Celia brushed a loose strand of hair from Massua's messy hair. She was stirring now in her sleep, and a little color had come back to her cheeks. Whenever she checks her eyes, the paleness that had startled her once had gone, and her crystal blue eyes had returned, though a little paler than she remembers. She hopes they could return to their former brilliance. They know little of this process of creating the Makhai. Never before have they ever stopped it before the effects settled in. Hollow, black eyes, deathly fair skin, and a lack of emotion. She thanks everyone for rescuing Massua in time. She could have lost her forever, no way to get her back once it was complete. And her resolve had somehow softened with this knowledge. She had gotten her daughter back, and now they were on the rocky trail of Arkouda headed to the plains of Aetos, then Liontari, where they will travel through the forest once more to enter Silondras. There, they will be safe. Hopefully, they may take a
It was a night that settled upon Silondras. The winter's weathering was passing now, the northern chilling winds cascading down the mountains making the clearer days still and cold. This time of year is met with anxiety for the kingdoms such as Liontari, Lykos, and Nychterida. This time of year, into the fletching days of the winter nights, the Frostlanders, Hyperboreans, become more ferocious and more powerful, fueled by the winds that shall return on the return of the season. So much effort has been placed just to keep them back from the borders. James was penning orders in his private chambers, answering letters of concern from various incursions due to the increased agitation of the Frostlands as of late. The one he read was from a recent letter sent from near the border of Lykos. Aurelius, the paladin of war, sent some of his own men there, expecting that this was where the Frostland kingdom of Mur'Elia. He also expected that they would favor more of their caste
The Nautilus Omega made dock not too far from where the fighting is held. Far enough away to allow them to prepare for what may occur very shortly. Lyse has never seen a conflict like this ever in his life, and he felt somewhat under immense pressure to be grazing it. But still, they have to be prepared. They have little else an option. The crew that Moxie had personally selected began to collect weaponry and armor. It was a strange thing to see on something that was supposed to be a merchant ship, but they all moved in very practiced motions. Not a surprise to Lyse, but it was interesting to witness. The assortment of weaponry was also a bit strange. Firearms and sabers, some shields. Some in armor, some without. Maybe an ax or two. A cooking pot of several nation's most iconic implements of war, more Hath than anything. He himself prepared all he had acquired from Nychterida. The armor was well-fitting and pretty light for armor. It was a lot more comfortable to move in than the arm
"They must be fools to believe that we shall back down now," Hagroth said heatedly as they withdrew back towards the command tent. The sentiment was indeed shared, though the reality of the situation was very much apparent. "We will not back out now when we have a chance to victory." "At least we have a timetable now, captain," Lyse suggested to him, trying to guide him to more productive thinking without stirring up anger. The captain did seem to manage and control his anger, turning to the map that still lied on the table. He seemed more worried than angry at this point. The other officers had returned, as the camp was most definitely in a restless frenzy following the sudden appearance of this messenger. Lyse would be lying if he was not at least a bit shaken seeing one so nonchalant in his mannerisms, staring them down as if he could blow them away with little effort. However, he comforted himself on the thought that if that were at all possible, if they indeed have the power to d
25 years ago It has only been a few months at most. Two short months of a war that James knows should not have started in the first place. Altwin was at one point a rarely small country of the outlands. Just two hundred years ago, its prince, Prince Aluune the II, managed to barter freedom of his territory from the kingdom of Duurberg. This came about with much bloodshed, as the king constantly fought against other nations who saw a new piece of meat added to the lawless market of the Outlands' bizarre. So, they had to make allies. Unlikely allies. It is unclear how or when, but soon a prince of Aetos decided to take the prince's daughter as his wife, and that alone gave them the support they needed. So much support, in fact that they actually began to expand their borders. One by one, they began taking over more and more land from their surroundings, small princedom after small princedom falling under the raised flag of Altwin. They grew in size and wealth, became quite the
Hephaestus, emerging from the smoldering crater he had just created, looked upon the world he was alien to. A world so different yet so familiar. Like a replica of some ornament, a fake relic with just enough blemishes and imperfections that it was innoticeable. But he could see the intent. This world, at a glance, seemed unblessed by the presence of the gods, untroubled and unburdened by the calamity that had plagued it once before. The trees had grown in vibrance, the land unscarred and teeming with life. But he knows better. He could see it, the remnants of his old empire. He could see it in the turbulence in the winds. The land had been scarred and torn apart again and again. It doesn't even resemble what it once was underneath the façade. It was a fake of the most disgusting kind, a plight upon what had come before it. It was like they completely tried to erase what had come before it. He climbed out of the rubble that had been the mountain of his birth. Now, i
The Battle of Mer'dith will prove to be a substantial victory for the Empire of clans in their war with the Frostland Kingdoms. A thousand two hundred soldiers were trapped in a small fort of the river, burdened by a savage enemy who would have cruelly weathered them down to their last man. It was only the arrival of a few knights, and their mercenaries of the Nautilus Omega did Fate favor them. They were celebrated, as the rest of their stay was inside the walls, with the soldiers who survived the gruesome bout. They brought out the best of wine and food, but unfortunately, they could not stay to participate in the festivities. Despite Hagroth pleading the participation, they were gathering horses and supplies to be on their way northeast. There, they will truly meet the battle they waited for."Please, I wish to be your host for these nights," Hagroth said to them. They were atop their horses, Lyse petting Mist on his neck. Most of everyone was ready to cross the bridge still in pla
Lyse carefully sheathed his sword. He had not fully recovered from the battle yesterday, and he doubts he can take on ten more golems with a hyperborean who actually managed to get the drop on him. But he got the feeling he did not need to be afraid. The fact that this Frostlander actually stopped to talk to him tells Lyse a few things. They are not hostile to him, or likely the Empire for that matter. The fact they are hiding means that he is merely a protector. And the expression he wore tells him that he is wary of him but confident that if Lyse decided to show aggression, he could deal with him. But at the same time, that wariness was stillborn from fear. Lyse may not be alone; he may be waiting for reinforcements. Or he alone may be enough to break whatever facade they are hiding within. "Speak warmblood," the Frostlander said in his broken rekeg speech. "As I said, I am a knight of the empire," he said. "I did not mean to disturb you, and I mean no harm," he sai