was planned”.

Peitor meets with Poval, chief of the Lunic Guards. He explains to Poval that an invasion of Terragar will happen soon and the Empire needs some strong lunics to deal with their powerful mages. Peitor wants Poval to find his three best and send them to Nih’Vilass and assist Governor Volsh in the invasion of Terragar. Peitor tells him to be particular careful when facing off against Olin’Vor.

The day of Peila’s Memorial service. All the city is gathered in the center plaza Peitor sits next to Gii as they listen to the music and several people giving speeches. He eyes Iphalia sitting with the rest of the admiralty. He sits quietly until it is his turn to give the eulogy. During his speech he starts off soft, reminiscing about old times but then is quick to shift tones. He reveals the nature of her death, how she was assassinated by the Black Marauders in collusion with Terragar. So the Empire will bring war to them. He then explains that these are dangerous times, there are reports that the lutum have begun to unite and the Felk have already attempted to take a colony. Peitor declares Marshal Law, and names himself Patriarch. He promises to expand the Empire and avenge Peila’s Death. The crowd cheers. A small smile creeps across his face as his steps down from the podium and walks by Gii. A look of discuss and anger glows from Gii, obviously slighted by Peitor’s actions. Royal cloaks follow behind Peitor as he walks out of the plaza.

Peitor sits alone in his newly acquired chambers. He thinks to himself about all the events transpiring around him.
-'They will soon be at war with both Terragar and the Enclave, although with the Sanctum having one foot in the grave they will be able to shift some forces from the Pale to the Korhan Steppe. After the plans of Invasion are under way, I will be able to focus on the problems at home. Chief among them is Gii. There is nothing he can do at the moment. I seized the title and position legally (If during wartime, the Patriarch/Matriarch were to die without naming a successor, the Exalted Commander of the Glattian Empire may declare martial law and place himself as Patriarch of the Empire). But I must have assurances of loyalty, Gii will not stand idle. First is determining who shall take the new positions of Champion of the Guard and Exalted Commander.'-
After some time of thinking to himself, Peitor notices the sun is setting. He remembers that he has a meeting with the military brass. He thinks to himself one last thing. “it feels odd to sleep were she used to”. Before he goes to the War Hall (where the war meeting take place) he stops by to visit Poval. Poval salutes him and congratulates him on his achievement. Peitor quickly shoves the banter aside and ask if he can count on him for all upcoming endeavors. He explains that he thinks Gii had something to do with Peila’s murder, and that he will be trying to buy up as many people as possible. Peitor also ask who poval chose. Poval responds with: Gish, Pel’Kora, and Aro, and they have all already set sail to Nih’vilass. Peitor is pleased and continues to the War hall.
In the Hall he is greeted by all in unison; except for Gii and his son Ophi’ous, who say it with a delay and no fervor. Peitor notices this. Peitor starts the meeting off with a general overview of the new theaters of war. He explains that the army will largely be dealing with Terragar, several generals are working very closely with Governor Volsh on a sound strategy to quickly beat Terragar down. He then moves on to explain that while a ground offensive is going on against Terragar, a sea offensive which is set to neutralize or several damage the Enclaves sea capabilities. He announces that this sea war will be led by Iphalia. He also tells them that the temporary peace with the Sanctum has been broken as they, with some assistance from terragar attack and broke the siege of Fiyov, which had not been aggressive in months. So Mora is firmly in the hands of the Empire. He concludes the meeting with that he and Gii and actively communing to determine who will be the next Champion of the Guard and Exalted Commander. He leaves the generals and admirals to iron out the details as he takes his leave. Gii also leaves.

Peitor waits in a side chamber. Gii shows up. He slams his hand on the table and says “What the fuck are you doing”. He continues with the idea that he heard some low general was in position to be named Exalted-Commander. Peitor explains that he will fight tooth and nail about this. Gii is angry and continues to yell at Peitor. Peitor’s blood begins to boil as well, but he soon gives Gii a compromise. Peitor tells him that he will name Gii’s son Ophi’ous as Exalted Commander on the condition Gii does not argue with who he chooses as the Champion of the Guard. Gii agrees. Peitor then reveals his choice, Poval. Peitor knows this will give Gii greater leverage in the military branches but Having Poval as Champion of the Guard will secure Peitors control of the Royal cloaks and the whole of the Zealot Guard.

Weeks later Gii sets sail for the Pale, in order to strengthen the Empire’s friendship the Order of the Ancients. Peitor looks to take advantage of Gii’s absence. His son however stayed, and is looking to make some big strides as a newly appointed Exalted-Commander. While Peitor finds Gii’s absence in his favor, the fact that he is going to meet with the Order does not sit right. Peitor begins looking for more allies. First, need to get Ophi’ous out of the capital. Peitor makes his way to the War Hall. He looks over the maps. Trying to figure out someplace that he was “needed”, but would not be in the way. He flows his hand over a map of southern Minara and the Lesser Swell. His hand comes across the Tempest Isles. He is instantly reminded of Peila Shatirr, and Vrotok. A sudden weight is felt in his chest. A gloom hovers over him.
-'I wish I didn’t have to come to that. But there is NO making friends with the west. Only through our sheer dominance can there be peace in our world. You were a flower: beautiful and luscious, but flowers cannot rule. I should not have supported your decision to become Matriarch. I am also sorry for having to doom your brother as well. And Vrotok, the greatest warrior this world will have ever known, Murdered at my hands. One more body amongst the foundations that lay at my feet. I must make sure all their sacrifices will not go in vain. Looking over the lutum territory reminded I thought of my younger sister, Ulara, and I wish I knew if she was well. I had sent her with Sha’nitauss to make sure he did not make it home. But that may have been a mistake now.'-
As he continues to scan over the map looking over southern Minara, messenger enters the hall. Word from the colonies in Southern Minara. It tells of the loss of Viper’s Lagoon and that the Lutum clans are beginning to gather around a new King. This King’s name is Vhrashess. He has apparently inspired a new fervor amongst his people. He tells the messenger to fetch Ophi’ous. An hour later Ophi’ous arrives. Peitor begins to explain to him that a new theater of war has opened up. He tells Ophi’ous of this new king and that the assassins they first sent to take of them are likely dead. So Peitor commands Ophi’ous to take several legions and set sail to Avarous, there he is to command Admiral Leshik to take the fleet surrounding the Pale to assist the southern patrol fleet in punishing these lutum for daring to rise up out of their mud holes. Ophi’ous seems eager to be in full command of a whole theater. Peitor tells him one last thing “You may use any means necessary to get the job done”. Despite this new advancement in his plans the news made him sad, with Viper’s Lagoon retaken by the lutum, and their ship never returned what chance was their of her being alive

Peitor in his continued search for people to gain loyalties for or to find those whom are loyal to Gii. This is also on top of running an empire. His eyes are getting sunken with dark shadows. Sleep seems to elude him. The days grow long and without rest. Spring is at an end. There is always work to do. He wonders to himself ‘how was Peila able to keep up with this kind of work, she never seemed too much in the way exhaustion.’ The next morning Poval notices Peitor’s exhaustion, and suggest the Patriarch take a day of rest. Peitor agrees but ask for a servant to bring someone to comfort him. Later in the day a while Peitor lounges on a sofa, a wonderfully gorgeous female enters the room. The two have some playful banter and they continue. At night Peitor wakes up and finds the paramour not in bed. He looks around and finds her trying on some of Peila’s old clothes. He first finds it odd that he never cleared out her gowns and dresses. Then he is immediately angered. He demands that she take it off. She says something coy. But as soon as Peitor grips her wrist a ‘flip’ switches in her. She turns very serious and almost threatening. She reveales herself to be Nileena Giishaer daughter of Velrass Giishaer, or who is known simply as Gii. She then walks closer to Peitor and tells him that Gii has allies everywhere and that she is here to help. Peitor questions why Gii’s daughter would be here to help. She reveals a certain distaste for her father and that she knows several of his secrets. Like he is constantly communicating with the Hoyvel’coul and sends messages across Minara. Most of the letters use code words. She leaves with one final phrase “he his planning something big, something larger than the Empire”.

Peitor is standing at the docks waiting for his ship to get ready. He leaves a note with Poval ‘things to mind while I am away’. He looks up and sees Nileena at the edge of the docks. Their eyes match with a certain steeliness, and peitor boards the ship.
-'New friends need to be made.'
The captain approaches Peitor after they set sail and ask him where they are headed. Peitor answers with “Frost-Kraken Isle”
-'Uresh, oh Lord of Storms and of the Black Marauders I do hope you are ready to make another deal (he says as a grin creeps across his face).'

Earolk

Earolk and his family stand on a hill behind the Great Lodge (house of the Chieftain). There are several trees here. But they are all placed in a design. Some are young others are very old. Earolk’s forefathers are barren, but they will gain their leaves and flowers in a month when spring arrives. Next in the pattern lies a whole. Earolk goes next to it as he assist several other felk lower Novolk’s body into the Grave. He is wrapped in a fine hemp cloth and adorned in war paint made of clay and a necklace of a blue winter flower. A felk begins to shovel the freshly mixed soil onto Novolk’s body. Earolk looks over at his sister and mother. They are both on the verge of tears. He then looks up into the sky as a light snowfall begins. Once that hole is filled Earolk takes a seed out of his pocket and buries on top of the grave. A shaman says the ancient words that are always said funerals. And now his father joins the rest and eventually he shall stand as tall as the rest of their forefathers adorned in blossoms in the springs to come. An emptiness is left in Earolk, one that will never be filled until he joins his forefathers, and is able to blossom with them in spring.

The warlords stand around a fire as Brynjar is making suggestions for what they should do next. Some suggest they should go on the offensive again before the Glattii get more reinforcements. Earolk stops them and ask about shore up defenses along the Korhan River. Brynjar explains that they simply do not have enough warriors in Sea-Spear to maintain all the borders after the failed attack on Nih’vilass. He suggest to Earolk that they send someone to the Northlands to gather more warriors to aid them. Earolk agrees to that and also believes they should beseech Grand Chieftain Mjorov in Echorr (the Capital of the Enclave). Several of the Warlords look around unsure about that last bit. Brynjar brings it up, that they should not expect help from the other Major tribes. The Xoh are not in favor with the Capital. Earolk confirms that he already knew that, but they won’t just watch as the Glattii invade their kin. Earolk thinks to himself ‘they have to come, they must come, or Sea-Spear is lost.’ Earolk dismisses the meeting, and tells them they will another meeting later, but he wants scouts at the borders at all times.

Earolk is in his quarters as he tries to think about what to do. So much responsibility placed on him at once, and with very little idea of how to handle it all. His mother, Thera, knocks on the door and enters. She greets him with the proper titles. It feels weird to Earolk still, especially coming from his mother. She tells him that Brynjar informed her about several possible matters at hand. She ask him to allow her to go to the Northlands. She explains that she has family there and she would be able to convince them to lend support to the Xoh tribe. Earolk agrees that it would be a good idea. Thera nods and says she will leave on the morrow. He wakes up the next day and gets ready. He wears his nice attire. He steps out to the courtyard many are there. He sees his sister, Mera, saying goodbyes to their mother. Earolk then walks up to her and wishes her goodbye in a professional manner. He wanted to hug her and tell her he will miss her, but that’s not how Chieftains act. He needed to look strong. His mother kisses him on the forehead and tells him “I know you will be a great Chieftain, try not to doubt yourself too much.” She rides off, out of Xoh’tok. Earolk escorts his sister back into the Great Lodge. The two sit down overlooking the courtyard. Mera ask Earolk to please just stay alive. She continues that she just couldn’t bear to witness the death of another family member. They couldn’t even give their brother a proper burial, they had to leave his body. She ask that he promise her not to leave like brother and father. Earolk agrees and holds her close.

It’s been weeks. What is left of the armies has gathered around Xoh’tok. But the glattii have yet to strike. There has been no movement across the border. Everyone seems to be on edge. He ask Brynjar and Darruk if the has been word yet from his mother or from Terragar. None yet they reply. Earolk ask if there is anything they can do besides wait. Bryjar assures him that they are ready to defend Xoh’tok to the last man. They may not have been able to defend the whole border but if the glattii go straight for the throat they will find it difficult to take a bite. Still uneasy about the stillness Earolk orders that they send a scout to the eastern coast to spy on the Glattii’s harbor traffic. Brynjar sends out a party of four to scout the glattii harbors.

Earolk receives word from terragar. Orion has been ousted, and no immediate help will be coming. Terragar seems to be consolidating its forces. The scouts return the following day. A massive fleet arrived in Nih’vilass and an army has begun marching towards the Korhan River. Earolk gives word to Brynjar and they begin making preparations. Except that Earolk orders his Warlords to ready to move out. They question this. Earolk reveals that they are to engage in pitched battle. He suits up for the first time. His sister helps him into the armor. She bids him goodbye and demands that he returns alive.

Earolk and his army arrive at a shallow section of the Korhan River. And just across sits the Glattii army. Earolk and Brynjar ride out to the middle of the shallow river. Two glattii also ride out to meet them. The two glattii introduce themselves as Volsh and Ashak Torosh, the Governor of the glattii colony and his son respectively. Volsh announces that he had to take care of some business before he could march on Xoh’tok. Ashak somewhat interruptus and begins to disrespect the young Xoh Chieftain. Brynjar throws insults right back, calling Ashak a fishhead (a common insult to glattii) and other such things. He then continues to say that they will destroy their army here today and they lose the war once the whole of the Enclave arrives. Volsh says “thousands will die”, and Brynjar refutes “NO, Tens of thousands will die.” Earolk begins to speak “this will be the end of both our armies. And it will take time for either of them to be reinforced.” Volsh suggestion that they make terms to avoid a massive death toll. Volsh proposes: “Surrender, and I will allow you to take all your warriors and civilians, the whole of your population across White Water Harbor to the Northlands. I promise that no glattii shall lay a hand on you during this process.” Earolk thinks for a moment. Bryjnar whispers to him, advising against it. Earolk ask for one thing. “I want my fallen kin returned to their families for a proper burial rite”, he pauses “I wish to bury my brother next to my father so that they may blossom together in the springs to come.” Volsh nods. They ride up next to each other and they shake hands. Earolk tells Volsh that he dislikes violence now, having lost those so dear to him. Volsh agrees and mentions that he too has those dear to him in war. Both parties head back to their respective armies.

Earolk’s warlords shout and yell in disapproval of his decision. Brynjar remains quiet though. Mera sits next to Earolk and tells him that she is glad he is home and she thinks that he did a noble thing. A couple warlords call Earolk no true chieftain of theirs. Brynjar was about to speak up but Earolk beat him to it. “The true Xoh that you admire and wish to lead you, there were two and they are both dead. They died making war and my father told not to make the same mistakes as him. So I chose peace for the time being. Waring now would only endanger all of our families. Yes we run across the harbor with our tails between our legs, but that does not mean we won’t return. I wish to see my father and brother blossom in the spring, and I know many of you wish to see the same. We will return with a greater army and we shall takes our home back, but first we must have patience and not make the same mistake as my father.” This seems to calm the warlords, there were no cheers but it seemed to quell any sort of mutiny. Brynjar walks up to Earolk and says “I understand now.”

He buries his brother in the same fashion of his father. He stands on the hill alone now and whispers to the grave, ‘I shall return brother’. He, his sister, and all the felk empty out of Xoh’tok and head towards the harbor.

A month later he meets his mother in Grey-wind Fort (a stronghold located in Vuhulan’s Valley in the Northlands). She shows him to the leader of the Nntorok tribe. Chief Warlord Vrask sits in the dining area speaking with the Warden of the fort, Warlord Svaelga. Thera tells Earolk that Svaelga is a cousin of hers and she was able to convince Vrask to come as well. The two are disappointed at the loss of Sea-Spear, but are already making preparations for their return. Vrask tells Earolk that they will need the help of other tribes. He agrees. He ask that Darruk accompany him to the Capital.

He arrives in the capital and immediately heads to the Throne room. He walks in alone, leaving Darruk at the entrance. The hall is grand and silver-white. Glass hangs from the ceiling and the walls are reflective. At the end and about a story up sits Mjorov on the Glass Throne. The throne is huge and even in its translucence it has an imposing presence. Next to Mjorov he sees another felk, one dressed in fine silk and fur. He introduces himself as Lothar, Chieftain of the Chi’orta tribe and nephew of Mjorov. Earalk tries to persuade the two to lend the assistance of the whole enclave to take back Sea-Spear peninsula. Lothar refuses, stating that the Enclave is at peace with the Empire and it has only been the Nntorok and the Xoh that have aggressive towards them. He continues to insult Earolk and he dead family members. He leaves disappointed. He sits at an eatery with Darruk and he elaborates on what happened in the Throne room. Darruk says that they have to keep trying their home depends on it. Moments later a female felk approaches their table, takes a seat and orders a drink. She introduces herself as Aiya a member of the Frovok tribe. Earolk is weirded out at her sudden appearance and joining like she had been friends with him for a long time. She further goes on to boast the Frovok fleet and states that her uncle Horik has been itching for battle of late. She ask “would you like to meet my uncle, Fleet-Master Horik, Earolk Chieftain of the Xoh? You may accompany me to the Grand Approach.” Earolk agrees. He tells Darruk to send a letter to his mother in Grey-wind that he will be heading farther north.

Nim

Hands claw at dirt and moss. Nim is desperate to get out of the Hollows. She breaches the earth near the base of the Tree of Beginnings. She is covered in dirt. She gasp for air then looks around. She notices that Mora looks different. She doesn’t see any of the Sanctum’s standards atop any buildings. Instead she spies a few unfamiliar ones. She remembers what Aevum told her, she clutches the seed tightly and tries to figure out where she is. She longs to see Sylla or Nolan (her elder siblings), she is scared and doesn’t wish to be alone in this familiar yet alien city. She walks around and realizes she must be in the High city, as that part of Mora has the most roots stretching over its streets. And she decides to herself to head toward the west gate and get out of Mora. Night comes and she has to sleep in the rubble of the side alleys. Some nights the winter rains come and she thinks to herself that she might freeze in the night. Sometimes she tries to make a small fire and contain it with her limited essence use. But that becomes risky, so she tries to avoid it.

Nim comes across a Glattii patrol. She is able to sneak by them, she tells herself that she needs to be careful as she still doesn’t fully understand the situation. She spies groups of Sanctum citizens gathered in corners guarded by Glattii. She decides she should one about what is going on. She sneaks into a house where several are being kept. She ask an older lady about everything. The lady explains that the Sanctum was defeated and abandoned the city, that now the Glattii occupy it and are treating most people like prisoners or slaves. She ask if they had seen her brother or sister (after she describes what they look like), but the people have not. Nim keeps moving.

She can’t move far in short amount of time. The city is huge and there are glattii everywhere. She also got lost a couple times. She decides to find some higher ground. She walks by the House of Councilors. A shell of its former glory. It burns in the morning sky and several towers begin to fall and cause a loud crashing sound. She was going to use it to see the city but now she will have to move on. She heads south. She sees glattii chucking dozens of lutum corpses into a burning pile. The skinks’ skin bubbles and pops, and the smell is horrible.

She finds several of the gate houses out of the high city blocked off. She will have to find another way to get to the West Gate. This will force her to go to the center of Mora. On her way to the center she notices the Opal Fortress, a fortress built on a cliff that juts out of the New City part of Mora. But the odd thing is that she still sees a Sanctum Banners fly above its towers.

Nim has decided that she might be able to sneak into the fortress and get help that way. But as she gets closer she notices that the Glattii have the whole fortress surrounded. She can hear yelling coming from the sanctum soldiers in the fortress, insulting the Glattii. In trying to figure out how she might get into the tower she is spied by a glattii patrol and is taken captive. During the struggle she drops the pendant she wore.

She is taken to the Meadow district of the city. She is stuffed with a bunch of other kids, most likely orphans made by the war. She remembers to keep the seed secret and safe. She can’t lose it, it was entrusted to her. The seed is warm, it makes her calm and feel safe even though she sits in an overcrowded dirty room. It seems like she spends weeks or even a month there. She doesn’t know, she forgot to count the days. From the room she stayed in she could see the Opal Fortress in the distance. She watched as the glattii attempted to barrage it with siege weapons, climb the sides and even throw massive magic spells at it. But the fortress seemed sturdy. She tried to tell herself that the Sanctum would come back to liberate the city.

One day she woke up to see the Fortress burning and a tower fall onto the city below. The sanctum banners were taken down and replaced. She was later taken out of the room and taken to another smaller room. There she was alone except for another glattii who sat at a desk writing something onto a piece of parchment. She was soon barraged by a series of questions. She tried to answer the best she could without revealing too much. She was then told that she is being sent to a more open orphanage across the district where she will be taken care of in a less packed room. She is put with a dozen other kids in rickety carriage. After several hours she hears a familiar barking, and then a howl. She thinks to herself ‘that sounds like Gild’, her older brother’s hunter hound. She jumps out of the carriage and starts running towards the direction she heard the sound. A glattii chases after her. An arrow flies over her head. She looks back and sees the glattii fall with an arrow stuck in his head. She gets ecstatic, Nolan, it has to be Nolan. In the alley she ran into she spies Gild and jumps to greet him and gives a big hug. He begins to growl and Nim turns around to see two more Glattii. She lets Gild go and he rushes toward one and at the same time her brother, Nolan, jumps down from a balcony and stabs one glattii in the neck while Gild tears into the other one. Nolan gets up and grabs Nim’s hand and tells her to hurry, more will come. They dash through the streets until Nolan stops and opens a sewer grate. All three jump down and they continue through the passages of the sewer. They are able to lose any pursuers down there. They eventually come out into Old Lake. While Nim washes the sewer gunk out of her hair Nolan picks her up and gives her a great big hug. And her starts to sob a bit. Nim reaches her arms around him and begins to cry a bit as well.

Allena

Allena, the rescue team, and the high Council arrive at the Pale Hall. Allena is in private meeting with High Council. Vyruk takes charge in Yoran’s absence. He debriefs her on the mission and is glad to see that it was mostly successful, although absence of several high councilors worries him. He also doesn’t seem to believe this supposed ceasefire from the glattii. The rest of the councilors begin to deliberate with each other about what to do next. Allena continues to look at Vyruk as he sighs. He gets up and walks over to Allena and tells her that she did good work despite the loss of Cirus, Pelok’lev, and most likely Yoran. He dismisses her. She goes to find Sylla and Wela. She finds the two sitting together in a dining hall. Wela is sulking with her head down and Sylla is drinking from a bottle of wine. Allena can tell that they already got the bad news. Allena goes and sits with them and grabs a glass and pours herself and Wela a glass of wine. The three of them just sit there looking at each other and drink from their respective glasses.

Vyruk invites Allena to a war council. He has her sit next to him. He tells that he just wants her to get an idea of how these things go down because he believes she has what it takes to be a good leader of the Sanctum. Vyruk goes over the Sanctum’s current state: Fiyov is under siege again by the Glattii (obviously not going through the ceasefire as was told), they also hold both Mora and Vol, and the Fel Weavers are rampaging the Pale countryside. Vyurk suggest that they first need to take of the Lutum as the Glattii have seemed to slow their advance. First on the docket is to retake the villages from here to Puhlo’um and then retake Puhlo’um itself. On the other hand though they could try to break the siege of Fiyov and add their forces to retake Puhlo’um. Most of the Field Marshals agree that breaking the siege would be wise but it is the farthest away. The High Councilors who had been sitting in on the meeting speak out and demand that the armies first secure the villages Haven and Puhlo’s gift, the people need to be put into safety first. Vyruk begrudgingly nods and gives the orders to the rest of the Field Marshals.

Allena is speaking with her sister as word comes to the Pale Hall that the Black Butcher had been spotted in a village just a few days away. Vyruk tells several captains to prepare their men to ride out. He ask for Allena to come as well. She agrees. Her sister helps her into her armor. Allena hums the Mother’s Hymn. Wela tells her that she better return. She nods

The troop arrives at the village to find it empty and burning. No bodies or anything like that, where did they go. She ask Vyruk if the Fel were known for taking prisoners. He tells her that he has never known the Butcher to take any, and finds it odd as well. They go from house to house searching, but nothing. Then they get to the town hall of the village. The doors are barred. Vyruk has the doors busted open. Immediately a horrible rotting smell burst from inside. The smell is too much and forces Allena to cover her nose. Now the light shines into the hall, revealing a village’s worth of bones and morsels of flesh still stuck to them. Some organs lie about, some look to have had a bite taken out. Vyurk mutters “Monsters, the lot of them”. Right then a lutum war cry is heard. Someone shouts “AMUBUSH!” A swarm of lutum and a few throinai jump out of the shadows and descend upon the troop. The fray is upon them. Allena fights for her life. At one point she notices a thorinai with fancy looking armor come for Vyruk from behind. She leaps and knocks Vyruk to the ground narrowly avoiding a swing going for his head. She then engages the Thorinai and eventually lands a fatal blow using her essence weaving. Shortly after the fight is over and the troop seems to have barely survived the ambush. Vyruk orders the village to be burned down. Allena feels a bit sick and gags a bit. Vyruk leans over and says “I promise you, we will put these monsters in their graves”. Allena wishes that the villages did not have to be eaten, possibly while they were still alive.

Upon their return Vyruk has an emergency announcement. He announces to all that can hear in the fortress, that he declares Martial Law, meaning he is now the head of the whole Sanctum. After that he declares a calling for a Council of Minara. Allena is shocked, to be able to witness a Council of Minara. There has not been one for over 200 years, since the Grand Invasion. She is approached by Vryuk afterwards and offers her a promotion, he wants her to be his protégé. She accepts.

Allena and Sylla meet in Allena’s new chambers. She comments on nice they are pokes a little fun at Allena’s new position. The kidding aside Allena ask how Sylla is holding up. She shrugs and mentions that Sean was here, but he left. She reaches for her glass of wine and downs it. Allena tells her that she should try to slow down. But Sylla just seemed to ignore it and poured another glass. Allena doesn’t quite know how to approach her, having lost so much. Allena regrets letting Nolan go off on his own, she should have brought him home to Sylla, so she could at least have one person from her family. Sylla ask the question “do you think the sanctum will survive?” Allena begins to answer with the answer she wanted to give but Sylla stopped her and asked for her to tell truth. Allena answers “I’m not sure”. Later she bids Sylla goodnight. Allena watches, out her window, riders leaving the fortress.

Vyruk announces the replies for the Council of Minara. Mori’Udon: yes, Thelrussa: no, Clan Telgori: yes, Enclave: ‘no reply’, Terragar: yes, Astral Dreamers: yes, Vermile: yes, Mazewall: no, Ironwood: yes, Balthor: ‘no reply’. He tells everyone they will be monitoring some key roads and the army will be deployed to protect those roads and the Pale Hall for the time being. He also tells everyone that the meeting will take place in 4 weeks. Allena can’t believe that it is actually happening. Maybe there is hope for the Sanctum?

Allena is talking with Vyruk in his office. Haron enters and announces that the Fel weavers have left Puhlo’um in a weakened state and should be ripe for the taking. Having most of the army predisposed at the moment he orders that the Valkar corps retake Puhlo’um and that Haron and Kel’thum will lead the attack. They next day Allena is helping Wela with her things as she prepares to go to Puhlo’um. She tells Allena that she regrets not being able to see the Council of Minara in all its glory. The sisters hug, and Allena tells her “We will avenge father, I promise you, just come back home safe”. Wela nods and saddles her horse and takes off. Allena then sees Sylla riding by. She makes a quip about Allena being a pencil pusher now, and allena comes back with a quip as well. The two laugh wave each other goodbye. Allena could still tell that she was not over her family’s death but was putting on a brave face.

The representatives from the various factions have started to pour into the Pale Hall. Vyruk assigned Allena to care for them. He told her that she should get to know the various people of the world and how they differ. A change of perspective can add a lot to one’s own. She shows various people to their rooms and talks with each of them a bit. The terragar rep informs them that the Siege of Fiyov has been lifted thanks a little help from John Barion, but that he is still exiled. Allena didn’t quite know how to feel about this. He betrayed both Terragar and the Sanctum.

The representatives from Mori’Udon arrive. She had never seen a mori before, and she became quite fascinated with them. They had a calm but strong demeanor. She met with their crown prince Kuromid’or and his grandson Thurm’or. That was the other odd thing, they live for so long, Kuromid’or was 140 years old and even had a grandson as well and his father still sat the throne. An odd but intriguing culture. She has lunch with them and is able to get to know them a bit. Kuromid’or seemed to be quite kind and strong, she thought to herself ‘he should make a good king someday’. Only one rep has yet to arrive, the one from Clan Telgori. Supposedly they hate the Fel Weavers as much as we do. Vyruk aslo vouched for them, having known their previous king. Now his son Vhrashess led them.

The last of them arrives. The lutum is covered in a robe and apologizes for being late. He also apologizes for Vhrashess not able to make it. He seems a bit large than most lutum she has seen Allena thinks to herself. The meeting will be held that night. Vyruk ask for Allena to attend the meeting as well and watch history be made. All the representatives make their way to the meeting hall. Its stones were carved from a white stone while the rest of the capital was made from a light gray stone. It was constructed after the Mage Wars. Here is where that last one was held, over 200 years. Allena feels a certain uplift about herself. She hasn’t felt this good in quite a while. She stands by the main doors of the hall next to the guards. The whole of the Sanctum High Council takes their seats at the grand meeting table. Vyruk sits at the head and will be leading the Council. The representatives take their seats. The meeting is underway. Vyruk initially lays out the current situation and the reasoning for everyone to back the Sanctum and its strife. Some don’t respond well to it. It continues like this for a while, lots of back and forth and people coming up with suggestions for solutions. Allena continues to listen and finds it all fascinating. The Mori seem to be leaning to help, which is good. But she does notice that the lutum has yet to say anything. Vyruk seems to have noticed as well. The meeting continues and several of those sitting at the grand meeting table have also taken notice that the lutum has yet to take part and they wish for him to weigh in on the current matters. He begins to speak, but it is slow. At the same time Allena hears a small noise from above. She looks up and sees a yellow dot through the rafters. It puzzles her. She watches for a while. Vyruk takes notice that Allena is distracted and has stopped paying attention to whatever the lutum is saying. She continues to watch it, then… then it blinks! Allena’s eyes grow wide. Vyruk stops the lutum who is speaking, something he said did not sit right with Vyruk. “Who are you?” he demands. Allena speaks up and says “I think something is not right here”. Her gut feels sick. She turns to look at the lutum who was just speaking. He rises from his hunched position and takes off his robe. His voice changes “I..? I am..” Vyruk cuts him off “The Black Butcher! Seize him!” Allena moves but a scrambling is heard from above. She looks up and sees dozens of lutum dropping out of the ceiling and rafters. One lands on her and his dagger goes straight into her right wrist, she screams. The room becomes flooded with the lizards. They swarm over the guards and the guest for the council. Some try to fight back, like Vyruk and Kuromid’or. Allena tries to get u again but another lutum lands on her and stabs the back of her left leg. She pulls a dagger and stabs it in the throat. She looks around the room and sees Vyruk in combat with the lutum. She desperately wishes to help him but she finds herself unable to get up or push the lutum body off of herself. She watches as the Butcher eventually lands a fatal blow on Vyruk. Tears begin to form in her eyes and rage in her heart. Kuromid’or is swarmed by a dozen of them and taken down. The screams and clash of steel hang in the air. She sees lutum tear into the flesh of the fallen members of the council. The stench of blood fills the room and the screams go silent. She tries to crawl away. But she is noticed. “Where are you trying to go?” She feels her beak grabbed and her head is turned to look at what is talking to her. It’s the Black Butcher. Sudden terror fills her. Her useless hand and frantic mind have made it hard for her to cast anything. He reeks of flesh and blood and is covered in it as well. “You are a pretty little thing are you not?” She notices other lutum begin to gather around her. “I can see the fear in your eyes, don’t worry it won’t last for long”. His mouth opens wide, she can hear the hissing from and the opening of all their maws. She closes her eyes and thinks of her Mother’s Hymn and tries to hum it too herself. Teeth drill into her flesh, gnawing, biting, chewing. The pain is unbearable. But she continues to try to focus on the hymn instead… She can’t contain the pain, she lets out an absolute horrifying horrendous stomach turning shriek. She thrashes about trying to throw them off of her, but it is no use. Their Claws and teeth have already sunk too deep into her flesh. She just wanted it to end, but the pain just continued. Eventually one goes for her throat and rips at it, ceasing her screams. Her vision fades into black and she once again tries hum her Mother's Hymn but all she hears is gurgling blood and the tearing of flesh.

Galava

A horde of lutum arrive at Puhlo’um with Galava at the head. She heads straight for her uncle and finds him in a tent in the middle of a city square. Her uncle, the Black Butcher, greets her with warmth. She has a large bag brought in and put on the table in the center of the table. The bag is emptied to reveal a rotting thorinai head. “I give you Lilavess”, Galava also informs her uncle that Viper’s Lagoon is theirs and they are slowly retaking the glattii territory they lost in the Grand Invasion. Butcher is pleased at pats her on the head and tells her good work. She also confirms that the thorinai have been “taken care of” back home. A lutum burst into the tent and tells them that Zilam is on his way here. They scramble to put the head back in the bag. Galava is confused as to why he is still alive, but her uncle assures her that it will be taken care of in time. The Butcher questions Zilam why the sudden arrival. Zilam answers that Yullanna commanded him to assist the Butcher in Puhlo’um. The Butcher instructs Zilam to take a force and begin raiding the villages south of here. He begrudgingly accepts and takes off. As he does he gives Galava a menacing stare. Buthcer exclaims that he will wait for Zraolog to arrive before they make another move.

A week later Zraolog arrives. He is immediately approached by the Butcher and Galava. He is questioned as to what happened in Mora. Zraolog tells them that Yullanna descended into the Silver citadel and that she is certainly dead. He made way for them as soon as he was sure she had descended. He also tells them about the circumstance surrounding Zilam. Galava is still upset at the matter, knowing that she fully completed her part and the Zraolog did not. Her uncle calms her rage and suggest they may be able to use Zilam. Galava suggest that zraolog should stay out of sight for the time being so no more questions are raised. They agree.

While Galava is in raiding a village to the east she spots a rider in the distance. She ask for a mount and takes off after the rider. When she gets closer she notices that it is a thorninai. She thinks it odd been when she realizes what direction he came from she hastens her mount’s speed. The thorninai must be coming from Mora to inform of what actually happened. An intense pursuit entails. It last for hours but she is eventually able to catch up and slay the thorinai. She rummages through his things and finds a scroll. It tells of their defeat in Mora, Yullanna never emerged from the silver citadel, and that the lutum are likely attempting a coup. Galava has a big sigh of relief that she was able to stop this messenger.

When she returns she confronts Zraolog, and ask for him to give absolute confirmation that Yullanna died. He explains that it would be assured. He has an ally in the Sanctum who informed about all the things he knew about the Silver Citadel and that something in the dark below, something ancient would take of her for us. The Butcher steps in and confirms this and expands, “So he has helped us so now must we help him”. He informs them that they will be meeting up with Zilam and striking at some village close to the Pale Hall, in order to anger the Sanctum and make them blind. After the meeting her uncle brings her to the side. He gives her a different command, that she empty Puhlo’um except for a small garrison and take the rest of the army west towards Go’zroul, the ruined city, and wait for further instructions. He explains that he will take care of the remaining thorinai in the meantime.

Galava has made camp with the horde in Go’zroul and has waited for some time. She gets word from her uncle after waiting for weeks. It ask that she move around to the south side of the Pale Mountians, only travel at night and once they get in sight of a certain landmark to stop and wait for a signal. She is curious as to what he is planning.

She arrives with the army at night and in the distance they see a feint glow from a tower. ‘Could that be the Pale Hall?’ She lies in wait in the tall grass easily hiding their small bodies. They kill a couple scouts that pass by. They wait for a few hours then another light can be seen higher that the tallest tower in the fortress. She can also see what looks to be smoke coming from the tower. She raises her arm, sword in hand, and yells for the attack to commence. They charge across the field and descend upon a confused sanctum encampment. They slaughter them as they attempt to ready themselves for combat. After some fighting she wondered how they were able to get close without being spotted, then she noticed, it was a new moon tonight. The fight was still long, they sanctum still fought tenaciously despite not being prepared at all. After the battle was over and tens of thousands lay dead in and around the Pale Hall, Galava approaches the fortress seeking out her uncle. She eventually finds him sitting at the head of the grand meeting hall atop the fortress. What look to be a hundred corpses were strewn about the hall, most had their flesh completely removed, most likely eaten. She approaches him and informs him that outside the fortress is secured as well. He congratulates her on her good work. After a bit of talk he gives her another command. Some of the Sanctum have left for Puhlo’um, on the morrow take a portion of the army, track them down and slay them. He tells her that he must wait for Vhashess here. Before she leaves he tells her “I am proud of you, you are worthy of the Black Claw name.”

Sylla

Allena’s party returns from the rescue mission. Before Sylla can approach her, she is whisked away to a debriefing meeting. One of the other members of the team, Refia (who Sylla knew), told her the sad news. That both her parents are dead, Nim was missing, and Nolan stayed to look for her in the now conquered city of Mora. Sylla doesn’t quite know how to react, her entire family has just been taken from her. She half-heartedly thanks Refia and walks off to one of the dining rooms. There she finds a bottle of wine and opens it. She eyes Wela’vel sitting at one of the tables sulking. She walks over and sits down across from her and ask what happened, while still drinking from the bottle. Wela says that she was just informed that her own father did not make it back either. Sylla grabs a couple glasses and ask if Wela wants any wine. She refuses. She ask Sylla if she thinks the Sanctum will recover from this. She answers with an “I’m not sure”. She continues to drink from the bottle.

Sylla doesn’t recover from her depression easily. Even her superior, Haron, takes notice of it. He sits her aside and tells her that she has to keep working. Everyone still is working, and everyone has lost someone. But they have to keep fighting. Sylla sort of shrugs it off and seems apathetic. He tells her that he will be leaving for a couple weeks with a handful of rangers to scout Puhlo’um and meet with a few other pockets of Sanctum troops. “You better be ready to fight when I return”. She gives a slight nod as she looks in the distance. Haron exits and Sylla begins to wonder where Sean is and how he might be coping with everything that has happened. She wishes that he was here and that she could talk to him about what has happened. Allena happens by. She tries to get Sylla to talk, but she doesn’t answer. Suddenly she feels herself held against Allena’s chest. She looks up her and then she begins to hum her Mother’s Hymn that she had heard hundred times before. She always used it to calm herself or her sister. But in this moment she felt like she was in her parent’s arms. Sylla broke her sullen face and the let the emotion flow out. She began to cry in her friends arms and reached her arms around her as well. She cried and cried while Allena comforted her.

Haron has returned and brings news of Puhlo’um. Sylla and the other Valkar members are informed that they will be moving out to secure Puhlo’um just ahead of the Council of MInara. She looks around in the barracks and sees lots of people getting ready for battle. She knew plenty of them. There was Kel’tum a battle Marshal of the Valkar Corps and at one point warden of the Pale Hall. Lyssa and her twin brother Laurent helped each other into their armor in the corner. Refia, a sweet but strong willed girl fitted her bracers on. Eda and Tyra, a felk, were joking to each other to cover up there obvious sorrow in these dire times. Sylla felt a large hand on her shoulder. She looked behind to see Wyst, an Houlune. He had been her mentor at one point in her life and always gave sound advice. He smiled at her, and Sylla smiled back. He exited the barracks. ‘These are the people left in my life. I guess they are my family now’. She saddles up and rides out of the castle. She is still trying to decide how she should feel. She sees Allena off to the side. Her smile cheers her up, she yells a quip at her and she returns one as well. She laughs and waves her goodbye. She didn’t want to give a whole-hearted goodbye. She thought it would mean they would never see each other again. Sylla had it in mind that she would definitely return.

The Valkar corps, led by Haron, arrives at Puhlo’um. They stand at the edge while assessing the situation. They are not greeted by any hostilities or and civilians. Sylla takes her troop into the city slowly. It still reeks of rotting flesh and death. She spies a few people hiding in their homes. She and her troop are attacked by a handful of lutum that are easily put down. Aside from the few survivors it is mostly carnage. She dismounts and orders half of her troop to help the survivors while the rest comb the area for any lutum. Tyra and Wela follow close behind her. They look through some of the ruble. Every now and then they would find a few lutum. She tried to ask the survivors they found if they knew what happened. Most of the day is like this. Until late in the evening Tyra finds someone that seems pretty coherent. The person tells Sylla that the Lutum suddenly left one day. ‘A mass of them left going west. After a couple days, most that stayed left going south.’ Sylla mounts and heads to find Haron. She tells him of what she heard. They send a few of their fastest riders to give Vyruk the news of what happened. Sylla and the corps stay to fortify Puhlo’um and help the survivors.

Only a single messenger of the three they sent comes back. He had another with him who had been garrisoned at the Pale Hall. The two men tell of what transpired at the hall. The whole of the army, and council were massacred. The lutum came in the night during the first night of the meeting and swarmed from the mountains and another force swarmed from the plains. The man who was garrisoned looked absolutely terrified. And he kept muttering to himself “they’re all dead”. Most who is near to hear the news falls to the ground in disbelief. Sylla clasps her hands around her head and sits down in disbelief as well. Crying can be heard.
   'Allena, the council, and all those visiting. All dead. I… I should have said more to Allena. What am I… what are we to do now. The sanctum is done. That was the nail in the coffin. But we can still avenge them.'
Anger takes over Sylla’s mind. She gets up and goes to her horse and readies it. She saddles it and is about to ride off when she is suddenly thrown from her horse. Standing over her is Wela and Refia. Wela helps her up and stares at her with a face confused of sorrow and anger. “Don’t Sylla, we know how you feel, be we can’t throw ourselves into the fire as well” Refia tells her. Sylla calms down from her anger, but the sadness seeps in.

Haron gathers all in Puhlo’um, the corps and survivors, and has them all march north to escape the Pale. Sylla and most in tow still have their hearts heavy with loss. He tells them they will make for Thelrussa in hopes that they will let them pass through their nation. They stop at several villagers on the way and offer them the choice to stay or leave with them. The journey is heavy and with very little cheer.

The company arrives at the borders of Thelrussa but are not allowed to pass. Sylla tries to argue with the gate captain. But he tells her that no refugees are allowed to pass through the gates, orders are straight from the top. Sylla goes to Haron and ask what is going on, he was supposed to have a connection here. Haron is confused as well and is unable to give her a straight answer. A commotion is heard from the south end of the crowd of people. Sylla pushes her way through only to see and a horde of lutum charging at them from the south. She sits there momentarily stunned, but then barks out orders for all members of the corps to get to the front to protect the civilians. Its chaos as people try to claw at the gate and push members of the corps trying to get to Sylla’s position. Kel’thum comes up next to her “so this is the end huh, caught between our two ancient enemies. I plan to go down fighting!” Sylla sees other she know gather beside her, Refia, Wela, Tyra and others. ‘At least I will die with what little family I have lefft’ she thinks to herself. The lutum get closer and closer. Her heart beats fast and sweat beads around her forehead. Everyone readies their weapons. They are just a few hundred yards away, she swallows and closers her eyes focusing on the sound of their charging, trying to calm herself before the end. She can also hear Haron pleading with the gate captain and the screams of all the civilians, the battle cries of her brothers in sisters in arms. She opens her eyes ready for death. BAAAWOOOOOOO! It came from the east. A familiar horn. She looks over the hill and there is a sight. A Terragar banner, next to a banner of the City-State of Peirat along with an army. Sean? She thinks to herself. The lutum stop in their tracks to face their new enemy. The horn blows again and she sees a man atop a horse unsheathe his sword and yell “CHARGE!” She looks around at those beside her stunned as well. She raises her sword and yells for them to charge as well.

After the battle the members from the corps greet the soldiers of Terragar with happiness and relief. Sylla walks through the battlefield looking for Sean. But she finds someone very different and invokes a bit of anger as well. She sees him, John Barion, the Traitor. She and several others faces turn from happiness to anger. John cleans his sword and looks at them and says nothing. “Say something” Sylla demands. “What do you want me to say? Your welcome, I’m sorry; nothing I say will change how you feel about me” John replies. He walks off. Sylla is left bitter, angry, and confused with a bit of relief. To have the person who betrayed your nation to arrive last second to save you, how is a person to feel about this. She watches as he collects his army and marches them towards the gates. All she can think now is how desperately she wanted it to be Sean, but she got the last person in the world she expected.

Weeks have past and the people of the sanctum are still left outside the gates. They have made camp. Sylla had argued with Haron for quite a while as to why he couldn’t get them across, he still didn’t have a good answer. John was let through with ease, why? Her hatred for him festered. One morning though without warning or expectation a representative escorted by one of John’s soldiers came down and told us that we could pass through. People found it slightly odd. They packed up and began to walk through the gate with uncertainty. As Sylla and the others walk through the road and pass several buildings she sees John standing atop a platform next to a thorinai who looks to be of high importance. It angered her, to be helped by that man again.

As they walk along the road she is approached by Haron. He states that he has connections in Balthor and he would like several of the members of the corps to come along with him. His tone turned her off a bit. She denied him and stated that she has other plans and plans to try and find a place in one of the free holds for the time being. The thousands of refugees pass through Thelrussa in hopes of finding a new home.

Sha’Nitauss

Sha’s group stops to discuss how they will reach Black Temple. He tells the group that going along the main road will likely get them caught so they will need an alternate route. Sha points at their haggard map. A region along the west side of the mountains called Deep Spire. Heavy rain continues. Ulara suggest against it, stating that with the heavy rain and the already hazardous terrain it will be hard. Sha still decides that is the way they will go. The group starts moving and heads to deep spire. Ulara stops Sha to have a word. She has to reconfirm that this is the way to go. She is obviously opposed and believes it to be too dangerous. Sha tells her this is the only way to complete the mission and return home. She recoils for a bit and Sha ask if there was something else bothering her. She says no and walks away. Sha finds it curious but is eager to continue the mission so he moves on as well.

The terrain proves to be harsh and moving through the region is slow. The rain has yet to cease. While climbing up around one of the rock spires, one glattii falls to his death. Sha is still eager to move on but he can see that his squad is losing its fervor. While climbing Sha thinks of his sister, and of how tired he is of this jungle, and rain. He thinks to himself that they can’t stop until the mission is done and then they can return home. They make camp for the night, and they pass around rations. One glattii makes a joke about how at least there aren’t any bugs up here. I doesn’t get much of response. Ulara moves to talk to Sha again and ask that they take it slower, or more will likely die. He tells them that they can’t lose any more time. Sha finishes his diner and tells the group that they will move out in the morning, get some sleep. He turns over into his bed roll. He thinks of when his blood rushes in the midst of combat and how he loves losing himself to it. But the image of his sister keeps popping up in his head. He thinks to himself ‘I have been away too long’. He falls asleep thinking of home.

Still moving through Deep Spire and particular severe storm hits them. They battle their way against the wind and rain to climbing up and in between the rock spires. Lighting begins to strike and one bolt hits the spire just above them causing rocks to fall nearly crushing them. Sha stands at the front still wading through the storm. Ulara yells at him. The sound of the wind mask what she says. She moves closer and yells to Sha that they must stop, or they will die; they must wait out the storm. Sha still refuses. He goes to grab the next edge when he feels his wrist being grabbed. He looks back and sees Ulara there grabbing his wrist with both her hands pleading him to stop. Sha couldn’t tell if she was crying or not; the rain masked it but her face said it all. He looks over her shoulder to see the other four remaining glattii. He watches them struggle through the wind and up the rocks. He turns his head back to Ulara and nods. He comes down and tells the others they will take shelter to wait out the storm.

They storm had stalled them for weeks. Ulara and Sha sit in the cave next a fire. The other glattii are asleep. Sha asked her if she missed her brother and if she desired to return home. She quickly says “of course” but with no real sincerity. Sha presses the question again. Ulara ignores it and ask why he is being so talkative, before the only words he would say were orders.  Sha tells her not to dodge the question. She goes into a bit about how her brother (Peitor) can be really pushy and sometimes it didn’t seem like he cared about her that much. She obviously starts to feel a bit uncomfortable as they discuss more about her life back home, so she puts the questions onto Sha, and starts asking about his sister. Sha at first says only bad things about, how she is always busy, a perfectionist, worries too much, and her temper can be real nasty. But she is also very comforting, and kind, and only has the best interest for those around her at heart. Sha tells Ulara how his sister never wanted to be a warmonger, but with a couple colonies still in noncompliance and the whole deal with trying to open Minara’s doors have made her do things she never wanted to do. “She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, and I’m here in the middle of the goddam jungle do what? Nothing, killing, do what I like to do, but it only worries her.” Sha turns away from Ulara, having never expressed these to anyone but his sister. Ulara reaches over to put her hand on his shoulder. Sha grabs her hand and tells her, “Another time”. He curls over and goes to sleep. The next day they wake to see the storm dissipate. And they move out, Sha goes back to his cold self, keeping speech only to mission relevant topics.

They see Black Temple in the distance. Partially covered in fog and trees. The city is massive and is made from some sort of black stone. The actual temple part of the city is the largest structure. It seems to be some sort of pyramid and its top sticks above the canopy of the forest that surround the city. Sha’s main thought ‘it feels old, like it has been there for a long time’. The group moves closer, but they notice lutum traffic increasing. This makes it difficult to remain hidden and unseen. They move cautiously. They make an attempt to get to the Pyramid-Palace. But are unable to get there without being seen. The ground is muddy, likely from the storm, and their heavy bodies make deep footprints. Sha and his group are careful to try and mask any prints that they make. A patrol marches around a corner near them and the scuffle back into some nearby bushes before they are seen. While in there they can here the patrol speak. One seems to be giving orders to another about where to post guards. Sha peeks out of the bush and sees a lutum with very different clothing than the others. He seems to be of higher rank. Sha puts his hand on his blade, reading himself. The higher ranking lutum stops the patrol, after looking down, then around. He tells them to stop talking. A pause of silence penetrates the air, it seems as though even the bugs laid silent for a moment. Sha grips his blade tighter and his pulse rises. The lutum then begins speaking again and signals the patrol to keep moving. The group sighs and backs out retreating to the outskirts of the city.

After some more scouting around the city, some information is dug up. First off, there is a new king of Black Temple, Vhrashess, the lame son of the old king. Another glattii adds in, that he does seem to be accomplishing more, word is that he is gathering the clans to fight against the Glattii Colonies. This only confirms to them that he needs to die. Ulara found what seems to be a sewer system below Black Temple that the lutum don’t seem to maintain very well. Sha tells them to take exploring the sewer slowly, they needn’t rush now that they are here.

Sha’s group spends days searching the sewer for an outlet into the Pyramid-Palace. The sewers are covered in overgrowth, mushrooms and moss. The water itself is layered with algae and other fouler things. They trudge through it still. Eventually they find an exit that leads into what seems to be the basement of the Palace-Pyramid. The place seems oddly empty. They scramble around the palace looking for the young king. They split up into pairs. Ulara goes with Sha. The two happen upon a balcony that overlooks the throne room. Sha looks down into it. He sees there the throne of bones. One of the five legendary thrones of the world, he had only ever seen the Coral throne back home that his sister and their father before her sat. Ulara urges him to move on the room is empty and they need to keep looking. Sha tells her to wait, he spies a single lutum heading to the throne. He spies another duo of glattii on the opposite balcony and signals them to move in on the lutum. Sha heads down to the main floor. He steps out in front of the throne and confronts the single lutum. The lutum speaks, but the voice sounds too old to be the young king that was spoken of. Lutum removes his hood and Sha recognizes him to be the lutum form the patrol before. The lutum introduces himself as Grand-Master Molgree of Clan Golgan and that the king they are looking for is away on important business. He tells Sha that he has been aware of their presence in Black Temple for a while now as waiting for them. The other pair of glattii meet up with Sha and Ulara in the Throne room. Then dozens of lutum seem to pour out of every crevice and nook. Soon Sha and his group are surrounded. Molgree suggest they surrender. One glattii yells out that they never will. Sha thinks through the various endeavors he could make, tries to think of how many he could kill. He thinks to himself, how easy this would be for Vrotok. After thinking for a minute, he couldn’t see any way out alive. Sha takes a deep breath, puts down is swords and sits down. The other glattii are shocked. After a moment of hesitation, they too do the same. The lutum come forward and chain them up. They are thrown into cells in pairs.

Sha and the others sit in the cells. It has been an unknown amount of time. One glattii still remains bitter at Sha for surrendering. Sha looks over at Ulara and sees that something is bothering her. Sha ask. She tells him that she is sorry for everything. Sha doesn’t know what she has to be sorry for. He passes it off as the cell time getting to her. Molgree stops by sometime later and checks in on them. Sha ask why he is waiting and why they aren’t dead. He responds with. My king will wish to speak with you, we will wait for his return.

Sha and the others are taken out of their cells and brought to the throne room in chains. Dozens of guards surround them. An unfamiliar lutum sits the throne. Sha thinks it looks female, pale and sickly. Three female lutum sit around the throne as well, but they look much livelier. Sha nearly speaks but is beaten to the punch by the pale lutum sitting the throne. “I am Vhrashess, King of Black Temple and of the new Lutum Empire. Sha is taken back by the voice, the pale sickly lutum is male. Vhrashess first ask what they were doing here. No one speaks up. He ask who sent them. No one speaks again. He ask what their names are. Silence still. But right when he was about to ask his next question sha speaks up. “I am Sha’Nitauss Shatirr, a commander of the Night Blades and younger brother to Matriarch Peila Shatirr. Vhrashess’ eyes widen. He remains speechless for a moment. “I… It pains me to be the bearer of bad news then. Sha, brother to Peila, your sister is dead. Murdered at the hands assassins from a rebel glattii group.” Sha feels his heart nearly stop. He slides back and just stares at the ground. A violent urge of sickness strikes his gut. He tells himself no, it can’t be. “I take it you did not know then”. When I heard, it seemed highly suspicious. Don’t you think” vhrahsess says. Ulara looks to be almost panicking. “Why do you say so” Sha manages to utter. “Even her legendary warrior Vrotok, whom the whole world knew to be one of the greatest, he too was felled by the assassins.” This causes doubt with Sha, “You lie, he… he would never fall to such a thing”. Vhrashess points to Ulara “I think there is one here that can confirm what I have just said.” Sha looks over to her. And he too sees her panicking. He ask her if it is true. She avoids the question, and just says that she wished it to not be true. “Peitor? Was he in on it?” Sha questions her. She slightly shakes her head “It was Gii who originated the idea and convinced my brother and I.” Sha can feel his blood boil, the rage began to rise “why? Why do it, and why are you here with me?” “To make sure you would not return home, but that was before I knew you, I never would have agreed to it now, I wish I could take it all back” she pleaded. “It seems you have no home to return to, Sha. I can help you get revenge, on those who murdered your sister and hijacked your people’s empire” Vhrahsess interjects. Sha stands up outstretches his arms, signaling for his chains to be removed. Molgree advises vhrashess not to do so. Vhrashess gives the go ahead. Sha’s chains are removed. “A knife” sha demands. Vhrashess nods in approval again, while several lutum look in uneasiness. Sha is given a knife he walks over to Ulara. She begs and pleads and apologizes to no end. She tries to stall him with “I love you Sha, after getting to know you on the mission.” “It is too late for such things” Sha says as he slowly shoves the knife into her collar bone going down and piecing the heart. Her face reads what she said was true, she did love him. But for Sha not everything can be forgiven. He leaves the knife there, and her dead corpse falls over. He turns around, faces Vhrashess, and says “Where do start?”

Vhrashess

Vhrahses sits in Reshoss’ hut. He and Reshoss discuss potential strategy. While Vhrashess would like to be able to take the glattii fleet head on, Reshoss explains they simply do not have large enough or as many ships to undertake such a thing yet. Reshoss further explains that they do have their boat makers working all the day every day on making new boats, but it will take time. He suggest for the time being that they do hit and run, steal from the ports while the ships are away. Hit lone glattii ships in force steal supplies then escape. Vhrashess agrees to it. Molgree enters with Shaeliz, one of his sisters. They explain that there is a bit of trouble back in Red-Vine, clan Telgori’s ancestral home. Shaeliz explains that their uncle Kroghlk has locked himself away in it and is holding a good portion of the amry under his command. On the docks of Sea-Ire, home of clan Sea-Snake, Vhrashess speaks with Reshoss Red-Scale. Vhrashess informs him that he must return to Black Temple to deal with his uncle and check up on other things as well. Before he boards the ship to go back home he order Reshoss to bring terror to the glattii ships in the Crystal Sea. Reshoss smiles and says “I will make them fear me, I shall be the scourge of the Glattii fleets.” He laughs and then has Vhrashess promise to catch the assassins. Vhrashess gives a nod and boards the ship, Molgree and Shaeliz follow as well.

They arrive in Black Temple and Vhrashess greets his sister Olgasha, who was holding down the fort while he was away. She informs him that the fel weavers have been very active in the Pale, but have yet to cross into Telgori territory. She tells him more about trouble with their uncle. He is holding a good portion of the army under his influence and they clan will be unable to make any move on their enemies without his support. Vhrashess tries to inquire directly into why he is doing this. But Olgasha is unable to explain. Furthermore Molgree sets upon Vhrashess and informs him that the assassins will likely be coming here eventually, for him once more. Vhrashess dismisses them and says he will deal with those things in the morning. He retires to his room. Shaeliz stands outside standing ever vigilant to protect her beloved brother. Vhrashess tries to think of what his uncle is thinking, but can’t come up with anything. He thinks that ruling is exhausting but fun. He hopes his sister Alveress will be able to convince clan Hrashess but they seem botched for the time being.

Vhrashess decides it is unwise to stay in Black temple because of possible assassins. So he informs Molgree and Olgasha to stay and make like he never left. While him and his sister Shaeliz make for Red-Vine with a small force to deal with his stubborn uncle.

He rides the palanquin with his sister beside him. The two discuss how long it has been since they last visited uncle Kroghlk and Red-Vine. They laugh at how crazy they use to think Kroghlk was. They enjoyed his company long ago, and didn’t see any reason for him to hate them. Vhrashess spots Red-Vine in the distance. They arrive and vhrashess has the palanquin bring him right near the front gate. He sees his uncle standing on the bulwarks. He has gotten a bit older, but still has the crazy eye. He shouts up to uncle and ask why he has locked himself away. Kroghlk grunts and says something about Vhrashess being weak, and not the true heir to Jahvress. Vhrashess thinks to himself that he is going to have to deal with this sort of discrimination against his affliction again. He sighs and tells his uncle that he will make camp just off the main road and will come back when he is a better mood. His unlce snorts and hides disappears behind the bulwarks.

Vhrahsess attempts to convince his uncle again. This time his uncle conveys why he does not approve of his Kingship. He explains how he thinks that he is weak, sickly, and unfit to carry on the Telgori line. Part of Vhrashess knows this to be true. Vhrashess ask if his uncle’s sons are any more fit to be king than he. Kroghlk quickly replies with a “absolutely”. “Uncle, you hold my unification of the Lutum hostage, next time I come up to the gates you best be ready to surrender to me.” Kroghlk gives a slight cackle, “I have the larger army here, I f wanted to I could crush you” he says and turns away from the bulwarks. Vrashess and company return to the camp. He is approached by Shaeliz. “You know who to find dear sister, bring him to me.” “Yes my dear brother.” Shaeliz goes off into the forest with a handful of other lutum. The next day a messenger arrives. A felk. It surprises Vhrashess, he questions the messenger’s presence. The felk says that he was directed here from lord Molgree. Vhrashess wonders what importance of knowledge would this felk carry that Molgree would allow him through. “Speak messenger, don’t keep me waiting all day.” He nods and begins to read from the letter. Which explains the upcoming Council of Minara, and that Vhrashess or representative of his interest has been invited. Vhrashess finds it curious that the sanctum would want his help, they must really be desperate. The felk speaks again asking what happened to Jahvress, for that is who he expected to meet. Vhrashess thought for a second and realized they have not expressly said that Jahvress went missing and is presumed dead. Vhrashess tells the felk that his father perished not too long ago, he has taken his father’s reigns. He sends the messenger back to the pale with a confirmation of his attendance, but he has a matter to clean up before he sets out for the Pale Hall.

Vhrashess stands before the battlements of Red-Vine once more. “I gave you every opportunity to accept me as your king, uncle. I will give you one more chance like I promised.” His uncle stands on the bulwark and simply sneers at Vhrashess “I would cut out my own eye before I bow to a runt like you.” Vhrashess gives a signal for someone to come forward from behind his company. Shaeliz steps out with two lutum chained up. “They were not so hard to find, my dear uncle. You tried to hide them, but I have known their presence since the day I arrived.” Vhrashess looks up at his uncle and sees his face turn pale. “My… my sons… how?” “Did you forget? I have Molgree and clan Golgan in my following, they are master spies, trackers, and assassins.” Kroghlk curls with anger. Vhrashess can tell the words he is about to say are hard. Vhrashess is dying in anticipation, he wants to see his uncle beg. Shaeliz holds a knife up to one of her cousin’s throat. Kroghlk pulls a knife from its sheath. He raises it. Several in vhrahsess’ company ready themselves. Kroghlk then cuts out his left eye, throws it to Vhrashess’ feet, and then bows.

Isnside Red-Vine Vhrashess site at the head of the table and drinks from a cup of wine. Around the table sits his uncle and cousins. They look to be having a jolly time. Kroghlk stands up to make a toast to Vhrashess. He declares him as the Cunning King of Black Temple and Red-Vine. Vhrashess tells his uncle that he may keep Red-Vine for his broods but first is war. He orders his uncle to take an army south and begin raids against the glattii colonies in the south. He nods in agreement and the room cheers. After the diner vhrashess approaches him and compliments his new eyepatch. Kroghlk laughs “I did not know a lutum with soft-scale could be callous.” Vhrashess informs him that he is going to head north for a meeting with the Sanctum. His uncle wishes him luck. Vhrahsess and his small company move north toward the Pale Hall.

When they exit the tree line Vhrashess and Shaeliz can see smoke on the horizon. As they move closer and closer they see charred bones and broken sanctum banners. A sinking feeling sets in. Shaeliz comments that it was probably wise they were late. As they get close enough to see the Pale Hall, they spot large columns of smoke billowing out of it and Black Claw banners flying over the battlements. ‘The Butcher’. He arrives at the gates and is greeted as a king by the Butcher’s men. The butcher himself comes to greet him, and addresses him properly as king. Zroalog also joins in. Once in a private room, Vhrashsess questions what has been going on. The Butcher is surprised to hear criticism. Expressing that he took out both the Throinai of the Fel weavers and the lutum’s ancient enemy, the Sanctum. Vhrashess feels confused and conflicted by his words. He is right, but it should not have been like this. He eyes the room and still sees half eaten corpses and charred bones lying about. It disgust him. Black Butcher offers for Clan Black Claw and Clan Wreaver to join under Clan Telgori once more. To unite the clans. Vhrashess feels he can’t let this opportunity pass up but the whole thing makes him feel uneasy. To abide such a monstrosity as the Butcher in order to unite the clans, he had hoped he would be able to put him down at some point before Black Claw would rejoin the Empire. Vhrashess stands up outstretches his hand. The Butcher puts out his monstrous one and shakes his. Vhrashess felt sick in his gut. The Butcher explains that they are already working on pushing the glattii out of their colonies along the east coast. Vhrashess agrees that he should continue to work for that. They hammer out a few more details. Like Zroalog will return with vhrashess to Black temple so their clans have a voice in court, and among other things are agreed to. Before Vhrashess heads out the Butcher informs them of the change in Glattii leadership and of the Peila’s death. He tells him to expect the glattii to begin to be more violent under a more military leader. On their way back home Shaeliz speaks with Vhrashess about this. He tells her they had no choice, but they should let the butcher be and keep him as afar way from Black Temple as possible. Neither of them trusted him.

On his return to Black Temple Vhrashess gives a speech to the masses of the return of the Lutum Empire and the defeat of the Sanctum. The crowd roars. But vhrashess still feel uneasy about the whole thing. He sits in on Molgree’s meeting, in which he informs him about Reshoss’ so far success in the crystal sea, and of that the assassins have been captured. Vhrashess tells him that he will speak with them in a few days, for now he wants to rest. He goes to his bedroom and sees all three of his sisters waiting. He did not know Alveress had returned, it cheered him up slightly even though she did not have good news about clan Hrashess. They have devolved into a small civil war in deciding who their next leader would be. They tell him to get some good rest. The journey has been taxing and his frail body needs time to recuperate. He thinks about what to do with the glattii prisoners. He wonders if he might be able to get them to speak of information about the glattii.

After he was able to turn Sha and the other remaining glattii to his side. It took some convincing from Sha, but the other four agreed. He thought about the promise he made to Sha and if he would keep it in the end. Surely he does not wish to see his empire crash only the heads of those responsible for his sister’s death. The first strategy meeting with the glattii present. Before the meeting Vhrashess explains to Sha that they first need to rid the Hissthiss jungles and Deep-Glint Marshes of the glattii presence before they can move toward the Glattii capital, for Sha to get his revenge. Sha seemed to not take that well, but he understood that they just can’t sail for E’sharr right away. During the meeting Vhrashess explains while the Butcher attacks the eastern colonies, they will move south to retake the Glattii colonies and loosen their grip of Clan Xraash. He then gives the floor to Sha who begins to explain how some glattii sea tactics work. But he gives one condition that they will not execute glattii prisoners so that he may talk with them. Several lutum outrage at this. Vhrashess backs him up and says this will be doable. He explains to Sha afterwards that the Butcher will not do the same on the east coast. He wants to make sure Sha is aware that he is actively side against his own kind. Vhrahsess and his sisters ready to leave for Sea-Ire. Before they step on the boat he tells Sha not to ever speak of the assassinations he committed in the jungles to anyone. He nods. As the ship embarks southward, Vhrashess thinks about how he has the empire he desired. The lutum are well on their way to unifying, only two clans remain. But the whole thing still makes him feel uneasy.

John

Beneath the Silver Citadel, John and the remaining people of his company are traveling through an underground waterway. Norwyn, John’s second in command, had commandeered a blueprint of the waterways and is currently leader them through it as members of the Den chase after them. John is distant, and is mostly just trying to sort through everything he just saw during the escape. He barely speaks. He feels like eons of history and knowledge was just shoved into his mind. He meets every question form Norywn with a simple nod or shake of the head. There was something he held in his hand. Something he did not realize he was still carrying. A book, the one he saw on the pedestal from when he was in the hollows. The company comes to a point where water seems to have flooded the pathway. Norwyn and Tormun argue about the supposed dead end. John signals for silence. Echoes come from down the corridors they came from, members of the Den were still coming. He signals for everyone to go through the drowned pathway. There was narrowly enough room between the water level and the ceiling for everyone to breathe. John held the book out of the water as he waded through the passage. Everyone followed. They come out onto the Old Lake basin. Many of the soldiers start to dry off their clothes. Norwyn approaches John and ask what he saw deep below the citadel. John avoids the question saying he will speak of it later. For now they must reunite with Garret Crofter, John’s chief military commander. He tells his men there is no time to rest yet. He does a quick head count, little over a hundred men. He assumes the ones he left in the city to be dead. He has a moment of sorrow, as he feels that he failed those who died and those he left behind.

The road north is hard. They have hardly any food and are forced to take it from the fields nearby. The company is ragged from the week of travel. They also work to avoid patrols of glattii platoons. They eventually arrive at the meeting spot. Only to find his army nowhere to be found. A local villager tells them that they had moved north towards Fiyov on account of the Glattii had begun to siege the city again. Again they travel a couple more days before they are able to meet up with his army. He is first met by Alwyn Tomes, one of his field commanders. He calls for men to bring John and his company water and food. To take their equipment to be cleaned. John is brought to his tent. He ask Alwyn why they moved. Garret Crofter enters and explains that they have allied with a local Sanctum commander to help break the siege of Fiyov so that they may return home. John’s mind and body are both exhausted; he is angered a little by this but he finds it understandable. John calls for a meeting, after draining a water-skin. Most of his inner circle arrive.
Just in front of him stand his commanders: Garret Crofter – Chief Commander, Alwyn Tomes – Field Commander, Robert Keran – Field Commander. To his right stand his personal guards and some his best fighters: Tormun Stone, Rogarr (a Glat), and Kevin Joross. To his left stand his advisors: Walter Raiment, Norwyn Quinn – Second in Command, Gorosh (a Lutum) – chief of intelligence, and his personal physician Valax’Cal who had already started to examine John for any injuries. John dismisses him and tells him to check on the rest. He bows and leaves.
They all stand in silence before John, waiting for him to say something. All John can think of is the people who are missing. Martin, he had always been beside him in battle. Richard, a good sensible and logical man, most likely died at the hands of the Fel. And Kaljoro, he left the largest gap, it won’t be the same without him. He also wondered about his son Sean, and hoping that Valax placed him in good hands. John breaks the silence “We break the glattii siege, and once we return to Terragar I will tell you the next course of action. Garret, I assume you have already begun to make a plan on how to approach the glattii.” He nods to John. “We rest for tonight, they move in the morning.” The group says “Yes, My Lord” in unison as they salute. They exit, except for Norwyn. “You have to tell someone what you saw down there, sir. Or it will eat you alive, I can already tell”. Norwyn takes his leave. John lies down on his bed, his legs sore from the intense amount they had traveled with little rest. He falls asleep.

John sits atop his horse with his army behind him. He looks down at the Glattii encampment. They had already begun to fortify their position from outside forces. He looks over to Garret, and nods. Garret gives a series of signals to the troops. They move out in elaborate formations. John has decided to sit this fight out. His aging body was still sore. He watched from the ledge as his army crashed against the glattii. The Sanctum begun to sweep from the west. The battle was over in a matter of a couple hours. The majority of the glattii fled to the east obviously outmatched by their combined forces. He looks beyond the city of Fiyov; he can see the Copper Pass and the city of Brom beyond it. He was almost home. He wished dearly to see his family, but he knew he had a lot to answer for. Olin will have a hard time understanding.

He and his forces walk through the city of Fiyov. They people look well taken care of but the structures around them had damage and some had been reduced to rubble. The city was strong, withstood two sieges by the glattii, and largely manned by Felk. Strong warriors he thought. They all looked at him with callous. He knew why, he had betrayed them for a plan that he was unsure would work out now. As he approached the gate he saw other terragar soldiers walking through, they were from other City-states. Then he saw him. Sean. John’s mouth slightly agape. What was he doing here? He watched him as he hobbled along. His leg was still hurt. John wanted to reach out and explain. But he kept his composure. Sean looked back. Their eyes met. John did not change his face, and Sean’s turned to a face, not of anger, but of disappointment. Later, John had waited for the rest of the Terragar soldiers that were not his own to pass. He approached the gate master. He was refused passage, along with all his commanders and advisors, but those of lower ranks could pass. John questioned the reasoning behind it. The gate master explained that by decree from Governor-Commader Olin, John and his upper command had all been exiled. He learned of Orion’s fate as well, along with any other conspirators being jailed. John brought the news back to his men. Most felt disappointment and anger. John gives a speech about how he learned of something in the west, from his time below the citadel. He explains that those who are loyal to him should follow him west so they may find allies in the west to return and beat the glattii out of the Pale and protect Korhan. He tells his men if any wish to return home, they may and no one will think less of them. But for those who wish for salvation should follow him west. Of his 1500 soldiers left over 200 leave to return to Terragar. John and the rest of his forces move out the next morning heading west towards Thelrussa.

John and his Loyalist make camp as dusk is near. John is in his tent being examined by Valax. He tells John that he still needs to take it easy as his body has undergone some extreme stress lately. John nods in agreement but tells his that they still need to move beyond the Pale before they are really able to rest. During this Norwyn enters and hands John a plate of food. Norwyn dismisses Valax. Norwyn waits for Valax to leave before he shifts focus back to John. John ask if he has any questions. Norwyn starts out by explaining how long he has been loyal to John, and that he has done to help him. John tells him to spit it out. He demands John tell him what happened beneath the Citadel, what happened to Martin and the others. John sighs but agrees it isn’t fair for him to keep it to himself. He tells Norwyn about his descent, his encounter with Yullanna, and what he witnessed in the Grove. He continues explaining a few of his visions. He explains that he discovered their true enemy beneath the citadel. Their true enemy is the Order. “You can’t be serious John” Norwyn says with a slight chuckle. He then looks over into John’s eyes to see them cold, glaring straight at him with no jest. Norwyn then questions how will they go about fighting one of the most powerful organizations in the world, not only that but this will make them extremely unlikable, as a good portion of the world worships them. John explains that is why they head west, several factions of the west do not follow the Faith of the Order. Including Thelrussa, the Mori’Udon, and the Astral Dreamers. John further explains that this won’t be easy, and he needs the support of those who follow him now more than ever. Norwyn expresses that he will be loyal to the end. John nods in solidarity. After dinner, Norwyn heads to his own tent. John lays there thinking of his role in the events ahead, and his promise to Aevum. It will be sometime before he will be able to return to Terragar.

Fortunately they haven’t encountered much trouble yet after having traveled for weeks. John thinks to himself that maybe the war is quieting down. They should be arriving in Thelrussa within the next day. They had taken the travel a tad easy to allow some time to rest. He thought of how the thorinai of Thelrussa might greet them. And he thought of different things he might do to gain their trust. His family back home still weighed heavy on his mind and he hoped Olin could keep Terragar safe until his return. Walter, his advisor, interrupts his thoughts. John answered “Yes?” being slightly annoyed. He tells him what their scouts saw on the horizon ahead. A Fel army was moving north against a Sanctum encampment outside the borders of Thelrussa. John takes it in and ponders about it. He looks back. He sees those loyal to him. Even with the continued travel they don’t look too haggard. He tells Walter to raise the banners and inform the commanders to get their companies into formation; be ready to ride. The army whips into order and make double time westward.

John and his army arrive on a hill overlooking the border with Thelrussa. He sees the Sanctum encampment and the horde of lutum fast approaching them. He gives the signal for the horn to be sound. He sits upon his steed with a line of cavalry going down each side of him. He still aches in his legs and shoulder. He draws his sword ‘Horn’. “Now is the time. We ride not for Terragar, not for the Sanctum, but to end our shared enemy. Follow me, and we will return to Terragar, I promise you that. CHARGE!” His soldiers roar as they charge down the hill to meet the fel in combat. The horses quickly trample the first few lines of lutum but are soon slowed or too injured to continue. John dismounts swing his sword with a tactile grace. He cuts any lutum before they are able to get in striking range. John ignores his aching bones and muscles. He needs to show his men that he can still fight. He eyes a female lutum who looks to be the leader. He signals soldiers near him to move in on her. One of his field commanders, Robert Keran, fights beside him. He smiles. Good to fight next to a friend. The fight continues. During the fray John finds himself nearly killed by a lutum but Robert sacrifices himself to prevent John from being stabbed. Now John stares down the lutum leader. His stare is chilling and menacing. The female lutum looks directly back at him, but John’s stare gets to her. Some of John’s allies arrive and back him up. The lutum sound a retreat. With the Lutum gone, John surveys the battlefield afterward; he sees his troops helping the injured sanctum ones. He calls for a healer. As he hovers over Robert, trying to stop the bleeding. Robert looks up at John “Did they touch you, did you get cut?” John looks down at his friend and slightly shakes his head no. Robert smiles “John the Untouchable lives”. A medic arrives and John backs away.

A field of bodies covered in linen. John walks the lines looking at their faces. Among them is Robert. ‘Another, gone from my circle. This will not be an easy journey’. Afterwards he approaches the gates of Thelrussa. He is meet by their leader, Grand Sage Serrac’Tev. He welcomes John in and says they have much too discuss.

In the city of Nihlazair, Thelrussa’s capital just a dozen miles north of their border. Serrac invites John and several of his upper echelon to a dinner. John ask why there are so many sanctum refugees outside the borders. He reveals what happened at the Pale Hall. Several people drop their utensils in disgust of the news. He also explains that he has no desire to let the refugees through. Why should he help the nation that has dismissed the thorinai for centuries? He then continues with a certain idea he has of extending Thelrussa’s domain into the now open Pale and to the North as well, which would infringe on the freeholds. He expresses a desire for John to join him in this and work under him. He tries to guilt him by saying he is giving his forces food and shelter. John flat out denies him. Serrac being a thorinai of class, accepts his answer for now and prays that he reconsider in the future. After the dinner John and his men are escorted out of the Palace back to their camp outside the city by a thorinai by the name of Ilian’Zilvar. He has a short chat with John, appolgizing for Serrac’s rudeness. He also tries to explain that not all thorinai in Thelrussa still hold a centuries’ old grudge. He tells John that they should tread carefully around Serrac, he can have quite the temper.

A letter from Olin sits on the table. John sits in his tent reading the letter over and over again. He is left aghast at its contents. Norwyn stands at the entrance, “You should tell the men”. “How, how… with this. How are supposed to continue with what we are doing.” “You can’t hide this, it’s wrong.” John nods in agreement. He stands and tells Norwyn to gather all the troops for an announcement. Nowryn takes his leave. John thinks about what he is going to say. After all the soldiers are gathered, John stands before them.
“Today I received a word from Terragar.” (He pauses for a moment) “I have learned that Terragar has been invaded… by… the Glattii. Some details came through. Their conquest has been swift. Wulfarl, has already fallen, Djarge is under siege, and Serraco is about to fall. Olin stated that it is likely all of Terragar will fall soon.” (Anger can be heard from the men) “I know this is grave news for us. Many of you will wish to return home, to protect your families from the Glattii. But what will you do? From what Olin said in the letter, Terragar has likely already fallen. As we are we can do nothing. The road ahead will be hard. If you leave now, nothing will be accomplished, but if you stay with me we will be able to accomplish something of importance. A more true enemy lies on our doorstep, and the glattii are merely a puppet to them. The Order. They have masterminded this whole thing. We will head west and gather allies who also oppose the Order. We will return and crush the glattii and their overlords. Stay with me and I promise, we will return to Terragar.” (There is a mix of silence and cheering from the men).
After the speech John is in his tent with his inner circle about him. Walter makes the comment that it will still take some convincing of some to stay. John tells them just as before, if any wish to leave, they may. The room has a somber atmosphere. John dismisses them, and tells them to come to peace with what just happened. As the room empties, John turns to his table and tries to distract himself with some work. John senses that one person did not leave yet. He turns to only to see a knife going straight for his face. He barely turns his head in time to avoid a lethal strike. However the blade cut through his right eye. John falls to the ground holding his eye with his right hand. He yells out. He looks back, his attacker moves to finish. Now he gets a good sight on him as he is able to avoid the next strike. His attacker is his own guard Tormun. Several other guards enter at that moment and subdue Tormun. John moves to sit on his cot. He looks at the attacker with blood gushing from his eye. One guard rushes to get Valax. Rogarr stands behind Tormun holding him down. He ask what John wants to do with the traitor. John relaxes and recovers his composure. He tells Rogarr to let him go. Everyone looks at John with surprise. “I understand why he did it. A lot of you must want to do the same as he. Here I am. I offer my life. But will killing me bring back our home.” The crowd looks confused. Nowryn quietly has everyone exit the tent. Valax enters and begins to look at his eye. He begins treating it to stop the bleeding. John leans back slightly as he thinks of his family back home, His wife, his daughter, and his son.

Days later Valax is examining John’s wound. He tells John the eye is lost. He covers it up and is relieved that it has stopped bleeding. John comments how he will have to train again to deal with the loss of depth perception. Valax begins to clean up his equipment. “I know what you did was not easy. But I should tell you, not a single soul left.” John turns to Valax with a questioning face. “We all are behind you now. John’s Loyalists, some of the people are saying.” Their conversation is interrupted by a thorinai escort, led by Ilian. John has been summoned to meet with Serrac again. On the way to the palace John tries to get some answers out of Ilian. But he gives short vague responses. Before they enter the hall Ilian stops the group and gives some advice to John. “Try not to upset him. And Serrac always gets what he wants, avoiding playing games with him.” John ask Ilian to give a message to his second in command Norwyn Quinn. Ilian nods inquisitively, and leaves John. He enters the hall. At the end of a long table sits Serrac pouring over scrolls and maps. Serrac gets straight down to business. He ask John to join him one more time, and says he and his men will be well compensated. John denies. Serrac sighs. He gestures with his hands. A dozen guards walk out from side passages and move to surround John. One guard ask for John to place his weapons on the table. “You are making a mistake Serrac.” Serrac laughs as he drinks from his glass of wine, “You made the mistake of refusing my generous offer”. John removes his weapons, which to the guards’ surprise he had several hidden knives that thye did not originally notice. John is then escorted to a room in some tower and locked in.

In tower several days later John sits next to the window playing with a candle, waving his hand back and forth over it. A knock on the door. Guards enter and escort John to Serrac’s private study. Serrac ask John if he is ready to talk. He nods in compliance. John sits at the table across from Serrac. Serrac dismisses the guards. Serrac starts off explain how he knows all about John’s accomplishments and exploits. He also comments on John’s new wound, a poor wound for a swordsman to have. After that short banter Serrac moves back to business. He commands John, one last time to join him. John denies one more time. He sighs in disappointment. He then gives John the new scenario, he will be kept in the tower, “Your soldiers will obey me or you will die”. “You underestimate my men.” “Yes, but what can they do for you, if I wanted to I could kill you right now. Your men are nowhere near here, and all your precious blades have been taken from you. You are a wolf stripped of his claws and teeth. You have nothing over me.” John looks over the room with his eyes, “you do have me in a vulnerable state I will say. How can I refuse now?” Serrac nods, and stands up to grab a bottle of wine, “So much for John the Untouchable”. John eyes the pen and quill sitting in the inkwell and a map compass nearby. “You know what the sigil of house Barion is?” “A Ram, what of it.” “You made one mistake, thinking me defeated once you took my weapons and army away from me. First you did not take all my weapons away from me.” John quickly grabs the pen and compass, and lunges at Serrac. Upon hearing those words Serrac turns to face John, he raises his hands reading them for a spell. John was too quick though, John knocks away his hands while stabbing them with the compass. He then grabs Serrac’s beak and holds it up. “You forgot to remove to remove the horns”. He then repeatedly stabs Serrac in the throat with the pen. Serrac struggles to free himself, but John’s hold is too tight. John lets Serrac fall to the floor dead. He wipes off his hand on his pants. A knock at the door. John adjust his composure before opening it. Their stand a handful of his men including, Tormun and Norwyn Quinn. On the floor outside the door lie the dead thorinai guards. John orders a couple of his soldiers to fetch Ilian’Zilvar. John sits back down in his seat as they wait for Ilian. Once he arrives John gestures for him to sit in Serrac’s seat. He does cautiously. He ask what they have done. John says “I have a proposition for you”.

With Ilian now Grand Sage of Thelrussa, he agrees to an alliance with John. John also convinces Ilian to let all the refugees through the border so they may go to the Freeholds. After the ceremony, John sits down with Norwyn at a table. Norwyn ask what is next on the agenda. “We gather more allies. The Mori are strong, and will be great allies. Plus there is someone there whom I need to retrieve. We will need his help in the end”. Norwyn looks at John inquisitively. “He is a man of the Den of Guardians, and he went west to find an artifact, I am told. I would ask that you keep that between me and you” Norwyn nods. John sits back, drinks some wine, and lets the weight of his actions bear down. All that he has done, he knows he will have to answer for eventually.

Kaylen

In the governor’s manor in the City-State of Peirat, Kaylen sits at a desk tinkering with a small box. She places gears gently into the underbelly of the box. As she adjust her magnifying spectacles she inspects a small brass cylinder with tiny bumps on it. She places in the top part of the box, secures its position, and rotates it along a row of tines. An elegant sound comes from the box, imitating a musical composition. She places the winder pin into the side of the box, and winds it around. She releases and the box begins to play music. She looks around her room. Several clockwork objects move and turn. A clock chimes 6 times on the mantle. She has had a lot of time on her hands lately since her family had been placed on house arrest by Olin. She wondered exactly what her father has been planning. All she knew was that he betrayed the Sanctum, but to what extent she could not say. She also wondered if her older brother Sean had anything to do with it. She also hoped he was ok. A knock at the door. Her mother’s voice calls for dinner. Kaylen tells her that she that she will be right down. Kaylen looks back to her desk, closes the music box lid, and removes her magnifying spectacles. Down at dinner, a guard, not of their house, stands at the exit. It is eerily quiet. Across from Kaylen sit her younger brother Brandon, he is thin and somewhat struggle to cut through the pork on his plate. To her left sits her mother, Marianne Barion, She looks elegant and formal. Kaylen breaks the silence with a question. She ask when her father and Sean will be home. Marianne pauses for a moment, then answers. “I don’t know if your father will ever be able to come home. As for Sean… that is a little more debatable.” Kaylen becomes a bit sullen and continues to eat her dinner.

Olin has arrived in Peirat. From her room, Kaylen watches him step out of the carriage in the Manor’s courtyard. He is greeted by her mother and the two enter into the manor. A couple hours go by. She spends that time fiddling with some of her contraptions. A knock on the door. She goes to answer it. Her mother stands there with Olin standing behind. He steps in front and ask Kaylen if he may enter. She nods. Olin signals for a guard to escort Marianne downstairs. He closes the door and stands at Kaylen’s desk. He ask her if John told her anything about what he has been planning. She tells him that she doesn’t. Olin looks over all the contraption on her desk. Kaylen ask if her father and Sean will be able to come home. Olin sighs, and tells her that John will not be coming back anytime soon. Sean on the other hand, he doesn’t even know if he is alive, but if he comes back he will be jailed and questioned. Kaylen is saddened by that. Olin ask her if she made all the constructs around the room. Kaylen perks up to the question and answers yes. He tells her that she has improved quite a lot since he last saw. He tells her that he found a cache of odd equipment in Greywater. He pulls out cylindrical looking object with a handle. It was made of wood and iron. He handed it to her. She inspected it. Above the handle was a series of pins and triggers. She asked what it did. “It is magic for the common soldier. I will ask you once. Will you come with me to Seraco? I have an opportunity for you.” “Only if you promise that if Sean returns, you will not arrest him” she replies. “Alright, but I still will have to ask him questions”. She nods.

Once they arrive in Seraco, Olin waste no time. He introduces her to several of the top engineers and leaders of Terragar. They comment how if she managed to impress Olin, then she must be of some true skill. After the introductions Olin shows her to a room with many of these ‘firearms’ as he called them. He nods to one man. Kaylen watches in wonder as the man readies the firearm. He places a small ball into the barrel and pours some dark gray powder into the top. He holds it up and aims it down the hallway at a pig corpse. He pulls the trigger, and it fires. A plume of smoke erupts from the barrel. Kaylen notices something violently go through the pig. The group goes and inspects the damage. A whole the size of a coin. Olin has the corpse cut up to show the real damage. He explains that the lead balls are the projectiles and can kill a man with one shot, if it hits something vital. For another hour they test the firearm. Even Kaylen gets a chance to try it. Olin places a steel breastplate over the pig corpse. He nods to Kaylen to go head. A man gives her pointers about firing it. She pulls the trigger. BOOM. Almost deafening. She could feel its power. It was exhilarating. They go to inspect the damage. It went straight through the breastplate. Olin looks at her and he explains that he wants her to make more of these. She agrees in excitement.

Kaylen has been working tirelessly on making the firearms. Making them was tedious. First they had to reverse engineer them because they did not have blueprints or anything as to how they were made. They had not made very many yet. Her workplace feels odd. She is the only one of her age and also the only girl here. She laughed to herself about taking notice to it. She was happy that she was able to show everyone else up, in a field obviously not ideal for women. After working all day she takes to a resting in a nearby dinning lounge. Olin enters and sits down across from her. He tells her that it is time for her to her the plan. Olin explains that a glattii invasion will likely come soon. These weapons should help to deal with them. But the major part is the new fleet that is being made. These ships will have similar technology to the guns. He explains that he wants her to leave to Greywater soon to work on them. He wants her first to make a master schematic for the firearms they are working on now.

The day before she leaves for Greywater, Sean arrives. She sees him being escorted through the halls bellow. She sees that his hands are shackled. She rushes down and demands why he is being treated like this. The guards just say they are doing as ordered. She tells them that Olin agreed that Sean would not be jailed. She waits for one of the guards to fetch Olin. In the meantime she is happy to see her brother. She embraces him. “I missed you, mom misses you as well”. Sean nodes and gives he embraces her as well repeating the same sentiments. Olin arrives. Kaylen turns to him, “You promised he would not be treated like this if I helped you.” Olin sighs and signals the guards to un-cuff Sean. “I’ll leave you two to catch up with each other.” Sean and Kaylen talk for hours. She shows him some of the new constructs she has made and Sean tells her all about his time in Mora and the Pale. She thinks Sylla sounds lovely and would love to meet her someday, once the war is over. She is sad as well, she just now gets reunited with her brother only for her to leave the next day. Sean tells her that this will not be the last time they meet. The next day Kaylen rides on a caravan heading north to Greywater. She brings a couple of the firearms with her so she can continue to tweak them.

Kaylen sees Greywater one the horizon, she has not been there since she was young. She loves the smell of the harbor and fresh cut timber. She eyes the shipyards, they are massive. She is given a tour of the shipyards and meets with Kenneth Galant, who is overseeing their construction. She explains to him that she is to overseer the construction of the ‘cannons’ for the ship. He looks at her oddly, as if he expected someone different, than a 16 year old girl. He shows her to the foundry and crucible area that they are attempting to create the cannons. She gets right to it in getting familiar with her new workspace.

She has been working on them for weeks, and his just now getting the molds right, with the right density in the metal. Otherwise the cannons were liable to crack just after a couple shots. The workers were a little opposed to taking orders from her at first, but she whipped them into shape, showing her prowess in engineering. The upbeat mood is dashed when they get word that the Glattii have invaded Terragar, and that Wulfarl is already lost. Kenneth gives the order to work double time, they need the ships operational in the next couple weeks. Kaylen hopes that work on the firearms in the capital is going well.

A letter straight from Olin arrives. Kenneth shares what it says with Kaylen. Olin has given the order to burn any ships in progress. Melt any cannon down, that is not already affixed to a ship. The reason for this is that the Glattii are storming across Korhan at an alarming speed. They are nearly upon the Capital. Use any ships in port to ferry the populace across Greywater Lake to the Northlands. Do this immediately. Kaylen is in shock at this. All the hard work she and the workers below her have put in is to be scrubbed. Only two of the ships have been completed and there are no crews trained yet to sail the new ships are man their cannons. Kenneth makes the decision to sink the completed ships, so the glattii don’t get their hands on it. All of it feels as though it were for nothing to Kaylen. Kenneth gives her a direct order to be on the first ship out of Greywater. She looks at him inquisitively. He explains that she cannot be taken captive.

That night Kaylen watches the docks from the stern of a ship she is currently aboard on its way north. A stark orange glow comes from the shore. They are burning the shipyards. She hopes her family will be able to make it north. She sits down, and begins to hyperventilate. It is all happening too fast; this is the end of Terragar, she thinks to herself.

Olin

Olin browses over documents about shipments coming from the west. It listed various things like something called a firearm and another with the simple title of ship cannon. It probably related to that crate of strange metal wooden tubes. He sat at the desk wishing Orion had not accidentally died. He could have gotten the full extent of the plan from him. They had been interrogating many of those directly under him but each only knew simple things like the documents in front of him. He looked closer at one sheet. It was not in a language he spoke, but he recognized it as Regelen, native tongue of people from a faraway continent of Regala. He wondered how John and Orion obtained something like this, their trade rarely came this far north. He continue to look over the documents. One listed loads of lumber being bought from the enclave and shipped to Greywater. He had nearly forgotten, Kenneth Galant was arrested and waiting in Greywater, surely he knows something of the plan. Olin prepared his things and set out for Greywater.

Olin sits across from Kenneth at a table. He was still in chains and was struggling to light his pipe. Olin assisted, bring a small spark from a torch on a nearby wall. Olin went straight into it, asking him what their plan was and why they hid it from everyone else. Kenneth sighed and began explaining at least the part he knew. That his part was to construct a new fleet, with designs from Regala and they could affix the cannons to it. The plan was to “befriend” the glattii to take their eyes off of Terragar and in the meantime Kenneth would build the new fleet that could challenge a glattii one. Kenneth did not know the exact details that were surrounding the Sanctum’s part in this. He did explain that they did not tell the other Lord-Governors and ministers because how could they all agree to betray the Glattii. Orion was desperate to gain an upper hand on the Glattii. Olin went back to the talk of the new weapons. Kenneth asked if he would like to see how they worked. Olin saw a demonstration of the firearm’s and cannon’s power. He called it magic for the average soldier. Olin still wanted to know more about the plan. But with him throwing out John and Orion the glattii will surely not honor their alliance for long. He ordered Kenneth to be released and continue to work on the ships. Olin takes one of the firearms and heads to Peirat to speak with the rest of house Barion.

He looked at the crest above the manor’s front doors. A giant Ram leaping, the whole made of Iron. He stepped through the doors to be greeted by Marianne Barion and her young son Brandon at her side. He had always enjoyed her company, she was kind and gentle. But she also had a certain steadfastness about her. He informed her that he needed to speak with both her and her daughter, about John. One at a time would be a preference. She understood and had a servant of the house take Brandon into another room. Olin questioned her about various things. She seemed to know nothing. He felt bad for her. She is John’s second wife. It was always obvious that she was no replacement for John’s first who had past decades ago. She showed him to John’s study. Olin looked over various things. He didn’t found much that Kenneth hadn’t already told him. It depressed him having to sort through John’s things. He thought he had known John. For decades they had been friends. ‘Why could he not tell me?’ Olin wondered. It angered him. He thanked Marianne and headed to Kaylen’s room.
Back in Seraco, Olin gave orders to prepare the country for the coming war. He introduced Kaylen to many people and they began work on making more of the firearms. Kenneth was working on the ships. The Lord-Governors were gathering soldiers in a camp northeast of Seraco. Olin looked over a map wondering where the Glattii might attack. In order for them to come from the south they would first need to take Fiyov and then get pass the iron defenses of Brom? Djarge was unlikely as well. The city was in the middle of a bunch of mountains and waters around it are too dangerous to attack from the see. Wulfarl seemed unlikely. It too had some natural defenses; chiefly its hundred foots cliffs that lined the most of that region’s coast. To the north of there was the most likely option. It was fairly open with scattered rivers and hills. At that moment Olin wondered how the Xoh tribe was doing, there had been rumors from there that a war had begun between them and the local Glattii colony. Olin gave orders to the generals to line the northeastern border with scouts and focus most of their forces there.

Sean arrives in Seraco. Olin has him un-cuffed after Kaylen came barking at him. He let the two have a moment. He waited in a meeting chamber for Sean. He wondered how Renmulus was doing. If had been spared by the glattii, because he was in the Den. He still wish he could have convinced him to stay. Everything seems to be falling apart he thought. First Ren leaves, John betrays the Sanctum, and apparently he and Orion had some grand plan. Olin contemplates rescinding John’s exile, they could use his troops in the coming war. He speaks with Sean. He tells Olin of what had happened in the Pale. He tells Olin that he saw John in Fiyov, and he headed west towards Thelrussa.

Prepation continued for weeks. One night Olin is woken by a servant. He tells of a messenger waits for him in the war room. Olin wonderes what it was? He was tired and yawned as he walked on the way. Nerwyn Hoster was waiting there. He informed Olin of Wulfarl. The glattii infiltrated the city in the night before. He tells Olin that the messenger left at Lewyn’s request, and that he left when the battle was still happening. Olin calls for everyone in the palace to woken up. They all arrive in the war room. Olin tells them all the news. How they infiltrated Wulfarl they do not know yet, but the glattii appear to be moving faster than expected. He gives orders to the different lords. Olin works throughout the night. He sent word to Kaylen. He sends Sean away to Peirat. After he leaves more and more messengers continue to arrive. The glattii have begun to descend from the north side of the Korhan River. ‘They must have defeated the Xoh’ he thought. Word comes that Wulfarl had been lost and Lord-Governor Lewyn slain. It did not let up. Olin sits alone in the war room trying to think of what to do, it was all crashing so fast. They needed more time. Most of the lords were off managing the armies. An assistant enters the room and ask what they should do next. Olin takes a deep breath. “Abandon the city. Tell the people to make way for the Northlands. We don’t know how the glattii occupy the region. Sometimes they massacre and other times just oppress the people.” The assistant ask about making a stand. Olin says he and what soldiers remain in the city will hold off the Glattii. He also gives an order for the armies to the north to slow the glattii, so that civilians can escape. Messengers are sent out to warn the people in different cities of the glattii. “I really fucked up didn’t I” Olin said into the empty room. He writes one more letter. He goes down to the gate and grabs one of the last messengers in the city. He tells him to ride to Thelrussa, there he will give it to John.

Olin waits in the grand chamber inside the house of Ministers. The glattii had been attacking the city for the last couple days, but they broke the eastern walls this morning. Screams could be heard and smoke seen out the windows. A dozen guards wait with him in there as the glattii are attempting to knock down the doors. He had been awhile since he fought. Olin stands up and stretches. The glattii break through and Olin unleashes his full strength as a mage. Fire flares throughout the room, burning many. The stone floors morph to strike at several glattii. Olin concentrates to keep everything in order. He must see the whole of each element he evokes and controls. The glattii feel his full power. The room becomes bloody and burnt. Something stings in his mind. Three we adorned glattii walk through the doors. Olin slings molten stone at them. An invisible barrier blocks the stones. Olin is confused at first, then he realizes that they are Lunics, masters of Weaving light. He can feel their thoughts. Damn he thought, they are trying to oppress my mind. My mind is trained though, and will not fall so easily. Three though is a challenge. Olin loses track of one. When did it disappear? A glint out of the corner of his eye. An axe comes swinging down at Olin, but he is able to dodge in time. But it costed him, he lost concentration. Olin feels himself going limp. ‘Damn them, they got to me.’ Olin falls over unconscious.

Kaljoro

Kaljoro stops at a nearby stream. He sets down the glattii girl, and washes his face. The glattii girl, Lish’ah, squirms around but to no use; the ropes Kaljoro tied were too strong. Kaljoro looks around and eyes the position of the sun. He determines that he is on the right path to Terragar, but he was still a ways away. He had seen a large fleet glattii fleet on the horizon when he looked out over the coast days earlier. He had decides it was best to stay away from the coast. He needs to tell Terragar that the glattii will be coming soon. Lish’ah cursed at Kaljoro in her with her child’s voice. It sounded odd to him to such obscenities from a child. She demanded that she be let go, her father will be coming for her. Kaljoro denies her command and ties the rope tighter.

The overcast blocked the sun. As the days went Kaljoro did not know if he headed in the right direction. They also were in a maze of rocks and cliffs to top it off. He was in there to hide from any glattii patrols. He stopped to mull over what to do. Lish’ah chimed “you are lost, admit it”. Kaljoro sneered at her. She begins to laugh hysterically, “So much for your escape!” “You won’t be laughing if a dire-bear were to come across our path” Kaljoro retorted. She instead suggest that they head to the coast, it will be much easier to figure out what direction to go then. He explained to her that the coast line becomes increasingly more hazardous terrain, and he does not want to be spotted by passing ships. She states that she hates him, and regrets being nice to him back in Nih’vilass. She taunts him again, “I wish all you glats would just die in a hole, rid the world of your awful presence.” He stands up and approaches her. “Once, back in Terragar, a man said the same thing to me. A simple trader, who had no idea what he was talking about. I walked up to him just as I did just now. My immense size towered over him. I asked him to repeat himself, and when he did, I grabbed him by his head with one hand and crushed it. Now I ask you, please repeat yourself”. She did not, Lish’ah turned over and remained silent for the rest of the day.

Kaljoro had found his way north out of the rocky maze. He had decided he would risk being spotted instead of lost, plus he might make better time this way. In the morning he wakes to a knife being thrusted at his face. It is Lish’ah. He swats her away with his arm, before the knife could make contact. He looked over and saw the cut rope. She must have slipped his knife at some point. He stood up straight now, towering over her by 5 feet. She still holds the knife and runs straight at Kaljoro. He doesn’t move. The knife goes straight into his left thigh. He does not flinch. He swats her away again, with little effort. As Kaljoro, pulls the blade from his thigh, Lish’ah begins to speak and somewhat cry at the same time. She ask why he took her. He responds with “to use you as leverage. In case I stumbled upon a glattii patrol.” She complains about being away from home. Kaljoro starts to treat his wound. She looks over and ask if it hurt. She continues before he has a chance to respond, saying that she had never stabbed a living thing before, or tried to kill someone. He answers her “It stings a bit, that dagger was small and my skin is thick.” She looks over him and sees the scar over the bridge of his snout. She ask if it hurt when he got that. Kaljoro stops, and sits quiet for a moment, “A glattii did this to me… I had never felt such pain in my life… Do you plan to continue to use this dagger?” She doesn’t respond, to Kaljoro it seemed as though she didn’t know if she wanted to answer it, afraid of his response. “Well you best use it properly, I will teach you how to fight. Then you can kill me properly someday.” She asked if she will be tied up anymore. He told her not now that she cut the rope, plus he doubts she would be able to find her way without him.

During breaks from walking Kaljoro would give Lish’ah pointers about her stance, positioning, and her swings. He told her that she is a fast leaner. He could also tell that her inquisitiveness was returning to her. She began to ask Kaljoro more about the glats. She had apologized for what she said before. She also begins to ask more personal questions about Kaljoro, not just about his culture or race anymore. He told her of some of his exploits. She sat in wonder at tales of his mighty feats. Before they went to sleep she asked one more question, “Why do the Glattii and Glats hate each other?” Kaljoro: “I spent my youth hating your kind. When I came under John’s tutelage, I learned of the history between our two races. It started centuries ago. The glattii had become afraid of us, afraid of our strength. But the glats did not have as much ingenuity as the Glattii. So when it came time for war, we lost. We continued to lose, and were driven from Giilora. By that point we had villainized each other and could not abide each other’s existence. So they came after us, and we fought more fiercely this time, we partly became the savages they wanted us to be. So in the end my kind is bitter about losing, and the glattii believe us to be a blight on the world, no place for savages in the current time.” He looked over at Lish’ah, she sat silently, and then rolled over to go to sleep. Kaljoro went to sleep as well.

He noticed a force moving in the distance towards them. A troop of glattii were trailing him. He grabs Lish’ah without warning and slings her over his shoulder and begins to run. She is startled at first but he explains. She stays quiet for most of the run. He ran for most of the day. He stopped at a rocky outcrop, and sets down Lish’ah. He is beat from the running and takes a breather. After a short rest he hears a growl. Kaljoro tenses up and looks around. In a cave nearby two yellow eyes pear out. A hulk of fur and flesh leap out toward Kaljoro and Lish’ah. A dire-bear, it roar is nearly deafening. Kaljoro moves to block the Bear from getting to Lish’ah. The two engage in an all-out brawl. Wounds are inflicted on both sides. The two seem to almost be a match for strength. The bear bites down hard on the wound from the dagger. It causes Kaljoro, to kneel in pain. The bear pushes him out of the way and goes for Lish’ah. She is petrified in fear. Kaljoro picks himself up despite the searing pain in his leg. He lunges after the bear. He is able to grab hold of its leg just as its jaws were about to close in around Lish’ah. He pulls it back toward him. Savage punch after savage punch rain down on the bear’s face. He can feel his blood boil. In the finishing move, Kaljoro grabs the bear’s lower jaw, and breaks it off. The bear goes limp, and falls over. Kaljoro, is covered in blood, some of his and some of the bear’s. He kneels over holding onto his wounded leg. Lish’ah rushes over to help. But no break for him. The clanging of armor and the steps of wave-riders is heard. The glattii troop had caught up with them. Kaljoro recognizes the leader, Ashak, the same glattii that had captured him in the Pale. He gives orders to his troops to slay Kaljoro. Lish’ah steps in front demanding that they spare him. Ashak tells Lish’ah to step aside so that they may slay the beast. She stays steadfast. Kaljoro, responds “Even in might current condition, I could still slay the half of you”. Lish’ah’s father, Volsh, steps out and takes command of the situation. He tells his son to stand down for the moment. He ask Lish’ah why she wants to protect the being that kidnapped her. She explains that he has looked out for her safety, and that he started teaching her how to fight, but after that she is unable to put her thoughts into words. Volsh nods in understanding. He explains how he rode here straight from talks with the Felk. He came as soon as he heard they spotted the Glat. He rides up to Kaljoro, andask if he wants to make a deal. He ask that he help them with the Invasion of Terragar. In return he would allow him to live and continue to train Lish’ah. Kaljoro adds one more demand, that the glattii to stop the annual culling of the Hothk Glat tribe on wayward rock. Volsh pauses for a moment, but agrees. Kaljoro, tries to come to terms with what he just agreed to. He looks at Lish’ah, she seems pleased, but she does not realize what he really just agreed to.

At a meeting Volsh turns the floor over to Kaljoro, so that he may explain how to get into Terragar. He is still apprehensive about it. Betraying his home nation. What would John think? John, the man who gave him a new start in life. ‘I am sorry John, but I do this for my people’ he thinks to himself. Volsh ask Kaljoro again. He steps up and ask for a map of the East coast of Korhan. He points out a location. A cove. Volsh recognizes it as the same cove the two nations had a skirmish over years ago. Kaljoro explains that the reason why they fought to fiercely for it was because there are a series of underwater caves that lead to a tunnel system below Wulfarl. Three glattii in fine robes and shining armor enter the room. They have an air of prestige about them. Volsh introduces them as Gish, Pel’kora, and Aro; they are three Grand Lunics who have to aid in dealing with any mages that might oppose the invasion. They come highly recommended form the Patriarch himself, Peitor Shol. They introduce themselves to Kaljoro. They seem different than most glattii he met. They are intrigued about his size and how he got so big. Kaljoro easily stood two feet over all of them. After the meeting he goes to meet with Lish’ah. She explains that she is being sent back to Nih’vilass for now. She makes Kaljoro promise to survive. He promises to comeback. The next day Kaljoro says goodbye to Lish’ah and sails off with the three lunics, ready for the invasion.

Kaljoro sits on a boat off the shore of the Wulfarl in the dead of night. Ashak had taken several companies of soldiers with him through the caves and would give the signal when it was time for the fleet to move in. He watches as fires spring up all over the city. He watches for a ship in port to set fire that will be the signal. Minutes later the signal is given and the fleet moves in. Throughout the night they fought. It was more of a massacre than a fight. He killed some people he recognized, since he grew up in Wulfarl. After the fight Volsh arrives at dawn. He gathers the commanders and gives each of them an order as where to take their armies. He sticks Kaljoro with one wants him to take it south bypassing Seraco and go straight for Peirat. Volsh also explains that they have orders to kill all Lord-Governors and their families, except for Olin’Vor. This does not sit well with Kaljoro, but he quietly goes as he is commanded.

They had arrived in Peirat. He was surprised how quickly and efficiently the glattii could mobilize in mass. Kaljoro now understood that if they really wanted the Pale they could have taken it at any time. He smashes through the gate to the Barion manor. He slays several guards in his way. A few glattii are with him. He thinks about what he will actually do his whole way up there. It deeply troubles him, but tries to keep his eyes on what will benefit from this, his people. He opens the door to John’s bedroom, he is surprised when he finds it unlocked. There he sees Marianne holding her young son. He seems to be sleeping. The sound of glattii rushing up the steps, so he locks the door behind himself. She looks at Kaljoro with solemn eyes. She doesn’t even seem surprised or upset that Kaljoro stands before her with a bloodied sword unsheathed. He ask her where Kaylen is. She says away, working in another city. A slight sigh of relief maybe, she still has a chance. He ask about the boy. She says that she gave him an overdose of [morphine], she didn’t want him to subject to a horrible death or to dungeons. She lays him on the bed in an orderly fashion. She kneels next to the bed with her back exposed to Kaljoro. She ask for him to do it as quickly and painlessly as possible. He holds the blade point a downward position arming at the base of the skull. One quick thrust and she fell over dead. He has to sit down after that, his breathing increases. He thought himself a hardened soldier. But what he just did, the thought had never even crossed his mind until he was asked to take Peirat. He feels himself shaken, and in disgust. He just sits there for a while like that.

A part of himself died in Peirat, there was no turning back now. He walked through the halls of Seraco. He sees Olin carried off by the three Lunics. He did not seem dead, maybe unconscious? He meets with Volsh and explains that Peirat is now captured, and the members present of House Barion are dead. Later that night, Kaljoro goes where Olin is being held. Only one of the Lunics was present. He seemed to be in a meditative trance. He knocked out the Lunic, and Olin came to. He was surprised to Kaljoro. Kaljoro broke the lock on the cell and let Olin out. Olin doesn’t say anything, just looking in disbelief. Kaljoro ask him not to tell John, if he ever sees him. Olin nods and scurries down the hall, probably into some secret passageway, Kaljoro thought to himself. He left the cell area. ‘Did I do anything right?’ he wondered to himself.

Sean

The wagon moved along the road. Sean rode with a Sanctum caravan on its way to deliver goods to Fiyov. Sean thinks of Sylla, he sort of regrets leaving. But his duty is to his family first. It has been over half a year since he had seen his family. He wondered how far things had changed in Terragar since John’s betrayal. He also tried to think of exactly why his father did those things, what exactly was his ultimate goal. The wagon’s driver looked back and asked what happened to him. Sean doesn’t answer at first, and the driver mention how a little company would make the travel more bearable. Sean answers that his father was the one that gave him the wounds. Not entirely true he thought to himself. The driver stopped asking questions, obviously not wanting to go down that road.

The wagon stops, and wakes Sean. They are not at Fiyov, but at a Sanctum military camp. Sean asked the driver what was going on. He answered, the glattii had started a second siege of Fiyov. He hobbles through the camp on his crutch. He stops at a tent that is a little better adorned than the others. He ask a nearby captain, what the situation was. The captain was a little gruff at first, until Sean explained himself. The captain explained briefly what was going on. Sean ask to see a map. A senior officer gave the ok. They bring Sean into the tent and roll out a map of the region. Sean points to a village on the map and explains that a Terragar army should be waiting there. They look confused for a second. Sean explained that he was the son of John, and that he may be a traitor but they will be wanting to return north. So they too will be wanting to break the siege. A couple captains are opposed to it, but the field marshal leading this camp agrees to it.

Sean watches from atop a hill. Below is Fiyov and the glattii siege camp sitting outside. The two armies smash into the siege camp and overwhelm the glattii, forcing them to retreat. The battle was swift. Sean wondered if his father was down in that fight, leading his men, ones that had served under Sean during the battle of Vol. The driver from before comes and stands next to Sean. He tells him that this still may be the end of the Sanctum, despite today’s victory. All of Mora was under the Glattii’s control now. The driver plans to go to Terragar to escape the war. Sean tells him that he doesn’t know if Terragar was safe.

Sean makes his way to the Copper Pass gate at the north side of the city. He is slow in getting there because of his injuries. He sees several people he knew from Terragar. Alwyn Tomes stood talking to a guard, he wasn’t much older than Sean. His sister had been fond of Sean when they were younger. There are various check points and it takes a while to get through all of them. He saw John riding along the line on a horse up to the gate captain. Their eyes meet. He thinks to himself ‘this is the man responsible for the fall of Mora, and possibly the Sanctum. He always had a reason though, and never for just malice. It didn’t seem to be the same man that raised him. Sean felt more disappointment than anger. John had a solemn face. Sean turned and walked through the gate. He stated his name and title to the Terragar guards in Brom. They stepped away and talked. They came back and handcuffed Sean, saying under orders of Olin he is to be brought to Seraco. They put him on a cart pulled by a horse, it heads north. The handcuffs were uncomfortable with his injuries. He laid back and looked up at the passing clouds. Sean missed the warm embrace of Sylla.

He sees Seraco on the horizon, sitting in the middle of the Salt plains. Golden grass waved as the wind gusted across the land. The guards were not kind, they pushed Sean through the halls of the ministers’ palace in the center of the city. He always thought they seemed out of place, cold and empty. While the rest of the city had a warmer atmosphere to it. He hears a familiar voice call his name, Kaylen. She ran through the hall to embrace him. She then notices that Sean is handcuffed and demands that they be removed. After that debacle, he and his sister reminisce about their childhood. Sean had a good time talking with her, it brightened his mood. He also tells her about Mora and Sylla, he tried to leave out the depressing parts. She will be leaving the next day, a somber reunion. He then goes to meet with Olin. Sean tells him all that he knew about John’s plan, which didn’t really improve upon any of Olin’s current knowledge.

After learning a little about what is going on in Terragar, Sean ask Olin if there is anything that he can help with. Olin says that they are handling anything, and from the looks of it Sean won’t be doing any fighting anytime soon. He instead gives Sean orders to rest for the next few days. By that time a caravan will be leaving for Peirat. He gives Sean a scroll. Sean opens it. A document pertaining to the Lord-Governor position of Peirat. He tells Sean that he wants him to take over as Lord of Peirat in John’s place. Sean takes it to his temporary room and looks over it. It doesn’t quite feel right to him, even though John had told him he would take over if he died till Brandon came of age. He had been trained by John for this, more on the military side. He lies and wonders where Renmulus might be, if he was ok in Mora. Maybe the Den had been left alone, since they are separate from the Sanctum. They had been friends all their lives, and for the first time Sean’s tries to cope with the idea that he may never see him again.

Sean is woken by clamoring outside his room. It was the middle of the night, he wondered what was going on. He stepped outside his room and followed some of the men. It was hard to keep up with his injured leg. He eventually comes to a war room. Olin sits in there, as several lords and ministers exit swiftly. Sean ask what is going on. Olin explains to him that the Glattii started their invasion much sooner than expected. Olin places his arm on Sean’s shoulder and tells he wants him to leave immediately. He gives a note to Sean and tells him to give it to a man near the west gate. They will get the caravan ready and head for Peirat. His exit of Seraco is pretty quiet and swift, the whole city seemed to be in an uproar as the sun rose in the east.

Sean sat staring up at the sky in a daze. He had just been in a similar position a month ago. He wondered if that driver was able to make it into terragar, but like he thought it wouldn’t be safe for long. The wagon came to a halt. He looked around. The whole caravan was stopped, a couple soldiers where at the front on horseback. Sean stepped off the wagon and grabbed his cane. He walked up to the soldiers and asked what was going on. They ignored him at first. He told them that he was Lord of Peirat, and pulled out the scroll as proof. They explained that the Glattii had a force that swept passed the south of Seraco and are coming straight for Peirat. Word comes from Seraco, to flee the country, and head to the Northlands. Sean goes to one of the caravan drivers and demands that he take him to Peirat. The driver refuses, he doesn’t want to deal with any potential glattii. His mother and younger brother are still in Peirat, what will be their fate? He still can’t ride a horse, well at least not at full gallop. There would be no way to get to Peirat first if they had already made it this far. Sean climbs back into one of the wagons and resigns to his uselessness. His family would have to fend for itself.

Sean doesn’t really feel a desire to get north. The caravan comes to a halt again, but this time it is surrounded by thousands of people trying to cross the border to Enclave territory. He looks out and sees the refugees slowly being let through the gate. He steps out of the wagon. He walks around the crowds. He couldn’t help his family, he maybe the lord of Peirat, but he can’t get back to the city. He walks around with no purpose. He doesn’t even try to make his way to the gate. He starts to walk south. So both Terragar and the Sanctum will meet their end. Where was everyone now: John, Kaylen, Ren, and Sylla? Are they making the most of their situations, or are they even alive? “Sean!” a familiar voice cried out. One he had not heard for a long time, a woman’s voice. “Sean!” The voice was closer, he looks around. A young woman is pushing her way through the crowd to Sean. It was Bella Tomes, Alwyn’s younger sister. He had been fond of her once. Sean says hi. She makes small talk about how long it’s been since they have seen each other and how crazy the crowd it is. She looked much more mature since the last time he saw her. She says it will be impossible to get through. Sean thinks for a second. He should be able to get through. He takes her hand and pushes his way through the crowd. Eventually they arrive at the gate. Sean ask to get through, but is denied at first. They were letting people through with the most relevant professions first. Sean pulls out his scroll that labeled him as Lord-Governor of Peirat. He said that he was on his way to Echorr on important diplomatic business. The felk guard was flustered he wasn’t sure what to do. He decides to let Sean through, but tries to block out Bella as well, but Sean explains that she is with him, he gives the felk a menacing stare. He complies and lets Bella through as well. The other side was much less of a crowd. It had been a while since Sean had been in the Northlands. He had been here once as a child accompany John on a diplomatic mission. The two look around. “What do we do now Sean, we don’t have a place to go to?” “Easy, we find a new one”. Sedan had lost his cane in the crowd, and suddenly the pain in his leg came searing back. Bella noticed and placed her arm around him to help balance. The two walked North.

Renmulus

Ren follows the rest of the party out the gates of Rin’Kiro. Leader of the party, Turloc, speaks with a mori outside the gates. The mori still seemed alien to him, they were unlike any of the other races of Mira. Their culture was stoic, at peace, but stern, and constantly revolves around the “Art of War”. To them the thought of war and fighting was a demonstration and a tradition. At the same time they relish in their peace. Hand touches Ren’s shoulder. He looks back to see Fayelin with a gentle smile. She spoke softly into his ear. She told him that they should keep their relationship secret. She tells him that it might complicate the current situation of the group. Everyone seems to be on edge after Jorwoth’s death. Turloc explains to the group that this more, Orund’nor, will be their guide to the Mori capital, J’Thuridon. The party moves out. As they hike across the plain, Ren gets curious about Orund’nor, since he doesn’t have any armor grafted to him like the other mori do. Ren goes up to the front to speak with him. He ask Orund’nor several things about himself. Mostly curiosities about mori culture. Orund’nor eventually explains that they essentially have a cast system. Those lower in it get no grafting and thus have a life expectancy of about 60 years, three times less than one that does get the grating process. He explains that the metal grafted into the mori has special properties that extend their life. He mentions the some mori are able to live over 200 years.

The sun sets and the party makes camp. Dinner is prepared. Quistal sits next to Ren. The two chat for a short bit on mundane things, such as the difference in mori culture to theirs. But Quistal soon shifts the conversation’s tone. Ren ask what he is trying to get at. He tells Ren that they need to find out who here is not a traitor, he suspects many. He points out the houlune Oiuk, and states that he let Jowroth die when they were crossing the lutum lines. He points out the osa couple, Baylin’Ven and Aeyla’Ven, and says that he has confirmed they are on the right side, Aevum’s side. Ren asks who the other side is. Quistal only mentions that it is likely another ancient, or someone looking to bring down the Order. Ren continues to question how he knows these things, and can he be certain. Quistal says that the leader of the den warned him before they left, someone was going to try and sabotage this mission. He also believes Senna (a human), and Jerod to be traitors as well. He isn’t certain about Turloc. Ren thinks to himself and looks over at Fayelin who is speaking with the osa couple. He wonders if she might be a traitor, or rather he hopes that he and her are on the same side. The next day as they travel Ren soaks in the landscape. He hadn’t imagined that places in Udon could be so beautiful. He pictured arid flats with rocky outcrops. But around him are colorful rock formations with various green trees growing around them. There are plenty of streams that break up the waving fields of grass. It was green, but nowhere near as green as the Pale. He wondered what other kind of places could be in the world.

Orund’nor presents the Gap of Rh’oth. It was one of many Natural wonders of Udon. Two mountain ranges nearly touch. A clear flatland sits between the two, with only a width of half a dozen miles. The mountains too seemed to be of another façade than those of Terragar and the Pale. They had an elegance to them. One the other side, is the landscape that Ren thought of when people talk of the region. The flatness seemed to go on forever, and the sun beat harder upon the earth. To the west was a cloudless sky, and somewhere the exiled ancient known as L’oth, the one they are charged with finding. A commotion starts towards the back of the group. Ren sees it to be Oiuk and Baylin. This only seemed to show what Quistal said to be true. Turloc storms over to them and breaks it up. He demands that the two have no more quarrels. The camp is quiet that night, and the group breaks into cliques. Ren thinks that this might show the two groups. Fayelin sat with Turloc the two talked as they looked at the two groups. Quistal invited Ren over to their fire. Ren wakes up early and sees a deep red sky illuminated it by the rising sun. It made him think of home. The Pale descended into war just as they left. Is Sean alright? He wished he had left on better terms with Olin. He felt arms wrap around his waist, and Fayelin’s voice whispered into his ear. It comforted him. Before everyone else woke the two flirted for a bit. Their moment is broken up by a scream. The party gathers around a corpse, it was Oiuk. Ren looked around the group. Some looked shocked, but Baylin and Quistal had a face of cold apathy. They are serious about these traitors.

The group stayed silent the last few days after Oiuk’s death. Turloc decided they would deal with it when they reached J’Thuridon, but the tenseness in the air had him make the party stop. He sat everyone down and said they would not move on until someone gave some kind of information about the death. The silence continues for an hour. Everyone just stared at each other. Ren looked at Baylin, as he took a deep breath, then stood up. His wife Aeyla pulls at his arm pleading that he sit down and stay silent. He claims to have done it, and he acted alone. Several stand up in anger, and looked ready to pounce on Baylin. Ren took note to this, it was: Jerod, Senna, and Gueillith who stood up after the announcement. Baylin begins to rapidly tell of the traitors in their midst, and it was Oiuk who led Jorwoth to his death in the lutum jungles. He states that these traitors would betray their mother, Aevum, and jeopardize the Order. Turloc stands calmly and puts his hand on Baylin’s shoulder. “You know what I have to do right, regardless of your reasons.” Baylin looked as though he was about to say something, but he quietly nods instead. Baylin bends over while Turloc unsheathes his scimitar. Several people looked away. Ren stared and did not blink, his eyes sat half glazed, quietly accepting the horror. In one quick moment it was over. Baylin’s body laid upon the dry dirt, headless. He hears Aeyla weep, but he doesn’t look. Ren continues to stare at the lifeless body. The hardships where only beginning. This was only the beginning of the difficult choices ahead. Fayelin tugged at Ren’s arm and pulled him away from the scene.

The road to J’Thuridon is quiet. The idle chatter between people of the party died. Only whispers in the dark prevailed. At dinner one night Quistal, Aeyla, Gen, and Terria sit around Ren. Quistal is positive all of these people are on Aevum’s side. He expresses that Turloc is likely a traitor as well, Fayelin may be as well. Since she is seen speaking with Turloc a lot. Ren hopes that she remains on his side, hopefully she isn’t trying to dupe him.

The party walks through the Shards of Numor, a series of sharp rock pillars that sit at an angle. The wind blew hard. Dirt and sand thrashed in their faces. Turloc asked how much longer till they arrive at J’Thuridon. Orund’nor ignored them and walked to a large cave entrance. “Here it is”. Orund’nor explains that their greatest city lies beneath the ground. It is also their best fortress. Ren steps into the cave to see Giant double doors revealed by a passing glimpse of the sun, breaking through the storm. They were marked with runes, of the mori language. It just felt ancient. The great doors open. The party walks into the grand hall. Orund’nor guides them along. The hall was held up by giant ornate pillars, they looked like the perfect marriage of function and form. Deep red banners line the halls. Orund’nor stops and says that he is allowed no further. On the other side of the next set of doors stands a female, mori with gourgeuosly gratfed matel to her body. She presents herself as Yomi’or, the great granddaughter of High King Thromid’or. She looked mature, but it was hard to tell their age. The High King must be over a 100 years old. The mori leads them through a series of halls. Her stride is elegant yet with a hint a sternness. She shows them to a dining hall. The ascetics were marvelous, and screamed of prestige and tradition. The party sits around the table. Yomi’or explains that the rest of the royal family will be here shortly. After a short wait, half a dozen mori enter, all of their armor was exquisite. At the end stood High King Thromid’or. He greeted his guest with grace and strength, after he introduced the other members: Haromid’or (his second son), Barod’or (his grandson, son of the crown prince Kuromid’or), Kurad’or (Haromid’or’s son), Neerad’en (his daughter), and Marod’en (husband of Neerad’en). The dinner began. The group seems to liven up a bit with the new people to talk to. After a bit Turloc brings up the matter at hand. They need permission to cross the shroud and go into Orro’mok. Thromid’or explains that he is not opposed to it, he too wants to know what is happening beyond the shroud. It has been over a hundred years since they last sent a scouting party beyond the shroud. He then explains why the crown prince is absent. He had intercepted a message. He left for the Pale with his grandson, to attend a Council of Minara. The party is slightly shocked to hear the news. Ren thinks to himself that the Sactum must be in worse shape than they feared. However his allegiance is to the Order now. After a bit more discussion the dinner is concluded. Each member of the party is led to their own rooms. Ren sits on his bed thinking of the things to come and how this ‘traitor’ business will resolve. Fayelin enters his room. Ren ask her who she is loyal to. She vaguely answers “the order”. She turns the question on him. She says that even though he spends time with Quistal she is still unsure where his allegiance lies. He lets out a little chuckle and says that he is also loyal to the Order. Fayelin tempts him into bed before he could ask any more questions.

The group meets with Kurid’en, Thromid’or’s ‘Master of War’. He explains that he is the only Mori alive today that had crossed the Shroud. He attened the last patrol into Orro’mok. He advises against crossing. He explains the beings there, the Mok, the Demons are a foe unlike any other. He tells them to return home and protect their country. Turloc states that their mission is too important to be abandoned now. He wanted to tell them the dangers first. He will guide the party to the Shroud.

The trek through the Shards of Numor, is hard. The wind does not let up. Sand and dirt constantly beats against their faces. Kurid’en and the other Mori seem un-phased. The wind is so loud at least the party could not argue with each other. Over the horizon an opaque wall of air sits above a spikey ridge of rock and metal. It stretched north and south, further than Ren could see. Supposedly by the ancient lore Aevum and the ancients erected the wall in order to keep an old foe at bay from their world. The wind seemed to generate from the Shroud, it is likely what shaped the Shards of Numor. It evocted something otherworldly. There was nothing like it anywhere else, or so Ren had read. He thought of an old book he read back at the Silver Citadel. It was a book that told the tale of a group called the Seven Dead. Supposedly they had been defeated and sealed away, but a couple may lie beyond the shroud. Kurid’en shows them the entrance to the Demon Gate, the passage beneath the Shroud that leads to Orro’mok. Kurid’en gives them one last warning before they continue. He explains that none of the mori will accompany them. But he does hand Turloc a rough map of the area on the other side. The party enters the gate one by one. Ren is the last to pass. He is stopped by Kurid’en. He tells Ren “Whatever you are looking for, it is not out there. Nothing is; just the horrors of the world complied into one place.” Ren nods, quietly excepting his likely fate. He turns and heads down the path.

The passage is a hundred miles long. It takes several days to pass through. They arrive on the other side, only to find a desolate cruel landscape. The mountains twist and the trees rot. Above a dark storm brews. Thunder and lightning but no rain. It is cold, and miserable. During a break Turloc goes over to Ren. “You were brought here for a reason.” “I know the reason, I was told before we left Mora.” Ren wondered why Olin never told him. A person calls out that movement was spotted. The party gathers. Off in the distance, a mangled black thing moves oddly across the land. It stops and turns toward them. It keeps moving. Tyrloc orders the party, to retreat. He forces several members to move faster. Then suddenly the monster isupon them. Its body was twisted, limbs sprouted form its back and ended in knife like hands. There were no eyes. Only a sleek head and a mouth full of razor teeth. Its movements seemed alien and impossible. It thrashed about the group knocking several people around. A couple people scatter, in the chaos Ren was unable to tell who was where. The demon stabs one member and tosses the body at Ren’s feet. It was Gen. Fear strikes Ren. This is actually happening. He had only ever read about them, but they exist. This is why he is here. Ren looks around and sees Quistal, Terria and Aeyla fighting the demon. Ren thinks over his fear, unsure if it will work. He gets up and unsheathes his short sword. It starts to glow a bright red. He goes over to help. He steps right up to the demon but is paralyzed in fear again. The demon stands still and looks at Ren. Quistal takes the chance to stab it. The demon shrieks and knocks Quistal away. A couple arrows are shot into its back by Fayelin. It charges towards her but the demon is knocked to the side by a blast of rocks from Aeyla. She charges at it reading her next spell. But the demon’s movements are otherworldly, it does not move predictably. In a swift motion one its limb pierces Aeyla’s chest and throws her to the side. Ren gets up, inspite of his fear. He charges at the demon. It seems to recoil at Ren’s presence. He pierces its flesh with the searing sword. Turloc calls for all to take it down. Half a dozen blades start stabbing the demon. In the aftermath, Ren catches his breath. Turloc pats him on the shoulder, and tells him a good job. Aeyla and Gen were dead. Ren looks around Quistal and Terria don’t look pleased. The dead are buried. After a moment of silence, Turloc has the party move out. The storm still stirs above them.

He dreamed of home. Not of the silver citadel, but back in Seraco. Olin scolding him on his studies. Him and Sean getting into trouble. It was warm. Ren is woken up by a hand shaking his shoulder. It was Terria. She tells him that it is time. They need to meet up with Quistal. She runs off into the mist that had covered the land while they slept. Ren gets up and gathers his gear. He pulls out his sword, and wanders into the mist, trying to follow Terria. Screams and clashing metal is heard. Ren tries to follow the sounds. He nearly trips over something, below was a body. It was Senna, and just ahead was Jerod’s. Both dead. Ren comes to the realization that it is happening, the party is finally done. He yells through the mist and only hears the grunts of two people fighting. As Ren fumbles his way towards the sounds they suddenly stop. He comes across Terria and Gueillith. Their swords plundged into each other’s gut. Terria barely speaks, she says that Quistal went after Turloc and Fayelin. He checks her pulse… dead. He then thinks Fayelin, he doesn’t want her to die. He rushes through the mist looking for them frantically. He hears Turloc shout. Ren run towards the sound. Ren trips over a ledge he did not see. As he tries to recover he sees Quistal stab Turloc through the back at the edge of his vision in the mist. Ren pauses unsure if he should act. Then at the other end he sees Fayelin with a broken bow. Quistal walks over to her as she crawls along the ground. Ren tries to yell out, but his voice is masked by a crash of thunder overhead. And in the moment as he tries to navigate the rocky terrain, Quistal lays the final blow onto her. Many thoughts rush through Ren’s mind. How did it all go so wrong? He arrives at Quistal’s position. Quistal noticing Ren, tells him that it is done. All the traitors are dead. He ask of Terria. Ren quietly replies “dead” as he walks over to Fayelin’s still corpse. He holds her limp body next to his for one final embrace. “It had to be done Ren.” “Why did she though, you didn’t know for sure” Ren responds. “We had to be safe, and everything went out the window when Aeyla and Gen both died in the fight, Turloc had planned to hold back the others, so that some of us would die.” Ren Looks up at Quistal, he was looking off into the mist while cleaning his blade. Ren pulls the dagger attachted to Fayelin’s belt. “I guess it’s just me and you then Ren. We should head out, L’oth is still waiting.” Ren stands up behind Quistal and plunges the dagger into his spine. He lets out a gasping death rattle. The blade hade also pierced his lunges. He lets Quistal fall to the ground after he pulls the blade. He looks up at Ren with eyes of true shock. The mist passes. Ren finishes covering the last grave. He places the broken bow on the top of the freshly turned dirt. He stands up and stretches after the hard labor. Ren solemnly looks west. The mission, he was the only one left. Thirteen down to one. He then looks east. The shroud could be seen in a break in the clouds, a little sun shone through. Ren contemplates returning home, the mission was a bust. He grabs hold of Fayelin’s dagger. He turns back west, and beigns to walk.