Commando Part 2

The lone commando opened fire on the mass of elites giving them a heavy spray of bullets. Over a platoon of elites fell down the steep hill filled with bullets. Those who were below were forced down by the score of corpses. Feeling that he had the upper hand the commando continued firing the machine gun at the enemy until the belt ran out. He glanced down to observe his work and saw about company full of corpses at the base of the hill strewn about the road and the outpost. A long fence stretched from the gate for miles until it seemed to end or wind its way around a patch of tall boulders with thick brush amidst them.

            Commando Lieutenant Maurice Viyamor observed the fence network with just thirty-six guard towers in view surrounding the territory of the Ruthless Horde. He had hoped he would have to fight only the Gantronese in these violent unknown lands. Maurice turned around while listening to the loud sirens of the alarm. He picked up the corpse of the dead elite and dragged it over to the left side of the hole. It was not his idea as a mission to fight the Ruthless Horde who had control over at least three of the multitudes of civilized city-states. Among such violent and savage tribes all over the unknown lands there were approximately hundreds of settlements of combined communities of various races and peoples. He looked up to see the large extensive mountain range of the Sarcogos Mountains that lay in the center of these unknown lands.

            His cache of weapons was meant for the gangs and the Dwarf Kingdom of Mount Ayalim. Maurice looked down at the cache seeing the elite’s blood covering a portion of the ammunition and weapons. This would not appeal to the King at all since he asked for none of this to be stained or scratched. However, he was given permission and blessing to use as much as he needed for this attack and others before getting to the Mountains by next week. Something snorted drawing his attention to the front part of the house. The steed/beast of burden he used was a large furry yak-ox to carry most of the cache to the Sarcogos.

            As he began gathering up weapons the commando heard more wheels screeching on the road below. Turning around Maurice slung his heavy bag of weapons and munitions over his shoulder. He had a few more bags to fill before leaving the scene. Time seemed to be running out for Lieutenant Maurice Viyamor forcing him to shove clips, magazines, pistols, revolvers, sub machine guns and assault rifles. In moments of filling up the second bag Maurice rushed to this yak-ox, which was locally called Yakox-Ass, Wooly Cow. His furry pack mule already held two large packs over its back. The weight did not seem to bother it as it stood at the doorway of a ruined house within a decimated city that was fought over in a chaotic war. Three factions fought one another for decades until the Gantronese came in and bombarded the city and the three armies with bombs and artillery.

            When he placed the two other packs on the silent yak-ox he heard movement all around him. There were dozens of feet shuffling through these ruins around him. The atmosphere of combat was reemerging when heard guns fired behind him. From listening to the shooting he could tell where the shooting was coming from. His new foes were no doubt engaging the Gantronese slaves/supporters known as the Behemoth Brigade. Both groups fought over this region for its multiple routes to the mountains.

            As the Behemoths and the Ruthless horde fought over the field below the hill Maurice prepared to fight his way out of these ruins. He hoped these hidden foes would leave his yakox alone so he could take his goods to King Sasseak Hornbrand. More fighting could be heard in the ruins as other groups from the surrounding areas started clashing in the ruins. Two Purple Beasts emerged in the rubble covered street wielding a club and an axe. These Purple beasts had the shape of an ape and a bear with purple fur. Maurice unsheathed his commando knife and threw it at one of the beasts instantly hitting it in the chest. He grabbed his steel pole arm sword from the saddle on the Wooly cow. The second purple beast charged at him with fury and berserk rage. The commando made quick work of this one purple furred foe that would not be the last he would kill today.

            Moments later the ruined city was crawling with Purple Beast warriors from Mount Charcosai and Mutated Beast Men from underground. Both sides had been fighting over this turf for years after the Gantronese bombed this city to nothing but rubble and debris. He saw scores of Charcosai fighters and Mutated Beasts engage in combat with various weapons. Many were armed with spears, war clubs, spiked clubs, hand axes, hatchets, war axes, knives, and plenty of war picks. A number of elite warriors and fighters wielded maces, swords, morning stars, flails, and cleavers. Maurice defended himself against about four other warriors before rushing back to his cache thinking of his beast of burden left in the midst of a savage war between underground mutants and a tribe of Purple beasts. A single Mutant rushed after him screaming his war cry as he attacked Maurice. In response Maurice pulled out his pistol and shot the attacking Mutant making the noise he did not want to make.

            Two moments later more shooting could be heard all around the ruined city. To his surprise the shooting forced the beasts away leaving the dead. However the fighting between the Ruthless Horde and the Behemoths waged on behind him as he quickly shoved whatever clips of ammunition and weapons he could inside the last three bags he had brought. It was a shame he couldn’t stay and fight more of the new enemies except he would most likely die in the attempt. His superiors in Borvados ordered him clear an outpost along this road to set a spark that could spread northward into the Gantronese part of the unknown lands. Maurice was also tasked with helping any friendly factions and neutral factions in defending themselves. He lifted the three packs and made his way back to the Yakox-Ass.

            When he returned he was greeted by a rifle wielding woman in short jeans, cut up leather shirt that revealed her stomach and cleavage. Over this sexy looking style she donned a thick weather duster brimmed with fur. The woman was named Brittany the Dove a member of a gang of biker bandits known as the Red Hearts. Each member had a tattoo or two of a heart and wore a red bandana on their heads. There were just seventeen members in their gang. They used to be a ragtag band of mercenaries that banded together and built their own settlement in the central part of the Sarcogos. With her stood two members of the Unseen Bears wearing dusty and rough looking Vestrisian uniforms. The Unseen Bears were another gang of over eighty members of various military personnel from different nations. Most of them were members of the 36^th Infantry Expeditionary Brigade that was one of several units that became KIA, MIA and basically shattered from constant attacks from various enemies.

            The two Unseen Bears rode large cat-like creatures that were bigger than a pack mule. One was black and the other was a reddish-brown color. These feline creatures were ferocious steeds that were perfect for travel and warfare. It is said that a few of the Uxane nations often rode these beasts on journeys, quests, or on a warpath. These cat-like steeds are called Jaguar-Lions or better known as Jumbo Cats. Brittany walked over to help him get the rest of the baggage on the Yakox’s back. Within moments the four made their way to a section of the city that had a tunnel like trench constructed specifically to avoid the Mutants and the Purple Beasts. There they came across Brittany’s steed and his own steed, which were large Mountain Goats.

            Mountain Goats were more suitable for traversing the rocky mountains of the Sarcogos. Once the two were mounted on their steeds the company four went through the secured path in the ruined city. It took them closer to Naxit Mountain a sacred ground where the Uxane placed their dead for resting in the afterlife. One group known as the Uwax Nation a large grouping of tribes located in the southern parts of the Sarcogos and south of its base to the edges of the swamps and the thick jungles. Their territory starts along the tip of the Crehx Slopes.

            As they slowly trekked on the path towards a pass in between Naxit and Charcosai Maurice felt his hairs stand up and goose bumps covered his body. Brittany leaned over on her steed and reached down on her fur rimmed boots. She pulled on the top part revealing it to be pant legs or stockings of fur for the cold climates. The commando watched her tighten the leggings around her upper thighs. He felt aroused just from watching wanting to dig into her flesh and feel her luscious fit body. The commando refrained from this since he was only working right now. They slowly moved through the pass between the two dangerous mountains. It was funny yet strange about this pass since it took you straight past the Purple Beast Tribe of Charcosai. None of the Beasts would dare approach anywhere near this pass due to its location next to Naxit Mountain.

            Maurice the Commando knew it had to do with the dead being buried there. Rumors and campfire stories tell of wrathful spirits that tent to appear when their rest is interrupted by oblivious and daring trespassers. He looked up at the Mountain called Charcossai watching it as he relied on his steed to follow the three gang members. His Yakox was tied to the steed he road ensuring it kept moving with their small convoy. It was a magnificent sight to gaze upon on a day whose skies were covered in grey and white clouds above. Charcossai towered over them with his menacing rocks jutting up towards its peak. The base of the mountain appeared like a solid stone wall encircling the mountain. He studied the rough face of this wall that appeared unstable enough to fall on top of them at any second. This was obviously his thirty first time going through this pass on a mission. Past these two mountains was a range of hills covered in brush, grass and dandelions. It was where the Yakox roamed and ranged in herds. Up ahead was the Dwarf Kingdom of Kherndaruhl and its two cities of Narerum and Khern Darum.

            For the travelling gang members and commando it was a relieving site after a long trek through the ruins and the pass. Dusk was approaching fast with the Yakox herds between them and the Dwarf cities and single citadel like mountain. The four of them slowly made their way to the Dwarf cities and their main Mountain Kingdom. The commando tugged on the Yakox’s reigns to ensure it was still behind listening to its protesting grunts and snorts. 

Beginning of Vullan' End: Attempt on Lizan's Life

[Spring-Summer, 1844, Ganne, Vullan; Vullanese Empire]

            "It has been four years since this war has started! We are losing! When will it ever end?" Maester Lorn of Lasnile yelled inside the large abstract shaped house of the basilica.

            "I myself and the rest of the Maesters and Leaders of Vullan understand your pain, Lorn." replied Maester Silos, calming the paranoid Maester. The remaining Maester leaders of the Vullanese Empire were all at a meeting in the city of Ganne. The leaders and Generals of their allies also attended this meeting to discuss what is going wrong for the Vullanese forces in this war.

            "We already have millions of casualties in this war. Not just Vullan but all of Vullan's allies!" replied Maester Solcor of Asnar.         

            "Perhaps we should try bombarding the Union Army with our star cruisers from orbit. They'll never be able to defend from that attack." The leader of the Nazdar, Warlord and Viceroy Attoff von Veeche suggested to the table.

            “That would be a good strategy Viceroy if they did not have those D-5’s and those secret allies known as the Amethorians!” The Gantronese leader Utero Yama Heyattaro argued.

            “Let us not forget about those anti-orbital cannons that can destroy airships and any of the Nazdar and Gantronese craft.” A Vodwanian General put in. Everyone looked at each other and agreed with this. For hours they thought of ideas and plans on how to disrupt and destroy the Vestrisian Union. After two hours of thinking the Generals, Maesters and Leaders all gave up.

            “I’ve got the perfect idea!” a Maester yelled and stood up startling those around him. They turned their attention to him wondering what he had in mind.

            "What's on your mind Maester Zanu?" asked Silos.

            "Here's my plan..." they all leaned in closer to hear his plan, "We will kidnap Queen Lizan." Everyone in the room was awestruck thinking, 'Why didn't we think of this before!'

            "That's a brilliant plan Maester Zanu!" said Veeche, smiling at this idea. All nodded in agreement to one another.

             A Gantronese General asked, "If we manage to kidnap the Queen. What should we do with her?"

            "An excellent question General Torochi..." replied Lord Silon..."What should we do with Queen Lizan?" He looked around to see if anyone had any ideas. Not one seemed to have any idea or plan about that part of the plan. A long haired Praetor with ten red braids came up with another suggestion.

            “Oh I know exactly what to do with her.” The Praetor smiled as his eyes widened and his mouth watered. He licked his lips squeezing the air as though he was groping Queen Lizan.

            "You sick, perverted spawn!" a Nazdar General yelled across from him. "You just want to sink your teeth into her flesh!" The red braided Praetor nodded his head grinning and licking his lip uncontrollably. Everyone in the room stared at the Praetor.

            "Sverx me, Praetor Xiasco what kind of sick mind do you have? Don't tell me you're a rapist!" cried Maester Silon in disgust.

            "Kill him!" hollered a voice in the background. The Praetor tried to back out of the room but every General drew a pistol and littered him with bullets. His bullet riddled corpse fell to the floor letting blood flow on to the dirt stained floor and rugs.

            "Well then that won't be necessary!" Silos sighed, "Anyone else have an idea?"

            "How about you kill the Queen!" an evil hissing voice whispered. All turned their heads toward a dark corner of the room, terrified. Out of the corner came a tall bald man wearing long black cloak. He was smiling revealing razor sharp teeth.

            “Aliscar?” Silos cried in fear. He was shocked and terrified to see the Ancient Corrupted Forsythan Traitor Dark Lord Aliscar Razdor.

            "It's been a while Maester Silos!" Aliscar hissed.

            "Yes it has been.” Silos said greeting the Master of Vearxal, he trembled on his words.  "S…S…s…so you think w…e…e should ass…assin…ate Queen Lizan?"

            "Of course!" yelled Aliscar causing the leaders to tremble a little. 

            "But she is young! Why should we try to murder her, she has already become a mother!" An old Maester older than Silos objected. The old proud and angry Maester looked into the demon like eyes of the Aliscar Razdor. Aliscar hissed in anger, and raised his arm. Using psychogenesis powers he choked the old Maester. Then grasped his heart and lifted his body in the air above the table. Aliscar squeezed his hand making a fist. He burst the heart inside the Maester killing him. He released the corpse letting it crash onto the table.

            Coming back to his senses silos replied, "So you want us to murder her right? Well we might need to hire a mercenary, smarter than the assassins who go running after their target."

            "We have plenty of snipers to hire. Maester Silos." answered General Veeche, with a cruel smile.

            "Well then now that we've gotten that figured out and planned." said Silos drawing everyone's attention to him.

            "Then it is settled. You shall get the best sniper there is in the Nazdar ranks!"

            "Yes we have a plan now but how can we execute it without the Union Army finding out? They have spies everywhere, observing our every move!"

            "You are right General Sath." agreed Silos. "but what does the Union Army have to do with Queen Lizan?" he added questioning the general's conclusion. Maester Solcor declaimed,

            "Did you not know that Antalace himself swore an oath to protect her with his life? Even the other leaders and generals swore to protect her and reunite her kingdom?"

            "What of Argrithe?" a maester named Urith asked. "He also has the Queen under his protection within the Tante and Malveith Republics!"

            Silos looked at his worried friend and said to him calmly. "I am sure Aliscar will take care of him."

            Silos then looked at General Sath, puzzled. "So, what you are saying is that the Vestrisian Union has a connection with the Queen of the Boathrin Kingdom?"

            "Yes they do it is a strong alliance!" He answered Silos.

            "Shouldn't we try to assassinate her on a day of celebration? At the location of the celebration?" one of the lower Praetors included.

            "Of course!" Silos advocated. "When should we do this? Ah yes, on the day of the Zampar!" Every leader smiled at the idea.

            "Where should we do this?" asked a Gantronese Colonel Torachii.

            "A very good question Colonel Torachii." projected Silos.

            "In Eshan city on Eusvame Island that is where she will be at the celebration!" said Maester Gathra of Vascel.  Once again the entire room of plotters agreed to a new part of their plan.

            "Very well then we shall see her assassinated on the day of the Zampar in the city of Eshan!" Silos stated. Then they began to leave when someone hollered.

            "Wait!" Everyone turned to see Praetor Urith standing with his arm raised as if to stop something.

            "Yes Urith what is it?" Silos asked annoyed.

            "What about the war?  Shouldn't we call a truce of some kind in order to enter the city?"

            "Why, yes we should! General Veeche? Gen. -"

            "Shouldn't we also have a plan B? In case the sniper fails?"

            "Yes we should!" a Maester in the leaving group agreed.

            "Maybe we could kill her ourselves. Not in public but in privacy, where no one can see us!"

            "That's a perfect plan! We'll have our Generals and allies call a truss for that day. Go to the city ourselves and if the sniper fails. We will escort her to a dark alley and kill her!"

Reunions

At dawn the Vestrisian soldiers woke up to another beautiful day. Jorel was happy about this day. He was finally going to see his family again after many months of this war. The young soldier donned his new blue uniform for today’s march. After fighting alongside the Vestrisians he was given the rank of corporal. This was because of recent actions and his knowledge of the land. As the VAVR pressed on they rode into the town of Kern. Almost every person in town quickly came out only to have awestruck faces.  Their boys who had come home were now in the Vestrisian Union ranks. Many fathers wanted to be angry, but instead were too happy to see their sons again. Kern's people were too happy to see these boys home again, despite them joining the Union side of the war. Jorel spotted the Zarim Banking Account then rushed over to go inside and visit Mr. Zarim.

             "Why are the doors' locked?" he whispered to himself.

            "That's unusual!" He said aloud then Jorel turned toward the direction of the Zarim house, which was next to his home. He looked inside the Zarim’s house, but it was too dark to see what was inside.

             "Psst Jorel!" kouthra whispered. Running to where Kouthra and Katharn were, Jorel peeped through the window of his own home. He saw Mr. Zarim, his own father, his two younger twin siblings, his five year old sister in Ollia’s lap, Orith’s fifteen year old sister, and the three younger Zarim brothers in the living room. The twin brother and sister were probably twelve by now. Ollia had always adored him since childhood. All the children were such happy and energetic little kids.  His mother, Reva and Mrs. Zarim were in the kitchen fixing breakfast.

            "It’s a bit early to be fixing breakfast." Jorel said confused. He noticed each one had a sad expression on their face even on the younger children. "Don't tell me they were given news that both Orith and I were killed in action!" he said almost aloud, sounding angry.

            "Probably the Nazdar told them. On account of it was dark and you were knocked out. Good enough to be thought dead." replied the grizzly Katharn. Jorel watched his sister go out to the backyard and hang the laundry.

             "C'mon, let's surprise them while they still don't know! I know a short cut." Jorel went racing down the road taking a right around another house.

            "Should we follow him?" asked Katharn.

            "Why not!" answered kouthra. They laughed running after him.

            Jorel spied on his unsuspecting sister hanging up sheets to dry. The two Union soldiers watched him as he snuck through some gate unnoticed. They stopped at the gate and hid where they could still see. Jorel hid behind the sheets Reva already put up. When the wind blew the sheets up, she looked up. His appearance startled her, the sheet went down when it blew back up he was gone. She could have sworn she saw someone or something. Reva bent down to pick up another pin and finished putting up another sheet. This time Jorel stood in the open in front of her. When she stood up she saw him Reva gave out a loud scream. She breathed heavily, her face looked as though she were staring at the ghost of her brother. Reva touched his face seeing if he was real or not.

            "Hello there it’s nice to see you again big sister!" He cried happily as he smiled at her.

            "It is you! Jorel!" she kissed and hugged her seventeen year old brother. "What on earth are you wearing?" she looked at his Vestrisian military uniform.

            "I'm on the Union's side!” He said to her looking down at his uniform.
            "So is Orith-!" She tried to speak but gasped when she saw someone behind Jorel.

He answered, "Well you see uh-"

            Reva ran to Kouthra hugging him. "It's so nice to see you in one piece, my sweet Orith!"
            Kouthra looked at Jorel raising an eyebrow. He only received a shrug for an answer. Katharn burst out laughing at Kouthra's expression.

            "Umm, miss I'm not who you think I am. You see, your Orith is dead, and my name is Kouthra Gwynor. I really am sorry if this breaks your heart."  Reva backed away with her hands over her mouth. She burst into tears, crying over the news she heard once before of her lover's death. Jorel wrapped his arms around her, comforting his crying sister.  Jorel was now taller than his nineteen year old sister. Reva noticed the ring meant for her form Orith, on a chain around Jorel's neck. Jorel took it off and placed it around her neck. The Zarims and Ascins came out Mr. Ascin was armed with a shotgun.

            "Get your hands off my daughter you-Jorel?" His father was so glad he didn't pull the trigger for he would have killed his own son. All the kids ran to greet Jorel, especially fifteen year old Ollia whom leaped into his arms kissing his cheeks. Jorel was happy to see all the kids again, his brothers and sisters and the Zarims. He went to his mother who burst into tears of joy, hugging and kissing him fiercely. Even Mrs. Zarim hugged Jorel.

            "Those blasted Nazdar sons of witches !" growled Mr. Ascin.

             "Arlen! Watch your language around the children!" yelled Mrs. Ascin.

            “Yes dear Darlla." Mr. Ascin sighed relieved to see his own son again.

            Jorel introduced his two new friends to his family and the Zarims. They all went inside to eat three extra seats were placed at the table. As they ate, Katharn commented on their cooking.

            "My, my you ladies sure do know how to cook a good meal. I haven't had a meal this good since I was freed from slavery!"  Everyone looked at him, except for Kouthra who was finishing his meal and drinking the last drop of his drink.

            "How long were you a slave?" Reva asked Katharn.

            "I've been a slave my whole life until six years ago when the Castarian wars were going on. It was between the four nations that first united to form the Vesriisian Union of the Vestrisian Republics and the huge Castarian Empire, which was a slave empire. I was a slave there but I ran away and joined the Union ranks. For three years I fought and killed many men in that war!" Katharn told the whole table.

            "Who was victorious?" asked Loris the second youngest of the Zarims

            "Well, it's hard to believe, but it was the Union army who were victorious." He answered Loris’ question. The three boys looked at him with bewildered looks.

            “It was because the Union had a more modernized military. There was also a revolution going on amongst the peasants. This helped the Union fight this Castarian War. Katharn explained to them.

            "Why did they go to war with the Castarian Empire?" Ollia asked him.

            “Slavery was the main reason along with the Castarians threatening to invade for the nations. The Czar of Castaria demanded slaves and sent in slavers to round up more people to work as slaves.” Katharn said to Ollia as the table listened.

            "Who killed Orith then?" Reva asked worried.

            "I am the one who killed him." Katharn replied with great guilt in himself and those words. Reva cried once again. Mrs. Zarim and her mother calmed her down. The three Zarim brothers looked up at him frightened with tears in their eyes. They were scared because they were actually looking into the face of the man who killed their oldest brother. "I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I didn't know what else to do. It was a war."

            "You are forgiven Katharn." replied Mrs. Zarim. "The poor dear," she said watching Reva cry with her heart torn to pieces, "Now she has no one to marry!"

Reva stopped crying and calmed herself, "Who would marry me now?" she asked somberly.

            “Someone will!" answered Kouthra hoping that would ease her pain a little.

            "Oh, this not is a happy day!" She said referring to herself than the rest and went to her room.

            There was a grand feast that evening. The people of Kern celebrated the return of their sons. In the torn open roof of an abandoned monastery a Nazdar sniper positioned himself to where he could see this celebration. He took aim at a Union officer and fired. As the commander fell to the ground everyone else dropped down to the ground and went for cover. Mothers protected their children urging them inside their homes. While Union soldiers scrambled to see where this shot came from the sneaky sniper picked off four more soldiers. Armed with his E-7 rifle, Jorel hid behind a building. He turned to look at the monastery. The Nazdar shot at him only hitting the wall.

            "Where is he?" yelled kouthra from behind a stack of crates and barrels. "Son of a witch! Has he been hiding in that monastery this whole time or did he sneak through?" When the sniper aimed for someone else, Jorel jumped out and fired seven shots. His bullets hit the Nazdar sniper. The sniper was dead, and everything went back to normal. The Union army proceeded to take control over the rest of Bosantra. However they still had some fighting to do. A few long battles lasted a month until the island was secure, but the war still dragged on. 

Count Drabek's Project Chapter

Baroness Lulu Morthoss sat a table in the Zardoff Black-Wing whose great grandfather moved  their estates to the city of Mount Agontis, Ghudran. His own family had roots within Nymres and Arqolith. The Baron’s daughter Lulu married the local noble Rollo Morthoss who then became Rollo von Morthoss after succeeding the late Baron and acquiring his whole estate.

            Lulu had recently experienced a very unsettling intrusion one late night while Rollo was gone on a business trip. When he heard that some strange grotesque looking humanoid made it all the way up to the manor on the mountain, he rushed home. Rumors spread around the mountain city about grotesque looking humanoids coming out of the forest-jungle to the south.

            Rollo von Morthoss sat at his desk watching her looking out the window of their massive study. It faced the southern forests of Ghudran. She still appeared to be traumatized after the encounter with the intruder. He did not get to see what this intruder looked like after Gantronese troops shot it to death. Yet Rollo knew his voluptuous and ravenous wife did not want to talk about it all. He heard vivid descriptions of this creature from the butlers, and maids whenever Lulu wasn’t present.

             He was now concerned for his wife and their three children Jordan, Crystalline, and little Lorel. It was hard to explain to the children about the intruder since they were still at a young age. Crystal and Jordan had somehow figured it out and tried looking for it in the courtyard. Little Lorel was with one of the maids who had children of her own. It was helpful since he tried to focus his work for the family business. Along with his own olive plantation business income came from the Ferryman and city morgue professions. Ever since her father died Lulu left those tasks to Rollo since she could not stand corpses. She was more of an artist and made money with her own paintings of the surrounding area and portraits of nobles.

            Rollo did not mind the professions as ferryman and Morgue Keeper. This was due to the studies of anatomy, chemistry, alchemy, and natural philosophy. He studied those subjects from a young age until he inherited his own father’s estate. He was looking over a list of corpses found strewn about the city when the doors opened. Rollo turned to see four Gantronese soldiers march in with Count Gattas Drabek. His Gantronese escorts closed the doors as they left them alone. Rollo stood up to greet his friend.

            “Count Drabek it is good to see you drop by and visit. How are things in the Bornhan Government Laboraty?” Rollo welcomed Drabek to his home. The count had a very sadistic expression on his face.

            “Hello my friend it is a pleasure to come visit you. Apologies for dropping in unannounced or giving you any warning.” Drabek said greeting Rollo in return and apologized for his unexpected arrival. He still held that sadistic look on his face even though he apologized. The count did not answer the Baron’s question. The Baron wanted to ask why he was here, but was more concerned about his sadistic expression. Did he want something from him or did he have something in store for Rollo von Morthos?

            “It is no problem my friend you are welcome. I hope my servants or maid’s let you in I trust.” Rollo said hoping the count had not fucked another one this time. The last time was about six months ago at Lulu’s masquerade celebrations she threw annually. These celebrations were in commemoration to the Festival of the First moon of Abtos.

            “They did Rollo they did.” Count Drabek said to him with a wry smile.

            “So what brings you here to our home?” Rollo asked again hoping he would get a straight answer from Count Drabek.

            “It is just business my friend.” Count Drabek answered.

            “Did you hear the Gantronese are losing Zekmar and Dorntalla?” Gattas asked Rollo. This did not surprise Rollo at all since the Gantronese did have to send to the weakling armies of the Vullanese Empire. He recalled the Gantronese being forced to withdraw from the unknown lands after heavy casualties. Despite those setbacks they earned victories in Grussia, Eoth, East Koriv, and Vunnace.

            “I did hear our masters were losing Zekmar and Dorntalla. Aren’t we attacking smaller island states to the south?” he asked curiously.

            “Yes to some extent and those losses only mean their previous launched invasion failed. Fortunately for us and the Gantronese Masters we do not have the Nevoran Federation to worry about.” Drabek said adjusting his cuffs and his ascot.

            “They did stretch their forces a little too thin. Now they have launched a joint invasion of Al-Dadoria with the Nazdar.” Rollo pointed out to Count Drabek despite the presence of the Gantronese soldiers behind the closed doors. He knew the Gantronese would take offense to that and arrest him as a traitor. The guards just seemed to ignore him since they were only here to escort Count Drabek. It was also because Count Drabek was here for him.

            “They should have invaded the Al-Dadorian isles before the Vullanese fell.” Drabek said mocking the strategies used regardless of the Gantronese guards. Rollo then heard his wife’s voice rise up from her side of the room.

            “How have the invasions of Gaskouth Ladai, and Nevkamuu turned out my dear Gattas?” she asked the count overhearing they were talking about the invasions going on.

            “I am sad to say the Gantronese masters have failed and we may not see Ottante become part of the Gantronese Empire.” Gattas told Lulu in a more gentlemanly manner over the sadistic voice he used.

            “What a pity, I was hoping to bathe in the sun on the beaches of the Baedur sands.” Lulu said as she stood up to greet Count Drabek. She approached them in her burgundy luxury dress with the straps and her cleavage showing. His wife Lulu usually wore something that would cover he shoulders down to her heels. She stretched out her hand to the count who took it and kissed it.

            “Would you mind giving us some privacy Baroness Morthoss? Baron Rollo and I have some discrete business to discuss if you don’t mind?” Count Drabek asked Lulu as he let go of her hand and gave her a smile. She smiled automatically showing her charmed expression as she blushed.

            “Not at all Count Drabek I will leave you two to your business.” She said as she walked out of their study to another port of the Black-Wing Manor.

            Once Lulu had left the room Drabek ordered for the doors to be closed. When the guards closed the doors to the study and living room Count Drabek turned towards Rollo. That is when Rollo realized the Count was here for him. The only question remained was what did Drabek want from Rollo von Morthoss of Black-Wing Manor?

            “I need your help with something my friend.” Drabek flat out said to Rollo. The Count looked intent on using his help for something in the laboratories Drabek worked in.

            “What is it you need help with just name it and I will help?” Rollo blindly asked Gattas giving his service to the Count. He felt willing to do whatever his friend asked of him. After all the Baron Rollo von Morthoss was a minion to the Count Gattas Drabek.

            “There is a certain set of tasks I need done for my project. It will require getting dirty during the research part.” Drabek said still hiding some parts of his plans for Rollo.

            “What does this project and research involve?” Rollo blindly asked feeling a mixture of willingness and uncertain confusion. He was uncomfortable about this idea, but willingly gave his service to the Count.

            “Since the Gantronese are losing Zekmar and Dorntalla it will be only a matter of time before the Gantronese lose more land. We all know it will be lost to those Vestrisians and their allies. However it would be very surprising if the Nazdar invaded from the north.” Drabek said as he scratched his chin with one finger. The Count seemed to ponder over the thought of the Nazdar invading Gantronese territory.

            “I am to help the Gantronese in their war against this coalition to regain foothold in lands it has lost. This will involve the creation of specific weapons to send into the battlefields.”

            “What sort of weapons did you have in mind Count Drabek?” Rollo asked rather curious about what types of weapons he was reffering to. He hoped to the four gods of the Nicoron squares that Drabek wasn’t creating any chemical or biological weapons. Such weapons could cause catastrophic results world wide.

            “Come with me and join me to the labs. I will discuss this with you on the way there.” Drabek said motioning for Rollo to follow him. Rollo hesitated for a moment then decided to follow Count Drabek and his guards. They led Rollo out of the study and through the halls towards the Manor’s main doors. There two of his servants stood the wide open doors to the Black-Wing Manor.

The nine people descended the Manor steps and through the open doors. Outside was a motorized cab escorted by two half-tracks and one armored car with a mounted turret with two machine-guns. He blindly followed Drabek to the cab and got inside with the Count. As soon as they sat in the leather cushion seats a guard closed the door and hopped on the half-track. Their little convoy started down the oath of the Manor to the street. The convoy took a left down the road and made its way through the winding streets of Mount Agontis.

            As they rode down the streets through Mount Agontis Rollo looked out the thick reinforced window. He watched the houses, shops, and other structures go by with people walking around them. Rollo turned his focus towards the Count to see what this project and research were all about.

            “What does this research and project have to do with creating weapons for the Gantronese Empire?” Rollo asked still rather curious about this project Drabek was working on. In his mind Rollo wanted to scream outloud ‘don’t create any chemical weapons or biological weaponry! We won’t be able to control the virus or gas!’ Baron Morthoss chose not shout out loud nor did he say anything about chemical or biological weapons to the Count. He was afraid if he did the count would throw him out of the cab and let the other vehicles run over him.

            “I am under the command and servitude to a Shogun named Gitao Hogai. He is a Gantronese lord brought up from the rank of a warlord to minister of science and weapons rank. Shogunate Hogai has requested for me, sic other scientists and ten or twelve chemists, cytologists, and Corpsologists. For many weeks we have been gathering materials and instruments for the research.” Drabek said and his part of the discussion. He seemed very keen on not giving away anything else about this project.

            Rollo thought about what it would be like working alongside eighteen other scientists, chemists, cytologists and corpsologists. As they rode down the street towards the south Rollo still wondered what type of weapons he was talking about. Did it involve humanoids of some sort? He still questioned Drabek’s methods even as they came to the main military labs of Mount Agontis.

            “Come Dr. Morthoss I have much to show you.” Count Drabek said as he opened the door and stepped out of the cab. He stopped and looked at Rollo with a pleased look about him.

            “Or should I refer to you as Baron Rollo von Morthoss?” Drabek asked him.

            Rollo was confused by this question the Count asked him. What did he mean by offering to call him Baron instead of calling him Doctor? Was he calling him Dr. Morthoss because of his studies during his youth and the studies he attended three years ago? Baron Morthoss stepped out of the cab and walked up to the labs with Count Drabek. They entered through he doors to an elongated room and a hallway that trailed from the entrance to some staircases. On either side of the hallway stood doors leading to other labs. The elongated room to their right had along line of lab coats and lab necessities to wear hung on the walls. Gattas went over to the wall of the lab coats half of which were missing. He took two of them off the wall.

            “Here put this on and follow me to the stairs.” Gattas said as he tossed the lab coat to Rollo who caught it with one hand.

            As Gattas put on his lab coat and gloves he darted for the staircases with Rollo following behind. They went down the hall passing rooms rooms full of lab tables, file cabinets, chemistry instruments, and equipment. When they got to the staircases Rollo put on his lab coat and shoved his gloves into a pocket. The two partners descended the steps about four flights down into the ground. One they descended the last steps they came upon a heavy steel door that appeared to be locked. Count Drabek took out a set of keys on a ring to open the heavily locked door. As he waited for the count to unlock the door Rollo turned around to look underneath the staircase. Under the last staircase stood an eight foot tall figure covered in plates of armor and constructed pieces of metal with spikes on them. It had a series of cords and wires all over its body attached to some generators in the walls. Fortunately for Rollo it had it back turned to the door. On the other side of this monstrous construct lay a tunnel dug into the wall and going through the earth.

            “Co…c…c-c-count Drabek…wh-wh-what in the Yitali is that monstrous this?” Rollo asked pointing at the metal construct standing lifeless under the staircase. Count Drabek had just unlocked the heavy steel door when he turned to see what Rollo wanted from him.

            “Ah good I see you have just noticed one of our Cadaver Collectors. These constructs are designed to go out and fetch fresh corpses from battlefields, and the streets or rural areas. Since we have to keep these a secret their jobs cannot be complete at night in the dark streets. Come Rollo I will show you the rest of our constructed weapons and other experiments.” Drabek said as he opened the heavy steel door. The Count went through the door without any signs of fear on his face and body.

            Rollo hesitantly followed the Count through the doorway to an immense laboratory that covered the span of the underground floor. He saw rows upon rows of lab tables littered with mortars, pestles, alembics, retorts, calcinatos, racks of vials, tubes, graduated cylinders, and beakers. Among these tools were various flasks, syringes, ring stands, clamps, holders, and an assortment of bags full of powdery contents. Scores of lab workers were at work at the first parts of the tables. Down these other rows of tables sat tools of a surgeon along with piles of body parts from limbs to organs in jars filled with strange liquids. Next to these were boxes with hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, saws, pliers, clamps, tape measures, and chisels covered in blood.

            To his horror he saw body parts being stitched, and stapled together. Some were even attached through screwing in bolts. At the end of these tables there sat eight metal beds raised on platforms. These metal beds had eight humanoid looking beings strapped down. Each one of them appeared to be constructed from various body parts put together. These fleshy constructs actually looked bigger than most orcs. There were about forty lab workers working on the eight abominations. All around these fleshy constructs were strange machines and generators connected to the lifeless humanoid creations. Rollo turned to the sides of this nightmarish laboratory spotting large doors to coolers and a long rack of weapons. On the opposite side of these coolers were a set of garage doors for these constructs to be stored or deployed.

            “Gattas…Count Drabek w-w-what is all of this?” Rollo asked Drabek feeling terrified to see body parts being cut up and put together to form larger limbs. The sight of a lab worker retrieving a torso from the cooler on a meat hook terrified him the most.

            “This my friend is how we will help the Empire win the war. These constructs are the weapons for the Gantronese!” Gattas cried out raising his hands and arms in the air. The Count looked very pleased with the progress of his projects. Now Rollo knew why he chose him for this project. It was because of his ferryman and Morgue business. With these available to Drabek the Count could have an endless supply of corpses.

Gantronese Flag sketchwork

Forsythans of Calorn

A Forsythan was a member of an ancient and powerful race. The Forsythans had been around for as long as the gods had. There are a few hundred Forsythans that still roam certain parts of Calorn. Forsythans have the appearance of humans. They are bigger and have a blue mark on their necks that looks like a scab or a birthmark. Some of these Forsythan are born with the marks around their eyes. The majority of people on Calorn were Elfish, human or a mix of different races. The mixed races often share Forsythan heritage among the two races and various beings in this world.