Aerenor's Fires

[Oberons Veil]

Aerenor, a world shrouded deep in myth and legend. Aerenor the world of fantasy and of myth, and yet no magic occurs in this world. Great cities, Kingdoms and Empires rise and they fall all on the whims of the people. Anything is possible should one set their mind to it, should they become Emperor of the largest Empire the world has ever seen or become the wealthiest person in all the world? The choice is theirs if they are determined and set their minds to it. The world is ever changing, ever evolving as new peoples take charge and cast of the chains of yore and rise up for their own rather than for their old. The Winds of Change are upon the world of Aerenor. Far to the West on the Continent of Hesphion the once great Calraxes Empire is crumbling, shattered by internal strife and the recent assassination of the Emperor Calrax X by his son Duraxes. The Empire once ruled the continent and had several colonies abroad but those days are long since past, now the Empire is struggling against the internal civil war, and the many nations attempting to split away from the Empire of conquer pieces of it. All trying to ensure their place in this new world. In the East the Continent of Khadan is embroiled in a frightening time of uncertainty. The two major power players are spiraling towards war after the Galadon Imperium's ruler the late Kaiserin was assassinated by men from their longtime foe the United Collective of Free States. Since this event the Imperium and the United Collective have been building up for war as it looms over the two and the continent. The alliances held by each alone would spell disaster for all nations of Khadan as very few are neutral. The large hulking continent of Nemora sitting comfortably between Khadan and Hesphion however is in an era of peace and prosperity. Stability reigns throughout and the people seem content with their lives. The Kingdom of the Heartlands has entered a Golden Age led by their High Queen Alria V, allowing great advances of technology and strengthening of the Heartlander culture. Where will you be in this world as the embers are stoked and the flames take root. The Flames of Aerenor are upon us, and it is up to you to decide your fate in it all.

​

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine stood watching the ocean's gentle waves crash against the shore, the boats would rise and fall gently while rocking in the harbor, swaying ever so lightly. The sun was rising on the horizon turning the sky brilliant shades of red, orange and purple, clouds gently changing hues with the rising orb that was the sun. On the horizon ships could be seen coming from all directions, laden with goods or people destined for the markets, factories or realm of Roseheim, their flags spoke for the many nations that sent their goods to be bought and sold in the Trade Capital of the the League. The cost was met with stark cliffs flanked by mountains that rose to touch the heavens themselves, each peak symbolic of a deity in the myths and lore of Roseheim, though most people tended to just write off the ideals of the Gods as superstition, though they willingly practiced the religion, probably because it demanded very little in the way of personal sacrifice. The sea breeze gently brushed Satine's hair as it swept in from the vast sea before her eyes, the trees along the harbor and on the cliffs above swayed gently, the salty air filling the city with the smell of home. She wouldn't trade this place for anywhere or anyone, and would defend it to her last breath if necessary. In these uncertain times that seemed to be an ever approaching threat, that loomed on the horizon in the guise of the jungles and vast deserts ruled by the Various Tribes of the Andrag people. A people Roseheim had a long history of conflict and loss with. A history written in the blood of the forefathers and the founders alike. One Satine, and the people of Roseheim were working to prevent from happening again. The Conference that was being held on this day for the next week was to be attended by nearly two dozen of the most powerful figures in all of Aerenor, far from the East and the West, from the Northern Kingdoms and the Southern Republics they would come to Roseheim, to Rosenwald to meet, treat and discuss the formation of the Second Coalition to fight the looming threat, the darkness on the horizon. Already some of the leaders had arrived, most notably the High Queen of the Heartlands, one of Roseheim's steadfast allies and member of the First Coalition. They were already in a war against the Andrags, and the only thing they had going for them were the Shield Mountains on their border with the Great Dunes, the lands of the Andrags. Tens of thousands had already died and it would likely continue if nothing was done. For High Queen Alria this Coalition meant the salvation of her Kingdom, her Culture and her People.


As Satine was lost in thought on the balcony of the Citadel overlooking the harbor, the Archons were assembling in the Council Hall to discuss whether they would support Satine's request to form the Second Coalition and effectively take the League to war against their old nemesis. No single chair was there, the "throne" was a simple term for one glorified chair, what truly sat in this grand hall was the Dais, a long ornate stone table with gold carvings inlaid into the stone, the table was circular with seven chairs around it. On a raised platform, was the Dais, behind it and flanked by the flags of the Cities in the League, were seven chairs centered on one. The single chair was the largest and bore a Prancing Lion inlaid as garnets, as that was Satine's chair, the Doge did not have a chair per se, as any of the Prime Cities could host the Capital if their Archon or Archoness was elected as Doge.. The other six chairs each held a decorative symbol inlaid with a different colored gemstone. One for each of the Prime Cities of the League, cities that oversaw the Regions of the League. Trost with its Sapphire Dragon, Stohess with its Golden Crossed Keys, Lyrias with its Emerald Tree, Hyperion with its Diamond Sunburst, Alkaria with its Amethyst Eagle, and Tython with its Aquamarine Ship. Each City stood at the head of their Regions, at the very pinnacle of prosperity. Four men and two women dressed in fine regalia each wearing a circlet with the same stone that adorned their chair, these were the Archons, the rulers of the Six Prime Cities, and the ones who elected the Doge of the League. It was well known that Stohess, and Tython were in favor of the Coalition, though opposite of their side were Alkaria and Hyperion who were opposed to the idea of war, most likely because they were the ones closes to the border with the potential enemy. Lyrias was undecided, they were neither distant nor close to the enemy, and they produced vast quantities of war material for other nations and a war at home could prove beneficial for them, their Archon, the aging human named Aleksander Deccaris was known for patience and drawn out thought, typically just waiting out his enemies rather than putting himself in a vulnerable position. Tython the city of the Waves also was considered undecided but they typically kept to themselves even in times of war only offering materials and not manpower to the fight. It was three, to two, to two in terms of official numbers meaning that if it were status quo then the League would only narrowly form the Coalition. Not the most ideal situation of a unanimous backing.


Satine got up from her chair, her crimson colored dress barely touching the ground, her heels clacking as she proceeded across the balcony stopping only long enough to pick one of Rosenewald's famed blue roses. She had spotted the ship of the High Queen Alria on the horizon using a telescope that her old teacher had given her centuries earlier. She would need to meet not only Alria but the other leaders down at the Docks before taking them all through the city and to the Assembly Hall in the fifth tier of the city. Walking through the gilded corridors of the Citadel, Satine was joined by two dozen Knights of Airos, a Fighter's Guild that she was the Grand Master of. They doned their white adamantium armor, that bore the seraph sword on their chests inlaid in gold. They carried a sword at their hip, and a spear as their primary weapon, the spear itself had a small flag of the guild tied to the area just below the spear head, mainly for ceremonial purposes as it served little strategic combat purpose. In their other hand the Knights held a shield that looked identical to their armor in coloring and pattern, their helms had wings on either side that were small and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Satine and her Knights made their way from the Citadel in the sixth and final tier of the city down through to the fourth tier, where the Docks, Markets, some Temples, Gardens and other middle society workplaces and homes could be found waiting for the arrival of High Queen Alria and any others who would come to the Conference that could shape the very future of the Continent of Nemora. Satine's hair fluttered lightly in the wind, its burgundy hues caught in the sunlight framed her crystalline blue eyes making them appear to sparkle, a true High Valir in all senses of the word.


((@NorbertM and @Ahzek Ahriman))

 

[MarkNorbert]

The air was filled with smoke and death. The fire's roars were heard loud and clear, as it burned down everything around him, as a wave that takes everything that stands in its way, the city was dying. Death surrounded him. Men, soldiers, who desperately tried to defend their homes, their families, to no vain, as their wives lie dead with them, on the cold, muddy, bloodied ground. And there he was, standing in the middle of everything, with his blue eyes fixed forward, on something. He was easy to distinguish, after all, his outfit said everything. His padded leather torso, above his brown shirt, his right arm, covered in blood, from his hand to his elbow. His brown bottoms, covered in mud and the occasional stains of blood. His leather boots, dirty and smelly, from the tainted ground. His helmet, Almunian noble craftsmanship, was the only piece that was really needed to tell who he is. The unmistakable tiny little horns that surrounded his helmet, as if in protecting the top of his head, or merely as a horrible decoration, one which surely brought fear to those who knew it. Last, but not least, his trusty steel axe, taken from a blacksmith he raided long ago, all but where he held it with his hand, was covered in the blood of those who were so unfortunate to appear in his way.


His eyes were carefully fixed on the crow in front of him, who is feasting on the bread that escaped its cage, from the fallen cart, filled with goods, who probably would have fed three families. Now, there were no families left to be fed. Except, for the opportunistic crow. The vanguard of death. That's how they were called, the crows. In Almunian folklore. Where ever they were, death was present. The Almunians have taken the image of a crow, as a banner, as were they go, death would follow. But only to the poor souls that ended up on the other side of the sword.


His admiration for the pitch-black crow was ripped away by a charging soldier, who somehow, survived the massacre that was still happening not far away, as the familiar sound of swords and axes clash with each other, accompanied by the moans of the dying and the groans of those who will soon join their kinsmen. Perhaps the foolish soldier had a chance to kill him, if he didn't yelled. But now, he had none, as he turned around to face him. He was charging full speed, without thinking, like a novice. This was easy. Before he could even reach him, he lifted his foot and kicked the shield as hard as he could. Years of running and living a harsh life gave him the muscles he needed to make the young soldier fall flat on his back, his sword dropping from his hand. He almost joined him on the ground, if he didn't regained his balance, thanks to the mud. He approached the soldier and lifted his axe. He was greeted with a hopeless shield that tried to save his bearer, but to no vain. The shield didn't protected his legs, only his chest and therefore, the axe cut its way inside the young man's flesh, making him scream from pain. One hit, another one, one more and one final blow to drain the energy from the youth, enough for him to pull the shield from his hands, as he eased his grip on it, unsure on what to focus as his mind was filled with nothing but pain. It all ended with one blow to the neck And blood poured out of the young man's neck. He straighten up, a small smirk on his face, as if he is taking pride in what he did. But it disappeared quickly, as he went down to his knees. Pain filled his mind too, and as he turned around, to see his killer, his face was filled with shock. A young brunette woman stood in front of him, with an axe in her hand.


"K-Krista?" he asked, in mere horror.


"Hello Hoskuld." Krista smiled and with a swing of the axe, it awaken Hoskuld from his nightmare.


He rose from his bed, all sweaty and gasping for air. His face was one of horror. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly grabbed his axe from the counter as a hand touched him. When he looked at the person holding his forearm, he stopped and starred into those green haunting eyes, belonging to his wife. Krista.


"Another nightmare?" she asked, caring.


"Another one." Hoskuld replied, putting the axe back and getting out of bed.


"Do you remember anything this time, she asked, pulling the big blanket closer to her, snuggling on it.


"No." he took a long pause before answering. He remembers every single detail of it. But of course he wouldn't tell her. What would she think when her own husband is having nightmares with her killing him. "I'm going for a walk." he announced.


"You stopped giving me goodbye kisses, Hoskuld." she said, with a sadden voice.


He looked at her for a brief moment before he walked to the other side of the bed and kissed her on the forehead, bidding her goodbye. For now. He walked outside his bedroom, to be saluted by the two guards protecting the bedroom door. He walked down the hallway and saw a courier approaching him, giving him a letter. Upon opening it and reading it, Hoskuld smiled and dismissed the courier. He threw the letter into a flaming torch, burning the content within the letter with it. Footsteps approached Hoskuld and as he turned he was greeted by a bald, white bearded, old man.


"It's time to earn some gold, my friend." Hoskuld smiled wide.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

The day dawned bright and clear over the normally stormy and weathered isles of Utinawara. sunlight shining and gleaming off the many mosaic tiles lining the streets. The polished white brick pathways criss-crossing the various levels of islands and towers over the sea. Prince Ozaki stands upon the bow of his flagship, the Caelopee, a bi-deck ship with two sails, the golden wreath of the Principality inlay-ed into the sail. As they pull away from the harbor, three more ships soon join them, forming a loose triangle, the Prince soon being interrupted by one of his aids, a seventy year old human male, his white beard braided into a single braid his head almost completely bald, but his eyes almost glow with a fire of inner youth. This elderly man bows low to the prince and stands back up, looking up at him and saying in a quiet but strong voice "My lord, we have set sail, all is well and we shall be within the ports of Roseheim in a weeks time if Navari is with us." The old man looks out into the waters, gently touching the symbol of Navari, the goddess of water and travel over water as the prince replies quietly "Well, our cause is just and our way is paved my friend, the Andrages have been a plague unto the larger continent for years, now is our chance to push back and show them once again that civilization will prevail over the barbarian tribal way. The older man then looked up at the prince, in his deep blue uniform with white gloves, smiling to himself as he turns and walks away, saying over his shoulder "Your the same as you were when I was a child, old man," both the prince and the elder chuckle at that, leaving a note of remembrance to the ending of the conversation.


Days pass without any form of ill sailing, until the fifth day into the voyage when the trio of ships found their way into a small storm, the ships being buffeted by the waves and winds that come with the open ocean, the storm like many between Utinawara and the mainland are fierce but short, allowing the ships to re-raise their sails by nightfall and continue on their way, the city being called into sight by the tenth day of sailing. The Prince stands upon the top of the mast, having no fear as he climbs up, following the commands of a worried sailor who helps him up into the crows nest, where the prince begins to sketch quietly, humming to himself as he captures the rising city of Rosehelm in the morning sunlight, eventually by mid-day they'd pull up into port, the two smaller ships being put to port in one of the smaller sub ports while the main ship docks along side the various other dignitaries of the other nations, the Prince finally coming down to dress himself and get ready to meet with the other leaders, having spent most of the morning and early afternoon up in the crows nest, sketching the harbor.

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine smiled widely greeting the other leaders who were arriving in a steady stream. Finally by mid-afternoon only one was still unaccounted for, the Prince of Utinawara, whom she had been a student under for decades during her youth, many centuries earlier. The other leaders had been taken by carriage to the Assembly Hall for refreshments and to await the arrival of the remaining leaders. It was to allow them to mingle together, get to know one another and to send word back to their nations that they had indeed arrived safely in Rosenwald. She watched the horizon scanning for the ship that would be carrying her old friend and mentor lighting up when she spotted it. It was rather agonizing waiting for the ship to finally dock in the Diplomatic Port, which was the smallest of the four ports all of which were walled and had sea gates for added protection. Adding to the protection of the Sea Gates, and Walled Harbors the entire system of harbors were within a cove or bay of sorts with stark cliffs rising up with a entrance only wide enough for three large ships to fit in at once which around noon could and usually did, cause some kind of traffic. A massive sea gate would be lowered at night and raised in the morning to give the harbor protection in times of war. Waiting calmly on the dock Satine was flanked by her guards all of whom stood at attention as the gangplank was lowered. Anticipation was killing her inside as she hadn't seen the Prince in nearly four decades due to various matters.


Meanwhile inside the Assembly Hall the High Queen Alria of the Heartlands was mingling with a few of other leaders in attendance. Her bright red dress that had a hoop skirt beneath to give it a bit larger of a waist, stood out and helped highlight her importance. She had resigned herself to a simple silver tiara with a red heart jewel, jewels shaped like hearts but were a very vibrant red, felt warm to the touch and seemed to have light shown from them without any light actually around. Some called them the jewels of the Gods or Essence of the Gods, others just called them shiny rocks. To the Heartlands they were the ultimate symbol of wealth and power for they were extraordinary rare and very expensive. Some nations could be bought for just one of the Heart Stones. Mingling through the Assembly Hall and making her way to the Gardens, Alria watched the horizon of the city and just reveled in the beauty of the place.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

Ozaki sighs, looking into his reflection on his glass mirror, fixing his dark blue uniform and then calmly putting his lobster helm onto his head, fixing the sash across his chest and clipping his navel sword onto his right hip, turning and looking at his adviser, also dressed in his officers uniform. "Well then Admiral Fredrick, shall we go?" Ozaki asked, smiling lightly as he looks down, fixing his medals pinned onto his sash with a frustrated huff, before looking back up at his adviser with a smile. The both of them walked out to meet with two of the Imperial Guard, who snap too attention, the lead raising his saber up and the other two dipping the Principalities flag slightly to him as he passes, looking out at the small crowd gathered to watch him descend the gangplank. "Well...Looks like they've assembled a small party for us Prince..." Fredrich says quietly, stepping up next to Ozaki as he begins to make his way down the two person gangplank, the various officers and sailors on board the Caelopee saluting him as he walks down, the two royal guards with flags remaining on board, the white banners flying crisply in the breeze, eventually following down behind the party. Ozaki stops at the bottom of the gangplank, looking at the small crowd gathered, eyes eventually locking onto Satine's.

 

[MarkNorbert]

"My king," the old man said, while almost running after Hoskuld, "In what matter will we be getting more wealth? Another raid? Where? Within the continent? Towards the crumbling empire?", he then stopped, gasping for air, as he desperately needed it, but in great need for an answer to his questions.


Hoskuld made a pause in his tracks as soon as he no longer heard his companion's footsteps. Turning around, being carefully watched by the old man, no doubt waiting for Hoskuld to give him an answer, he walked towards him. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead of an answer, Hoskuld gave him a light,short laugh and approached the gasping man. He straighten him up and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.


"Ljot, my old friend." he gently patted his index finger on the man's chest. "I received a letter.". Waving his arm slowly upwards, he continued, "From a distant friend. And." he paused, returning his index finger back to where it was previously, lowering his head, as in to get closer to Ljot, he continued, almost as if in a whisper, "There is a very, very, very important meeting. And I'm going to attend it."


"But my kin-" Ljot said, but was quickly interrupted by Hoskuld.


"I want you to be my regent. While I'm away. What say you?"


"My king, I, I...what about your son?"


"He will be coming with me. To keep me company. What say you?"


With one thoughtful nod, Ljot accepted to become regent while Hoskuld will be away. Wasting no more time, Hoskuld quickly said his goodbyes and left his old white bearded friend, alone, in the hall, while he, was heading towards the kitchen, for his stomach roared out loud. Arriving at the kitchen, Hoskuld saw three women inside the kitchen. Two young servants, the cook's help and the cook herself. When she diverted her eyes from the meat she was cutting, when both of their eyes made contact, Hoskuld smiled, warmly.


"Helga, what are you preparing?" he asked curiously, slowly approaching her, with his hand out-stretched. But before he had a chance to snap a piece of meat, Helga stopped him, with her knife.


"How many times have I told you to wait till it's ready, young man! I thought I taught you some manners!" Helga yelled at Hoskuld, as if he was a child, who is getting scolded.


"You never let me get a taste of what you are making. It's not fair! I'm a king!" Hoskuld fought back the scolding.


"I don't care! Nothing! Now go! Before I chop off your hand!" she threaten him, fire deep in her blue eyes.


Hoskuld smiled. At with speed, and good reflexes, he snapped a piece of meat from the bowl in front of him, enough to sate his hunger, fast enough to avoid the doom's knife. Helga did nothing but groan and return back to her duties, leaving Hoskuld march victorious from the kitchen. Outside the kitchen, Hoskuld was stopped by a young man who looked very much like him.


"Bjorn." Hoskuld broke the silence.


"Father, I must speak with you." Bjorn said. He moved his feet quick as his father started walking down the hall. "Why won't you let me be regent? Don't you trust me? You think I lack the skills. You know I'm ready..." he said, on and on and on, until stopped by Hoskuld.


"Bjorn. I did not," Hoskuld pressed his palms together and walked towards his son. "Decided to let Ljot as regent without any good reason. And!" he said, interrupting his son from saying anything else and wrapping his arm around him, then planted a kiss on his son's forehead, "I want you to come with me. Learn a thing or two about real diplomacy. And, who knows, find you a woman. You sure need one."


"Father, no. I wan-wait. What's going on?" Bjorn crossed his arms in front of his chest, watching his father carefully.


"It will be a surprise. Grab your things, we are leaving tomorrow morning."


*One month later*


Hoskuld stared at the massive port in front of him. Or maybe it wasn't that massive, perhaps it was a normal one, but even so, it was big, unlike he has ever seen. They weren't like the ones back home, huge, filled with cargo, ships and people. There was so much happening, that Hoskuld did not knew where to concentrate his eyes on. In the background, on his ship, Hoskuld could hear his men talk to each other, on how much wealth is to be found here and how much glory it would bring if they would have ever sailed here to raid. But Hoskuld knew that this port would be almost to impossible to get close too as enemies, let along attempt to raid.


"Where are we?" Bjorn asked, approaching his father from behind.


"This? League of Rose-something(Roseheim, but he can't pronounce it very well, or maybe he forgotten how to). A very powerful economic nation. And currently, our possible source for much wealth. If things go as planned. You see, they are forming a coalition, to fight someone. If we can get them to buy our mercenaries, even trade, we'll have much to profit."


Their ship soon docked, interrupting Bjorn's conversation with his father. A white flag had been waved on top of the ship, signalling that they come in peace and they seek no harm, to anyone. As soon as they got off the ship, they were surrounded by countless men, who, were practically, the City Guard. Hoskuld's men quickly drew their axes and shields and quickly got in formation, awaiting Hoskuld's order to get into shieldwall.


"All of you, calm down. They won't hurt us." Hoskuld said, in their native language, Almunian.


"How can you be so sure, my king?" one soldier asked, giving several city guards the eye.


"If someone, unknown to us, would dock in our port, wouldn't you act the same? Put down your weapons. That's an order."


It took them a few, short glares at each other, before obeying their king's command. Once they calmed down, Hoskuld let out a relieved sigh. He turned towards the guards and smiled.


"I apologize for that, my men are a little jumpy sometimes. Especially after being at sea for so long. Anyways, I am High King Hoskuld of the High Kingdom of Almunia. I would appreciate it if I could be given the chance to speak with your leader."


Hoskuld hoped he didn't messed up their language. It would be bad if he had to make a blood bath from both sides corpses.

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine lit up upon seeing Ozaki, but before she could run to him and greet him one of her guards whispered to her, "Milady, some people are here to see you. They say they are from the High Kingdom of.... Almu... Almunia, I think it what they said." The Guard then motioned to the ship on the dock nearby that was flanked by Civil Guard and a few Knights of Airos. Furrowing her brows ever so slightly, Satine looked from the ship to the group of burly foreign men standing in a rather circular formation. Clearly one of defense. Why were they here? Was a question that lingered on Satine's mind. She shifted her attention back to Ozaki and bowed taking his eyes to look at the other dock as well. Surely he understood that under the circumstances she would have to deal with these foreigners before dealing with him. She mouthed, Sorry, before turning and under heavy guard walking from the dock they were on to the dock where the Almunians were and the mass of Civil Guard as well. She lifted her dress ever so slightly to allow her to walk swiftly without the fear of tripping on the dress. As she made her way behind the Knights, she couldn't help but get a feeling of unease among those gathered around. It was rare for the Civil Guard to do this such a thing in the numbers they were in. There had to be two dozen or so Civil Guard surrounding the Almunians. Finally coming to the front of the crowd she motioned for the men to stand aside to let her see these foreigners. One of them, the Captain of her personal guard, seven golden bands on his armor signifying his rank looked to her with pleading eyes, though she simply waved him off. Seeing the men, in their more northern armor, their weapons and their general appearance she couldn't help but frown just a little.


"I am Satine Arcturian, Dodge of the League of Roseheim, and Grand Master of the Knights of Airos, you asked for the Leader and here I am." She said her voice strong and resounding. This matter would need to be dealt with swiftly as all the guests had now arrived and would be waiting for her. In fact from the Assembly Hall's perch on the cliffs of the fourth tier of the city, they could see this altercation if they were on the Assembly Hall's balcony. That would make for a rather interesting event indeed.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

Ozaki looks at Satine, stepping forward at the same time as the guard moves up next to her, looking at her with a raised brow and as she looks over towards the way the guard came he also glances over, blinking at the ball of steel and metal across the quay. He'd then glance back at his adviser and raise an eyebrow, the older man just shrugging "Don't see their type down here often...." the older man remarks, Oazki would nod and then begin to follow the small party of guards and Satine over to the ball of metal, his walking stick gently tapping on the wood and stone quayside, once he reaches he stays a bit back, looking at the barbarians quietly and listening to Satine with a smile.


Meanwhile his small party of guards quickly dismounts, forming a small party behind him, their crossbows held in hand and the officer his sword unsheathed, saluting Ozaki and waiting for his order.

 

[MarkNorbert]

"Father, I don't think this was a good idea." Bjorn said, in Almunian, closing in to his father, from behind, out-stretching his arm and gripping his father's shoulder tight.


"Nonsense. This is a good idea." Hoskuld re-assured his son. He turned to him and pressed his palm on Bjorn's neck, as he has always done, to calm him down. "You have to trust me. Do you trust me?"


After a moment of silence, Bjorn slowly nodded. Glad he managed to calm down his party, Hoskuld turned to the mass of people around them. Most of them wearing fancy, shiny armor, with a beautiful woman in charge. Or so it looked for Hoskuld. He liked her. She went down to business, without any unnecessary discussions. Perhaps they didn't knew what to talk about, as they must look strange to them. Perhaps they never encountered their kin? How could they not? Their mercenaries were used in battle, they must know little about them. But, sadly, it seemed they didn't knew anything.


Hoskuld quickly squatted, in an attempt to see the guards reflexes. With a smile on his face, he slowly straighten up, looking straight into Satine's eyes. He definitely took his sweet time to begin a diplomatic conversation. Hoskuld wondered what is going through Bjorn's mind on his father's awkward ways of diplomacy.


"My name is Hoskuld. I am a king. And blah blah blah, going straight to the point, I would very much like to join your coalition against the Rukka(sand people in Almunian). I believe...you know our warriors value in battle. Clearly you must have heard about us. If not, then I believe its time to show you."

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine was old, quite old. She remembered the Wars of the First Coalition as if they were yesterday, one reason why she was working so hard to make this war quicker than the last. She took some steps forward towards Hoskuld, High King of Almunia. She reached out her arm to grasp hers in his, it was tradition after all. "You sir, and your people are more than welcome to join our Coalition against the Rukka," she said imitating his accent the best she could. "I fought with your people in the last war, bravery I can hardly say any of us southerners have. Courage that would make dragons flee. Strength enough of ten men." She said showering accolades down on his people. They were truly a force to be reckoned with and a welcome addition to the Coalition's growing numbers. Their fighters would be much needed in the coming war against the Andrags. "If you would like your men can follow my Captain to the Dock's Civil Barracks where they can rest, sleep if they so desire, and have their fill of food and wine, they are also welcome to go into the fourth tier to the markets and the taverns... I'm sure there are a few brothels there as well if that's what they would like." She said smiling and looking over at his men to measure their reactions. "As for you, and another individual of your choosing, you can accompany me, and the Prince of Utinawara to the Assembly Hall," She said pointing to the large ornate structure slightly hanging off the cliff in one of the upper tiers of the city. It's colored windows glimmering in the sun's light.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

Ozaki would smile gently, walking over and standing near Satine, leaning on his walking stick gently "Well...I guess then the northern warriors are here to join us?" He'd look between the two, smiling lightly as he raises a hand, the guards turning in sync, shouldering their crossbows and beginning to march towards the civil barracks, only his personal guard and his adviser remaining, waiting quietly for their Prince and the other folks to begin to head up towards the Assembly Hall to follow.

 

[MarkNorbert]

Hoskuld gladly accepted her hand, holding it firm and careful, for she was a foreign woman. He would have tighten the grip if it was an Almunian woman, as he knows they are strong. Satine's compliments made him smile wide, happy to hear that his kin are well seen through the eyes of those who have never faced them in battle. Those who have seen them in battle are either on the other world or too scared to speak about it. He raised his index finger, begging for a swift moment, then turned towards him men.


"Alright, you powerful men with the strength of ten men and courage that would make a dragon flee." Hoskuld said, but was interrupted by one of the men, asking what is a dragon. "I don't know." Hoskuld shrugged. "Southerners fancy tales. Follow this southerner and he will take you somewhere warm, where you can fill your bellies and please...specific parts. BUT! Behave. Or else I'll chop off your head."


Hoskuld's crew cheered out loud before scattering around, some attending the boat, to get in nice and ready for leave, others pointed their fingers at the captain, making sure it's him, others, simply, looked around. Looking for riches, no doubt. Despite being on diplomatic reasons where they are, despite wanting to loot everything, they did not dared cross over the king's word.


"Alright, Bjorn. Let's go." Hoskuld wrapped his arm around Bjorn's broad shoulders. He looked straight into Satine's eyes and smiled. "Before we go, this is my son, Bjorn. Lead on and we will follow."

 

[Oberons Veil]

Smiling when Hoskuld told his men they could rest easy and enjoy all that Roseheim had to offer, waiting for a moment. "Pleasure is mine," She said offering a smile to Bjorn and then to his father. She moved some of her hair that had fallen from her up do back into place, revealing her pointed ears. Signature of the Alven Races. Her eyes told what kind of Alf she was, what clan even. She looked to Ozaki and smiled, "If you will please follow me," She said motioning for her new guests to follow her. The Knights that had gathered on the docks soon formed a defensive square three deep all around the group. Satine looked at Ozaki, "Due to the unpopularity of war, we are taking extra precautions. Threats have been made and the people are unlikely," she said stopping for a moment as they continued walking, passing through the first of the Tier gates on their way up to the fourth tier. "It is unlikely anything will transpire. The Fourth Tier has been shut down for the duration of the conference to allow for maximum security." She said pleased with herself and that of her city. The group proceeded through the tier until they passed through the gate to the Fourth. Nearly three dozen heavily armed Civil Guard accompanied by a small battalion of Roselian soldiers stood at attention as they passed. They were the detachment guarding this gate, six others like it were on this wall defending the fourth tier of the six tier city. Soon walking through streets that were very wide, with beautiful buildings on either side, flowers and trees lined the streets. Everything was made out of a white stone and had blue tiled roofs as was the standard throughout the city. Aesthetics mattered very much in this cultural capital. Banners of member states hung from windows and in shops. This section and the upper two were where the populace that was in support of the Government were housed mainly. The common masses were in the second and third tiers mostly. Not that they didn't support the Government, they were the lower orders and had a hatred for the upper classes. The Fourth Tier housed the middle classes though they had a remarkably higher standard of living than in most countries. The fifth housed the elite, they lived in beautiful mansions and nearly all of them also had estates throughout the League.


Coming into view of the Assembly Hall Satine smiled as they passed by yet more guards. The detatchment that had been with the group since the docks broke off and took up positions around the grounds of the Assembly Hall. The building itself looked imposing with statues of the Gods of Roseheim lining the pathway into the building. The large stone doors held carvings of the history of Roseheim with the area near the bottom of each depicting the Wars with the Andrags. If one looked closely enough they could see larger figures wielding axes, clearly Almunians. If one looked even closer than that they could see a High Alf dressed in gilded armor leading the armies of the First Coalition in one of the last battles... that was Satine. A battle she hated to recount for it nearly took her life. An Almunian saved her when an Andrag had his sword run through her, she was in a desperate position and the army was routing. If it hadn't been for that man of the north, she would have perished and the Coalition would have lost. She was more than thrilled that they wished to join. Due to the political atmosphere she had been prevented from sending a formal invitation. The Heartlands was raided several times a year by them and refused to work with them. They passed through a few finely decorated halls before coming into the massive Assembly Chamber. Ornate ceilings hung overhead with chandeliers to match. The other leaders, numbering nearly a dozen were all seated around a large conference table that had been recently carved from solid stone. Satine motioned for Hoskuld and his son to take a seat. She went to the head of the table taking her seat. Ozaki would be seated to her left out of respect for their close friendship. "Now that we are all here, we can finally begin." She said pleased.


@NorbertM @Ahzek Ahriman<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_06/8401f37423521ad1ea835e6487b57db8.jpg.fab8e87c0c6b6e2a05c4a51dda162def.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="56761" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_06/8401f37423521ad1ea835e6487b57db8.jpg.fab8e87c0c6b6e2a05c4a51dda162def.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[MarkNorbert]

"By Isovyn." Bjorn murmured in Almunian to his father. "Look at this place. It is," he paused, his eyes scattering around in awe, his mouth opened as he looked up. "Huge. And wealthy. Twelve of our generations could live without a worry if he would have looted this city."


Hoskuld's eyes were pointed at his feet, as he did not desire to see the wealth and magnitude of the city, for if he saw it, his temptation would be so magnificent and unable to resist not to change his plans and attempt to savage the city. But such a city would be extraordinarily protected, as the first drums of war already began to play their familiar, melodic tune. If war was a flower, with a powerful scent and black petals, then this would be a huge field of flowers, covered in blackness. Which Hoskuld, has not yet, looked at it. It was only when they reached the large gates, their final obstacle in their short journey to the Assembly Chamber, it was only at that exact moment, when Hoskuld raised his eyes, and stared, at the massive doors which stood proud in front of him. It was all covered in carvings, ones he did not recognize, but could understand, if he used his imagination.


As the doors opened, Hoskuld took a peek behind his back, at his loyal son, Bjorn, then at the massive statues they passed by. Once the doors were opened, the group began to proceed forward, but Hoskuld passed through the guards, towards the opened gates, towards a carving which captured his attention. Axe wielding figures. He was amazed how he noticed them, as the carvings were small. Perhaps Isovyn wanted him to see it. Perhaps it was his curiosity. But neither stopped him to gently brush his hand over the carvings, studying them carefully.


"Father." Bjorn joined by his side. He opened his mouth to question his father's halt, but upon noticing the carvings himself, the only thing he could say, was, "Who are they?"


"Our forefathers." Hoskuld whispered, then pushed his son quickly towards the group.


They moved swiftly throughout more halls, before reaching the Assembly Chamber, a wide room, filled with dozen of people. Satine offered Hoskuld and his son, Bjorn, a seat, which both took it without any hesitation. As they sat down, both of them could feel the eyes that glared at him. Bjorn looked around, confused and intimidated, but Hoskuld looked straight into her eyes. The High Queen of the Heartlands.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

Ozaki would walk beside Satine, his walking stick clicking along the walkway with a steady tapping noise, Ozaki speaking quietly with Satine as they head up towards the assembly hall.


As they approached the assembly hall Ozaki would glance back at his two bodyguards, saying quietly to them "Please, head back to the Civil barracks, I will be fine for now with myself and Fredrick." They'd both nod and salute, before turning and marching off as both Ozaki and Fredrick walk into the Assembly Hall, Ozaki looking around at the Hall, the last time him being there had been when he had come to take Satine back to her homeland after her classes had finished.


When they walked into the main part of the Assembly Hall, Oazki glanced about at the various governmental leaders from all throughout the continent, including the lady of the Heartlands, whom Ozaki quickly noticing that she was glaring at this north-man, Ozaki glancing back to Satine who's now walked over to him, walking him over to his seat. After sitting down Ozaki would wait quietly for the beginning of the meeting.

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine watched as Hoskuld, Bjorn and Ozaki took their seats at the table. Everyone else was already here, Alria of the Heartlands was sitting to Satine's right. "Thank you all for coming," Satine said as she stood looking at the eyes of all those who had come. "For those that don't know, this is Hoskuld, High King of Almunia far in the north of the continent," She said motioning to the northman where he sat. The eyes of many lingering on him as they registered who he was. Alria just stared at him, her people were constantly being raided, their northern supply lines being hit, their ships being taken or sunk. It was not a working relationship unlike what the League had with the Almunians. Roseheim knew that a fraction of their ships would be attacked going north, so what they had devised centuries earlier with Hoskuld's forefathers was to send a ship laden with tribute, though not nearly as much as it once was, to buy them off for another season. It had worked thus far.


"The Sand Tribes, they have been warring with The Heartlands for nearly ten years now, and while the Heartlands are strong they are weary and war torn, unable to continue alone." Satine said continuing. "Now, the Sand Tribes, my kin," She said referring to the fact that the Sand Tribes were also known as Sun Alves, one of the eight Alven races. As Satine was High Alf, in a round about way they were related. "They are preparing to launch an invasion of the League's central lands." She said letting that sink in. The Central Lands of the League which were their central most holdings on the main part of the continent were some of the wealthiest in all of Aerenor for the crops and supplies manufactured in the cities there were bought and traded at all corners. Losing the Central Lands of the League would strike a devastating blow to Roseheim but also to the global economy. "The Archon of Lyrias our Prime City in the Central Lands has it on good authority that the invasion will be launched next spring leaving us just short of a year to prepare." Satine said, her voice heavy with dread. "The League thus proposes the formation of the Second Coalition to combat the Andrags, ending their threat to us all once and for all." She said looking at everyone. "I will lead the army from the League personally as I did during the Wars of the First Coalition." This might have come as a surprise to those assembled. Due to the laws of the League the Doge was not allowed to go into battle at the head of the armies, instead needing to delegate that task to one of the Archons. If a Doge wished to lead the armies, they would be forced to resign their position as Doge, becoming once again, an Archon with the Capital moving to whichever city where the new Doge (formerly an Archon) would be selected from.


Murmurs filled the room as Satine took her seat letting the information sink in. Alria, watched as her friend had brought one of her greatest enemies into the conference. Alria finally broke her silence. "I can not assure you all that The Heartlands will remain in the Coalition if the Almunians are to be in it as well." She said, everyone fell silent. Sure, the nations had assembled to allow for the formation of a Coalition to combat the Andrags to end their threat to them all, but also to relieve The Heartlands for the time being. Now they were willing to pull out over the Almunians being allowed to join. A few of the other leaders protested but Alria raised her hand silencing them. "The Senate will decide whether or not we remain," She said making the point mute. "If they wish to remain I'm sure their barbaric ways will be just what the Coalition would need to fight the Andrags." She said opting to now sit silently.

 

[MarkNorbert]

Hoskuld tapped his fingers on the table, in an unknown rhythm, for others, and for himself. His right hand would change it's activities, with a gold coin, one he found a long time ago when he was but a young man. While on a minor raid of a small, unimportant village, Hoskuld stumbled upon a merchant's family. The merchant, his wife and his two daughters. To save his family, the merchant gave young foolish Hoskuld one golden coin, something he has never seen before in his life. Something he regretted, as he was punished for letting four potential slaves free for nothing but a golden coin. He payed for his mistake, but he learned a valuable lesson. One he held dear. His coin served as a reminder.


He stopped. From tapping his fingers, from fondling with his coin. He stopped. His gaze lifted from his small, unremarkable activities to Alria. After her words finished coming out from her poisonous mouth, she remained silent. Silence took over. Only Hoskuld's small, short chuckle echoed throughout the room. Only his deep sigh replaced the cunning silence. He held tight his coin and stood up, hiding the coin in his belt pocket. His soon looked up at him, confused about the situation. Hoskuld did nothing but smile. Then, he began looking around the room, doing his best to appear obvious.


"I can't seem to find Senate members of the Heartlands." he said, looking around more. "Is there any Senate members present here?" he shouted gently. "From what I can see, there are none here. So tell me Alria, why are you here?" he gestured his hand towards her. "Why are you here? Why aren't the Senate members here, because it seems they are making the big decisions. What is your purpose? A messenger? Who are you?" his face is puzzled. "From where I come, Kings and Queens have the final say, not advisers!" his eyes are buried deep in hers. "But enough of this. Let us not waste our time here with this useless little talk." he waved his hand dismissively.


Hoskuld stepped away from his seat and made step after step, walking slowly towards Satine. He pressed his palms together, taking deep breaths. "I have come here to join the coalition. But, only under two conditions. The first, the people with the highest potential shall be given free education from your most prestigious universities. The se-" a voice interrupted Hoskuld, without knowing from where it came, nor that he cared.


"Others pay heavy gold to get into those universities and to remain there. Why should we let you get it for free?"


"Because blood is heavier than a gold coin. You expect me to give away my people's lives on a war that does not affect us? You prefer I ask money? One thousand kg of gold and silver. Or free education to the people I choose. It is your choice." he explained, confident and arrogantly.


"What is the second condition?" a new voice asked. Hoskuld glared at Alria, a smirk appearing on his face.


"After the coalition war, the Heartlands are not allowed to attack or involve themselves in anything against my people for one hundred years. Failure to complete such shall be punished by having the coalition members declare war on them. In return to these terms, I will support your cause and shall give a law, excluding your nations from our raiding list. The Heartlands shall be raided no more."


As the last words left his mouth, Hoskuld was behind Satine. He looked down, fondling his fingers. Then, he rushed towards her chair, quick, grabbed hold of his axe and lifted it up high. The axe fell down, fast and hard, as a rock falls off a cliff, with a blowing strike and incredible pain. Deep as the sharp teeth of a predator on its prey. A scar was added to the table, as the axe was plunged into it. Hoskuld's eyes were on Satine.


"You know this. The Almunian king from the first coalition did this as well. I hope, in the name of our friendship, you remember this." he said, before letting the axe free and returning back to his seat.


The axe, if looked closely, was a symbolic axe, as well as a seal. To seal an agreement. For centuries, Almunians would offer leaders this symbolic axe as the pen of the agreement. The leader must pick the axe. From there he or she would have two choices. Keep the axe, meaning that there is an agreement. It also served as a reminder that, as long the axe is under his or her possession, the Almunians will keep their word. Return the axe back, meaning that there is a refusal of the agreement. This would ensure the Almunians leave.

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine listened to Alria and scoffed at the woman's arrogance to demand that a critical force be excluded from the war. Eventually as Hoskuld spoke, Satine listened knowing such terms were... difficult for most to understand but made perfect sense. She couldn't help but chuckle a little when Hoskuld through back on Alria the terms of the Senators, and how they had nominal control of her nation, even when she was their Queen, their Sovereign. It was no secret that Alria's father had been weak and the Senate had grown in power under his painfully long rule, it was also under her father that the Andrags went unchecked. Now Alria was having to deal with a Senate that barely heeded her, and a national threat. She was stretched beyond her reasonable limits in trying to deal with both, and in the end to Alria the fate of her nation was far more important that then dealings of the Senate.


Satine stared at the axe, remembering when the High King of the Almunians had done something similar during the first Coalition's formation, the Doge at he time, Satine recalled was scared out of his wits by the act. She ran her hand along the intricate engravings, admiring the craftsmanship of the axe, the detail was beautiful. Truly an instrument worth her time, and worth the education of those that had given their all to the defense of nation's they had little long term interest in. She lifted the axe up, holding the axe head in one hand and the hilt in another. "I recognize that you have made your case known." She said looking around and seeing a few people namely, Alria, glaring at her. She kept standing but placed the axe back onto the table, "I accept this axe," she said looking Hoskuld in the eyes not flinching. A small smile crept onto her lips, "The League will still give you your one thousand kilos of gold." She said knowing that it would help them arm themselves a little better and possibly hire a few mercenaries from other Northern Kingdoms as well. Glares from nearly all leaders present landed on Satine who simply smiled at them, knowing that in the long run this deal was by far in everyone's favor including the Almunians.

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

A gentle tapping would sound throughout the room, the sound coming from Ozaki rapping his walking stick on the table, leaning back "Good folks, please...Sit down and listen to an old man for a bit, though I find all of your glares and blind hatred rather amusing, we must remember that these North-men are good warriors, and that we should remember that we are a fighting a nation of people that outnumber any one of our peoples almost two to one...Simply put we require every one that we can get...Thus if you have problems with them, Lady of the Heartlands, settle them when we all don't face invasion please, not when we are the most vulnerable to invasion. As such, I agree that you for now should overlook your senate until this war is over.


He'd lean back, before standing and walking over, standing in front of Hoskuld, and looking him up and down, before smirking "Though, we may not part as friends if you pull something like this ever again to my Alumni, remember that young man." He'd then smile, holding out his hand, speaking calmly and lightly "But I will gladly have you along with my men in this conflict, for better or worse."

 

[MarkNorbert]

The Doge accepted his offer. It was a heavy price, Hoskuld would admit, but the blood of his people will be on his hands in a war that isn't even theirs, a price he is not even sure if it is in his right to pay. But nonetheless, the one thousand kilos of gold would enormously help his people. By the old Gods, it will allow his people never to starve again for almost one hundred years, maybe even more. With the acceptance of his offer, Hoskuld must now be committed to this war, fully. But firstly, he had to take care of things at home.


He smiled. That was his only response. His son response's wasn't different either. Now, it wouldn't have been appropriate to jump and yell out of joy, now would have it? All he did was to pull off his smile, then go to his son. Grabbing him by the shoulder, he pulled his son further away from the table filled with leaders and wrapped his arm around him, punching him gently on his chest.


"Bjorn." he said. "I want you to grab the men from, what I assume they are, the brothels," he paused, "put them to make camp around our ship. We'll leave tomorrow in the morning. No questions." he cut him off from asking further questions. "Grab two guards and tell them to escort you out. I will do the same. I must speak to the Doge."


He unwrapped his arm around his son and tapped him on his shoulder, giving him a soft, yet confident smile, urging him to go. He would then turn around and walk quickly towards the Doge, doing his best to avoid those who wished to speak with him, if there were people who had the desire to speak with 'barbarians'. It was but a man who appeared in front of him. This man shaken his hand, giving him a small warning. Or so Hoskuld believed.


"I am doing what I must do for my people. We're not well off like others, but this made us the warriors of today. I shall tread carefully when it comes to our future prosperous friendship. Although it might not happen, I will look forward to fighting with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, in the shield wall." Hoskuld gave him a little hard pat on the man's shoulder. He then continued to the Doge, until he reached her.


"Doge Satine, will you allow me to speak to you about military planning?" he asked her.

 

[Oberons Veil]

Satine watched at Hoskuld took his son a bit away from the table and uttered something to him. The junior left and she could see a couple guards at the door were recruited to escort him somewhere. She watched as he uttered some things to the Prince of Utinawara, and it was likely to frustrate the Prince he was relatively sidelined. When Hoskuld approached Satine, she smiled and nodded. "Follow me," She said looking at the others gathered. She led Hoskuld away from the Assembly Room and up some ornate stairs, walking slowly and keeping pace to make sure Hoskuld could indeed follow her. Eventually the pair came to a set of large oak wooden doors, four guardsmen were standing at attention outside and with a small gesture from her hand they opened the doors, revealing a large office that had walls of books and maps. The entire side opposite the doors were just windows, the ceilings was circular with the constellations inlaid on it. In the middle of the room was a very large, and very painstakingly detailed map of Nemora, the continent. Little red flags were placed on nations, the Heartlands, the League, Utinawara, and Baktria from the North. The Coalition said a small key that was detached from the map. Several yellow flags were placed throughout the Andrags territory. The key simply labeled them as Confirmed Enemy Armies, three of which were near the Heartlands, two near the League and two more near Baktria. Satine walked to the other side of the table, letting Hoskuld examine the map. "Here we are, now what is it you would like to discuss."





@NorbertM

 

[Ahzek Ahriman]

Ozaki would look around, watching the two leave, before standing and sighing to himself "Well...Guess it's over for now..." He'd then glance over at the Lady of the Heartlands "M'lady, may we speak in private? I've been wishing to speak with you about something for a bit but I've hadn't the time to meet you in person." He'd glance at his adviser after that saying to him quietly "Please if you could go and find out where we are staying for now? I'll be in the gardens if you need to reach me." Ozaki would then look back over at the Queen of the Heartlands and wait for her response.


With a quick nod Fredrick would stand, walking off to go find one of the workers to ask where in the city they'd be staying, not entirely sure why they'd know where they'd be staying... "Well...I guess an orders an order..If the servants don't work I guess ask Lady Satine's head guards?" He'd shrug, continuing to walk and talk to himself, looking around for someone to speak with.


@Maven

 

[Oberons Veil]

Alria sighed as the Prince of Utinawara approached her. A staunch ally of Satine and no doubt slow to act as well, or so Alria thought to herself. "Yes the gardens would be nice," She said offering up a small smile and waving for her two guards to keep a reasonable distance, she wasn't taking any chances after the most recent assassination attempt in the Palace back in the Heartlands itself. Walking slowly and keeping step with the Prince she guided them to the Gardens making small talk about the pleasant weather and the coming dark clouds of war that seemed to ever loom on the horizon. "Will Utinawara be providing soldiers in this war or?" She inquired alluding to they may provide something else like food or other supplies. Such matters would no doubt be a possible point of contention between the two, though they had very little in the way of a relationship, this happened to be the first time they had met in person and not through each other's dignitaries.


@Ahzek Ahriman

 

[MarkNorbert]

The four guards opened the large oak wooden doors, revealing much to his eyes. Books. Maps. Elegance. Knowledge. His jaw was on the point of dropping, but his hand quickly reached his chin, ensuring that he was not in awe, but that his beard itched. Perhaps Satine would not notice. He hoped not too. His daring blue eyes darted from one spot to the other, capturing every small detail about the office he was present in as if his life was on the line. But it did not took long before his eyes widen in what was in front of him. A beautifully and extremely detailed map of the entire continent. For the first time in his life, Hoskuld saw the continent he and his ancestors lived on for countless years. This map was not like the ones he had. They were but sketches, bits and pieces of land and important cities. Beyond that, he had no knowledge of what was within the fog of war.


He brushed his fingertips upon the map, feeling the paper's touch on his fingers, gentle, yet harsh, calming, yet disturbing. His eyes took in the information he needed to know about the situation his allies were in. Or his ally. Satine. From what his mind could understand, the Andrags had several armies. But what he didn't understood was why there were three armies near the Heartlands. It didn't made sense. The kingdom was exhausted with the on-going war, their resources must have taken a hit, their armies might have low morale. Why three? Despite that, he could not get a conclusion. He didn't knew much about the sand people, he knew little only from the songs sang by the bards.


"These...enemies of ours," his steps led him to the left side of the table "How are they? From every point of view. I only know from songs that they are worthy foes. Care to inform me?" he asked nicely.


He walked away from the map, walking towards the holders of knowledge. He grabbed book after book, checking it out before placing it back, while paying attention to Satine. He dared asked if he could borrow some books, if she wouldn't mind it. And before he stopped, creating a silence from him, he asked Satine.


"What is your goal with this war?"