How long have they been planning this? For entire weeks, reports about Kaniima, Badraan, and Zegrav engaging in border skirmishes came in. According to some of these reports along with rumors, many combatants claimed to be loyal citizens. Patriotism towards this newly formed Union of Republics could easily be feigned in his opinion. It would not surprise him at all if they acted patriotic towards the V.U.V.R. just to get them off their backs. Born of a Nochanian Uxane mother and a Zegrav father, Asim-Sugmuk Malik felt more aligned with the Nochanians. Despite his name he showed more connection with his mother's side of the family.
Before becoming annexed as a new member to the VUVR, Zegrav attempted to conquer the Nochanian Islands. Not only was it to expand and conquer, but to gain better access to trade goods from Valde. Castaria's Empire collapsing left no one to stop them. There was the V.U.V.R., well the members that began it. All the founding states focused on occupation and repairing the whole region. A wave of 106, 276 hungry, greedy, disgruntled, low, and deprived Zegravs invaded. All the Uxane islands had to defend their homes and people. Slaves, land, materials and respect as a new empire were all these Zegrav desired. With a force of 4,535 or more, Nochania fought on the island of Gisugonne. Nochania had 329,250 people leave for Geverine. Most of Zegrav's first wave died in the fighting, and during their occupation. His own mother fired a few rounds out of the window at these invaders.
Zegrav lost their war to the newly formed V.U.V.R. and became a new member. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik and his fellow Vestrisians passed a herd of forty-five Zegrav Mastadons. They were large in stature, but very timid when it came to small rodents. Asim was glad to be able to see them in Ottante-Vestrisian as a child then again as an adult. His unit of 390 soldiers were part of the 1224th that was called up to deal with an insurgency. Just a week and a half ago they helped another army unit. Part of the 144th Infantry-Rangers scouring in groups of Elves and Dwarves that got caught in an ambush. Both forces fought for exactly four days reducing each others manpower. Mostly chipping away during the battle. When the 1224th came upon them just 37 Dwarves, and 32 Elves. These Rangers engaged 126 Ghouls, 75 Troglodytes, 15 Gnolls, and one Lamia Lion leading the ambush.
None of the ambushing party lived to tell their reasons behind the ambush. As for the rest of the 144th company, 69 remained alive. The trumpeting sounds of the Ottante Mastadons brought him back to the present. Outside a city called Red Curve they set up a headquarters in the form of a base with multiple camps. Just twenty-seven miles from the borders of Zegrav and Castaria, they prepared to retake another settlement. In the eastern-central part of Zegrav a total of four settlements remained in rebel hands. Whatever transpired in Castaria also began here in Zegrav. Rumors about a rebellion sparking up in Badraan, Kaniima spread across the regions. Among these rumors the gossip included aliens helping the insurgents and a possible civil war brewing. Asim did not want to know the caused behind them. He thought the 1224th were bound for Zekmar and Dorntalla. Their "real" enemy was the invade not angry rebels upset over some ancient feuds. Every tribe would either be subjects, slaves or dead if the VUVR fell.
It was still the year 1843 and the Vullanese were getting crushed. More islands fell to the V.U.V.R. and their military started pushing into territories of other foes. All he heard was the areas of Zekmar, Gontrella, and Muskalla were likely to be invaded soon. There was also the rumor of their forces invading Vimasdra. Word about the frontlines seldom reached his ears. He was focused on the borders of Zegrav and Castaria. In a squad of fifteen riflemen, submachine gunners, grenadiers machine gunners, and Marskman, Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik felt at home. Fields of yellow grass, hills, carious rivers, jungles to the south, and small deserts is what he visited with his own father. His own mother took him along when they were hunting down Zegrav invaders. She also allowed him to reload the guns.
Under the command of Lieutenant Sallah Ritherson, fourteen infantry of the 1224th broke from the main unit. Another squad followed their example with only thirteen members in the squad. Breaking away from the main force they began searching for mounts. The commanding officer of the 1224th battalion, Colonel Eddos Zepher required the Zedelet transports for carrying the wounded. Loading their own packs on their backs the squad wondered about the mounts. Mules proved capable of carrying heavy loads, but moved slow. Horses were fast, agile, and durable. To the misfortune of the rider, they often scared easily. Oxen were used for pulling carts, wagons and sometimes vehicles. Those beasts were too slow for a mission such as this one. Other beasts would be too wild or too dumb for such a mission. Yackdreth had those thick coats and this climate was too warm.
Any Yackdreth used for this mission would tire easily from the heat. Looking around the tent, wagon hut, lean-to, and nomadic house filled settlement they spotted what they needed for mounts. Often called humped steeds, or ships of the desert, Camels made the perfect specimen for the deserts, and grasslands. Among the mounts for sale and for rent were horses, Camels, Mules, Oxen, Mastadons, and some unusual ones. Roaming around the settlement they found a total of 557 horses, 338 Camels, one hundred fifteen Mules, Thirty Oxen, Eighteen Ram-Goats for smaller races, Nine Mastadons, fifty-seven lizard mounts, and five horned beasts for rent.
Just checking the are out they noted the settlement consisted of three thousand one hundred twenty seven structures. Red Curve had more buildings, but the estimation was solid enough for them. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik's gaze concentrated more on the people. Inhabiting these estimated one thousand eight hundred eleven tents, four hundred thirty nine lean-to's, three hundred eighty-eight Caravan houses, four hundred eighty two huts they estimated at three thousand three hundred fifty and more. For settlement like this to thrive meant it had more services than just mounts, and beasts of burden for purchase and rent. Some blacksmiths, horse trainers, tent weavers, apothecaries, bodyguards, saddlers, blade smith, coopers, farriers, merchants pawners, healers, tailors, tanners, wheel wrights, tavern tents, and companionship. Red Curve also held some taverns, and other necessities to keep a settlement thriving and working.
Rounding the corner they found some suitable camels next to a saddler, and animal trainer. Collecting the Camel steeds they proceed to patrol sectors in Red Curve's vicinity. Corporal Malik did his best keeping a mental note on the scenery around them. A tall portal inn stood at four stories towering above some castles, and old towers. It perched on a nice hill with a switchback pathway for steps. Forming part of Red Curve's foundation, twelve old structures appeared restored and renovated. Eight small castles, four old watch towers seated on hills formed a curve pattern. Each one was constructed from red clay and sand bricks. Thus the name Red Curve was given to it. Very little is known about its pre history, but the founding of Red Curve itself is well known. Its inhabitants retell the story of how nomads settled in some ancient ruins, and transformed the castles and towers into a town.
Possibilities of finding other inhabitants wasn't difficult. Dozens of customers, scores of workers, and craftsmen could be seen among other structures. A trio of Guild riders, some Gold clad hero/writer from Geverine, and Elf Ranger buying new mounts for their own quests. Two female fire mages in the lose red robes rented a single lizard mount. Near some stands and old well three adventurers, three elf fighters, and three veterans haggled over saddles with four different saddle merchants at their stands. Wearing a light blue robe with orange trimmed borders a water phantom mage petted white spotted horse. This eunuch held the appearance of an aging man because of the shaven part of the head, and white dyed hair. His tan brown skin covered his age well. Any Mage with "Phantom" in the title or name were castrated. A multi-thousand year old tradition that is still practiced even after the scarcity of mages in Vestrisia in this era. For females they dyed their hair the color of their elemental powers. Whether they were a regular mage, fire mage, frost mage or water mage their still had to represent the elemental practices and guilds. Travelling with this eunuch was a female Gnome mechanic-inventor, an Old Knight, and Castarian Veteran.
The Gnome was easy to identify, but for the rest, one needed I.D. papers, or I.D. cards. Here in Red Curve Malik spotted the Old Knight's sigil of a blue cat sewn to the back of a duster coat, and the Castarian Veteran wore a white armband. Anyone who fought against the V.U.V.R. had two options to choose from. Either they wear the white armband with the broken sword icon or serve a ten year sentence in exile. Most chose the armband whereas nine hundred or so chose exile to other parts of Calorn. Noting those off as customers buying or renting mounts Corporal Malik spotted a Red Curve Police officer in Red uniform. This police officer was escorting a family of elves towards a castle. They passed a colorfully dressed knight, nineteen Gryphon Dames from New Vattoram, two cow herders, three warriors, and Elf Blade seated at an open Tavern tent.
On patrol as well they crossed paths with a mounted Uxane and five Red Curve Police in search of signs of lawbreaking. Exchanging words with them the Vestrisians discovered a few unsavory patrons. Adding this to their mission the squad of Camel Soldiers pressed through Red Curve. While moving west to make a turn the squad spied a Black Knight and a Cleric in wheel chairs near a cottage. Asim assumed they were visiting a site of a lost companion's final battle. Other inhabitants filled the streets shoulders along with six Uxane, and two local Vestrisians. Aiding the crippled souls was a Druid from Prinn, a Battle Blade Mage, and two younger silver knights. Each one gave a salute to the mounted Vestrisians. Being saluted made him uncomfortable for some reason. The idea of insurgents in the area triggered their battle instincts. How did he know the Ogre Hybrid, Leon Dame and former King's Knight would not attack? Hanging out near a cluster of huts he spotted three adventurers talking to an inspector in slacks, tie, and khakis. Next to the cluster rested a trebuchet that was now vintage decoration for the settlement.
Still patrolling the area in search of rebels, Malik's squad passed a Legionnaire of Boathria, and ex Gladiator from Nevoran continent. Malik's gaze rested on a pair of Zema Ilam horses when a police officer in an automobile came through. Just as it came to a corner some figure in rags, and torn trousers rushed out of the crowds. Wielding what appeared to be a grenade this one figure attacked the police. A pink haired elf watched in horror as it exploded on detonation. Creating a fiery explosion and chaos the attack sent debris flying everywhere. Dozens of people fell whereas scores more fled the scene. Screams of fear and pain filled this section of Red Curve. Survivors lay on the ground in pools of blood. Everyone else either watched in panic, ran from the scene, or rushed in to help the wounded. Getting involved in the aid did help with the image of the V.U.V.R. military. Zegrav was a recent additional member that was still sort of under occupation. Mainly conquered, but still a member of the newly form Union against the invaders to the west. Seeing carnage wasn't entirely new to Corporal Malik. Similar events occurred in Meze and Evusia. Whatever conflict occurred only lasted for thirty-nine day and a half days. A team of seven Swan Knights, a Badraan dark skin, and a team of twelve rescue-medical personnel rushed over. Helping the patients with wounds they made off with three of them. The rest needed more patching up before moving. Malik's eyes widened when he saw the victims were entertainers, and other inhabitants aside from the police in his vehicle. A juggler, snake charmer tribesman, old female Orc, some tournament knight, six Red Curve citizens, female scavenger, fashionable bard, and an ex gladiator along with acrobats made up the wounded and dead. Whatever type of grenade that was it seemed to big of an explosion for a vial grenade. Either the attacker used a bunch of grenades attached together or something bigger. Studying the impact and black marks left on the ground his commanding officer surmised it was a bigger grenade. Even Malik combed through the dirt uncovering thumbtack needles, small screws, iron nails, and shrapnel. The dampness from the blood did not help with the combing for the grenade's contents. He and one other soldiers were able to collect forty-four pieces. What did not help their search were the Red Curve staffing covering up the blood and smoke with sand. Using palm branches they shifted the sand to cover everything up.
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