Along the Borders of Orian

• come across a force of 3517 
• the strange army is intercepted by 1849 Orc Warriors

Invasion was the only news that came to the southern portion of Orian. A mesh of reports, news, and accounts flooded the Kingdoms of Orian. Flanked by four kingdoms and areas Orian can feel threatened at times. They often deal with threatening tribes and clans to the north in Veerland. On the eastern borders raiding parties or Muskallan hordes often ride in. In south are the Orcs of Kharmalla whom invaded their neighbors for centuries, yet settled down recently. West of Orian is Kyria who can be host to a mixture of enemies. Most Kyrians don't bother as they are mainly half orcs and half humans. Orian's High King Gyle Norrison-Vaigo the Bold Man ordered for his knights, Marshals, Sheriffs, Scouts, Rangers, and Scouts to patrol their borders. This procedure was no different than their forefathers before them had done to watch over the borders of the Orian realm.

Today was somewhat different. Instead of a small team of three or six mounted men a company of Men at Arms, Knights, Warriors, Barbarians or Berserk, Troops, and outlaws pressed into service set out on their mission. Under the leadership of six Swan Knights, nineteen Royal Men At Arms, nine foreign oriental warriors, eleven barbarian class fighters, seventeen Dragon Knights, sixteen Eagle Knights, twenty-two Lion Knights plus troops, twenty-one Hedge Knights, eleven Brigands and Bandits forced into the servitude of the High King had to check on an abandoned estate. This estate belonged to the former dynasty of Orian's line of kings and queens. Princess Consort Jehane Constarius bid them a lady's farewell along with other Princesses, Ladies in Waiting, other Nobles, Dames, and other Ladies of Court. Eagle Knight Sir Francis Owyne Sweeburn rode next to a Lion Knight Sir Lomanos who bore the Blue Lion Shield, a blue lion with the mane, on a white and yellow field. It was a Bouche Shield not a heater, round, or kite shield like the other knights wielded.

Lomanos did not speak much, however he preferred Francis' company a little more than the rest. Francis looked around at their company. Swan Knights rode in the lead clad in golden , silver or sky blue armor, swan shaped plumes, and riding steeds bred for quests. All of them were armed with either a sword, mace, battle ax, a flail, and a war hammer. As for the Royal Men At Arms who wore the kingly colors of red and yellow with the Royal Seal on their armor and shields. They were armed with long swords, bastard swords, war picks, halberds, spears, war hammers, and staff weapons. Oriental warriors from the very far south donned silk robes under their scaled, latched body armor carried various curved blades, a longbow, long spear, Kukri Knife, and some wielded sabers. Most of the Knights were suspicious of these foreigners especially when they spoke in their own language. Covering the company's flanks were the Barbarian Class Warriors who were just members of clans, village heroes, bastard born children of noble families, and half-humans. Cuirasses, chain mail, plated armor, splint, linked armor, leather, and hide were the types of armor they wore. For weapons they wielded, axes, war axes, spears, maces, swords, machetes, war picks, war hammers, clubs, crossbows, flails, bows, and Mauls. Their hair was styled and bodies tattooed to identify themselves as barbarians. Behind Lomanos rode a Dragon Knight whose armor was scaled like  a Dragon's hide and his helmet was conical. Other Dragon Knights wore full plated, scaled armor or chain mail armor wearing Sallet styles helmets, and kettle helms. Weapons in the hands of Dragon Knights were simply swords, various ax types, flails, halberds and crossbows. His own fellow Eagle Knights wore the sallets, half helms, pig faced bascinets, and weapons were swords, daggers, axes, dirks, flails, and bows. Lion Knights wore either full plated, breast plate, chain mail, and half plate. Kettle helms, half helms, sallets, barbuta and morions donned their heads. Heater Shields with the Lion Symbol in different colors depending on the Knight's status. Swords, Axes, Halberds, bows, lances, spears, and staff swords were their weapons of choice. Each Knight had a plume representing their order or factions. Hedge Knights riding along with them wore all sorts of armor and wielded any type of weapon found on the battle field. Some even bore firearms and crudely crafted weapons. These Knights were frowned upon as they acted more like mercenaries.

Leading the whole company was a Swan Knight and Duke Geravere Doum Kenegaizer who kept the lot under his boot heel as they had quarrels between each other. Orian was united, however Noble Houses, Clans, families, and Knights often fought one another. The High Kings put an end to the brutal blood shed yet failed to end quarrels, rivalries, and duels between them. Forced to march with them were brigands and bandits captured in the countryside and the cities. Wearing leather, hides, studded, and the clothing on their backs these outlaws wielded clubs, daggers, axes, machetes, maces, short swords, and hammers or tools. Francis did not know how Kenegaizer could bring such a bunch together and check the border without anyone killing another. Lomanos picked at him for that making him feel foolish for thinking negative thoughts in a playful way. There was nothing he would rather do than just ride out with him on their own mission. Alas they were stuck in this company who was coming upon a Knight Academy. Here they stopped for a brief night then moved on when the dawn came. Their own leader decided to add more to the lot. A total of forty-five green and yellow new knights and squires who needed seasoning. His reasons for bringing them along was some hostile force was spotted in Kharmalla. Villages and towns were burned and ransacked by a foreign horde.

Taking this as a call the company of Knights set out to hunt this invading horde. What disturbed them was the description of this horde, not one of them were from this world. To their greater fortune this horde was most likely at this abandoned estate. Showing full confidence Kenegaizer urged them to press forward. At full gallop the whole company rode to their destination. Three days of riding brought them to this abandoned estate they were to check on. On the way they attracted a train of outcasts, bards, vagrants, travelling merchants, lesser hedge knights, Rangers, bored hunters, jongleurs, explorers, warriors, wannabe fighters, and bowyer sons hoping to prove themselves or sent by the Village Chieftain. By sunset they were within half a day's march from it. Knights and Warriors made camp while the Duke sent the Barbarians and pressed outlaws set out. Francis set up his tent with help from squires and a few locals who followed them. He pitched his tent next to the orientals who undressed for the night. The Eagle Knight's gaze kept staring at one of them. A female Oriental warrior with brown hair caught his attention. Meeting her made him sheepish yet feelings could not be hidden. In secret the two of them expressed interest. Francis plucked a clover and approached her with it. She took it with a pleasant smile. Both exchanged affectionate touches before going to sleep.

Waking up was not pleasant, it felt more rudely awoken than getting up on the wrong side. Francis heard shouting, and war cries outside his tent. The Knights were encircled by the ragtag army they attracted and accumulated on the way. Many of them brought guns with them, which only had one shot. They were useless unless they knew how to fight or used the gun as a club. Four hundred twenty-eight had joined their company, which doubled as a result. Through Sweeburn's view that only slowed them down and attracted unwanted eyes. Even a whole company of knights would attract some kind of attention along the borders of Orian and Kharmalla. He grabbed his sword and shield quickly. Sweeburn plunged himself out of the tent to find hundreds of hostiles had overrun their army of followers. Every single warrior and knight withing the company were fighting off whoever had invaded their campsite. Weapons clashed, combatants hollered, yelled, grunted, shouted, and screamed. All over the encampment Knights and Warriors fought off the strange looking hostiles in the light of the fires and approaching dawn. It was easy to pick out these hostiles as they had different body types and more than four limbs. Some had four legs, others had three arms, dozens had horns and plenty of them had a tall physique.

Wielding an array of strange weapons these new hostiles hurled themselves at the knights who easily cut them down. Sweeburn found himself fighting a four armed combatant who wielded two maces, a scimitar, and a short glaive. Using each limb proved difficult to fight for a few moments until Francis learned the fighting pattern. He plunged his sword in the hostile's knee then drew his dirk for a close up kill. Shoving the dirk into the torso Francis stabbed the alien hostile to the ground. Several more hostiles went after him only to face his sword and shield. One of them had the appearance of a rat. Despite the determination of the invading hostiles the Company of Knights handled themselves. Not one enemy stood among the carnage that lay all over the camps. Tents were burned, bodies strewn all over the area, horses slain, weapons littered the ground, fires still burned and smoldered. Kenegaizer summoned all the knights and warriors to rally to him. Not one Knight fell in the engagement, half the squires were killed, most of the followers lay dead, and none of the outlaws lived. As for the enemy hostiles they counted six-hundred-fifty-nine killed in their attempts to slaughter the company.

Gathered around the Leader they learned the estate was just half a mile away and another battle occurred on the other side of that estate. Duke Kenegaizer ordered for his whole company to suit up and arm themselves to retake that estate. Wasting no time the remaining Knights, Warriors, and Squires armed themselves before mounting up. Still making up a full company they raced towards the estate and rushed the enemy hostiles and overwhelmed them. Outnumbered three to one the company were still able to outmatch the enemy. Every inch of that estate was fought over leaving more hostiles on the ground. When the full company made it to the other side or to a window that overlooked the field behind it they discovered the aftermath of another battle along the borders. A force of Orc Tribesmen and Clansman engaged a larger force of these strange invaders. Sweeburn searched the carnage for any survivors finding thousands of strange humanoids from other worlds, and young Orcs who gave their lives for Kharmalla. An accurate report would have included three thousand five-hundred seventeen dead hostiles, and one thousand eight hundred forty nine Orc fighters among the dead. That was something Sweeburn never liked to do however he was forced to by superiors. Whenever Kenegaizer was ready the company of Knights and Warriors rode back to the High King. Francis rode alongside the Oriental Warrior he grew affectionate for who he called Iseilla Ina.

A Pirate Encounter

• in the first one 9 pirates are forced to meet authorities of Frankeros 

[For an hour they waited for his arrival at the secured space port of Hel-Tartarus. A former colony that transformed into a space port on a moon of  an outer rim planet close to the unknown parts of space. Four tired, disgruntled envoys of the Frankeros Federation sat waiting for their contacts.]

Envoy 1: "Where the bugger are they?"

Envoy 2: "Relax Claimer of the Gifts, those buccaneering outlaws will be here."

Envoy 3: "Saidon Vex, is that is name?"

Envoy 1: "He calls himself that, yet his name has been somewhat lost to those who once hailed him."

Envoy 3: "I figured as much, how did he lose his reputation again? Keebul do we need such a small force?"

Envoy 4 Keebul: *scoffs* " If this Pirate wants our services then he must not attack a partner or consider it."

Envoy 2: "Envoy Bachus, Envoy Keebul calm yourselves this deal will succeed. We just have to meet the man."

Envoy 1: "Why does he take this long then? I was expecting him to arrive an hour ago!"

Envoy 2: "Patience Envoy Maghueel we shall see him when he arrives. Bachus, Keebul why do we only have eight soldiers, 3 night watchmen, a sheriff and one auxiliary to protect us?"

Keebul: "Having more guards will send bad signals! If it makes you more comfortable I shall send the watchmen off!"

Maghueel: "Now we have fewer men! Be on the look out for those buccaneers!"

Bachus: "He would kill them you know that!"

Envoy 2: "I doubt that, here he comes! Lord Captain Vex over here!"

Maghueel: Confound it Fohdneer this meeting needs to be discrete!"

Fohdneer: "Just let me do the talking so each of you stifle it!"

[A group of Nine Pirates approaches them.]

Vex: "Lovely night isn't it?"

Fohdneer: "I could not ask for a better time to meet with you, Captain."

Vex: "My crew is short on men however we do have forty three to man the Mechanized Sloop of War."

Fohdner: "We have plenty of sailors to replenish your crew."

Vex: "Excellent, when do you need me to set sail and what am I hauling?"

Fohdner: "Within a week's time we need your ship to guide a convoy to a certain planet."

Vex: "And the cargo?"

Fohdner: "Weapons, ammunition, vehicles, helmets, armor, fuel, and supplies."

Vex: "Are we going to war or something?"

Fohdner; "Let's just say we already have." 

Before the Teniim Alliance

Will she ever stop messing with monsters, and other humanoids? He thought to himself thinking of his former lover who was a Bard, Former Minstrel, Tavern Wench, Rogue, Acrobat,and a former spy for a wealthy Noble House. It had been a month since they moved out from civilization. As a Teniim Elf Gray "Montis" Toros Yingella chose to be a Warden after spending ten years as a Rogue. Before that during his youth up to adulthood Toros became a Scout Archer then upgraded to Flank Guard. That is when he met her and left his post to become a Rogue like her. He did not mind her being with others yet after spending years together she did not settle down like he had hoped. The last he saw her was at the main road tavern hall where she quit being a Rogue. Now he was a Warden, which made him an elite in the Kimur Elf military hierarchy.

Toros was only a year in the new position when he got drafted for a new "expedition" into the lands of Kashmanol. When he first heard about this, he believed the tribes up north were attacking. Those beliefs changed as his unit marched westward. Their neighbor to the south joined them, armed with guns. Kimur also chipped in on the arms race for modern weapons like firearms, muskets, and rifles. Dorovine modernized most of their military, but kept traditional weapons. As he marched with other elites in his unit rumors about a new enemy surfaced. Many of the tribes and orcs of Kashmanol held this new threat at bay. The Dorovine Elves managed to enlist the help of an Orc Confederacy. Many Orc nations, or confederacies of Kashmanol were fairly peaceful towards other kingdoms for these past few centuries. Like Kimur, Dorovine, and the other elf kingdom-states these Orcs coped with the threat of other races. Entire tribes of Gnolls, Lizard Folk, some Uxane in the southern borders, and the Snow Elves of the North. Another race threatened everyone known as the Kuruks, a larger looking Orc and Ogre breed with horns. They appeared more demon like than Orcish, and are violent towards enemies or outsiders.

Thinking of these enemies Toros recalled the past when Orcs, and Goblins were enemies of the Teniim Elves. During this day in age most Orcs became civilized in this area, and made peace. Near the borders of the Orcish Confederacy Kimur, and Dorovine Forces met with a larger force of Orcs. Four units of Archers, Eight full units of infantry/ swordsmen, Eleven units of Rifle Gunslingers, and a single unit of elite warriors makes up Three thousand and four hundred seventy armed Teniim Elves. As for the Orc Confederacy three missile units archers, skirmishers, Javelin throwers, two full units of infantry, and warriors make up eighteen thousand nine hundred well armed Orcs. It made their coalition army well over twenty thousand strong, which was good according to their leaders. Toros watched the landscape that bordered their enlarged encampment. His own unit had a special place in the fortified encampment, which he found uncomfortable for some reason. Yet he coped with that as he scanned the trees, and fields laid out before him. On top of a hill the Teniim elf spotted movement. At first he assumed it was a deer or a heard when a large grouping of figures emerged into view. He quickly warned the encampment as bells rang throughout the encampment signalling the enemy was here.

Every member of their coalition including the leaders rallied to their front defenses. A force of six thousand foes headed their way in haste. Toros looked ahead spotting another group that had stopped and disappeared in the tall grass. He turned to an Orc next to him named Gorn Dura Freehands, a female Orc who led a patrol behind Kashmanol League lines. Toros was curious about the Orcs holding the invaders back. She explained how tribes, kingdoms, clans, and many city-states banded together. It was at the first sign of these invaders as well. She claimed 569,489 and more Orcs are standing their ground against the invader. This Dura boasted that all over the south Kashmanol Orcs were rallying to hold back the enemy. She did not say anything else to him as she notched an arrow. Toros did the same as did all archers in their army.

More than a thousand loosed arrows rained down on the six thousand force. Their first volley was followed by the volley of two thousand rifles and muskets firing into the enemy ranks. He notched another arrow along side the rest of the archers and released it with the second volley. A third volley of arrows was showered down on the first enemy force they encountered. Four volleys devastated the six thousand reducing it to barely a thousand or less. Sending the rest routing the Teniim Elves, and Orcs cheered over the victory of the day. Toros looked at Dura who guessed that force had broken through their lines. There were more than five hundred thousand at first. Those who fought against the invaders first for Kashmanol must have died, were wounded, or pushed back. For nearly a month the Orc Confederacy saw thousands of wounded warriors be sent in wagon loads to the healers of Kyria. It was a long way to go resulting many deaths from wounds they received at the front. Most of the camp went to sleep, leaving the night sentries keep watch.

Toros woke up before the crack of dawn for his day time watch over the landscape. However as an elite elf warrior Toros was tasked to check on the corpses from yesterday. With his other fellow elites, and 100 young elf recruits, Toros marched down expecting to find survivors and to run into a trap among the dead. A mixture of various races lay among the dead. Arrows and bullets punctured races such as renegade Orcs, those reptilian Troglodytes, violent Gnolls, Horned Kuruks, Outlaw Goblins, Human Brigands, Ogre-Trolls, underground monsters, Dark Warriors of some Villain up north beyond Kashmanol, and alien humanoids he had never seen. Many of these aliens appeared to have been cut off from their own factions. Others held the look of hired mercenaries. Winged Dragon Warriors lay among them as well with armor on their wings. He found one still struggling to live with two arrows in its torso and chest. Not thinking about Toros ended its life when a force of four hundred emerged from the grass. Toros and other elves drew swords bracing for the ambushing enemy.

Whoever was closer to the ambush rushed to a larger grouping of Elves who stood their ground. A few Teniim warriors had to fight to get away. One very young Elf Male with charcoal hair in a pony tail was caught. The enemy swarmed him. Toros watched them beat the youth into the ground. As he prepared to hold his ground he spotted the rest of the enemy force hiding behind the grass, and a patch of trees. His attention returned to the ambushing enemy. Unsheathing his Sabre Toros sliced open a brigand's bowels before cutting a Goblin down. Fellow Elf Brethren cut down their foes as they came within blade's length of their positions. Although they outnumbered the Elf Force the attackers hardly stood a chance. More corpses added to the carnage from the day before. From the flanks three forces came on behalf of the Teniim Soldiers. Once force made up of 505 Orcs, another had 385, and the third was the force he saw running from the enemy.

Toros turned to an officer who he knew well and nodded. The officer nodded in return and blew a whistle for the Elf force to pull back to their lines. One hundred sixty-nine Teniim Warriors raced back to camp leaving their allies to wipe out the enemy. Running back to camp would appear foolish to some, but brilliant to others. Skills of Elite warriors of Teniim had the mindset to stand against impossible odds. Toros knew this well, but their mission was to check the dead, and they did just that. He turned around to watch their allies slaughter the remaining forces of the six thousand. The three forces of Orcs marched back to their lines. He kept looking over at the smaller force who ran from the larger one. It consisted 353 knights, warriors, and gladiators with Orcish appearances who pulled back from the front to reinforce them. A small force was not much, yet these were Orcs. Those involved in this day's fighting received the rest of the day to rest. Every member of the new force were given food and space within the encampment.

A full day passed with hardly any action other than refugees fleeing the front line. It could only be estimated hundreds of thousands of Orc civilians in each mass leaving their homes. Nothing was sadder than watching these refugees flee the invasion, which would reach other lands east of them. One group of refugees marched close to their camps hoping they would be of some protection during their flight in case the invaders pursued. Many of the Orcs handed weapons to the strongest looking females among them. Toros noticed those weapons were from the dead invaders they killed. Each weapon handed to those refugees was meant for protection. Some Orc children chased some of the younger Elves playfully until their mothers or older siblings called them back to the fold. A sight like that eased the pain in the hearts of the defenders and boosted spirits of those who watched. From some of the refugees they learned more Orcs were pulling back, others taken prisoner, and many more either surrendered or died in battle. A few spoke of desertion, and defection to fight in other lands for these invaders in the name of higher glory.

Just one day after the refugees passed them another force of Orcs came from the front. Approximately 1, 187 Orc fighters came towards them from the north showing signs of defeat. Their leaders said they had to pull back to save what was left. More Orcs were doing the same thing. Shortly after the new arrivals from the north another force of enemies could be seen. Toros warned his fellow warriors of the enemy heading this way. He kept his eyes on the enemy who had another force in the south. Squinting his eyes Toros took a better look at the southern force. He knew it would a day or two before they came close. During those days their leaders had them prepare more defenses, and sent out couriers. Stragglers, and smaller bands of warriors came to them or made their way to the Kyrian healers well behind their lines.

On the second day of their preparations Toros counted 9000 enemies heading their way with another force behind them. This other force consisted of ten thousand. He glanced towards the south where he could tell the Orcs were retreating in force. About 10, 404 Orcs of Kashmanol had pulled back from the front. They were followed by 12, 150 enemies who were in turn avoided by a smaller force in the distance. Each of those forces were far away and they had another enemy force to deal with. He saw the gap in Kashmanol lines had widened, and more had opened. To the elves and Toros this meant the enemy may invade their lands if Kashmanol falls. He watched all forces move around as his own hands notched an arrow preparing for another fight. Out of the corner of his left eye he noticed the Orcs managed to shake the pursuing enemy and united with the smaller force of 4, 150 Orcs who also pulled back. Toros kept looking ahead to see if there were more forces marching this way. That is when something flew towards them. To his surprise a large bat looking creature flapped its wings while heading towards them. It gave some a great startle as at least one ran off screaming like a woman.

This bat creature perched itself on a shield on a staff in the ground. It called out to their leaders for a few seconds before an Orc grabbed it. Gasping for air the bat tried to give a message. Claiming to the be enemy messenger this bat tried to charm its way out of the Orc's grip. To its misfortune it did not work and it was still in the Orc's grip. A War Leader came to the front as the scene drew a crowd. He forced the other Orc to release the bat messenger who thanked the Leader for saving him. All the bat messenger said to them was for them to surrender and the Elves to go home. They refused the offer of surrender choosing to resist the invaders. The bat messenger scowled at this answer and flapped off to his own camp with Elves and Orcs cheering behind him.

House Greymir Coat of Arms

House Greymir is a Forsythan Noble Family who once ruled over the Forysthan Kingdoms with their own dynasty. Their reign lasted for a few centuries until pressured by other Nobles to step down. Greymir's had a talent in military prowess, politics, and Arcane Powers. Ever since their House was pressured into resigning Greymirs continued to excel and aid those in need. Over the few millennia they became heroes, legends, saints, leaders, idols, and people of fortune. Most became adventurers, mercenaries, and explorers. 

Stranded Horrors: Ship Barge From Nightmares

Zana and Jenere sat in silence for a good while. Taking advantage of the silence both reveled in their own thoughts. Jenere’ mind went back to Onna the Nurse he just met for the second time in his life or more likely encountered a second time. This new acquaintance turned out to be a ludicrous one for him. Scientist Nurse Onna would visit him at odd times. She would either swim to vessel or ride a motorboat regardless of the patrols. Whatever race she was she enjoyed arriving at his ship in a wetsuit or trench coat with nothing underneath. Jenere shared this with his fellow privateer.

            Zana laughed aloud at this as he told her. She gave him this very intrigued smile. Jenere could not keep himself from scowling at her. He never wanted his love affairs or relationships known outside a circle of trust. During his years at sea he would have more than one woman to visit.

            “That is when you know there is more, she wants from you. Yet she cannot openly admit that. Your part of…no viewpoint of the story is gold!” Zana pointed out with heavier laughter coming from her. He glared at her when she laughed. Jenere did not want to hit her nor did he wish to do her any harm.

            “Let’s discuss the damage and the aftermath.” Jenere insisted through gritted teeth.

            “Very well then we have covered the death toll. Lead on Captain Omavern.” Zana gave the floor to him.

            “Aside from casualties and ships lost we have acquired some loot. A reasonable fleet of ghost ships most of which were tugged away. On board the ones we found experiments, dead crews, scientists, nurses, caches of weapons, much needed necessities, and technology for our own scientists to play with.” Jenere noted while jostling all the events that happened.

            “Don’t forget the new enemy beneath us. Those aquatic warriors pose a serious threat.” Caniir added to the conversation.

            “How the sverx do we fight, no, no, route and discourage an underwater foe!” Jenere bellowed in frustration.

            “It appears they can’t be after the first battles. We are not dealing with U-boats.” Caniir commented about their enemy. Jenere knew their new adversary among the Gantronese ranks attacked them with no vessels of war. Offering the idea that they had none was naïve in his mind.

            “We know the enemy can attack us from above, the seas, and from beneath us. There is also the chance they could attack us from islets or islands.” Jenere surmised.

            “Wait how- never mind battery emplacements and gun positions on land.” Caniir caught herself from making a naïve question.

            “Exactly!” Jenere said jumping up to his feet. “It is the goal of the Gantronese to ambush this navy by any means! This is a trap of some sorts. A trap-“ he was interrupted by a knock on the metal door followed by a female’s voice.

            “Hello Captain Caniir, Captain Omavern.” The voice behind the door addressed them. Sour over the female’s interjection neither of them answered her. The knocking and the voice came back when she did not get a reply.

            “Hello in there, Captain Caniir, Captain Omavern are you in there?” she asked from the other side of the closed door. She knocked again making it a third time.

            Zana looked at Jenere and waved her hand for him to see who it was. Disgruntled over a fellow pirate captain ordering him around, he got up to answer the door. As he approached the door the knocking came a fourth time. Annoyed by the interjection Jenere forced open the door to a reclining room for staff. Whoever was at the door was about to knock a fifth time. Standing at no taller than five foot five inches was the culprit to the interruption. A female half elf with short hair that made her ears big. That was not all that was big on her. Her chest seemed a little packed in the naval uniform as it fitted tightly. One would assume a button could pop off at any moment. An hourglass, petite body in a uniform appeared too distracting. Even if she was covered her curves it still attracted attention.

            “Hello there!” She said cheerily with a huge grin on her face. It disappeared quickly when she seemed to recall her duties.

            “Sorry good sir, I am Lieutenant Secretary Naphene Tramyar Blue-rose Vagi of V.S. Frigate Class Hervorne. Under the command of Admiral Kezef my Captain sent me to retrieve you.” Lieutenant Secretary Vagi introduced herself.

            Jenere could not help but craft a smile on his face. Having this cute, voluptuous elf standing there aroused him. Ideas started entering this pirate’s head. He licked his teeth wondering what kind of mother she might make one day. Caniir’s voice pierced the silence and disrupting the scene from behind him.

            “Captain Omavern who is it?” she asked him with a mix of curiosity and hint of agitation in her voice. She was on the verge of yelling.

            “A Lieutenant Secretary Vagi of the V.S. Hervorne sent here to retrieve us.” Jenere presented the secretary like a gift to Zana. Whatever agitated expression she held melted away. It transformed into an intrigued facial expression. She got up appearing obsessed with this Lieutenant Secretary Vagi. Zana went up to her holding the same expression. Before Jenere’s eyes this fellow pirate captain placed her hands on Vagi’s breasts. Zana began fondling her as she put hands all over the Lieutenant. (This part will not be on the blog I promise)

            “My, my what a lovely physique. There is no doubt it makes for delicious eye candy.” Zana proclaimed as she squeezed softly. 

            “Excuse me Captain Caniir is this how you greet people?” Lieutenant Vagi asked sounding confused with a hint of comprehension in her voice. Jenere watched in bewilderment at how Zana just fondled Vagi’s body. Frozen to the floor Jenere watched her hands go all over Vagi’s butt, breasts, and legs.

            “Captain Caniir I had no idea you had an infatuation with the, the same sex-“ Omavern tried to make sense of what he was witnessing. He had something else to say when Vagi lost it. With no warning or hesitation Vagi pulled out her pistol from its holster. In full panic mode she discharged six shots that went everywhere. Neither Caniir nor Omavern were caught in the frantic crossfire. Each round she fired missed them and found other targets. She only shot the floor, table, wall and one of the chairs. Both Pirate Captains jumped out of the way. Jenere hid behind the door while Zana dove to the other side of the room. When it fell silent Jenere came out from behind the door.

            “Well isn’t this perfect?” A nicely set up room shot up by a jump sailor!” Caniir remarked angrily. She picked herself up. Zana marched up to Vagi who looked like she pissed herself. The pirate Captain snatched the pistol from Vagi’s hands. Omavern studied the Lieutenant Secretary a little worried about her. She did not move from the doorway as if she was frozen with fear and shock. Vagi did not budge or react letting her own hands shake.

            “Lieutenant Vagi are you okay?” Jenere asked her only to receive an outburst of anger from her.

            “I AM PERFECTLY FINE!” she snapped at him. He did not hesitate to smack the elf across the face Jenere never enjoyed being yelled at, or get snapped at. Him smacking her was to shut her up while getting her back on track. Zana was too distracted by the pistol to notice.

            “This Lightning Flash Eighty-Four looks brand new.” Caniir commented as she studied the pistol further. Vagi shook her head returning to a normal state and calming down. She checked to see if she had peed herself, which she did not. Jenere tapped her on the arm. As though nothing even happened this Vestrisian held a pleasant expression on her face. Vagi must have brought her own thoughts to a happy place to cope with the fondling.

            “Sverx any explanations Lieutenant just lead on!” Caniir barked at Vagi disrupting her happy moment. Zana shoved the pistol inside Vagi’s shirt. She then grabbed Vagi and twirled the Secretary around. Ignoring her protests Caniir pushed the Secretary through the hall.

            Zana forced Vagi to lead the way. Jenere followed them up to the main deck of the ghost ship. All the guards on board were ordered not to come even if they heard gunfire. They passed a total of thirteen pirate guards. Six came from his own ship, and the rest from her own vessel. He knew the faces of the six crewmembers who stood guard. Their names did not escape him like some, Agrima, Pola, Virdo, Durlad, Huverne Warmjaw the Dwarf, and Arbane the Glaive Elf. Agrima hailed from Castaria, Pola was a Condor native covered in tribal tattoos, Virdo was a half human, half goblin from Geverine, Durlad of Borvados, Warmjaw was from the Southern Blackmell Mountains. As for Arbane he came from the ship itself. Born from a mistress he wanted nothing to do with his own father.

            On the main deck the found Admiral Kezef and five officers waiting. Ten armed sailors surrounded the Admiral and his party. Next to him stood another privateer-pirate. This figure had a monster’s claw scar across her face. Whoever this figure was wore a striped shirt under a coat, trousers made form some sea creature, and a sailor’s cap. Beside her was a snake woman armed with a crossbow, bolts, curved daggers, and tips for her tail.

            “Good work Lieutenant Vagi. I never thought anyone would gather those two. At first we believed you’d need back up-“

            “After attempting to blast both of us? I doubt that!” Zana interrupted him. She pushed Vagi past the guards into the Captain next to him. Vagi’s body was pushed against him. It caused a crowd to laugh, revealing more people on board the ghost ship.

            “Captain Caniir, Captain Omavern I hope you did not suffer too many casualties.” Kezef said sounding sympathetic.

            “You mean casualties like our allies suffered?” Jenere asked him. “Yes, not heavy casualties, but some.”

            “Yes and you are requested to clear that barge. The parties we sent either died or ran out of there scare for their lives. Our fleet have discovered a small Gantronese fleet of five ships. We have reason to believe there are more fleets out there-.” Kezef was once again interrupted.

            “I see you are just sending us into that barge we have surrounded.” Omavern pointed out interrupting him.

            “Yes, Captain Omavern, because you are the best we have here.” Kezef softly grabbed Vagi by the arm and set her next to the snake woman whom she hugged. “This is shipmate Sea Legs Lost Marbles Tommathe, one of two hundred eleven crew members of two privateer anti- u-boat sloops, and survivors from that explosion. The snake woman is a Lamia, Seleris the Constable from another world and my bodyguard.”

            “Which means we have to divide them up and put them with our own crews.” Zana added crossing her arms impatiently.

            “I assume it may cause issues or trouble among your crews?” Kezef asked raising his eyebrows with concern.

            “Yes!” Both Captains replied.

            “Considering what they just experienced? Most pirates would say you are asking for brawls, or beatings. If the crew was a port you my find their attitude warming.” Omavern explained to the Admiral.

            “Two hundred and eleven you say?” Zana asked him looking directly at Lost Marbles Tommathe.

            “Divide them up and sort them out as best you can.” Kezef ordered them and simply left them with two hundred eleven to divide up between their ships.

            They did not waste time on this day off. A total of fifty-two of these crewmates were selected to man the captured ghost ship Zana managed to save. Lost Marbles was voted to be its Captain. Fifty others expressed their own fears of joining either crew. Each one of them settled for working on board the newly named Leven, the ghost ship. With one hundred eight left to sort through they discovered the crews from the Sloops were under the admiralty of a homosexual. None of them had any issues with him being gay. To their dismay he was over dramatic at times. Finding his drama unbearable those poor souls sought a new ship and new Captain. Because of their abandoning the Admiral they were dubbed Squares. Omavern managed to convince twelve of them to join his crew. As for Zana’s crew only eight signed on her ship. Eighty-eight had to be sorted out among the other privateers. Each one put the crews to work, adding a third Captain to their own Privateer fleet.

            Both Captains took in a deep breath of relief. Jenere and Zana left the Leven to its fishing while they prepared their boarding parties. All he had to do was rouse the lot up. Out of the one hundred fourteen available crewmates thirty were hand-picked. Caniir rallied thirty-three of her own crew and corralled a reserve of forty-eight She encouraged Jenere to do the same. Using the hand radio he managed to get thirty seven as a reserve force. Neither of their forces went lightly armed for this. From what they experienced it was obvious the Gantronese had more here.

            A force of sixty-five made up the boarding parties. In their minds they imagined an army behind their backs. The reality screwed them in the arse since no one else came. It was just sixty-five privateers on their own with small reserves. On various types of boats Jenere and Zana approached this massive vessel called a Barge Fort. To him it was a colossal sized vessel that could pass off as a castle on water. Something about this Barge said it was more of a moving port and fortress. Along its lower hull sat five entry ways for ships. Each entry way had some docks and retractable ones in between.

            None of these entryways appeared alive with no lights on. Jenere did not trust the way it looked abandoned nor the retractable docks. Caniir took her boarding parties to the other side of the Barge. Her search for another way in left this whole side to him. As they drew closer they saw the barge had bodies decorating its hull. Jaws must have dropped at the sight of corpses nailed to the hull.

            “By the Tortoise God what demon does this?” he heard one of his crew cried out. Jenere turned to instill discipline when Zana’s voice came up over the hand radio.

            “Heads up Jenere we may have company. It looks like some of Kezef’s new friends have landed on top. Over.” Caniir said over the radio.

            “Do you see the corpses attached to the hull? Over.” He asked her, wondering if she even saw the corpses. He glanced up for a second curious about the new non-Calornese allies Kezef brought with them.

            “What corpses-?” Caniir’s voice was cut off by the noise of a roaring engine. Its source was traced to the skies. Whatever kind of engine it was it sounded more mammalian beast mixed with a carnivorous reptile. Sounding more like a scream the engine noise pierced the skies for a moment.

            “Did you hear that? Over.” She asked him quickly.

            “I think the whole world heard that. Over.” Jenere replied smartly. She must have scoffed at that response. One his party got close enough to dock he ordered for some lights to be used. Ten flashlights illuminated a few parts of the entryway and docking portions. More corpses lined the interior walls. Jenere counted close to one hundred forty-three or more of their own allies nailed to the hull. Most of the corpses still had the uniforms on. All of them were covered in blood.

            Looking at the tattered, and bloodied uniforms he recognized those uniforms on the corpses. Lybresans, Alagens, Ivodrans, Ruhonthrans, and a handful of Vestrisian Volunteer Privateers were among the many poor souls nailed to the metal. On the retractable docks they spotted figures interacting in some activity. A pair of bloated slug looking humanoids stood on one of the docks with a third figure between them. Keeping an eye on the trio Jenere scanned the other docks sticking out.

            Some humanoid creature with ten limbs, pale grey skin grappled another figure in its grasp. It appeared to hold the figure hostage from the way the other one struggled. Just six of limbs were all over its hostage. Pleasures and needs often got mixed when urges go out of hand. What ever it was it appeared to be violating a broad in peril. She struggled to get free of this multi-legged mutation. Jenere motioned for his crews to dock at the occupied ones as he drew his revolver. His best target were the violator’s limbs. Going for the limbs proved difficult until they came closer to the dock. Eight of his crewmates opened fire on the slugs that went down. One dropped on its back and the other fell in the water. Third figure was released from her captors and nightmare. A skiff full of his pirates approached her slowly.

            Jenere took aim at the limbs and drew a second firearm. With zero intentions of showing mercy he fired on the ten-limbed monster. He took out three of the limbs that held it up. Stray bullets hit its side, and two other limbs. A loud screech of pain emitted from this creatures lips. Its hostage collapsed on the dock when it released her. His target limped around the dock screaming in pain. Using his revolver, he followed its movement. Jenere prepared to take the shot to end it when the victim sprang up on her feet. She grabbed the closest object to her. Jenere and those on the same boat watched the woman take her rage out on the ten-limbed creature. He could tell from her uniform that she belonged to the Ruhonthran Civilian Volunteer Paramilitary. Although she was not an official member of her nation’s armed forces, she still acted as a combatant for defense. Beating the multi-limbed creature to a pulp was no easy task. The Ruhonthran used a piece of metal to strike down on the creature that was now crawling. His craft came up to her while the rest disembarked quickly.

Thirty blows all over the body killed her assailant-captor. Blood was splattered all over the dock and her. It added more to what was already there. Here weapon of choice dripped with blood. Oblivious to their presence she flung her weapon at them. It flew above their heads splashing in the water behind them. None of his party members found it humorous. Most of them wanted to shoot her, but held back. Jenere looked over to see the rest docking.

“Hold up wait for my order!” Jenere commanded with his eye on the Ruhonthran. “Excuse me miss, hello! Would you like to get off the monster infested ship?”

His voice caught her attention. This woman dove for the skiff right as it docked. She landed on the skiff pushing against the crew. To them it was obvious what she wanted mos. A way to get off this Barge Fortress. She wanted out and they wanted in. Jenere motioned for his party to disembark. Ignoring the Ruhonthran they stepped on the retractable dock. As Captain he had full command over the crewmates during combat, and missions. Those who already disembarked at the other docks formed defensive formations. After fighting the Gantronese, their allies, and experiments his own crew were ready. Fully aware of the Ruhonthran’s eagerness to get off Jenere ordered for two crewmates to go with her.

“Saggi, Gilmark take this Ruhonthran to the ship. Who are you miss?” He had to ask for her identity. Jenere did not like meeting people without knowing their names.

“Valinna Eogav-Pattris, Lieutenant of RCVP U-boat 017 Barracuda Class…I…I b-believe two out of one hundred and sixty-one survived. We had m-just get me OUT!” Lieutenant Eogav-Pattris explained to him. Jenere stepped off the skiff leaving the Ruhonthran under the care of the two pirates he summoned. Taking nothing from the woman he prepared to go in with two less pirates.

“Go join your Captain, I will take these three back to Kezef. Go on.” A familiar voice urged them. He turned around to see Onna on a rescue boat with two other passengers.

“What happened to her?” he asked Onna pointing at the woman he did not recognize. A Lybresan female holding her arm in a sling had the rank of Able Crewmate sat next to Onna and the other Ruhonthran they saved.

“She was nearly dragged under while trying to avoid you.” Onna said not even looking at him in the face. He would be taken aback if this woman was not in danger.

“Get them to Kezef quickly. I don’t know how many of those monsters are there.” Jenere told Onna, hoping she would be on her way now.

He turned around to focus on the occupants of this large vessel. His boarding parties kept their flashlights on the walls, water, blood covered docks, and some gangways. Jenere looked at the corpses in search of the source behind these corpses’ fates. His gaze followed some corpses set up in a pattern joined by puncture holes in the metal surface. Using his own eyes, he followed a trail of these puncture holes. More bodies decorated the walls. Their allies were not the only ones pinned to the walls. Gantronese, those aquatic humanoids they fought and a few other races. One race among the corpses was a humanoid with an octopus head. It did not have tentacles just an elongated octopus head like crest in the back. Another figure nailed to the wall was a person with tentacles rather than legs.

A Cecaelia (Octopoid) was the name of one of these humanoids. Jenere heard of them while hiding in Kilscar Orvain before the Gantronese took over. He counted more than six of these and spied one being nibbled at the arm. Some six-legged insect creature was feasting. This creature had a salamander torso, lizard head, large bug eyes, a bull mouth with pincers, and sharp teeth. Not sure what this thing was, Jenere watched it tear flesh with its pincers. Its legs appeared very arachnid in appearance. Each leg dug into the metal latching on. This thing had some mutation that allowed detaching long tips of the legs, and grew back. He could see each tip that detached acted like a spike pinning the corpses down.

“Crewmate Cliff the handsome Orc, hand me your rifle.” Jenere requested.

“My old rotting Folteri 2 bolt action rifle? Captain, how many good targets do you see up there?” Cliff asked him politely.

“One so far.” Jenere answered the Orc who then gave him the rifle.

“Whatever it is I believe that is responsible for placing those poor souls on the walls.” Jenere took aim at the salamander-spider looking mutation. Squeezing the trigger, he fired a round into his target. He hit the torso this creature fell to the bottom platform. The impact of its body landing made that smacking sound when something hits metal. Jenere expected more to show up or reveal themselves. He kept an eye out for more of these mutations. All members of his crew watched the walls, water, platforms, and any doorways. As the silence filled the atmosphere again at the docks Jenere spotted more these mutations. Eight multi-legged mutations stalking a lone winged creature.

Taking his time, the Pirate Captain shot each stalking mutation. One by one they fell off the walls and ceiling. Some fell in the water while the rest on the platforms onto something else on the platforms. He scanned the rest of the dock, which appeared more like a U-boat dock. Looking up at the ceiling he discovered more creatures.

“Men go towards any doors you see. Keep your eyes focused on your surroundings.” Jenere ordered his crew.

In groups of five or six his boarding parties made their way to the platform parts. Each member kept an eye out for any signs of more mutations. Jenere handed Cliff’s rifle back to him. He stood by Cliff’s side while he focused on the winged figure. They seemed to be struggling with some other winged figure. Squinting his eyes to focus he saw the winged figure pull on the spikes. Whatever the other winged thing was there were more of its kind. Both winged figures wrestled against the other on the wall.

“Cliff do the honors and dispose-.” Jenere ordered, but got cut off by a surprising event. One of the winged creatures, a female, drew some weapon and stabbed her assailant. It fell off her splashing into the water. Whoever she was she had three more foes to worry about.

“Take care of those three! Then stay here and watch for any more mutations lurking around.” He ordered the Orc. “I need two more men to stay put!”

Two more members of the main boarding party broke away from their own groups. Both passed him, eying the scenery. He ignored their looks and joined four crew members at the end of the dock. Cliff’s bolt action rifle fired several more times followed by a series of splashes in the water. As he went over to them it became clear to him what happened here.

Red-Brookes and Clansplitter

Winter was just now setting in Gontrella after a long autumn battle over Springs Eye Crossing. It was a town located along the borders of the farthest Vestrisian advance in an ongoing war. Vestrisian Soldiers sat inside the local inn resting after a tooth grinding battle against the enemy. Their commanders insisted the locals put down their arms after the Vestrisian Army invaded from the mountains. Some of them were persistent and stubborn enough to aid the invading slavers, despite their sovereignty stripped from Gontrella.

            Sergeant Georg Brooke sat with his squad mates and other members of his company. He stared at his mug wondering if the war would go their way here. For five years Georg and his comrades were stationed in this area. It had taken them four years to push as far into Gontrella as possible until they meet heavy resistance here. His company and dozens of more companies along the stretch fended off wave after wave of enemies. Each week a battle was fought along the front lines in Gontrella.

            Casualties began to mount slowly among the ranks of the Vestrisian army. These casualties here had little impact on their morale on the battlefield. Just yesterday a sniper killed one Vestrisian soldier and two of the locals. The soldier was a battle buddy of one of Brooke’s squad mates and the locals were beloved entertainers in some caravan. People in the surrounding communities either blamed the soldiers or simply left them alone concerning the three deaths.

            “Gontrella such a poor land for a country.” Private Jharym Cutz said with a disgusted look on his face. He eyed a local patron who gave him a hateful glare over a calling Gontrella a poor country. It was in fact a beautiful country with rather small rolling hills and wide fields of grass. There were various patches of woods scattering the entire countryside. Among these patches of woods were one or two settlements. Brooke’s mind went straight to the numerous rivers and streams they came across during the fighting. This one particular river the town sat next to was where they had stopped. It was here the Vestrisians stopped advancing further into Gontrella. The enemy had managed to stop their advance here at the river.

            “You’re just saying that because the Gontrellans don’t like us being here!” an older veteran named Sergeant Matthias Iron-bolt barked at Private Cutz. Matthias was a stout and stumpy looking fellow due to his heritage. His mother was a half elf and his father was a dwarf. This made him appear more human than some of the elfish looking soldiers among them.

            “After five weeks of us holding the line and defending the west you’d think they’d appreciate us or at least fuck off.” Another soldier scoffed at the end of the table. It was just a month ago in early 1845 they had just pushed through up to this point. The war was now a stalemate in Gontrella.

            “What did you expect Gorvo? It took us three years to take the southern part of Gontrella. Then it took another year and a half to push through their lines!” Red-Brookes yelled at the soldier. “Besides they hold their allegiance to the slavers and the Vullanese scum!”

            The whole table full of soldiers looked at him. He knew it was because of what he had said. These people of Gontrella were most likely to resist their occupation despite their attempts to ban slavery. None of the soldiers believed banning slavery would be a bad thing. All the former slaves could be hired to work in the fields and workshops. In the parts they occupied hardly any of the aristocracy owned slaves, unless there was something, they didn’t know about Gontrella’s culture and laws. In the back of his mind Sergeant Red-Brookes knew the real reason the Gontrellans still hated them. These fools haven’t realized the true reasons these people hate us. He said in his mind while taking another drink of his ale. Red-Brookes looked up to see if any of the soldiers would speak again or let someone else have the floor.

            Now the entire table was concentrated on something behind him. He assumed it was some maid or local trying to get their attention. Most of the townsfolk here were nosy about why there were here. Red-Brookes ignored this person and kept on drinking. Cutz, Matthias and four other soldiers gave Sergeant Red-Brookes gestures to get his attentions. None of their gestures got his attention until the Corporal beside him nudged Red- Brookes. The Sergeant turned to see who it was and immediately stood up.

            It was Major Ruith Erfolg just observing the soldiers he saw at the two tables. There were more of them behind him who had already stood up acknowledging his presence. They had more of their company waiting outside with members of other companies. Erfolg had Captain Fia Clansplitter and Captain Beric Shadow-stone with him. They urged all the sitting soldiers to stand up before their superiors and commanding officer. The two Captains looked at them with fire in their eyes especially Captain Clansplitter who would give all of them the entire shaft end over this later.  

            “Soldiers of the Black Fire Company we have been selected for some reconnaissance into Priseon Estate territories. Despite our attempts at air reconnaissance some of which were shot down the enemy has been able to change their positions and increase their forces under our noses. Captain Clansplitter how many men does my Company have?” Major Erfolg asked before he was about to send them straight into enemy territory.

            “Sir, there are one hundred and fifteen men in Black Fire Company, Sir!” She answered Major Erfolg.

            The Major nodded with approval of the number of men available for this mission. Each soldier inside the local inn knew what was in store for them beyond the Springs Eye River. Brookes hoped they could at least receive help from the local populace.

            “You will move out at exactly one hour before dawn arrives. Gather your gear and whatever necessities required for this mission, carry on soldiers.” Major Erfolg and his two Captains left the soldiers to their drinking. Before the Major left the inn, he and the two Captains filled their field mugs with the locally brewed mead. The soldiers turned to see him with his own mug of mead raised up to give a toast. They all stood up again to raise theirs for a toast.

            “Here is a toast to a swift and decisive victory tomorrow! Ura!” Major Erfolg roared with great enthusiasm for tomorrow.

            The soldiers inside the inn yelled the same war cry in response to his toast. Every Vestrisian jugged, took drink or sucked their drinks down. Erfolg went out of the inn to his own quarters in the local Baron’s tower with one of his Captains. He left Captain Clansplitter at the inn to watch over the soldiers. Clansplitter was a woman of human and elfish qualities with the strength of a troll. She was not the type of woman you’d want to piss off on any given day. Her large breasts drew the gaze of almost everyone. She did not have a massive chest, but there were enough to attract some attention aside from her beautiful features. Red-Brookes and other soldiers would have loved to sleep with her if she wasn’t the Captain, a lioness that could tear you apart, taken by some Forsythan warrior. Their superiors would just throw them into the front lines in Zekmar if they tried to have intercourse with any female officer.

            Another local entered the inn and spotted the Captain. He had a certain lustful interest in her with a hunger that needed satisfaction. He looked at the other women who had normal sized breasts or the same size as Clansplitter’s then turned back to her. Red-Brookes saw the scoundrel approach the Captain with a bag of coins in his hand. He did not know what this man said to her because it did not please her one bit. Unfortunately for her she was under strict orders from Mysdran Tidus Kyshar, Mysdran Jak Greystorm, and the Furd. She was not to kill or harm any of the civilians in Gontrella in any way.

            Before she could even react two Goblins came out of a room. Each of them appeared to be drunk out of their wits. Red-Brookes watched the two Goblins observe the Captain when she lightly pushed the scoundrel away politely as possible with her patience wearing thin. They saw Captain Clansplitter try reasoning with the scoundrel and thought they could join in. Goblins were either civilized or savage depending on which part of the world you lived in. These however appeared civilized without any sense of respect for one’s privacy.

            Red-Brookes decided to jump in and help his Captain out. He stood up only see one of the Goblins receive a broken limb. The other Goblin was punched in the gut. It fell on the floor holding its stomach. Scoundrel number one in this town saw what she did and pulled a dagger on her. He staggered back and forwards a couple of times. It looked as though he was drunk or something. The whole inn watched the brawl between her and the two goblins. Now they gave witness to a new one between Clansplitter and the first scoundrel.

            “I will help you Captain.” Red-Brookes said as he drew his pistol on the dagger wielding scoundrel. He came up behind the scoundrel who held a dagger in one hand and a bag of money in the other. The Sergeant knocked the dagger out of his hand. Captain Clansplitter then snatched the money bag from the scoundrel as Red-Brookes forced him down on his knees. Without even hesitating or giving it a second thought Sergeant Georg Red-Brookes shot the scoundrel execution style.

            “Good work Sergeant Red-Brookes. You men go get some rest. I will see you all in the morning!” Captain Clansplitter barked at them before she chucked the bag of money at the innkeeper. She stormed out of inn leaving the soldiers to prepare for the mission.

It was obvious to everyone that she wasn’t happy about what just happened. Red-Brookes soon realized what he had done and looked at a few local patrons who seemed to scowl at the soldiers.

            Sixty-four soldiers silently crossed the Springs Eye in the dark night. The other fifty-one soldiers were left in the town to maintain control and order. On the river it was pitch black like some devious god had covered the world with a box or something. Most of the sounds in this quiet night were the sounds of the soldiers paddling through the river. Sergeant Red-Brookes kept on paddling through the river blind as a bat. They nearly bumped into other boats until one of the moons emerged from behind a cloud.

            It shed some light on where they were on the river. Dozens of soldiers were already on the shore. Each group hid their boats in the brush around the banks of the river. Red Brooke’s boat made it ashore and he could now see the dense forest that ran along the bank. For the reconnaissance group it was both good and bad. The enemy would be unable to see them coming in the day light. They would not be able to tell if any unfriendly eyes were watching them.

            In the dark someone held up a lantern near the riverbank. All the soldiers a shore got down on the ground and stayed quiet. Nobody trusted the lantern wielding figure standing next to the trees. Not even Captain Clansplitter wanted to trust this person. In moments the figure started flashing signals to someone in code form. It was unclear to whom the person was signaling until the lantern approached their position.

            “It is all right Vestrisians. I am a friendly, a turncoat agent.” The figure said to them in a happy loud voice. This made the whole group of soldiers tense up. Red-Brookes wanted to drown him because he could have given their positions away. He made out the Captain’s shadow as the moon light provided some light. This turncoat and Captain Clansplitter exchanged words between each other. Clansplitter took the lantern and waved it in the air several times. She signaled for the soldiers to come over where she stood along the bank of the river.

            Red-Brookes and a dozen others followed the rest of the company to the lantern. When they got closer to Clansplitter he saw his comrades go down into a tunnel. Their Captain urged them to go down the tunnel before dawn even approached. Once they were in the tunnel the Captain and this turncoat plunged on ahead of them. Every soldier followed them down this long tunnel to a well dug system of tunnels. To Red-Brookes these seemed unfinished and a suitable place for the enemy to launch their attacks on them. There was no stopping or turning back here for any of them. It had been some time since the last assault on the crossing. Their reconnaissance mission involved searching for enemy positions and estimating how large a force they would be facing.

            In minutes the company under Captain Clansplitter exited the tunnels and found themselves in the denser parts of the woods. To the eyes of a fool it seemed safe enough to move down this path that went through the woods. No one trusted their eyes or the silence around them. Their eyes looked around and their ears kept listening for any signs of an attack. This trail they were using was dug into the ground about a foot deep all the way to the end of the trail. Red Brookes looked up at the trees expecting a sniper to shoot them down or an ambush to be sprung on them. Corporal Goran Lightningwell and Matthias noticed he was worried about these particular woods.

            “You looked troubled Sergeant Red-Brookes. Is there something wrong?” Lightning well asked in a peevish voice. He ignored the Corporal and kept up with the others. The Sergeant knew he was only joking, but to him it was the worst time to mess around. That only encouraged their joking. Matthias’ footsteps could be heard as they caught up with Red Brookes. The peevish Matthias’ breath could be felt on his ear as they walked down the pathway.

            “You know Red-Brookes this forest reminds me of the quiet valley back in the mountains. Only those towns and that one walled city showed us a little more respect. Why is that?” he asked the Sergeant in his ear. Red-Brookes glared at him in the face.

            “That’s because we cleared out the war bands and gangs of bandits.” Red-Brookes spat in Matthias’ face that then chose to leave him alone for now.

            Captain Clansplitter had made her way to the back of the line. She confronted Red-Brookes, Matthias, and Lightning Well. Each of them stopped and stood stiff as statues knowing they were screwed. Other soldiers in the back went around them. Red-Brookes could tell she did not look happy at all. Her face was red with anger over the fact that some soldiers did not shut up.

            “I hope your little conversation is over. All three of you keep your traps shut! The enemy could have eyes in these woods. Our turncoat friend has spotted an old fort we could use as a base to fall back to.” She barked at the three soldiers. Captain Clansplitter left the soldiers to beat the last several soldiers to the end of the trail. All three of them looked at one another then proceeded to the end of the trail.

            From the end of the trail Red-Brookes saw an old fort that looked abandoned on top of a hill. It had three towers surrounding it in decent condition. Red-Brookes was worried that this turncoat was leading them all into a trap. He went two yards forward and froze again when he saw their own flag flying over the towers. Such a sight was better to see than an enemy outpost they needed to take over. As they made their way towards this friendly owned fort dozens of soldiers looked around them. He noticed the hill with the fort was flanked by a long range of hills that appeared too rocky for vehicles to drive over.

            His relief took over him when sixty-five members of the Black Fire Company entered the fort. Inside they were greeted by thirty-seven armed and happy rebellious citizens who had turned against Gontrella and their slavers. Captain Clansplitter was welcomed with a handshake from the leader. Their lantern wielding friend had introduced the Captain to the leader and left them. Soldiers and rebels got acquainted with each other before they began their mission.

            “Gather around me this will be brief. These rebels are known as the Invincible Lions and have over six other rebel groups working on sabotaging the enemy communications and movements. Their leader Vibius Adonnis possesses a radio and a codebreaker for us to use. Matthias you run down to the radio room Morgan will show you the way. Private Pithros and Corporal Annoffis go assist the codebreakers. Okay men Vibius will take us to a hill behind this old fort, which should give us a clear view of some enemy positions.” She said to them before following the rebel leader Vibius down a stone hallway and through a long corridor. They rushed through the dungeons coming across more rebels, refugees, fugitives and escaped slaves.

            As they exited another tunnel they ran out into the open. Red-Brookes decided this would be a good time to get out his sketch books and code-book wrapped up together. He held on to them tightly as they climbed up the hill. Each of them looked over some rocks and parts of the hilltop. Red-Brookes expected to see just a few camps here and there, maybe a makeshift fort, or a few outposts. He took out whatever equipment he need and looked over the hill and nearly soiled his pants. What every one of them had thought were just a few camps or bases turned out to be an entire invasion force. Somewhere in his mind Red-Brookes calculated at least a few million troops and more marching towards them.

            “Lieutenant Sermonne take twenty of our men back to-.“ she was cut off when shooting and artillery rounds came towards them. Bullets hit the stones and the hills as the invasion force pressed towards them. Everyone fired as many rounds as possible until artillery shells hit the ground closer than they anticipated. One shell hit the fortress as they tried to retreat back inside. They became showered in debris from every shell fired while scrambling back to the tunnels.

            Vibius stayed behind and manned a machine gun to hold off the enemy. Red Brookes ran as fast as he could up the tunnels. He passed many fighters setting up defensive positions after feeling the shells shake the ground. Black Fire Company could not stay here since their mission was already completed, but their Intel would come too late. As artillery barrages struck the fort Clansplitter screamed for someone to inform the commanding officers and the high command. Sergeant Red-Brookes volunteered and sprinted out of the fort and made it to the woods.

            He could not stop now the war would be lost here if he did. His mission was now to reach Springs Eye Crossing in time to deliver their reports. His only hopes were his comrades would make out alive, and that the radio signals got through. Every second he ran was a second crucial to holding the line. Once they had held the line here perhaps, they could force their way to Vodwonia and Ossus. When he found his way through the woods, he spotted someone at the entrance to the manmade tunnels. At first, he thought it was their contact asleep until he saw the pistol and the blood. Poor bastard he shot himself. Oh well I guess I need to keep going now.

            Red-Brookes ran past the body and jolted through the underground tunnels. He had to get to Major Erfolg and inform him of the oncoming attack before the enemy could reach them. Red Brookes thought of all the soldiers he fought with as he stumbled a bit through the tunnel. Once he saw the end he saw a figure standing at the end of the path. Regardless of who this person was he approached them. It was Captain Shadow-stone with twenty of the Black Fire company who seemed exhausted from fighting. Shadow-stone stopped Red Brookes and pulled him to the side of the entrance.

            “Those Gontrellan bastards allowed the enemy to slip past our lines. Get your weapon ready we are holding the crossing here.” The Captain told him and went towards the crossing with some soldiers. Red-Brookes took position next to some trees when a large group of soldiers emerged out of the woods. They each wielded sub machine guns and fired on what remained of the Black Fire Company.