Last Kiss Near Grussia

 Nine to Ten hours or giurs, brought them to a large city along the borders between Grussia and Eoth. One what appeared to be a swamp the city rested on a massive lake for a large rice field. Set up exactly like a port this Eothan rice production and trade city of Chattoe sat on raised platforms. Very similar to a dock this city's sections and buildings were built raised up to avoid flooding. One swinging advertisement sign advertised a copy or play of the Skywhaler's Shot being mass printed and produced on stage. According to an Eoth Mamoa, a term for warrior, Chattoe was home to rice farmers, monks, rectors, curates, shamans, sages, weavers, arcane users, enchanters, some civilized Hags. The humanoid that emerged from who knows where, not the aging women. Calling herself Josho this Eothan also mentioned that 308 or so Tireless Missionaries residing inside a Cathedral University. 

Located near the Dirone style commercial docks the Cathedral sat where the tracks entered the city. Dirone style was a more eastern style with obtuse roofs with scale shaped shingles. Most of the structures are trapezoid from the foundation, base and top. Here this city possessed enough space for convoys to move around to load or unload. Noswal knew they held no time to waste. Rather than tour or snoop around he boarded the train that sat waiting. Cyrstallo followed him to their seats in a passenger car full of Eoth Soldiers, female soldiers. Crystallo had to tuck it in and keep his charm to himself during this whole endeavor, Vanned, Toyal, and the three Uxane joined them. When asked about the cat Toyal explained that cat liked to mooch off the neighboring households in the town. It was in good hands. Over an hour went by before they moved west on the tracks. Thanks to the Quadruple Alliance these nations created a working tunnel through the mountains. Noswal slept through much of the journey until they had to stop. Just a league inside Koriv, East Koriv, a couple of Sky ships landed on the tracks. Word spread like wildfire among them with assumptions these were pirates attempting to rob the train. 

This would appear difficult as the train carried 734 infantry, 6 Eoth Beetle Tanks, 2 V9 Explorer Jeeps, 2 missile/rocket trucks, a single Red Cat Anti-Infantry Armored Car (AIAC), Molose Troop Transport, Nazdar half-track either made in Grussia, or given to them by the invaders. Twelve tanks, three small bombers, ten aircraft, 10 artillery pieces shipped from the VUVR. From other allies came 12 tanks, 3 bombers, 10 aircraft, 11 different artillery pieces. Among captured vehicles included 9 bombers, 22 aircraft, 21 tanks, and 18 artillery pieces from the Vullanese Islands. Aside from the 734 infantry men aboard this train also carried the teams needed for the artillery, tanks, the pilots, 19 stars who chose to fight, 20 targeted individuals who chose to hit the front in order to avoid certain entanglements. There were also 20 or more elitists on board as well as half a score of foreign volunteers. Despite the possible aerial advantage these pirates did not have favorable odds. 

One hundred sixty-five pirates of the infamous Drake Roost crew of 350 barred them from reaching their destination. Taking note of the tank turrets, armed soldiers, armored train cars with turret guns these pirates moved their ships off the tracks. Noswal was certain some aircraft would come over to assist. He guessed most were called to the frontlines or in reserves. From one of the ships a bleach haired female pirate in the typical attire, but with modern knee-high boots approached the train as it started up again. Wielding a white flag of truce this crew member carried no weapons on her. Five Eothans met her then escorted her over to the highest-ranking commanding officer. Chief of War Claw-Tanner who did not have any patience for this hold up. In a clear tomboyish voice, she revealed they just sent a Trove Tracker in search of a Khopesh. The Honed Khopesh of ancient Khet. It was likely they ran them over. None of the Eothans were in the mood to discuss anything or search for a corpse on the train wheels. Each one trained their weapons on this pirate. Shrinking away this female pirate returned to her crew. 

Within minutes they were on the move again with the Sky Ships going south. Another hour passed into their journey to a city in Koriv called Omoi Dake. Omoi Dake intertwined with another city called Oikakete. Although the name Koriv did not fit the people it seemed to sit well with them. No one really bothered to change the name of East Koriv back to its original name while keeping the names of their cities. These cities were the final stops for the soldiers and the team hunting down the Storm Cloud Djinn. Only getting to know some of these other Eothans for a bit they gave them quick goodbyes. Vanned's next contact was an Arcane Investigator of a Malevolent Dwarf Noble Cog work Archivist. This Dwarf sat on a cog work looking wheelchair her long coat covered everything but her black shoes, and thick long pig tailed red hair. They both just came from an Expanded Anatomy lab near a large Armillary Sphere forged in different metals. She often helped as a volunteer with key cases for identifying damage done by arcane spells. Both Investigator and Dwarf Cog work Archivist took them on a brief tour of the city. One of their offices sat near a garrison of four stables for 300 Livecraft cavalry. Some used to be a set of stables to knights, a warlord, some old king, and parts were a scout style stable. 

While going through the central part of the city they witnessed a good chase from a street where Opium was sold. One Paired Tactician acting as a constable chased a goblin pilot to a Hollow Jungle Pleasure Garden. Crystallo was told to stay put with female Dwarf, Awkealsia Lightgut who only sat in her cog work wheelchair to reach higher shelves without using ladders. Noswal raced over to this Garden of Pleasure with Investigator named Jan Sao, and Vanned. Jan Sao appeared Oriental with heavy brow, fine cut hair that was in the Vestrisian, and cultural style without the long-braided hair. His own investigator uniform gave him authority in entering the private sector. Right before they entered a large slant eyed guard known as Hu Rong covered in tattoos gave them some pieces of cloth to cover their mouths and noses. 

This Garden of Pleasure was decorated with a type of plant that made one horny. Multiple orgies want on in each room of the Hollow Pleasure Garden. In of these rooms they found a Botanist, one who studied plants, the Goblin Pilot and the Tactician on top of someone. Each one of them showed Unholy hunger for a female mage dressed in an overlapping layered dress-robe that looked to be laced when closed. The pattern made it more like a tunic armor made from fabric. She seemed to be enjoying this intercourse due to the intoxication from the plants around the room. The only one they were after was the Goblin Pilot. Noswal grabbed the sweaty legs, while Vanned grabbed the arms. This Goblin kept thrusting until they pulled him off her. Still humping the air this Goblin Pilot known as Gerx Rozenk had to be tossed in a sack. 

Once they exited the Garden of Pleasure, Lightgut cranked up the engine to her own automobile which she had parked on the other side of the street. Gerx's intoxication required for him to be tossed and left in the sack then tossed in the trunk. Lightgut did not want him messing up her seats. At the intended speed the two cities allowed Lightgut brought them to apartment complex. Next to a trade merchant warehouse this three-building apartment complex belonged to their female Dwarf Companion. Here Gerx's longboat remained locked up inside the warehouse. Noswal suspected as much about the Goblin they chased down. Yet he did not expect for the acting constable to allow them to just abduct the passed-out Goblin. Lightgut had the Goblin brought to a guest apartment for visitors in case all the inns were full. This Goblin Pilot's own sky long boat was designed to move about ground and on water. What they did not expect was for a truck to roll up to the complex and warehouse. Three armed Uxane, and the Veteran Ranger himself hopped off as it stopped. 

"Have we found our Djinn yet?" Toyal asked them, using his long rifle as a staff to lean on. 

"West Koriv. You will find a figure wearing a fancy cloak under an ugly long ocat duster. Some bowler hat rests on their head." the female Dwarf revealed to them. She seemed eager to reduce the amount of time their hunt would go on. 

Awkwalsia left Gerx with the Investigator and a tenant of hers who approached them. Some lone traveling curator for divination in arcane history who didn't really give their name. They handed a couple of keys to the Dwarf who pocketed them in a pouch on her coat. Awkwalsia pulled out another set of keys to some locks. She unlocked the boat, which required extra help from the truck driver. Although they acted as a Chauffer hired to drive a private automobile they also acted as a tow truck. Pulling the craft out of the storage slot took time as they had to steer it. More tenants came over for a ride. Today was pay day for this drive who received 2.50 Eoth Eqenes per rider. Now they were paid to chauffer a Bleacher, clothes cleaner, a textile bleacher to work. The next passenger, a Limner, portrait painter brought six of their small portraits. Another passenger was a talkative Nymph with tattoos on her arms. Watching the truck drive away with a full load made Noswal sort of regret volunteering for this manhunt. 

Whoever was joining them on this adventuring manhunt climbed on the longboat. Larger than most boats this craft possessed a small cabin, and a shallow hull. In minutes it levitated off the trailer it rested on after the Dwarf cranked it up. Cautiously she drove the craft maneuvering it above ground. It acted as any vehicle on the road thanks to a steering wheel added. Following traffic out of the city they sped their way westward. Nothing but birds flew in the skies among them. Several other craft flew in the air like this one. Two brigantine sized sky ships, five longboats that levitated lower than most, ten aircraft that flew higher among the clouds. Half the aircraft appeared Calornese, the other half looked alien. Below they spotted a flock of 293 Supply Line Cranes. 

One sign that showed they were closer to Western Koriv. Unfortunately, those Supply Cranes were shot down by East Koriv Forces who seemed to ignore them or not notice their flight. Mainly armed with one-shot bolt-action rifles, breach loaders, Nazdar Invortus 93s, the Korivs fought another Koriv army under the invader's flag. He was certain those large Supply Cranes carried Gantronese weapons to the field. Hiding under the red cover he spotted sixteen sky ships were downed along the border. Out of the corner of his eye he could tell there were more along the borders showing the extent of this conflict. In his area he could see a downed Nazdar craft that was shot decades ago during one of the conflicts between the invading factions. His own companions spotted military forces and movement. Their Dwarf pilot steered them towards the ruins of a settlement. 

Hiding behind a temple mound, church, tower ruins, a street of destroyed buildings they observed the scene. Nine dead tanks, 27 active ones, 11 halftracks, armored cars, 357 or more soldiers engaged a larger force of 846 Korivan Gnolls, Goblins, humans, Gantronese spawn over five bases, a preserved sky ship Junk along the borders. Being near fighting did not bode well for their mission. Forced to hide they used an abandoned workshop as cover. Whoever won this skirmish-battle determined whether they could get to their destination. This Storm Cloud Djinn's whereabouts. Four days passed of them watching the whole region pass between hands six times. 

Right before they were discovered the East Koriv forces drove the Gantronese slaves away. Not before killing six collaborators to the Gantronese themselves. On the fourth day a nosy scout of East Koriv almost discovered them when a horde of hooded figures and West Korivans overran the East Koriv positions. Noswal figured over a thousand or two died taking those positions. What happened next only confused everyone. It made Crystallo soil himself when they witnessed an East Koriv get hacked and torn to pieces as their guts were torn out of them. Hooded figures bearing a symbol depicting that of the Djinn eye turned against the West Koriv troops. Most wore the dirt-colored uniforms that could blend in the current surroundings. Whereas some wore the Green, Red, Yellow Tang uniform tunics or shirts over the black trousers. Nothing on their heads except the bandanas, head bands, circlets donned their heads. Confident these cultists would be taken out easily they opened up their own line of fire from the windows and openings. More than a dozen or twenty of these cultists went down to their hail of gunfire. He did not see the others fall to the Uxane who exited the large hole in the wall. Vanned and Toyal took out at least ten more attackers. Crystallo was hit in the throat from a missed shot on one of their Uxane. Their Dwarf friend Lightgut charged with a maul at a trio of cultists. Her rage allowed her to take out several more as five of their own ditched them to their fate. Noswal held his own weapon and sat down next to the dying Crystallo. He held his hand as he watched their own companions take out more of these cultists. 

"Will you, will you please kill their fat friend and end this?" A voiced commanded from above them. 

Awkwalsia did not go down without out a fight. Yet the Mauler was beaten to the ground with clubs, and rifle butts. It was her last kiss as the last blow was to her face with a fist. What was he supposed to do? He may be an Orc but the last brains of the operation, a friend, someone he called family lay dying on rubble. Thinner than most Orcs Noswal did not appear the fighting type. Noswal went into a brief Orc rage tearing up at least one cultist who entered the building. He found himself surrounded with rifles trained on him. Noswal raised his arms while Vanned, and their Uxane colleagues pressed out of there. Six Cultists grabbed Vanned, beat him to the ground to subdue him before dragging him back over. Allowing the others to go spared them extra casualties. At least Toyal's cat would see its master again is all he could think. 

Noswal exited the ruins with his arms raised and head bowed low. Three cultists grabbed him, spun him around and forced his head to face the roof of the building. Vanned;s Djinn stood with a dozen of these cultists at their side. The hood hid most of their face except their chin. In seconds the cultists placed a sack or bag of some sort over Noswal's head. Four blows to the gut knocked him out after they placed the bag over his head. Unconscious Noswal could not tell where they were being taken. Time became unknown to him as they took them to West Koriv for all he knew. Roughly forced awake with a splash of liquid Noswal found himself beound next to Vanned. Bleeding from several places Vanned could not speak. The Orc's attention went to a figure wearing a colorful cloak of purple with gold symbols lining the edges. 

"Just outside Grussia you are." this Djinn announced, pointing out in a mocking serious tone. 

"What fate will befall you here?" They continued mocking. 

"Storm Cloud Djinn, Dahoj Thule, a wanted criminal according to Eoth and Grussia I see." the Djinn rubbed Vanned's scalp then caressed his chin. Dahoj's nails looked untrimmed but clean. 

"Sparing his life would not end the hunt. As for you Orc join my army of followers. Say add another to 1,516 or so?" the Djinn offered with a stretched-out hand. 

"Make it zero followers, Thule. Aliscar is done with your playing around." a woman's voice pierced the air from behind. Moments later Dahoj's followers were cut down by assassins, and henchmen dressed in all dark red. Most of his fled while the rest found themselves cut down. Dahoj looked outraged over this. Using his powers he took down a few the woman's henchmen. 

"Limnac the Witch! Or is it Aliscar's suckling slut?" Dohaj mocked forcing a grin across his face. 

"You are in no position of power to mock me Djinn. You failed to destroy an entire settlement." the female voice drew attention to a thing of beauty in a Kimono of red and white blooming flowers on it. Witch charcoal black hair this Limnac levitated towards the Djinn shoving her exposed cleavage into his face. Out of cruelty it seemed as she made no attempt at affection. She pulled the clothing away exposing them to the shaking Djinn. 

"Kiss them. It will be your last act on this planet." she commanded Dahoj giving him the cruelest smiles. 

In such pathetic motion the Djinn opened his mouth with his tongue out. Shaking he wrapped his mouth around her nipples then kissed both her breasts. Whoever this Limnac was she pulled out a pin from her own hair. As he kept kissing them with his tongue she shanked him in the neck several times. His dark blood splattered all over the witch's exposed self and face. Cleaning herself off she turned to Nosal and smiled. 

"Well Orc do you care to join?" she offered just like the Djinn did. 

Scared for his life Noswal joined this witch's side. 

That Last Kiss Near Grussia

What did he find? A valued prize worth a fortune. In this treasure trove Graham Ballas Paggap the half Orc told him about was a Spectral Steel Bar of sword length. This Orcish Vandal, Noswal Mas Garc held this artifact in his hands. Just the tale of a Malevolent Knight. No, a Novice Knight heard malevolent whispers from this item. A prize of an artifact this made sounded intriguing. Coming from Colville city-state, now part of Grussia, Noswal Garc estimated that he'd make 760, 748, or 794 with these other finds along with the spectral steel. Gathering what he found Noswal shoved the spectral steel, Arcane statue of an arcane slug monster with maw and five arms, alien armor, gold tusk pig standing up, earrings, long pipe and amulets into a duffel bag. Those would make him ten thousand or more. Each item or artifact were what he wanted to find aside from a pile of 2,340 coins. 

What he did not want to find was another figure standing behind him. Turning around with a full duffel bag Noswal found a group of female Ministrant-Clerics of Obligation at the doorway to the vault. Sixteen angry, disappointed rector-curates of a 250-member female congregation. These women were of different body types, ages, hair color, and races. Attempting to smile made it worse for the Vandal who just destroyed vases, empty urns, broke or damaged a door and some chicken coops. Right outside was his accomplice a terraformer mage who alters terrain was either apprehended or just gone from the scene. He could not help but picture him being arrested by some lovely women with curves. Their breasts pressing against his back while they pinned him to the ground. Yet that was not the case for his accomplice. One of the older ones threatened to beat him bloody just like his accomplice outside. On the borders, the no touch borders of the Eothan Mountains rested the temple he just vandalized and attempted to rob. North of their position lay the Grussian Mountain Ranges that bordered East Koriv. 

"Are we going to clean this up? Or will we continue to ruin everything in this temple?" the leader demanded with one eye widening more than the other. She may have been a robust looking one, but she appeared Elemani in terms of background with the Forsythan birthmark over her brow. A female who was part of that ancient warrior-monster slaying race was the last thing this Orc wanted to encounter. 

"Ladies." Another voice popped up from the flanks. 

Closing his Orc eyes Noswal barely caught a glimpse of the robed leader folding her arms in disgust. He did not want to be caught in this situation. Due to his carelessness of vandalism, he found himself caught in this situation when his intentions only involved stealing. Noswal's other accomplice Crystallo of Vunnace appeared out of a room carrying a chest full of coins that were spilling out on the floor. With a big grin on his face Crystallo lifted up the chest to his own chin gave it a kiss then blew the ladies several kisses. 

"Sorry temptations-" Crystallo was grabbed by the mouth to shut him up. Crystallo the wide faced thief had a weakness, women. A failed flirt with the women who often beat him to the ground or slapped him. Dressed up as some homeless monk Crystallo's disguise made things worse. It can already be guessed these women believed he stole the robes off a wandering monk. 

Forced to give up the act Crystallo dropped the chest. Most of the contents in the chest spilled out on the floor. Noswal dropped his own load on the floor knowing it was over for them. An alarm sounded just down the road, catching everyone's attention. All the female rector curates poured outside the temple grounds. Taking advantage of this situation Noswal and Crystallo slipped out leaving the terraformer mage at the mercy of the sixteen angry female clerics. As they exited through the side passages, they found a cliff face of the mountain that wrapped around a portion of the temple. Transformed into a prison that displayed all the cells in the open the cliff face showed little hope. A total of six hundred minimus containment spells held six hundred thirteen prisoners who were now skeletons or rotting corpses. 

Unsure if they should stay, the thieving duo raced out of the perimeter of the temple. A road running along the side of the mountains connected most institutes with certain settlements. To the north of the temple they just attempted to ransack lay a university dedicated to philosophy, alchemy, biology, eurythmy, calligraphy, and recently added, audiology. Not the most exciting subjects to study. Yet they learned a few things that were found useful. Known as Bagblack University this mountain institute rested on the ridge of a wide mountain's head. Whatever was going on in that institute or university created a mess. 

A mess that required a gathered force to deal with for some reason. From the southwest a Squad Captain Duos of Eoth Rallied over nine hundred militia, warriors, and Orcs. This force came up the switchbacks and the curvy roads heavily armed with a variety of weapons. Pupils ran amuck towards many places to hide. Crystallo nudged Noswal making him look over at the female clerics in tunics and robes. Eager to prevent their demise from catching up the thieving duo joined the gathered force towards the university. While marching in force to the university they overheard 283 pupils left a Traveling Philosopher as 406 or more walking corpses outnumber them. Clearing the undead from the whole university was the easy part thanks to some new weaponry. 

What was not easy was some Bitter Blade Jackal attacking anyone who was not the Philosophy Mage. They learned how to summon this humanoid using a Tome Spell from the past. Losing me to a seven-foot tall black or brown, grey hound looking humanoid shook them a little. Clad in ancient bronze scaled armor over a tunic. Over the exposed tunic rested the ancient Usekh collar of the sand or Obelisk Gods. Armed with a Khopesh, Xiphos blade, vials of explosive material on their belt, this Jackal was able to kill or take out forty-seven. No more than seventeen shots managed to bring down the large being. 

Clearing the rest of the University they found a few settlements northeast did not favor the use of arcane. Two villages expressed distrust in arcane users. A mob of 164 townsfolk gathered over this summoning, and that divination was being taught. Watching them approach the University from the road was another religious order. Residing in their own temple a group known as the Cloaked Sirens had one of their own 394 perform a summoning in the open. In mockery of the area's distrust of arcane summoning they held a lesson of Inkling summoning from an ink blotch. 

A member of the mob, a Timberland Guide with a veteran's side arm of two Orian pistols spotted them. Known as Vanned Corres this Timberland Guide recruited the pair of them for a quest in progress. Hired to investigate clues on some storm cloud Djinn known as Dahoj Thule. He did not want to admit the information was acquired by a torturer. Extracting from a nerve racked Spawn Binder Mage the whereabouts of the Djinn's few recent locations required inhumane methods. As cruel as it was this Spawn binder mage possessed 35 creatures that appeared otherworldly. Under his breath Vanned muttered something about these creatures not being native to this world with fur, some scales or exoskeleton on the back. This Binder Mage fell out of favor after a Blade of Eoth found herself banished during a sacred excavation that ended in failure. Noswal did not know what the creatures looked like, nor the other figures Vanned mentioned. He did get a look at what this Djinn looked like in a photograph. 

Leaving the region for the northwest, Vanned led the pair of ex thieves now volunteers to another town. Known as Nevole, this settlement of 1,200 inhabitants possessed two of the Djinn, Dahoj's previous whereabouts. One previous known location was a Furrier who prepared furs, and delt in furs who had three of the Spawn Binder's creatures in taxidermic. Only one of the dead stuffed creatures met the descriptions the Timberland Guide gave them. Earning their trust wasn't easy with this Furrier known as as-Ghoull. A week ago this az-Ghoull ran into some doppelganger from another old world they never knew about until now. Az-Ghoull's safe drawer was empty of his weekly income. Through his recollection that Djinn figure could be found in Gantronese-Nazdar territories in the Aleon continent for all he knew. 

"So, what can we do to gain your trust, Furrier?" Crystallo asked the male half-goblin in the loose apron over his clothing. 

Looking up from the stitching the fur together az-Ghoull gave him a wide-eyed expression. Noswal can call that one mean glare. His goblin face held birth marks that looked like splattered spots from mud. Yet his skin was more coffee brown making the birth marks appear light in color. His attire of a durable vest open to reveal a cotton laced shirt with diagonal stripes under the apron. Noswal checked out the wool pants az-Ghoull wore. 

His own attire included a harness wrapped around a black jacket, plain shirt, baggy trousers, and pair of stolen shoes. Crystallo's own attire was a priest's robe which covered a linen shirt, dark purple, black striped sweater, studded leather pants one would usually find on a rogue or footman from past centuries. Sure these are modernizing times with electricity spreading, light bulbs, radios, automobiles, phone lines. Some or most people chose to wear certain attire, blended the past with new styles of attire. Crystallo's shoes did not match his eyebrows wide face or thin mustache. 

"Deliver a package to the blacksmith. It is the one by the Tavern and temple on Swarden Street. Read the signs, if you are educated enough. Otherwise ask one of the locals." az-Ghoul handed them a package to deliver. Crystallo picked up the bundle of furs wrapped in newspaper pamphlets. 

Vanned allowed them to deliver this package for the Furrier. Nevole's structures were arranged in the shape of a triangle of some sorts. That did not matter for them in their task except for getting through the settlement. It was difficult to spot the Eothan traditional clothing as many wore modern or new style clothing of the new era. Some did wear the caps, others the beaded shoulder belt. Both of them bumped into a few Eothans who held appearances of an Uxane, and Ottante. Others held a Korive, or Aleonese feature. When they reached the blacksmith, they found a group waiting at the door. Showing the group, they had a package to deliver allowed them entry. 

Whoever ran the blacksmith shop did not keep it in the best shape within its interior. Piles of scrap metal, tools, pieces of armor, broken tools, screws, rusted blades, cogs, anvils, barrels littered the floor. Sadly this was just the entry hallway to other rooms of the blacksmith shop. Ine one of those rooms a female blacksmith crafted a pretty set of steel armor. It appeared more like a steel-clad spirit armor some would craft once all the pieces are finely forged. On a neatly cut paper read "Suntail Hawk". It had to be the name of this set of armor as it had a tail of scales similar to a Hawk's tail. As pretty, and curvy as this half elf female blacksmith appeared with her auburn hair. Her muscles and height made her too tall for Crystallo's comfort. Dropping the package on an empty stool at a bench the sleezy thief ran out of the blacksmith shop. Noswal took a glance at her body for a few seconds as she fixed up the armor before running out. He almost had to chasse the thief down. 

"Let's get back to Vanned. Before we wind up on some lost temple altar of sacrifice in Eoth country." Noswal urged his scaredy cat companion. He maybe an Orc, but that never meant he was stupid. He was educated by an elf who passed away when he turned thirteen. Now he was an ex-thief, volunteer recruit to a track on the hunt for a wanted Djinn. Back at the Furrier-Taxidermy workshop Vanned chatted with a dark curly haired famous bard of the Southern Aleon free regions, Shanen Twell. She wore a skintight jumpsuit made from a dire mountain leopard's hide. 

This singer-bard sat down and started shooing Vanned away. She was only flirting with him. In a playful town she announced her fame did not permit him the honor of chatting it up. He was not here to purchase anything today as well. For all she could tell he was wasting the Furrier's time, and mucking up her thoughts process on a new set of lyrics. She laughed then gave him a kiss on the side of the face. Vanned motioned for them to join him in leaving the Furrier. The Timberland Guide led them over to the northern edge of Nevole. At a mountain Mead hall, and a cabin lodge they met a Grussian-Eothan Ranger. Dressed in mixed military fatigue, tucked in flannel shirt, beast hide vest with pockets for shells, bullets, knives, sturdy boots on their feet. This Ranger appeared experienced in their profession. On the Ranger's head rested a cap with the short brim meant for wearing helmets. Noswal glanced at the cabin-lodge with just two stories in height. He guessed there had to be a kitchen, den, bedroom, a guest room, storage, bathrooms, study and lounge area. Outside on the porch sat a grandfather clock, butter churn turned into a patio table, garden chair, corner chair, and a gray cat on the corner chair. 

"This is Veteran Ranger Toyal Santagos of the Eoth-Grussian Mountain's Beteran 259th. No he is more Eothan than Grussian don't let his appearance fool you. Some say he is part Koriv like myself. He knows where that Djinn last went. Before we even head out. Who is hungry and who knows how to shoot?" Vanned introduced them to Toyal who shook hands with both. Noswal was not a horrible shot, but he was not a great marksman. As for Crystallo, he spent most of his life stealing, conning, scamming, manipulating, and cheating. So, any military experience was off the charts for his experience. Yet his nimble hands, charisma, and charm would do well. 

Santagos got up to enter his own cabin lodge to return with weapons, boots, and hand radios from the invaders. At forty-five years old this Eothan, possessed five different types of pistols, five rifles from the aliens, 3 Onway Revolvers, and holsters. Crystallo declined to take any of these weapons. He tried to pass himself off as a pacifist type of individual of peace during a time of violence. Yet his wording sounded more like a bad insult. 

"Suit yourself con-man." Toyal grunted distributing the weapons between himself, Noswal and Vanned. As any host would Toyal invited them inside his two-story lodge-cabin.  Sure, many would call it a cabin, but most cabins were small like a cottage, and one story high. Behind this humble abode Toyal had a meal cooking for more than one. 

Four large Tasr Blood Mountain Pesky Cats roasted over a spit. In the back of the lodge, they ate what they could of the chewy wild meat. Toyal already invited three Uxane adventurers to take the two roasted creatures that were not eaten to their barracks. Clad in Eoth military uniforms, Nazdar-Grevaskii tan fatigues the trio would only reveal a secret involvement with the aliens. Behind the rest of Calorn's back, four nations, Vunnace, Grussia, Eoth, and East Koriv felt forced to collaborate with the Nazdar. Mostly allied against the Gantronese these four independent states formed their own Quadruple Alliance. Only three had the protection of the mountains. None of them mentioned that alliance as they ate and drank together. A secret oath made between one another in case their allies hand personnel present. 

Getting to know these three Uxane in mountains brought access to free transportation. Although they were thieves their crimes were overlooked. Yet Vanned took note of that in log and about their current status. Free transportation in the mountains was a luxury military personnel possessed. In these parts of the Eoth-Grussian-Koriv mountains most settlements lay close. Close enough to walk, which pushed the motorized transportation requirements aside unless it was along the wider roads. Towards the east they made their way to a station where a small convoy awaited. 

"We'll have to head east in order to go west. This military convoy needed to head back to the factories in Grussia. Most of the roads are paths or under construction." Vanned pointed out. 

One road was blocked by a pile of dirt and rocks from a recent landslide. A convoy of six tanks, 2 jeeps, cargo truck, half-track, anti-infantry armored car AIAC moved towards the main roads. Right along the road they passed three stone-built houses, a winery, wineshop, a gray mare resting in the grass, mountain pyramid, a tavern, pottery shop, a church to an Eastern deity, two cabins, before reaching another mountain. Heading south the convoy was led by a driver who happened to be a Mystic of the Hidden Way who took down several hotshots before they left the area. 

As they snaked down the mountains to flat ground at the mountain base, their convoy cut through a settlement. Here they had to stop at a military base for a day. At this base the convoy met a weld fast wing smith who specialized in building aircraft. In the morning they brought them coffee. This paler Eothan just watched a hired blade trip over a Sanu Sanctuary Cat last night just before the convoy arrived. Laughter spread across the base in the mess hall for a moment or two. It was a funny story to share with the base full of personnel. The commanding officer, Mayeth Zehong exited her office, entering the mess hall. Everyone stood up falling silent as if the story was never told. A female Eothan of coffee skin complexion, short body with a curvy physique that could not hide under the fatigues she wore. Nothing was exposed just her shape could still be seen. Most of the fatigues Eoth possessed came from the invaders. Some were either Nazdar, or Gantronese. Just Noswall and Crystallo could not blend in well enough as personnel. 

"Just in thuggers, Rune Claw Bear unit seized and occupied a Bawdy House outside city limits in Assumarya. Only 688 left in that battalion." Mayeth reported with a half mock tone. It sounded amusing to the unit, a whore house being used as full cover in a combat zone. She gave them permission to relax with an at ease command. 

"Hey Chief Warrior Mayeth, do you remember that one Promising Dusk Mage Warlock? The one a Vunnace Shadow Knight commando found in that bombed out university?" an Eoth Mamoa (Sergeant) sitting next to a Mountain Scout brought up to their topic. 

"You mean that same Warlock who let loose a two headed zombie of an obsessive stitcher in the modern university, Sergeant Oggles?" She asked the Eothan Mamoa warrior with cropped hair. 

"Yes, Chief Warrior." the Eothan answered with embarrassment. He was obviously checking her out. 

"His or their pet paid a deadly visit to a lightning Mauler from Norvath. Some banishment was involved over a sparring mummy incident. I don't know how we came by that information." Zehong filled in the rest of the story. 

"Do we need to start over?" another Eoth asked her. 

"Load up bugs, and maggots the front is not going to move from Koriv by itself." Zehong barked at the unit of thirty-one Eoth Soldiers. She grabbed the Eoth soldier who asked if they needed to start over. With a nefarious smile she kissed the soldier who attempted to get away before she lightly smashed his face against the table then shoved into someone else's buttocks. It was only for fun making everyone else laugh. Noswal was certain they hopped that would be the last time she kissed them, as pretty as she was. 

In silence they road down to the furthest yet closest train station in Eoth. Noswal watch out the window of a half-track with Vanned driving this time. Their own convoy passed a testing ground for military vehicles. Telling the difference between vehicles was easy for him as he did serve for a single year. One lone Ramming Ironshell Bettle Armored Tank 1.35 rammed through a target. An old shed with a brick wall reinforcing it stood little chance against the Eoth tank. Noswal leaned back in his seat to sleep off as much of the long journey. His mind went to the number of thefts he committed wondering if there would be a last kiss for him that did not involve love, or lust. 

A Letter For Help

To Whoever receives this, 

It was twenty years ago when I was only four years of age when a horde of warriors seized my uncle's castle and estates. Our forces were outnumbered a hundred to one. The fight was hopeless as noble brave knights fought and perished under the might of this powerful army. For years my people have suffered under their cruelty. Fields burned, farms torched to the ground, women such as myself have been raped viciously to no end. These men have also allowed hordes of orcs access into our lands. Every village has suffered many attacks from these fiends, yet the warrior hordes do nothing. My uncle recently died and a Hordes-man has claimed himself king over the land. These men are called the Vogards. They come from the north, pillaging their way to my kingdom. We were once a seafaring people, now not even a single ship is seen in the ports. Often when a woman gives birth to a child that infant is given to monsters and devoured. Please hurry I'm not sure how much longer we can keep living like this. I BEG YOU, whoever you are, ready your ships, rally your men and come rescue us from this nightmare.

Sincerely

          The Lady Solus of Espa

The wind blew rain into the young warrior's eyes as he read the scroll. Looking up he nodded to the War Lord and the commander shouted orders to the men at oars.  There was over a dozen ships headed east nearing a beach just miles away.