Chapter 12 ~ Blizzard
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A blizzard set in, which delayed the already slow moving caravan, they had gotten annual snow in the great empire, only once a year would it arrive, and in Arkaley, it was heralded, celebrated, and loved, but this snow was angry, it came down in torrents, and it was so much colder than that of the Great Empire, it blew into your face, blinding you. The wind would screech across mountain ridges and threw ravines, you couldn't even see two feet in front of you, but they had to continue on their journey, they wouldn't survive the night if they didn't get too Everwinter Fortress in time.
"Alright everyone, out of your wagons!" yelled Natalia over the raging wind and angry snow, "We have too lighten our load if we wan't to make greater haste!"
The soldiers groaned, as if Everwinter weren't bad enough from inside the wagon. But the soldiers hesitantly complied, throwing on their cloaks and fur coats, they unloaded themselves out of the wagons, and began to walk alongside the wagons. Natalia was right, they did go faster, but not by much.
Leo spotted Jack towards the front of the caravan, since Leo didn't know anyone else their very much, he ran to catch up with him. "The weather out here is frightful." shivered Leo as a slippery wind snuck beneath their cloak, chilling them to the bone.
"It will be so much nicer once we reach Everwinter Fortress." Jack shivered back.
Leo smiled at the thought of it, "I hope they will have warm fires and comfortable beds." sighed Leo.
"A soldier must not over indulge himself, else he might lose his touch." said Jack, quoting every military sergeant ever.
The two chuckled, which was the best one could come to a hearty laugh when you are cold, hungry, and tired.
"What could we do that would make us go even faster? asked Jack.
"We could through some of our belongings out of the wagons." Said Leo.
"Yes, but that would require us to stop in order to unload, which would ultimately do nothing to increase our speed." responded Jack.
This was what Jack would always do when he had an idea, ask for yours first, consider it, usually debunk it, then propose his oun idea, it was a clever strategy, making you desperate for ideas, while simultaneously making you curious about his oun. As he had once said when they were younger, "Those who wan't your ideas are more likely to except them."
"Well, lets here your idea then." said Leo, knowing Jack's strategy fill well.
"I think all of the soldiers should get behind their wagon and push, we would have two men on each wagon, and with the subtracted weight of the men being added to the force, not to mention the two horses on each wagon, would lead us to at least double our speed from before." he said.
"Sounds good," said Leo, "Why don't you tell Natalia?"
Jack trudged his way to the front of the caravan, where Natalia was walking next to the fist wagon, Leo faintly saw his shadow yell something at her through the blizzard, though Leo could not hear it over the screeching wind and blazing ice.
Then the order was relayed back to the soldiers to get behind their wagons and push, that was the was Leo saw of Jack until they reached Everwinter Fortress.
Forum: empire-en
Board: [942] US Migration Content - Community
Topic: [285643] ~Empire Legends~(NO LONGER BEING COMMENTED ON)
[4207112]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Nov. 25, 2015, 6:32 a.m.
Chapter 9 ~ Departure
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Finally it was time to go, a small caravan awaited him and he loaded his few belongings onto his wagon, then they were off. There was a profound heaviness in the air as Leo, and the other few soldiers that were being sent to Everwinter departed on a long, perilous, and icy journey to the ridged wastelands of the north. The families of the soldiers stood in grave silence as they watched there loved ones depart, loved ones that had been torn from there family.
The caravan consisted of ten wagons, nine of which were used as bed rooms for the soldiers, and the first one was a supply wagon that was steered by Natalia. the other nine soldiers were behind her, steered by the Medieval Taxi-men. As they traveled further and further away from home, a sullen, depressed mood began to seize the travelers with icy cold fingers. Nobody spoke for the first two hours of the trip, then a few of them tried to lift the mood, but it was to no avail, then it was Natasha that finally broke the ice between the troops, it became very obvious that this was all a normal day for her.
After one long day, and one uncomfortable night on the lengthy journey to Everwinter the air began to cool, the ground began to rise and it became rocky and treacherous, the only clear path being the road that they were traveling on. Finally, at about noon they reached the mountains, which seemed to stretch on forever, but in the Great empire, under the rule of emperor Czar that is, nothing lasts forever. The signal was given to halt, they quickly abandoned the carts and hid behind the boulders that lined the road. Over the wind lowed voices could be heard, voices of men, then around the bend came a band of five warriors, fully clad in armor and equipped with heavy artillery. The men stopped, one of them said with a large smirk "Looks like we've got some merchandise for Serry. Loot the carts."
"Yes sir." responded the other four.
Leo began to stand to address the soldiers, but he was quickly pulled back down by Natasha, who mouthed the words "Stay down." at him.
He mouthed back "Why?"
To witch she responded "They are members of Neph."
Leo looked back over the rocks, and spotted the emblems on their tunics, the emblem of Neph. Oh. . . thought Leo, that's why.
"Say, sir, why do ya reckon all this junk was left here?" asked one of the soldiers.
"They probably went to fetch water or somthin' it doesn't matter now, finders keepers." responded the commander.
"Hmm, hmm, keepers." grunted the soldier.
"Sir, come take a look at this!" called another soldier.
The commander ran over to Leo's wagon and extracted his bag of coins. Leo felt at his hip, where the sack would usually be, and his heart sank when he realized that it wasn't there. "Very interestin' "said the commander, dumping the contents onto the ground, "Serry will be happy with us tonight boys!" called the commander happily, "maybe she'll give all o us a raise!"
That was it, Leo was not going to stand for this anymore, but Natasha held him back, this time tugging him to he ground and clamping his mouth shut she forced him into a choke, where he couldn't breath, move, or even struggle. the Neph warriors looted the rest of the carts and took their horses and used them to carry every single item the could back with them. Soon the soldiers were gone, not even the faintest trace of there voices could be heard in the wind. "ARE YOU AN IDJIT?!" shouted Natasha, spitting in Leo's face, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY DOCUMENTS I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN IF YOU, OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THIS TEAM WERE CAPTURED UNDER MY COMMAND, LET ALONE BY NEPH!" Then she slapped Leo hard across the cheek. Stunned, Leo staggered back, and touched his cheek gingerly. Then she whirled around and stalked over to salvage anything they could find from the discarded garbage left behind by the Neph patrol.
"Are you sure hat you are only worried about paper work?" asked Leo.
Natasha spun around and stomped back to Leo, "Listen here, kid," she said, staring Leo down so hard that, if he could've, would have shriveled up into his armor like a turtle and stayed there for the rest of eternity, "You are nothing but a pawn in this battle for survival, you are one knight in a thousand, my duty is to my kingdom and to my life, I have no responsibility for one soldier! It is my job, to use you to protect my assigned castle from danger, not sacrifice anything for one measly trooper that can't even follow directions properly! Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes ma'me." gulped Leo, but deep down he knew that she didn't really mean any of that. . . at least, he hoped she didn't.
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Finally it was time to go, a small caravan awaited him and he loaded his few belongings onto his wagon, then they were off. There was a profound heaviness in the air as Leo, and the other few soldiers that were being sent to Everwinter departed on a long, perilous, and icy journey to the ridged wastelands of the north. The families of the soldiers stood in grave silence as they watched there loved ones depart, loved ones that had been torn from there family.
The caravan consisted of ten wagons, nine of which were used as bed rooms for the soldiers, and the first one was a supply wagon that was steered by Natalia. the other nine soldiers were behind her, steered by the Medieval Taxi-men. As they traveled further and further away from home, a sullen, depressed mood began to seize the travelers with icy cold fingers. Nobody spoke for the first two hours of the trip, then a few of them tried to lift the mood, but it was to no avail, then it was Natasha that finally broke the ice between the troops, it became very obvious that this was all a normal day for her.
After one long day, and one uncomfortable night on the lengthy journey to Everwinter the air began to cool, the ground began to rise and it became rocky and treacherous, the only clear path being the road that they were traveling on. Finally, at about noon they reached the mountains, which seemed to stretch on forever, but in the Great empire, under the rule of emperor Czar that is, nothing lasts forever. The signal was given to halt, they quickly abandoned the carts and hid behind the boulders that lined the road. Over the wind lowed voices could be heard, voices of men, then around the bend came a band of five warriors, fully clad in armor and equipped with heavy artillery. The men stopped, one of them said with a large smirk "Looks like we've got some merchandise for Serry. Loot the carts."
"Yes sir." responded the other four.
Leo began to stand to address the soldiers, but he was quickly pulled back down by Natasha, who mouthed the words "Stay down." at him.
He mouthed back "Why?"
To witch she responded "They are members of Neph."
Leo looked back over the rocks, and spotted the emblems on their tunics, the emblem of Neph. Oh. . . thought Leo, that's why.
"Say, sir, why do ya reckon all this junk was left here?" asked one of the soldiers.
"They probably went to fetch water or somthin' it doesn't matter now, finders keepers." responded the commander.
"Hmm, hmm, keepers." grunted the soldier.
"Sir, come take a look at this!" called another soldier.
The commander ran over to Leo's wagon and extracted his bag of coins. Leo felt at his hip, where the sack would usually be, and his heart sank when he realized that it wasn't there. "Very interestin' "said the commander, dumping the contents onto the ground, "Serry will be happy with us tonight boys!" called the commander happily, "maybe she'll give all o us a raise!"
That was it, Leo was not going to stand for this anymore, but Natasha held him back, this time tugging him to he ground and clamping his mouth shut she forced him into a choke, where he couldn't breath, move, or even struggle. the Neph warriors looted the rest of the carts and took their horses and used them to carry every single item the could back with them. Soon the soldiers were gone, not even the faintest trace of there voices could be heard in the wind. "ARE YOU AN IDJIT?!" shouted Natasha, spitting in Leo's face, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY DOCUMENTS I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN IF YOU, OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THIS TEAM WERE CAPTURED UNDER MY COMMAND, LET ALONE BY NEPH!" Then she slapped Leo hard across the cheek. Stunned, Leo staggered back, and touched his cheek gingerly. Then she whirled around and stalked over to salvage anything they could find from the discarded garbage left behind by the Neph patrol.
"Are you sure hat you are only worried about paper work?" asked Leo.
Natasha spun around and stomped back to Leo, "Listen here, kid," she said, staring Leo down so hard that, if he could've, would have shriveled up into his armor like a turtle and stayed there for the rest of eternity, "You are nothing but a pawn in this battle for survival, you are one knight in a thousand, my duty is to my kingdom and to my life, I have no responsibility for one soldier! It is my job, to use you to protect my assigned castle from danger, not sacrifice anything for one measly trooper that can't even follow directions properly! Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes ma'me." gulped Leo, but deep down he knew that she didn't really mean any of that. . . at least, he hoped she didn't.
[4209512]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Nov. 28, 2015, 6:02 a.m.
Chapter 10 ~ Survival of the Fittest
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Leo decided to shut his mouth after his argument with Natasha, and salvaged anything he could from his valuables, his books had been left behind, apparently the mighty Neph empire didn't educate it's warriors. Unfortunately they could no longer carry most of the books, and he had to choose only three of them since the soldiers had taken there carts, dumping out anything they deemed useless. Luckily Leo and his companions had been wearing there armor, so none of that was lost, and Leo never let his weapons out of sight. but everything else was taken, his money, his pictures, his valuables, the horses, the carts any supplies and anything that could be used to start a fire, it was all gone, whisked away by the greed of Neph. The group was solemn, none spoke as they picked through there belongings, salvaging anything possible. Suddenly rage welled up inside of Jefferey, overwhelming his every instinct and controlling his every action, clenching his fist, Leo kicked one of his books, "The Holy Grail of the side of the mountain, He tilted his head back at the sky and yelled, "Why does this have to happen to me?!" it echoed off the cliffs and bounded back at him. Everyone in the camp turned and stared at him, still not daring to speak. Jefferey sank onto his knees immediately regretting his decision, "The Holy Grail" had been one of his favorites, and had been a gift from his father, David, before Leo had been taken away by the military. Now his father was probably off fighting one of King Mereks battles. Then fear swallowed up any last trace of anger, fear for his father, who was last stationed in Arkaley's northern outpost, his brother who was stationed in the Burning Sands, his family starving in Arkaley, struggling to get buy with have of the family missing, and finally for Jack, who was following Leo to Everwinter on the next Caravan. Wait. thought Leo, That's it! "The next caravan!" he laughed, this just caused everyone else in the group to look at him strangely, "Don't you see?" asked Leo, standing up and turning to the nearest soldier, who was shaking his head briskly. "The next caravan!, it'll be here within two days!" said Leo.
"So all we have to do is wait for them to follow us." realized Natasha.
"I'll find us some shelter." said one of the soldiers, Conan.
"And i'll scavange for anything I can for a fire." said another named Danyel.
"And I will hunt for some dinner." said Leo.
"So will I." said another.
The other six members of the group called off there duties, busying themselves with tasks as Leo and the one named Arnould went off to hunt.
Two hours later Leo and Arnould returned with a mountain goat and a wild boar who ad wandered past his territorial boundaries. They cooked there food over a fire made of books. . . Leo's books, and they slept on cold beds of stone and lichen, in a dark cave, not far off the path.
The next day they continued, and set up a constant sentry, in case a Neph patrol returned, or the caravan arrived. . . .
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Leo decided to shut his mouth after his argument with Natasha, and salvaged anything he could from his valuables, his books had been left behind, apparently the mighty Neph empire didn't educate it's warriors. Unfortunately they could no longer carry most of the books, and he had to choose only three of them since the soldiers had taken there carts, dumping out anything they deemed useless. Luckily Leo and his companions had been wearing there armor, so none of that was lost, and Leo never let his weapons out of sight. but everything else was taken, his money, his pictures, his valuables, the horses, the carts any supplies and anything that could be used to start a fire, it was all gone, whisked away by the greed of Neph. The group was solemn, none spoke as they picked through there belongings, salvaging anything possible. Suddenly rage welled up inside of Jefferey, overwhelming his every instinct and controlling his every action, clenching his fist, Leo kicked one of his books, "The Holy Grail of the side of the mountain, He tilted his head back at the sky and yelled, "Why does this have to happen to me?!" it echoed off the cliffs and bounded back at him. Everyone in the camp turned and stared at him, still not daring to speak. Jefferey sank onto his knees immediately regretting his decision, "The Holy Grail" had been one of his favorites, and had been a gift from his father, David, before Leo had been taken away by the military. Now his father was probably off fighting one of King Mereks battles. Then fear swallowed up any last trace of anger, fear for his father, who was last stationed in Arkaley's northern outpost, his brother who was stationed in the Burning Sands, his family starving in Arkaley, struggling to get buy with have of the family missing, and finally for Jack, who was following Leo to Everwinter on the next Caravan. Wait. thought Leo, That's it! "The next caravan!" he laughed, this just caused everyone else in the group to look at him strangely, "Don't you see?" asked Leo, standing up and turning to the nearest soldier, who was shaking his head briskly. "The next caravan!, it'll be here within two days!" said Leo.
"So all we have to do is wait for them to follow us." realized Natasha.
"I'll find us some shelter." said one of the soldiers, Conan.
"And i'll scavange for anything I can for a fire." said another named Danyel.
"And I will hunt for some dinner." said Leo.
"So will I." said another.
The other six members of the group called off there duties, busying themselves with tasks as Leo and the one named Arnould went off to hunt.
Two hours later Leo and Arnould returned with a mountain goat and a wild boar who ad wandered past his territorial boundaries. They cooked there food over a fire made of books. . . Leo's books, and they slept on cold beds of stone and lichen, in a dark cave, not far off the path.
The next day they continued, and set up a constant sentry, in case a Neph patrol returned, or the caravan arrived. . . .
[4222900]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Dec. 11, 2015, 5:47 a.m.
Chapter 11 ~ Night Watch
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Leo was awaken in the middle of the night by Conan, "It's your turn to take the watch." he whispered, shaking Leo from his slumber.
Yawning, Leo stood up silently, lazily strapped on his armor and sat down next to the cave entrance, careful to conceal himself behind the short rock wall they had placed around the entrance. Soon sleep began to call to him from every direction, the snores within the cave, the hoot of an owl, the steady beam of moonlight, and from the soft clopping of hooves on rock. HOOVES ON ROCK!, Leo sat bolt upright, listening intently, indeed there was the steady drone of the clipity clop, clipity clop, of horses hooves, followed by the faint but present sound of wheels crunching over gravel. The only question now was, Who was steering the horse? Another gang of Neph scoundrels, a passerby, or the second caravan, he dared not hope for the later, fearing he would jinx his already bad luck. Leo's breathing intensified, he fingered the handle of his bow, slowly notching an arrow in place, he peaked over the rocks and took aim, ready to fire if the more unfortunate of two circumstances arose. Slowly, ever so slowly, the clops drew nearer, and nearer, and nearer, until finally, a wagon appeared, the driver was cloaked in a dark black hood, concealing his entire body making it difficult to determine weather or not he worked for Neph. Than another wagon appeared, than another, all steered by cloaked drivers. Suddenly they stopped, and a tapping commenced, tap, tap,tap tap tap tap. tap, tap, tap, tap tap, tap. The code signal of the riders of Mirilde, it meant "There is no need to hide yourself." which probably meant that they knew that they were there and were testing to see if they were allies. Leo realized that he had been holding his breath, he exhaled and stood up, arrow pointed at the ground. "Hail there, friend of Mirilde!" called Leo.
The drivers turned and unveiled themselves each was tall, and muscular, the lead driver responded, "Hail soldier, where is your squadron?"
"They're inside, I shall go wake them." responded Leo.
He returned five minutes later with the rest of the squad, all of which looked very drowsy. Natasha walked up to the leader of the caravan and they exchanged a few words, which were completely inaudible. The rest of the soldiers stood at attention, awaiting commands. After a few minutes Commander Natasha turned and addressing them said "Everyone, gather your stuff, we're riding to Everwinter." The response she got was that of dull excitement, nobody wanted to continue to Everwinter, they wanted to go back, but disobeying a direct order would mean death by countering, and that was the most dishonorable way to go. . .
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Leo was awaken in the middle of the night by Conan, "It's your turn to take the watch." he whispered, shaking Leo from his slumber.
Yawning, Leo stood up silently, lazily strapped on his armor and sat down next to the cave entrance, careful to conceal himself behind the short rock wall they had placed around the entrance. Soon sleep began to call to him from every direction, the snores within the cave, the hoot of an owl, the steady beam of moonlight, and from the soft clopping of hooves on rock. HOOVES ON ROCK!, Leo sat bolt upright, listening intently, indeed there was the steady drone of the clipity clop, clipity clop, of horses hooves, followed by the faint but present sound of wheels crunching over gravel. The only question now was, Who was steering the horse? Another gang of Neph scoundrels, a passerby, or the second caravan, he dared not hope for the later, fearing he would jinx his already bad luck. Leo's breathing intensified, he fingered the handle of his bow, slowly notching an arrow in place, he peaked over the rocks and took aim, ready to fire if the more unfortunate of two circumstances arose. Slowly, ever so slowly, the clops drew nearer, and nearer, and nearer, until finally, a wagon appeared, the driver was cloaked in a dark black hood, concealing his entire body making it difficult to determine weather or not he worked for Neph. Than another wagon appeared, than another, all steered by cloaked drivers. Suddenly they stopped, and a tapping commenced, tap, tap,tap tap tap tap. tap, tap, tap, tap tap, tap. The code signal of the riders of Mirilde, it meant "There is no need to hide yourself." which probably meant that they knew that they were there and were testing to see if they were allies. Leo realized that he had been holding his breath, he exhaled and stood up, arrow pointed at the ground. "Hail there, friend of Mirilde!" called Leo.
The drivers turned and unveiled themselves each was tall, and muscular, the lead driver responded, "Hail soldier, where is your squadron?"
"They're inside, I shall go wake them." responded Leo.
He returned five minutes later with the rest of the squad, all of which looked very drowsy. Natasha walked up to the leader of the caravan and they exchanged a few words, which were completely inaudible. The rest of the soldiers stood at attention, awaiting commands. After a few minutes Commander Natasha turned and addressing them said "Everyone, gather your stuff, we're riding to Everwinter." The response she got was that of dull excitement, nobody wanted to continue to Everwinter, they wanted to go back, but disobeying a direct order would mean death by countering, and that was the most dishonorable way to go. . .
[4234823]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Dec. 22, 2015, 7:27 p.m.
[4255445]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Jan. 13, 2016, 2:21 a.m.
Chapter 13 ~ Everwinter Fortress
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The blizzard howled like wolves, racing across the mountains, the wind whipped snow into their eyes, and icicles hung from their eyelashes and noses. The soldiers trudged through the endless storm, a gale so strong, even Fenrir, the Great White Wolf of Winter War wouldn't be able to withstand. This is ridiculous, though Leo, can't Natalia see that we need to rest? Unless. . . unless she knows we're close! he realized. Breathing a strained sigh of relief, Leo out in a sudden burst of energy, eager to make it to a warm fire. Sure enough, a few minutes later a wall appeared through the blizzard, it was made of stone, but covered with slick ice and hanging icicles so that at first glance the wall appeared to be made of Ice, not stone. Sounds majestic when you describe it like that, Thought Leo, but it was not to be, picture the stone wall covered in ice, but only six feet tall, barely high enough to even be called a wall, Leo had seen bigger hedges than that before. The rest of the village was even more measly, with wooden huts, patched together by ice. At the center of the village stood one stone building, but it wasn't much bigger than the huts, probably the Stronghold. To Leo's dread, it didn't appear that there were any fires, except for in the forge, and the stronghold. It's no wonder that no one ever comes back from this place, can't King Merek help this place out? thought Leo, It's a dump. Elsewhere in the village, Leo spotted a small hospital, the forge, a few farms, masons, and loggers, and the castle, which looked over the rest of the tow like a dark shadow in the midnight frost. That looked to be the only secure place in the entire village, except for the neighboring village, which was in prime condition. He also spotted a few stranger buildings, unfamiliar to him, though he assumed it was probably where the village got it's charcoal. It appeared to Leo, that the only purpose the town was here was for the charcoal, everyone else was sent their to either defend it, or work at it. The people don't matter to King Merek, only the resources. though Leo spitefully. Finally the caravan reached the stronghold, where several soldiers walked out of the heavy oak doors and began to unload the wagons, disturbingly, the soldiers were skinny as snakes, and it appeared as though the flesh had been torn off of their bones, extracted from the skin, thrown away, ad the skin had been plastered to their bones.Skeletons was the only word to describe them. Natalia lead them through the streets of Everwinter Fortress, where all of the civilians were laying on the ground, dead, dying, or starving. Disease, raked the peoples, they couphed, and couphed until eventually they couphed up blood, the children were so malnourished that they couldn't stand, and the adults didn't look much better. Finally, they reached the keep, hey knocked on the heavy oak doors, a few seconds later, they slowly creaked open. Inside, was an extravagant hall decorated with lavishing carpets and banners, a large hearth stood on the opposite end of the hall, on each side of the hearth was a staircase the curled to a deck, which overlooked the hall, and two more doors lead back into what was probably the armory. In the center of the hall was a long table in the center where one man sat, his back to the fire, facing them.
"Soldiers," said Natalia, "I'd like you to meet, Ilium, Lord of Everwinter Fortress."
The man stood up, making himself more clear, he was tall, with long brown hair and a short, scruffy beard. He wore imperial purple robes, with a Snow Leapord fur trim, and a red cape. "Please," he said, "make yourself at home."
This of course, reminded Leo very much that he was not at home, a sickening pang of guilt struck him in the gut, how could he leave them like this, going to a training camp was one thing, at least he had been in the same city as them, but now he was in the frigid north, very far away from his family, unable to aid them if ever there were cause.
The soldiers each introduced themselves to Lord Ilium. Then he invited them to dine with him, of course, they were famished, before long the entire beast was gone as well as just about everything on the table. However, Leo didn't eat that much, neither did Jack, instead, the two decided to steal their portions of the food, to feed to the poverty-stricken- villagers. The two only ate a small amount, no more than the average farm meal in Arkaley. Unfortunately, Lord Ilium noticed that they weren't eating."Why is it that you do not feat on this joyous night? asked Illium, "Are you sick?"
"No sir," answered Jack, "We're just, uh, well, uh." he glanced at Leo for help.
"We're just, not big eaters." said Leo nodding, Jack joined in.
"Really?" asked Ilium, "Well, I'd advise you too stalk up now, you see, their is not much food to go around here, this may be the last chance you get."
Another soldier, the one by the name of Danyel, who did not seem to be of the brightest type, spoke up, "With all do respect sir, isn't their plenty of food right in front of us?" The rest of the troops turned and glared at him, willing him to be silent, Conan put his face in his hands, and Natalia winced. The whole room fell silent, waiting to see what would happen next.
Lord Ilium slowly turned his head, glaring at Danyel with Ice blue eyes, cold as the darkest night. "Well, if you are going to be so unappreciative of my hospitality, maybe you would like to leave?"
"Only if you insist." gulped Danyel.
"Oh I insist," laughed Ilium, standing up, "you can leave right now!" Then he pushed Danyel over so that his entire chair fall backwards, taking Danyel with it, then Ilium grabbed him, dragging him out the door and through him into the cold, where the towns Wolfhounds leapt on top of him, biting, clawing, mauling, and eating, they ripped the flesh off his bones like steak knifes, and howled with joy over the abundance of fresh meat. The soldiers sat perfectly still, some still had half chewed food in their mouths. Leo and Jack gulped, and Conan averted his eyes from the horrific scene before him.
Lord Ilium turned around, slamming the doors behind him, "So, who want's desert?" he asked.
Something about this doesn't make sense, thought Leo, why would Ilium through away one of "the best soldiers" as Natalia put it, unless, unless we weren't sent here because we are the best soldiers. . .
After the meal, Leo and Jack briskly left the hall, wandering around the streets, distributing the food wherever they could. The poor swarmed them, begging to be fed, but they could only smuggle so much out, that it quickly ran out. The people didn't react well, and began to argue, Leo and Jack desperately warded them off, before narrowly escaping by promising that they would feed them everyday. They turned, and stealthily crept to the barracks, they were almost through the last alleyway when Natalia rounded around the corner, followed by Conan. "Well well well, what have we here?" asked Natalia. But before they could offer an excuse, she whispered, "You need to be more stealthy, there are people all over this city that would be willing to turn you in to Lord Ilium for a small bounty." Conan and I have distributed the food as well, but Conan was wise to seek my council first, he could see that I didn't like Lord Ilium, I have been feeding the poor for many months, since I was stationed here, luckily I am the main commander here, so I feast with Lord Ilium and the rest of his guests almost every night, however, I a being promoted to Sands Castle, should be a warm change from this place, but my replacement is an incompetent child. So I am leaving you three to distribute your shares to the poor, do you understand?"
Jack and Leo were stunned, this had caught them off guard, finally Leo stammered, "Well, yes-of course."
"Good," said Natalia, "I have instructed Conan on how to feed them properly, without being caught." I am leaving him to instruct you, I will be departing tomorrow." Then she walked back into the Barracks.
Conan preceded to teach them, to the best of his ability, and when he was finished, they headed back to the barracks. . .
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The blizzard howled like wolves, racing across the mountains, the wind whipped snow into their eyes, and icicles hung from their eyelashes and noses. The soldiers trudged through the endless storm, a gale so strong, even Fenrir, the Great White Wolf of Winter War wouldn't be able to withstand. This is ridiculous, though Leo, can't Natalia see that we need to rest? Unless. . . unless she knows we're close! he realized. Breathing a strained sigh of relief, Leo out in a sudden burst of energy, eager to make it to a warm fire. Sure enough, a few minutes later a wall appeared through the blizzard, it was made of stone, but covered with slick ice and hanging icicles so that at first glance the wall appeared to be made of Ice, not stone. Sounds majestic when you describe it like that, Thought Leo, but it was not to be, picture the stone wall covered in ice, but only six feet tall, barely high enough to even be called a wall, Leo had seen bigger hedges than that before. The rest of the village was even more measly, with wooden huts, patched together by ice. At the center of the village stood one stone building, but it wasn't much bigger than the huts, probably the Stronghold. To Leo's dread, it didn't appear that there were any fires, except for in the forge, and the stronghold. It's no wonder that no one ever comes back from this place, can't King Merek help this place out? thought Leo, It's a dump. Elsewhere in the village, Leo spotted a small hospital, the forge, a few farms, masons, and loggers, and the castle, which looked over the rest of the tow like a dark shadow in the midnight frost. That looked to be the only secure place in the entire village, except for the neighboring village, which was in prime condition. He also spotted a few stranger buildings, unfamiliar to him, though he assumed it was probably where the village got it's charcoal. It appeared to Leo, that the only purpose the town was here was for the charcoal, everyone else was sent their to either defend it, or work at it. The people don't matter to King Merek, only the resources. though Leo spitefully. Finally the caravan reached the stronghold, where several soldiers walked out of the heavy oak doors and began to unload the wagons, disturbingly, the soldiers were skinny as snakes, and it appeared as though the flesh had been torn off of their bones, extracted from the skin, thrown away, ad the skin had been plastered to their bones.Skeletons was the only word to describe them. Natalia lead them through the streets of Everwinter Fortress, where all of the civilians were laying on the ground, dead, dying, or starving. Disease, raked the peoples, they couphed, and couphed until eventually they couphed up blood, the children were so malnourished that they couldn't stand, and the adults didn't look much better. Finally, they reached the keep, hey knocked on the heavy oak doors, a few seconds later, they slowly creaked open. Inside, was an extravagant hall decorated with lavishing carpets and banners, a large hearth stood on the opposite end of the hall, on each side of the hearth was a staircase the curled to a deck, which overlooked the hall, and two more doors lead back into what was probably the armory. In the center of the hall was a long table in the center where one man sat, his back to the fire, facing them.
"Soldiers," said Natalia, "I'd like you to meet, Ilium, Lord of Everwinter Fortress."
The man stood up, making himself more clear, he was tall, with long brown hair and a short, scruffy beard. He wore imperial purple robes, with a Snow Leapord fur trim, and a red cape. "Please," he said, "make yourself at home."
This of course, reminded Leo very much that he was not at home, a sickening pang of guilt struck him in the gut, how could he leave them like this, going to a training camp was one thing, at least he had been in the same city as them, but now he was in the frigid north, very far away from his family, unable to aid them if ever there were cause.
The soldiers each introduced themselves to Lord Ilium. Then he invited them to dine with him, of course, they were famished, before long the entire beast was gone as well as just about everything on the table. However, Leo didn't eat that much, neither did Jack, instead, the two decided to steal their portions of the food, to feed to the poverty-stricken- villagers. The two only ate a small amount, no more than the average farm meal in Arkaley. Unfortunately, Lord Ilium noticed that they weren't eating."Why is it that you do not feat on this joyous night? asked Illium, "Are you sick?"
"No sir," answered Jack, "We're just, uh, well, uh." he glanced at Leo for help.
"We're just, not big eaters." said Leo nodding, Jack joined in.
"Really?" asked Ilium, "Well, I'd advise you too stalk up now, you see, their is not much food to go around here, this may be the last chance you get."
Another soldier, the one by the name of Danyel, who did not seem to be of the brightest type, spoke up, "With all do respect sir, isn't their plenty of food right in front of us?" The rest of the troops turned and glared at him, willing him to be silent, Conan put his face in his hands, and Natalia winced. The whole room fell silent, waiting to see what would happen next.
Lord Ilium slowly turned his head, glaring at Danyel with Ice blue eyes, cold as the darkest night. "Well, if you are going to be so unappreciative of my hospitality, maybe you would like to leave?"
"Only if you insist." gulped Danyel.
"Oh I insist," laughed Ilium, standing up, "you can leave right now!" Then he pushed Danyel over so that his entire chair fall backwards, taking Danyel with it, then Ilium grabbed him, dragging him out the door and through him into the cold, where the towns Wolfhounds leapt on top of him, biting, clawing, mauling, and eating, they ripped the flesh off his bones like steak knifes, and howled with joy over the abundance of fresh meat. The soldiers sat perfectly still, some still had half chewed food in their mouths. Leo and Jack gulped, and Conan averted his eyes from the horrific scene before him.
Lord Ilium turned around, slamming the doors behind him, "So, who want's desert?" he asked.
Something about this doesn't make sense, thought Leo, why would Ilium through away one of "the best soldiers" as Natalia put it, unless, unless we weren't sent here because we are the best soldiers. . .
After the meal, Leo and Jack briskly left the hall, wandering around the streets, distributing the food wherever they could. The poor swarmed them, begging to be fed, but they could only smuggle so much out, that it quickly ran out. The people didn't react well, and began to argue, Leo and Jack desperately warded them off, before narrowly escaping by promising that they would feed them everyday. They turned, and stealthily crept to the barracks, they were almost through the last alleyway when Natalia rounded around the corner, followed by Conan. "Well well well, what have we here?" asked Natalia. But before they could offer an excuse, she whispered, "You need to be more stealthy, there are people all over this city that would be willing to turn you in to Lord Ilium for a small bounty." Conan and I have distributed the food as well, but Conan was wise to seek my council first, he could see that I didn't like Lord Ilium, I have been feeding the poor for many months, since I was stationed here, luckily I am the main commander here, so I feast with Lord Ilium and the rest of his guests almost every night, however, I a being promoted to Sands Castle, should be a warm change from this place, but my replacement is an incompetent child. So I am leaving you three to distribute your shares to the poor, do you understand?"
Jack and Leo were stunned, this had caught them off guard, finally Leo stammered, "Well, yes-of course."
"Good," said Natalia, "I have instructed Conan on how to feed them properly, without being caught." I am leaving him to instruct you, I will be departing tomorrow." Then she walked back into the Barracks.
Conan preceded to teach them, to the best of his ability, and when he was finished, they headed back to the barracks. . .
[4260561]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Jan. 17, 2016, 10:18 p.m.
Chapter 14 ~ The Barbarians
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The next morning, Natalia was gone, and a Commander by the name of Gregor had replaced her. He was obviously dumb, and was drunk half the time, and the other half he was sleeping, eating, or getting drunk. Many of the soldiers often wondered how he had ever gotten to his rank, but the military was certainly a corrupt place, it wouldn't have been too hard for him to have bribed his way in. But I digress, every night, Leo, Conan, and Jack would distribute a portion of their food out to the sick and starving, they were almost caught a few times, but thy avoided being seen for the most part. This continued for almost two weeks. However, their health was quickly subsiding as they grue thin from undernourishment and disease. They weren't going to survive much longer if they continued like this, but then the news came, they would attack the barbarians that inhabited the land at dawn. They called themselves the white wolves of war, they claimed to be servants of the great beast Fenrir, the White Wolf of Winter War, but in truth, they were nothing more than mutinous thugs, having betrayed the Frozen Guard, a legion of warriors loyal to Fenrir, many decades ago and destroyed the Frozen Guard Organization. The Barbarians were fierce, strong, and well fed from raiding the lands of Everwinter for loot. How were a bunch of underfed disease ridden troops going to hold a match to the Barbarians?
All this raced through Leo's mind as he listened to the Herald announcing it in the town square. Commander Gregor wasn't just a drunk, he was insane! Why had Lord Ilium sanctioned this attack? Unless. . . he was trying to get them killed. . . thought Leo as he was marched back to the barracks.
The next day, before down, they were awoken by the sound of the drums, after that the whole morning had been a blur, they ate their measly breakfast, then they were suited into there armor by the scribes, and the forty or so soldiers marched out to battle. That was when Leo came out of his trance, before them stood the great Barbarian Fortress, equipped with Ballistae, battlements, arrow notches, iron gates, and a moat. It towered over them, but they kept on marching right up in front of the castle, This has got to be the worst battle strategy I'v ever seen. thought Leo miserably. Then they stopped, in plain sight on the blaring white tundra, barely out of distance of the battlements. Then the commander collapsed on the ground, drunk. "Great now what do we do?" he couldn't say that he was surprised, but if the retreated, they would be mutinous, and if they attacked, they would be suicidal.
Then the gates opened, and out marched legions of Barbarians, armed with lean bows, wicked axes, and strong shields. Then a voice boomed out over the frozen tundra, "Do not dare to come one step closer to this keep, else you will suffer the wrath of Fenrir!"
This angered Leo greatly, the Great Beasts were very fierce and protected the great empire from harms way, but these Barbarians had brought nothing but disgrace to Fenrir's name, and they were going to pay! "In the name of the great beasts and the welfare of the domain in which they protect, you will surrender too us immediately!" shouted Leo impulsively.
The booming voice laughed, a deep hearty laugh, echoing across the baron wasteland. Then a tall, thickly built man with a fur cloak walked out onto the balcony carrying a large double bladed ax. "We are the name of Fenrir nave!" shouted the Barbarian. Then he turned around and disappeared back into the fortress. The war horns sounded, and the Barbarians charged with merciless war cries design to instill fear into their opponents.
Unfortunately it worked several of the soldiers turned to free, but were immediately struck down by arrows, Commander Gregor was slain by beheading, no one bothered to defend him. Leo drew is bow and notched an arrow, unleashing them in flurries into the ranks of the enemy soldiers. Jack drew his sword, and they wen't back to back, like they had while defending Arkaley from the Robber Baron King, how long ago that seemed now. Then Leo spotted Conan fighting his way over to them, struggling through the masses of Barbarians, once the three had regrouped, they began to formulate a plan between parries and launches. "If we defeat the large man with the ax this battle will be over!" shouted Leo over the shouts and cries of the battling soldiers.
"But where is he?!" shouted Jack.
Then the man rode out on a chariot pulled by four wolfhounds, well fed and strong, the beasts sprinted across the snow, tearing through the battlefield, everyone tried to avoid them, few succeeded. The wolfhounds didn't care who's side you were on, they ate everyone, tearing through flesh and crunching through bone. Any who did avoid them, were killed by the man with the ax. "How do we get to him?!" asked Conan.
Then an arrow flue through the air and struck Jack through the shoulder, breaking through his right shoulder blade, puncturing his lung, and forcing him to drop his sword, the arm was unable to move, and all the muscles had been cramped. He gasped for breath,and fell to his knees, clutching his shoulder. Leo moved to defend him and barely managed to catch an arrow with his shield that had been directed at Jack's face. Leo drew his sword, and he and Conan struggled to defend Jack, winning was out of the question now, all they were worried about was surviving. Than an ax butt slammed Leo in the face, dazing him and knocking his helmet off of his head.Conan turned in time to see Leo about to be be-headed, he turned and parried. Then out of nowhere the Barbarian King came by and knocked Conan to the ground with his ax hilt then one of the wolfhound grabbed his arm and pulled him across the blood soaked snow. However, Conan had given Leo enough time to recover, he took his sword and sliced his assailant across the chest. Then he stooped over and grabbed Jacks left arm, and began to drag him off the field. Luckily he was already close to the side of the battlefield. But when he retched the side, the man with the wolfhounds returned, Leo tossed Jack as far as he could to safety, and turned to fight off the wolfhounds. They barked and snapped at him, but they were no match for his blade, and soon they were all howling in pain, Leo would leave them alive to suffer. The Barbarian glanced at his dying hounds, stepped off his chariot, and hoisted his ax into the air and charged Leo, he danced to the side, narrowly avoiding the brute force of the Barbarian, Leo whirled around and took up a defensive position with his shield in front of him and his sword posed to attack. . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Natalia was gone, and a Commander by the name of Gregor had replaced her. He was obviously dumb, and was drunk half the time, and the other half he was sleeping, eating, or getting drunk. Many of the soldiers often wondered how he had ever gotten to his rank, but the military was certainly a corrupt place, it wouldn't have been too hard for him to have bribed his way in. But I digress, every night, Leo, Conan, and Jack would distribute a portion of their food out to the sick and starving, they were almost caught a few times, but thy avoided being seen for the most part. This continued for almost two weeks. However, their health was quickly subsiding as they grue thin from undernourishment and disease. They weren't going to survive much longer if they continued like this, but then the news came, they would attack the barbarians that inhabited the land at dawn. They called themselves the white wolves of war, they claimed to be servants of the great beast Fenrir, the White Wolf of Winter War, but in truth, they were nothing more than mutinous thugs, having betrayed the Frozen Guard, a legion of warriors loyal to Fenrir, many decades ago and destroyed the Frozen Guard Organization. The Barbarians were fierce, strong, and well fed from raiding the lands of Everwinter for loot. How were a bunch of underfed disease ridden troops going to hold a match to the Barbarians?
All this raced through Leo's mind as he listened to the Herald announcing it in the town square. Commander Gregor wasn't just a drunk, he was insane! Why had Lord Ilium sanctioned this attack? Unless. . . he was trying to get them killed. . . thought Leo as he was marched back to the barracks.
The next day, before down, they were awoken by the sound of the drums, after that the whole morning had been a blur, they ate their measly breakfast, then they were suited into there armor by the scribes, and the forty or so soldiers marched out to battle. That was when Leo came out of his trance, before them stood the great Barbarian Fortress, equipped with Ballistae, battlements, arrow notches, iron gates, and a moat. It towered over them, but they kept on marching right up in front of the castle, This has got to be the worst battle strategy I'v ever seen. thought Leo miserably. Then they stopped, in plain sight on the blaring white tundra, barely out of distance of the battlements. Then the commander collapsed on the ground, drunk. "Great now what do we do?" he couldn't say that he was surprised, but if the retreated, they would be mutinous, and if they attacked, they would be suicidal.
Then the gates opened, and out marched legions of Barbarians, armed with lean bows, wicked axes, and strong shields. Then a voice boomed out over the frozen tundra, "Do not dare to come one step closer to this keep, else you will suffer the wrath of Fenrir!"
This angered Leo greatly, the Great Beasts were very fierce and protected the great empire from harms way, but these Barbarians had brought nothing but disgrace to Fenrir's name, and they were going to pay! "In the name of the great beasts and the welfare of the domain in which they protect, you will surrender too us immediately!" shouted Leo impulsively.
The booming voice laughed, a deep hearty laugh, echoing across the baron wasteland. Then a tall, thickly built man with a fur cloak walked out onto the balcony carrying a large double bladed ax. "We are the name of Fenrir nave!" shouted the Barbarian. Then he turned around and disappeared back into the fortress. The war horns sounded, and the Barbarians charged with merciless war cries design to instill fear into their opponents.
Unfortunately it worked several of the soldiers turned to free, but were immediately struck down by arrows, Commander Gregor was slain by beheading, no one bothered to defend him. Leo drew is bow and notched an arrow, unleashing them in flurries into the ranks of the enemy soldiers. Jack drew his sword, and they wen't back to back, like they had while defending Arkaley from the Robber Baron King, how long ago that seemed now. Then Leo spotted Conan fighting his way over to them, struggling through the masses of Barbarians, once the three had regrouped, they began to formulate a plan between parries and launches. "If we defeat the large man with the ax this battle will be over!" shouted Leo over the shouts and cries of the battling soldiers.
"But where is he?!" shouted Jack.
Then the man rode out on a chariot pulled by four wolfhounds, well fed and strong, the beasts sprinted across the snow, tearing through the battlefield, everyone tried to avoid them, few succeeded. The wolfhounds didn't care who's side you were on, they ate everyone, tearing through flesh and crunching through bone. Any who did avoid them, were killed by the man with the ax. "How do we get to him?!" asked Conan.
Then an arrow flue through the air and struck Jack through the shoulder, breaking through his right shoulder blade, puncturing his lung, and forcing him to drop his sword, the arm was unable to move, and all the muscles had been cramped. He gasped for breath,and fell to his knees, clutching his shoulder. Leo moved to defend him and barely managed to catch an arrow with his shield that had been directed at Jack's face. Leo drew his sword, and he and Conan struggled to defend Jack, winning was out of the question now, all they were worried about was surviving. Than an ax butt slammed Leo in the face, dazing him and knocking his helmet off of his head.Conan turned in time to see Leo about to be be-headed, he turned and parried. Then out of nowhere the Barbarian King came by and knocked Conan to the ground with his ax hilt then one of the wolfhound grabbed his arm and pulled him across the blood soaked snow. However, Conan had given Leo enough time to recover, he took his sword and sliced his assailant across the chest. Then he stooped over and grabbed Jacks left arm, and began to drag him off the field. Luckily he was already close to the side of the battlefield. But when he retched the side, the man with the wolfhounds returned, Leo tossed Jack as far as he could to safety, and turned to fight off the wolfhounds. They barked and snapped at him, but they were no match for his blade, and soon they were all howling in pain, Leo would leave them alive to suffer. The Barbarian glanced at his dying hounds, stepped off his chariot, and hoisted his ax into the air and charged Leo, he danced to the side, narrowly avoiding the brute force of the Barbarian, Leo whirled around and took up a defensive position with his shield in front of him and his sword posed to attack. . .
[4267858]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Jan. 24, 2016, 7:08 a.m.
Chapter 15 ~ Survival
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Barbarian leader brought down his ax like a coma, swiftly cleaving the stems of life for the harvest of death. Luckily Leo dodged to the side, twirling his sword through the air for a counter attack, but the Barbarian already had his second ax out, ready to defend himself from Leo's lean blade. Then the Barbarian began to routinely spin his axes in a defensive motion, parrying any attacks by Leo, while simultaneously preparing himself for a counter attack. Leo was forced into a defensive position, keeping his shield and sword in close, but he was losing ground, the distance between him and Jack was steadily decreasing. Then an arrow flew through the air and struck the Barbarian in the shoulder blade, spurting out blood, then another, and another, he whirled around, to see Conan coming at him with bow, his shoulder chewed up by the Wolves, with fresh blood smeared across his torso, the Barbarian shifted his stance to deflect the arrows, and Leo slashed his knee, blood now stained the snow around the Barbarian, and the Barbarian crumbled to the ground, but he was still kneeling, and he whirled around, striking Leo with the butt of his ax, sending him sprawling, but another arrow whizzed into the Barbarians bicep, and he threw the ax at Conan, but missed as Conan danced to the side, sending another arrow into the barbarians waste. He bellowed in pain, as his blood spilled from his body like wine from a goblet. Leo regained his footing, and jumped into the air to bring down a powerful death blow through the barbarians head, but he twirled his ax, catching Leo's foot, and he tumbled out of the air, somersaulting over the Barbarian, another arrow became lodged in the Barbarians wounded knee. And he screamed a blood curling scream and fell to the ground. Unfortunately, other barbarian warriors began to join the fight, as all of the other soldiers had been defeated. An arrow landed next to Leo, and a warrior charged Conan, catching him off guard. Conan worked his way back to Leo, who was defending Jacks body. Conan grabbed Jacks shoulders, and began to drag him off the field, leaving a trail of blood stained snow leading away from the pools of blood from the battle. Bodies lay everywhere, and the stench of death was in the air, as Wild wolfhound howled in the distance, preparing for a feast. Leo guarded Jack as they retreated across the frozen tundra. The Barbarians brought out stretchers for the wounded, those that remained either bore the wounded, the dead, or guarded them. None chased after them, but they made it very clear that they wouldn't be given such a second chance if they returned. They wanted to send a message, "Don't come back!" No one truly won that battle, but then again, there are no true winners in battle, only the survivors. . .
Jack was taken to the field hospital, but Leo had great doubts in the medics abilities to heal. He walked up to the keep in the center of the village, he paused, took a deep breath, and knocked on the heavy oak doors. Several moments later, they creaked open And Lord Ilium sat at the table, feasting his lonely feast, besides a sad fire, in the middle of a dreary room. "Welcome!" said Ilium, loud and clear, he didn't seem to have noticed the loss of the entire castled measly army, or the death of his commander, or the starving eyes outside the door, peering in with cold malice and a deep hatred for Lord Ilium. "Have a seat my boy!" laughed Ilium joyously. "What is it you wish to talk about?" he asked after Leo had taken the seat. He passed him a plate and the steak, Leo didn't take any of it.
"I have come to speak to you about Jack." said Leo.
Lord Ilium's face turned grim, "Yes, such an awful incident." he cried.
"I think he should be relocated to the hospitals of Arkaley, they are far more experienced there, and have much more supplies. It would be a waste of a good soldier to risk his death here." said Leo.
"Yes I suppose you're right, but we shall need soldiers to travel with him." said Ilium, "And the only soldiers I'v got are you and Conan."
Which is the next topic I was going to breach, I was hoping that you would send us to escort him Back to Arkaley, we are his friends after all, and who better to make the long and perilous journey with than your oldest companions?" asked Leo.
"Well, my reinforcements will be arriving in a few days time, once they come, you can take the wagon back to Arkaley." said Ilium.
"What about now? asked Leo, we have wagons, and Jack may not hold out for that long."
"Don't push it." ordered Ilium, his face changing to a stern, harsh look.
"Yes sir." answered Leo. he stood, bowed to lord Ilium, and turned to leave the dining hall.
"Oh and Leo!" called Ilium.
"Yes sir?" asked Leo, turning back.
"I don't recommend you feed your food to the poor until the wagons arrive, it could be quite a while before you find food again." he said with a sneer.
Leo gulped, "Yes sir." and he turned back and walked briskly out the door, once the gates had closed behind him, he broke into a run, if he couldn't take Jack to Arkaley immediately, than he would take care of him to the best of his ability. Likely he had picked up some helpful nursing tricks while he was in the hospital in Arkaley, which he now applied to Jack.
Keeping Jack alive for the remaining two days was the main occupation of Leo's time, day, night, and meal he stood besides Jack, struggling to keep him alive, he would have to take some nursing supplies with him to Arkaley. . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Barbarian leader brought down his ax like a coma, swiftly cleaving the stems of life for the harvest of death. Luckily Leo dodged to the side, twirling his sword through the air for a counter attack, but the Barbarian already had his second ax out, ready to defend himself from Leo's lean blade. Then the Barbarian began to routinely spin his axes in a defensive motion, parrying any attacks by Leo, while simultaneously preparing himself for a counter attack. Leo was forced into a defensive position, keeping his shield and sword in close, but he was losing ground, the distance between him and Jack was steadily decreasing. Then an arrow flew through the air and struck the Barbarian in the shoulder blade, spurting out blood, then another, and another, he whirled around, to see Conan coming at him with bow, his shoulder chewed up by the Wolves, with fresh blood smeared across his torso, the Barbarian shifted his stance to deflect the arrows, and Leo slashed his knee, blood now stained the snow around the Barbarian, and the Barbarian crumbled to the ground, but he was still kneeling, and he whirled around, striking Leo with the butt of his ax, sending him sprawling, but another arrow whizzed into the Barbarians bicep, and he threw the ax at Conan, but missed as Conan danced to the side, sending another arrow into the barbarians waste. He bellowed in pain, as his blood spilled from his body like wine from a goblet. Leo regained his footing, and jumped into the air to bring down a powerful death blow through the barbarians head, but he twirled his ax, catching Leo's foot, and he tumbled out of the air, somersaulting over the Barbarian, another arrow became lodged in the Barbarians wounded knee. And he screamed a blood curling scream and fell to the ground. Unfortunately, other barbarian warriors began to join the fight, as all of the other soldiers had been defeated. An arrow landed next to Leo, and a warrior charged Conan, catching him off guard. Conan worked his way back to Leo, who was defending Jacks body. Conan grabbed Jacks shoulders, and began to drag him off the field, leaving a trail of blood stained snow leading away from the pools of blood from the battle. Bodies lay everywhere, and the stench of death was in the air, as Wild wolfhound howled in the distance, preparing for a feast. Leo guarded Jack as they retreated across the frozen tundra. The Barbarians brought out stretchers for the wounded, those that remained either bore the wounded, the dead, or guarded them. None chased after them, but they made it very clear that they wouldn't be given such a second chance if they returned. They wanted to send a message, "Don't come back!" No one truly won that battle, but then again, there are no true winners in battle, only the survivors. . .
Jack was taken to the field hospital, but Leo had great doubts in the medics abilities to heal. He walked up to the keep in the center of the village, he paused, took a deep breath, and knocked on the heavy oak doors. Several moments later, they creaked open And Lord Ilium sat at the table, feasting his lonely feast, besides a sad fire, in the middle of a dreary room. "Welcome!" said Ilium, loud and clear, he didn't seem to have noticed the loss of the entire castled measly army, or the death of his commander, or the starving eyes outside the door, peering in with cold malice and a deep hatred for Lord Ilium. "Have a seat my boy!" laughed Ilium joyously. "What is it you wish to talk about?" he asked after Leo had taken the seat. He passed him a plate and the steak, Leo didn't take any of it.
"I have come to speak to you about Jack." said Leo.
Lord Ilium's face turned grim, "Yes, such an awful incident." he cried.
"I think he should be relocated to the hospitals of Arkaley, they are far more experienced there, and have much more supplies. It would be a waste of a good soldier to risk his death here." said Leo.
"Yes I suppose you're right, but we shall need soldiers to travel with him." said Ilium, "And the only soldiers I'v got are you and Conan."
Which is the next topic I was going to breach, I was hoping that you would send us to escort him Back to Arkaley, we are his friends after all, and who better to make the long and perilous journey with than your oldest companions?" asked Leo.
"Well, my reinforcements will be arriving in a few days time, once they come, you can take the wagon back to Arkaley." said Ilium.
"What about now? asked Leo, we have wagons, and Jack may not hold out for that long."
"Don't push it." ordered Ilium, his face changing to a stern, harsh look.
"Yes sir." answered Leo. he stood, bowed to lord Ilium, and turned to leave the dining hall.
"Oh and Leo!" called Ilium.
"Yes sir?" asked Leo, turning back.
"I don't recommend you feed your food to the poor until the wagons arrive, it could be quite a while before you find food again." he said with a sneer.
Leo gulped, "Yes sir." and he turned back and walked briskly out the door, once the gates had closed behind him, he broke into a run, if he couldn't take Jack to Arkaley immediately, than he would take care of him to the best of his ability. Likely he had picked up some helpful nursing tricks while he was in the hospital in Arkaley, which he now applied to Jack.
Keeping Jack alive for the remaining two days was the main occupation of Leo's time, day, night, and meal he stood besides Jack, struggling to keep him alive, he would have to take some nursing supplies with him to Arkaley. . .
~. . .To be continued. . .~
[4267859]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Jan. 24, 2016, 7:10 a.m.
~End of Part One ; The Beginning~
~Beginning of Part Two ; Battle of the Fates~
~Beginning of Part Two ; Battle of the Fates~
[4272886]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Jan. 29, 2016, 1:57 a.m.
Chapter 1 ~ Arkaley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo and Conan bumped around inside of the hospital wagon, well, it wasn't much of a hospital, more of a room with a cot and some buckets with dried herbs scatter in disorganized heaps. On the cot lay Jack, he was sweating, even though it was freezing, winter was setting in on the Great Empire. Leo peeped his head out of the wagon window, to see how much further they had until they reached Arkaley, the capital of Mirilde. He could see Arkaley in the distance, steadily going larger as they quickly approached, several dark rain clouds hung over the city, in Arkaley, rain was considered good luck, as the Great Empire consists mostly of Savannah and plains. "How much further?" asked Conan, "I'm not sure how much longer Jack can go."
Leo let out a sigh of relief, "Not far yet." he responded.
"Good." sighed Conan, "It will be great to finally be home again."
Leo drew his head back into the wagon, ans sat down. Then, the wagon halted suddenly, jolting Conan and Leo. "What the blazes!" said Conan, and Leo stood to take another look outside of the wagon, what stood before the caravan was a truly horrifying sight to behold. Plumes of pitch black smoke billowed into the air from Arkaley, from a distance they had looked like rain clouds, but from here, it was obviously smoke, two of the walls had crumbled, and one of the towers was missing all together, the only remnants being stone blocks littered across the Earth. However, that wasn't the most horrifying thing about it, no, what stunned Leo was the tall metal spikes, sticking out of the ground. And on those spikes, were the vague outlines of the bodies of people. Leo, snapping out of his trance, leapt from the wagon, leaving a bewildered Conan behind, he ran towards the castle, his Adrenalin pumping through his body, allowing him to run the whole kilometer between the wagon and the castle without losing his pace. Once he reached the castle however, he wished that he had not. Blood was everywhere, it flowed across the ground like a river, and internal organs hung from the bodies of the citizens, bodies impaled through the buttocks, straight up through the body, and out through the mouth, all to leave one message, loud and clear "Don't come back!" it screamed at them in chorus with the ravens and vultures, scavenging picking flesh off of bone. Then Leo realized, and it was something he could never un-realize, his family would have been here when it was raided. . .
Leo searched through the forest of impaled bodies for his family, praying to God that he would not find any, but there were so many, almost everyone must have been captured. Then he saw them, his older sister, impaled like the others, with slashes down her once beautiful face, blood staining her simple cloths. Then his mother, somehow, miraculously, she had not been attacked by the birds, still looked almost as though she were alive. Leo turned, unable to stand the gut wrenching disgust, putrid smell, and horrific sight, he doubled over and vomited, adding to the smell and the river of repulsive substances.When he regained his composure, he looked up to see Conan, staring at the corpse of a young maiden, he reached up, and brushed the blood off of her cheek, tears welling up in he eyes, which he quickly brushed away, tears were a sign of weakness on the battlefield. "Who was she?" asked Leo, still struggling to regain his composure.
"She was my sweetheart, we had recently been engaged when I was sent away to Everwinter." answered Conan.
Leo lost his footing, slipping over someones lung, and he looked around to see who's it was, and he realized it belonged to his younger sister, the sight of his youthful sibling, thrown away like discarded garbage, caused him to give up on trying to regain his composure, he let the tears flow, he didn't even try to hide it. Conan stood back, and looked up at the towers, "The flag of Mirilde still flies!" he shouted excitedly.
Leo forced himself to stop, though he wanted dearly to continue, and he stood up and finally regained himself. Remember, you are a warrior.He reminded himself. "I'll go fetch Jack, we need to get him to the hospital quickly, he turned, preparing to run back, but the Cabin driver was already bringing him luckily. And the three rushed him in as quickly as they could, trying to dispel the horrors of what law just outside the walls of Arkaley.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo and Conan bumped around inside of the hospital wagon, well, it wasn't much of a hospital, more of a room with a cot and some buckets with dried herbs scatter in disorganized heaps. On the cot lay Jack, he was sweating, even though it was freezing, winter was setting in on the Great Empire. Leo peeped his head out of the wagon window, to see how much further they had until they reached Arkaley, the capital of Mirilde. He could see Arkaley in the distance, steadily going larger as they quickly approached, several dark rain clouds hung over the city, in Arkaley, rain was considered good luck, as the Great Empire consists mostly of Savannah and plains. "How much further?" asked Conan, "I'm not sure how much longer Jack can go."
Leo let out a sigh of relief, "Not far yet." he responded.
"Good." sighed Conan, "It will be great to finally be home again."
Leo drew his head back into the wagon, ans sat down. Then, the wagon halted suddenly, jolting Conan and Leo. "What the blazes!" said Conan, and Leo stood to take another look outside of the wagon, what stood before the caravan was a truly horrifying sight to behold. Plumes of pitch black smoke billowed into the air from Arkaley, from a distance they had looked like rain clouds, but from here, it was obviously smoke, two of the walls had crumbled, and one of the towers was missing all together, the only remnants being stone blocks littered across the Earth. However, that wasn't the most horrifying thing about it, no, what stunned Leo was the tall metal spikes, sticking out of the ground. And on those spikes, were the vague outlines of the bodies of people. Leo, snapping out of his trance, leapt from the wagon, leaving a bewildered Conan behind, he ran towards the castle, his Adrenalin pumping through his body, allowing him to run the whole kilometer between the wagon and the castle without losing his pace. Once he reached the castle however, he wished that he had not. Blood was everywhere, it flowed across the ground like a river, and internal organs hung from the bodies of the citizens, bodies impaled through the buttocks, straight up through the body, and out through the mouth, all to leave one message, loud and clear "Don't come back!" it screamed at them in chorus with the ravens and vultures, scavenging picking flesh off of bone. Then Leo realized, and it was something he could never un-realize, his family would have been here when it was raided. . .
Leo searched through the forest of impaled bodies for his family, praying to God that he would not find any, but there were so many, almost everyone must have been captured. Then he saw them, his older sister, impaled like the others, with slashes down her once beautiful face, blood staining her simple cloths. Then his mother, somehow, miraculously, she had not been attacked by the birds, still looked almost as though she were alive. Leo turned, unable to stand the gut wrenching disgust, putrid smell, and horrific sight, he doubled over and vomited, adding to the smell and the river of repulsive substances.When he regained his composure, he looked up to see Conan, staring at the corpse of a young maiden, he reached up, and brushed the blood off of her cheek, tears welling up in he eyes, which he quickly brushed away, tears were a sign of weakness on the battlefield. "Who was she?" asked Leo, still struggling to regain his composure.
"She was my sweetheart, we had recently been engaged when I was sent away to Everwinter." answered Conan.
Leo lost his footing, slipping over someones lung, and he looked around to see who's it was, and he realized it belonged to his younger sister, the sight of his youthful sibling, thrown away like discarded garbage, caused him to give up on trying to regain his composure, he let the tears flow, he didn't even try to hide it. Conan stood back, and looked up at the towers, "The flag of Mirilde still flies!" he shouted excitedly.
Leo forced himself to stop, though he wanted dearly to continue, and he stood up and finally regained himself. Remember, you are a warrior.He reminded himself. "I'll go fetch Jack, we need to get him to the hospital quickly, he turned, preparing to run back, but the Cabin driver was already bringing him luckily. And the three rushed him in as quickly as they could, trying to dispel the horrors of what law just outside the walls of Arkaley.
[4280843]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 6, 2016, 7:37 a.m.
Chapter 2 ~ King Merek
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The city of Arkaley was truly a sight to behold, the streets were lined with the bodies of innocent peasants, the crevices between the cobblestone gushing with their blood. The stench of rotting flesh was overwhelming, and those that had survived labored non-stop to clean the bodies, however it looked like they were having difficulties withholding their suppers. Smoke billowed from several buildings, as the fires slowly burned out of existence.
But Leo, Conan, and the Cabin driver didn't have time to stand and gawk, that could wait for later, they had already wasted to much time outside, they rushed Jack to the hospitals, which were overflowing with the wounded being hauled in, and the dead being carried out. Crying woman and children flocked the hospital and streets, bearing diseased loved ones to the burial grounds. Jack was quickly swept away by two nurses, they wouldn't be aloud to see him for a while, they would be working rigorously on him for hours until they were confident that he could handle visitors.
Leo turned around, stalking into the crowd, "I would like to have a word with King Merek." growled Leo. Conan turned to catch up.
King Merek stood in the center of a large crowd, giving a speech, "It is a dark time for the kingdom of Mirilde, I know." said the King, "But out of these ashes, we shall rebuild!" He was obviously expecting some king of "Hurrah!" or "Go King Merek!" Instead all he got were angry glances, some murderous looks, and unsettling murmurs that rippled across the crowd.
He's had that one coming. thought Leo smugly, but now was not time to relish the moment, he needed to talk to the King now!
Merek turned around obviously disappointed, and pushed his way through the crowd, a small squad of imperial guardsman flanking him on each side.
Leo rushed forward, seizing his chance to talk to the King, shoving past the guards, Leo pushed in front of Merek, forcing him to stop. But now that he was here, he didn't know what to say, How do I say this? thought Leo, If I say what I want to say, I will be hung for treason. And if I'm not, he won't take me seriously.
It was actually Merek that helped him out, "Ah, Leopold, I was going to summon you later, but the sooner the better, as they say!"
"Actually m'lord, nobody says that, not for several thousand years since the fall of the New World Order during the Nuclear civil war." reminded Leo.
"Well, they should!" said Merek, "I'll tell you what I was going to summon you for in a slightly more private place, meet me in my throne room in 15 minutes."
"Yes m'lord." Leo stopped walking until Mereks procession marched past him.
"What was that about?" asked Conan.
"I was going to tell the King off for his negligent behavior and poor rule."
Conan gasped, "You weren't!"
"I thought better of it." admitted Leo.
Then one of the burning building crashed down with the sound of a thousand splinters, cracking and burning as the fire reignited, spreading to another building. Conan winced, Leo was to last in thought to even notice. What could Merek possibly want to tell me?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The city of Arkaley was truly a sight to behold, the streets were lined with the bodies of innocent peasants, the crevices between the cobblestone gushing with their blood. The stench of rotting flesh was overwhelming, and those that had survived labored non-stop to clean the bodies, however it looked like they were having difficulties withholding their suppers. Smoke billowed from several buildings, as the fires slowly burned out of existence.
But Leo, Conan, and the Cabin driver didn't have time to stand and gawk, that could wait for later, they had already wasted to much time outside, they rushed Jack to the hospitals, which were overflowing with the wounded being hauled in, and the dead being carried out. Crying woman and children flocked the hospital and streets, bearing diseased loved ones to the burial grounds. Jack was quickly swept away by two nurses, they wouldn't be aloud to see him for a while, they would be working rigorously on him for hours until they were confident that he could handle visitors.
Leo turned around, stalking into the crowd, "I would like to have a word with King Merek." growled Leo. Conan turned to catch up.
King Merek stood in the center of a large crowd, giving a speech, "It is a dark time for the kingdom of Mirilde, I know." said the King, "But out of these ashes, we shall rebuild!" He was obviously expecting some king of "Hurrah!" or "Go King Merek!" Instead all he got were angry glances, some murderous looks, and unsettling murmurs that rippled across the crowd.
He's had that one coming. thought Leo smugly, but now was not time to relish the moment, he needed to talk to the King now!
Merek turned around obviously disappointed, and pushed his way through the crowd, a small squad of imperial guardsman flanking him on each side.
Leo rushed forward, seizing his chance to talk to the King, shoving past the guards, Leo pushed in front of Merek, forcing him to stop. But now that he was here, he didn't know what to say, How do I say this? thought Leo, If I say what I want to say, I will be hung for treason. And if I'm not, he won't take me seriously.
It was actually Merek that helped him out, "Ah, Leopold, I was going to summon you later, but the sooner the better, as they say!"
"Actually m'lord, nobody says that, not for several thousand years since the fall of the New World Order during the Nuclear civil war." reminded Leo.
"Well, they should!" said Merek, "I'll tell you what I was going to summon you for in a slightly more private place, meet me in my throne room in 15 minutes."
"Yes m'lord." Leo stopped walking until Mereks procession marched past him.
"What was that about?" asked Conan.
"I was going to tell the King off for his negligent behavior and poor rule."
Conan gasped, "You weren't!"
"I thought better of it." admitted Leo.
Then one of the burning building crashed down with the sound of a thousand splinters, cracking and burning as the fire reignited, spreading to another building. Conan winced, Leo was to last in thought to even notice. What could Merek possibly want to tell me?
[4281475]
LightSwayer (US1) [None]
:: Feb. 6, 2016, 6:46 p.m.
This Story is interesting. Good Job!
[4281508]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 6, 2016, 7:10 p.m.
Thanks! I'm thinking about writing a sequel story to this one, it's still in the beginning stages though.
[4281861]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 7, 2016, 5:59 a.m.
Chapter 3 ~ the Coast
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Leo walked into the throne room, silent as a cat, his long golden hair resembling that of a lion. The room was luxuriously lit, a bright chandelier hung from the high, domed ceiling. It had huge windows behind the throne, decorated with imperial purple curtains, and war banners from legendary battles decorated the hall. The throne itself was cushioned, with a gold trim, and a dark red paint, that fit perfectly with the bright red cushions and red carpet. Standing guard along the walls were Imperial guardsman, armed with maces and bows. King Merek, lounged on his throne, twirling his scepter like a wizards staff.
"Ah, Leopold, you have arrived at last!" greeted Merek pleasantly.
As though my family wasn't just been mutilated and hung like a decorative item for all to see. thought Leo
As if on ques King Merek added, "So sorry about your family, but you know, those Barons, such vile criminals indeed.
You're one to talk. Instead he said, "I saw, but that isn't why I am here, what did you wan't to tell me?"
"Straight to business I see." said Merek, "Reminds me of myself when I was your age." noticeably with a hint of fear, Leo noted it immediately.
Don't you dare compare yourself to me you filthy bastard. "I am honored, m'lord."
"I have summoned you here to give you a new assignment Leopold."
Oh great, my last assignment went so well.
"I am assigning you to aid the great Sea Queen of the Blade Coast, she is having pirate problems and has requested our assistance. As soon as I heard you were returning, I new it was meant to be, the fates have willed it, and so it shall be."
Leo had never heard of the Blade Coast, Hopefully it's nothing like Everwinter was. thought Leo hopefully. "When do I depart, and who will be accompanying me?" he asked.
"I will be sending you with Conan, Jack, Raymundus, Josson, Asselin, Degore, and Jeffry. You will leave as soon as Jack has mended."
Assuming he does mend. thought Leo spitefully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo walked into the throne room, silent as a cat, his long golden hair resembling that of a lion. The room was luxuriously lit, a bright chandelier hung from the high, domed ceiling. It had huge windows behind the throne, decorated with imperial purple curtains, and war banners from legendary battles decorated the hall. The throne itself was cushioned, with a gold trim, and a dark red paint, that fit perfectly with the bright red cushions and red carpet. Standing guard along the walls were Imperial guardsman, armed with maces and bows. King Merek, lounged on his throne, twirling his scepter like a wizards staff.
"Ah, Leopold, you have arrived at last!" greeted Merek pleasantly.
As though my family wasn't just been mutilated and hung like a decorative item for all to see. thought Leo
As if on ques King Merek added, "So sorry about your family, but you know, those Barons, such vile criminals indeed.
You're one to talk. Instead he said, "I saw, but that isn't why I am here, what did you wan't to tell me?"
"Straight to business I see." said Merek, "Reminds me of myself when I was your age." noticeably with a hint of fear, Leo noted it immediately.
Don't you dare compare yourself to me you filthy bastard. "I am honored, m'lord."
"I have summoned you here to give you a new assignment Leopold."
Oh great, my last assignment went so well.
"I am assigning you to aid the great Sea Queen of the Blade Coast, she is having pirate problems and has requested our assistance. As soon as I heard you were returning, I new it was meant to be, the fates have willed it, and so it shall be."
Leo had never heard of the Blade Coast, Hopefully it's nothing like Everwinter was. thought Leo hopefully. "When do I depart, and who will be accompanying me?" he asked.
"I will be sending you with Conan, Jack, Raymundus, Josson, Asselin, Degore, and Jeffry. You will leave as soon as Jack has mended."
Assuming he does mend. thought Leo spitefully.
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Leo lay on his cot in the barracks, sighing internally for the 500th time that evening, he couldn't find sleep, that, or sleep couldn't find him. This whole traveling thing didn't seem to be in Leo's program, Why can't I just stay in one place? Asked Leo internally. Because that's the way Merek likes it. thought Leo, answering his own question. Now to sit out the next two months in boredom and rhetoric. he thought, 'll need special training for sea battles, at least that will be new. . . at first, until the trainer starts to do the exact same thing over and over, and over, and over. . . and over. . . and over. And over. And over. Slowly Leo lulled himself to sleep. . . finally. . .
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Leo was right, it was rhetorical. The fist day had been training on "How to swim." the next day "How to board a ship." then "How to keep your balance on a slippery deck." and the next day was "Guide to port and star board"
"Why don't they just call it right and left?" Leo remembered asking, instead of an answer, all he got was an annoyed look from the instructor, who then ordered him to crank out 200 push-ups. He never asked again. During his time training, Leo would spend every bit of spare time he had studying the pirates attack tactics and fighting styles. He also did a great deal of research on Captain Redbeard, who it turned out, had repeatedly plagued the Kingdom of the Blade coast for decades, receding and returning like the tides on the beach, he would raid, retreat, then stike back out of the blue, the blue of the oceans depths that is.
The training though was the same thing the next week, and the next, and the next, for two months before Jack was able to fight again. At which time they began preparations for departure. Leo wouldn't have any tearful good byes to give this time. Which somehow made it all the more tearful, no one to leave behind and remember. Leo had realized that had been the one thing that kept him sane in Everwinter. The ability to look into the future, a future with his family, living out the last of there days in peace, but that fate had been torn from him, by the Barons and their relentless looting, and by Merek, and his incompetent rule. . .
Leo lay on his cot in the barracks, sighing internally for the 500th time that evening, he couldn't find sleep, that, or sleep couldn't find him. This whole traveling thing didn't seem to be in Leo's program, Why can't I just stay in one place? Asked Leo internally. Because that's the way Merek likes it. thought Leo, answering his own question. Now to sit out the next two months in boredom and rhetoric. he thought, 'll need special training for sea battles, at least that will be new. . . at first, until the trainer starts to do the exact same thing over and over, and over, and over. . . and over. . . and over. And over. And over. Slowly Leo lulled himself to sleep. . . finally. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Leo was right, it was rhetorical. The fist day had been training on "How to swim." the next day "How to board a ship." then "How to keep your balance on a slippery deck." and the next day was "Guide to port and star board"
"Why don't they just call it right and left?" Leo remembered asking, instead of an answer, all he got was an annoyed look from the instructor, who then ordered him to crank out 200 push-ups. He never asked again. During his time training, Leo would spend every bit of spare time he had studying the pirates attack tactics and fighting styles. He also did a great deal of research on Captain Redbeard, who it turned out, had repeatedly plagued the Kingdom of the Blade coast for decades, receding and returning like the tides on the beach, he would raid, retreat, then stike back out of the blue, the blue of the oceans depths that is.
The training though was the same thing the next week, and the next, and the next, for two months before Jack was able to fight again. At which time they began preparations for departure. Leo wouldn't have any tearful good byes to give this time. Which somehow made it all the more tearful, no one to leave behind and remember. Leo had realized that had been the one thing that kept him sane in Everwinter. The ability to look into the future, a future with his family, living out the last of there days in peace, but that fate had been torn from him, by the Barons and their relentless looting, and by Merek, and his incompetent rule. . .
[4291405]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 13, 2016, 7:22 a.m.
Chapter 4 ~ The Journey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Towering masts and imposing cannons stared down at Leo, Jack and Conan were bearing crates up the ramp to the ship. "C'mon Leo, we've gotta get this thing loaded up so we can go!" called Jack.
"I'll be there in a sec."
The ship was ginormous, armed with at least twenty cannons on each side, and had three levels, the barracks, armory/storage, and the cell deck. The ships crew was fairly large, at least thirty two men, all of which were hard at work, swabbing the deck, loading the cargo, filling the armory, and preparing the flags. Leo turned and boarded the ship, carrying his belongings, a deep, unsettling anxiety took root in his gut, he had never ridden a ship before in his life, this was going to be interesting. . .
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I hate sea travel. thought Leo glumly, every wave could be felt rocking the ship from side to side like a cradle, but instead of being soothing, this was deeply unsettling. Leo barfed into the bucket next to his hammock. They didn't prepare us for this in the training.
It was night. At least, Leo thought it was night, it always looked like night in the barracks of the ship. Loud snores could be heard, nearly droning out the sound of the crashing waves, and the sound of sea sickness. This is going to be a long journey indeed.
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The ship was caught in a storm on its way to the Blade Coast, delaying them by two days, the numbers of sea sickness doubled during those two days, as apparently, even some of the crew experienced difficulties with ruff sea travel, and have only stayed on because they need the money. One good thing did come from the delay though, the soldiers were able to further heighten there team knowledge, reviewing combat strategies and getting to no each other. They grew to understand, and, more importantly, respect one another. Though barfing on one another's shoes is apparently not advisable, as Conan found out the hard way.
They spent most of their time in the barracks, rarely seeing the captain except when they would go up for fresh air. Supposedly, his name was Captain Drake. From what Leo had seen of him, which wasn't much, he was a large, burly man, with a large red beard and long red hair, and always kept his hands behind his back. He spoke with clear authority, and was enormously strict when it came to policies. One could often hear him striding around the deck, cursing and delivering orders and punishments. He certainly had a sailors tongue, this was for sure.
Towering masts and imposing cannons stared down at Leo, Jack and Conan were bearing crates up the ramp to the ship. "C'mon Leo, we've gotta get this thing loaded up so we can go!" called Jack.
"I'll be there in a sec."
The ship was ginormous, armed with at least twenty cannons on each side, and had three levels, the barracks, armory/storage, and the cell deck. The ships crew was fairly large, at least thirty two men, all of which were hard at work, swabbing the deck, loading the cargo, filling the armory, and preparing the flags. Leo turned and boarded the ship, carrying his belongings, a deep, unsettling anxiety took root in his gut, he had never ridden a ship before in his life, this was going to be interesting. . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hate sea travel. thought Leo glumly, every wave could be felt rocking the ship from side to side like a cradle, but instead of being soothing, this was deeply unsettling. Leo barfed into the bucket next to his hammock. They didn't prepare us for this in the training.
It was night. At least, Leo thought it was night, it always looked like night in the barracks of the ship. Loud snores could be heard, nearly droning out the sound of the crashing waves, and the sound of sea sickness. This is going to be a long journey indeed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The ship was caught in a storm on its way to the Blade Coast, delaying them by two days, the numbers of sea sickness doubled during those two days, as apparently, even some of the crew experienced difficulties with ruff sea travel, and have only stayed on because they need the money. One good thing did come from the delay though, the soldiers were able to further heighten there team knowledge, reviewing combat strategies and getting to no each other. They grew to understand, and, more importantly, respect one another. Though barfing on one another's shoes is apparently not advisable, as Conan found out the hard way.
They spent most of their time in the barracks, rarely seeing the captain except when they would go up for fresh air. Supposedly, his name was Captain Drake. From what Leo had seen of him, which wasn't much, he was a large, burly man, with a large red beard and long red hair, and always kept his hands behind his back. He spoke with clear authority, and was enormously strict when it came to policies. One could often hear him striding around the deck, cursing and delivering orders and punishments. He certainly had a sailors tongue, this was for sure.
[4299173]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 18, 2016, 6:27 a.m.
Chapter 5 ~ The Pirates
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo woke with a start to the silent darkness of the ship's barracks. The nightmare passed from Leo's mind, quickly forgotten, Leo's breathing calmed, then, the stillness was mutilated with a resounding crash, the soldiers and crew members leapt to their feet, grabbing their weapons instinctively. The immense whole in the side of the ship was startling to say the least, luckily they were high enough above the water to not worry about the ship sinking. Then another crash echoed through the ship.
"We're under attack!" came the cry from the deck.
No kidding. thought Leo, strapping on his armor and drawing his his bow and quiver from beneath his hammock.
"All men on deck!" came the gruff shout of Captain Drake.
Leo and the other men scrambled up the ladder, the soldiers armor clanking loudly, and the crew members silent agility sweeping through the shadows.
"Man your battle stations!"
Leo notched an arrow, searching frantically in the dark, foggy night for something to shoot at.
A cannon ball sailed out of no where, hitting the mast dead center, hit tumbled to the side, the lookout screamed, falling one hundred feet into the sea with a sickening splat that sounded like hitting a rock. Without the mast, the ship now relied on it's other two, which would not nearly be sufficient for a legitimate retreat, they were going to have to fight.
A ship, as large as their own, began to emerge from the fog, like a beast tentatively emerging from its cage. Flaming arrows rained down on the ship, immediately setting fire to the sails and deck, the captain ordered some of his men to douse the flames with sea water, but for every fire they put out, two more replaced them.
This isn't the tactic used by the pirates, thought Leo, they would try to capture and raid he ship, not burn it down.
"It's the pirates!" shouted Drake, "They must have found out we were coming somehow!"
The crew members immediately tried to board the ship, while the soldiers fired at the pirates from the ship.
This doesn't make sense. confusion distracted Leo, and a flaming arrow hit him in the joint between his bicep and his forearm, immediately setting fire to his clothing. Leo panicked, it burned so, horribly badly, the flames burst up his arm, encompassing his entire body in flame, he dropped his bow, and screamed, suddenly a force slammed into Leo from behind, sending him over board into the waves below.
The impact stung, you would at first think that water would absorb your blow, but when you are falling from fifty feet, apparently, it doesn't. The heavy iron armor immediately dragged Leo beneath the freezing waves. His training kicked in, and Leo began to unstrap his armor, it was a painstakingly long process, apparently unstrapping leather isn't easy in the dark, when you're cold, and sopping wet. Leo managed to liberate his shin of the armor, then his thigh, Leo's decent slowed, but not enough, the waves looked so beautiful above him, the reflection of the moon shone, white and pure on one side, then on the other, the raging reflection of the dancing flame, like a deadly flower, beautiful, yet dangerous. the two lights fought above Leo's head in a gorgeous display of glimmering light. The dark looked so enticing now, what was the point of fighting it, What better way to die, then trapped here, beneath the waves for eternity? Leo's head touched something soft, the sand at the bottom of the sea, Soft, like a bed. Leo smiled blissfully, the lights from the battle were distant now, all the way up there. Then, the world went dark.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Leo coughed, the sea water stung the back of his throat like liqueur on a wound.
"Good, he's alive." said a sarcastic voice behind him, the voice sounded familiar.
Leo tried to sit up, but strong hands pinned him back against the cold wet sand. "Don't move." this was unmistakably the voice of Jack.
Leo opened his eyes, Jack's face looked down at his own with worry. He tried to speak, but all he could do was let out a frustrated groan.
"Oh, don't be like that Leo, I would think you would be happier to see us." said the sarcastic voice again, Conan's face appeared next to Jacks.
Leo swallowed, and tried again, "Wha, what d-" half way through, Leo's voiced cut out into a gurgle.
"I said, I thought you would like to see the world of the living again Sherlock."
"No, you di-" started Leo, but his voice failed him again.
"Yeah, I definitely did. How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked, extended his outstretched hand over Leo's face.
"Five."
"Wrong, four and one thumb."
"Oh, cut it out Conan." sighed Jack. Then, turning back to Leo, he said, "The ship was attacked by the Sea Queens forces-"
"What?" asked Leo, regaining his voice, but I thou- I thought that we were bringing soldiers and resources to the Sea Queen."
"I was just getting to that." said Jack, "Apparently, Captain Drake was actually Captain Redbeard himself. He posed as our captain in order to hold us for ransom, but the Sea Queen attacked his ship, having immediately recognized it as The Ochre, Captain Redbeard's command ship. During the battle, the arrow hit your arm, and when you were set on fire, Conan ran into you and pushed you overboard to save your life from the flames. The ship was borded by the Sea Queen's troops soon after that, and her commander informed us of the predicament, Redbeard unfortunately, escaped with most of his crew, and all of the other soldiers that we sent. The troops immediately fished out out, and brought you here, where they have nursed you back to health for the past two days."
"And there you have it, a basic recapitulation of three days worth of events in about five minutes, I envy you, the rest of the world had to take the long way 'round." said Conan.
Finally Leo found the heart to crack a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo woke with a start to the silent darkness of the ship's barracks. The nightmare passed from Leo's mind, quickly forgotten, Leo's breathing calmed, then, the stillness was mutilated with a resounding crash, the soldiers and crew members leapt to their feet, grabbing their weapons instinctively. The immense whole in the side of the ship was startling to say the least, luckily they were high enough above the water to not worry about the ship sinking. Then another crash echoed through the ship.
"We're under attack!" came the cry from the deck.
No kidding. thought Leo, strapping on his armor and drawing his his bow and quiver from beneath his hammock.
"All men on deck!" came the gruff shout of Captain Drake.
Leo and the other men scrambled up the ladder, the soldiers armor clanking loudly, and the crew members silent agility sweeping through the shadows.
"Man your battle stations!"
Leo notched an arrow, searching frantically in the dark, foggy night for something to shoot at.
A cannon ball sailed out of no where, hitting the mast dead center, hit tumbled to the side, the lookout screamed, falling one hundred feet into the sea with a sickening splat that sounded like hitting a rock. Without the mast, the ship now relied on it's other two, which would not nearly be sufficient for a legitimate retreat, they were going to have to fight.
A ship, as large as their own, began to emerge from the fog, like a beast tentatively emerging from its cage. Flaming arrows rained down on the ship, immediately setting fire to the sails and deck, the captain ordered some of his men to douse the flames with sea water, but for every fire they put out, two more replaced them.
This isn't the tactic used by the pirates, thought Leo, they would try to capture and raid he ship, not burn it down.
"It's the pirates!" shouted Drake, "They must have found out we were coming somehow!"
The crew members immediately tried to board the ship, while the soldiers fired at the pirates from the ship.
This doesn't make sense. confusion distracted Leo, and a flaming arrow hit him in the joint between his bicep and his forearm, immediately setting fire to his clothing. Leo panicked, it burned so, horribly badly, the flames burst up his arm, encompassing his entire body in flame, he dropped his bow, and screamed, suddenly a force slammed into Leo from behind, sending him over board into the waves below.
The impact stung, you would at first think that water would absorb your blow, but when you are falling from fifty feet, apparently, it doesn't. The heavy iron armor immediately dragged Leo beneath the freezing waves. His training kicked in, and Leo began to unstrap his armor, it was a painstakingly long process, apparently unstrapping leather isn't easy in the dark, when you're cold, and sopping wet. Leo managed to liberate his shin of the armor, then his thigh, Leo's decent slowed, but not enough, the waves looked so beautiful above him, the reflection of the moon shone, white and pure on one side, then on the other, the raging reflection of the dancing flame, like a deadly flower, beautiful, yet dangerous. the two lights fought above Leo's head in a gorgeous display of glimmering light. The dark looked so enticing now, what was the point of fighting it, What better way to die, then trapped here, beneath the waves for eternity? Leo's head touched something soft, the sand at the bottom of the sea, Soft, like a bed. Leo smiled blissfully, the lights from the battle were distant now, all the way up there. Then, the world went dark.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Leo coughed, the sea water stung the back of his throat like liqueur on a wound.
"Good, he's alive." said a sarcastic voice behind him, the voice sounded familiar.
Leo tried to sit up, but strong hands pinned him back against the cold wet sand. "Don't move." this was unmistakably the voice of Jack.
Leo opened his eyes, Jack's face looked down at his own with worry. He tried to speak, but all he could do was let out a frustrated groan.
"Oh, don't be like that Leo, I would think you would be happier to see us." said the sarcastic voice again, Conan's face appeared next to Jacks.
Leo swallowed, and tried again, "Wha, what d-" half way through, Leo's voiced cut out into a gurgle.
"I said, I thought you would like to see the world of the living again Sherlock."
"No, you di-" started Leo, but his voice failed him again.
"Yeah, I definitely did. How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked, extended his outstretched hand over Leo's face.
"Five."
"Wrong, four and one thumb."
"Oh, cut it out Conan." sighed Jack. Then, turning back to Leo, he said, "The ship was attacked by the Sea Queens forces-"
"What?" asked Leo, regaining his voice, but I thou- I thought that we were bringing soldiers and resources to the Sea Queen."
"I was just getting to that." said Jack, "Apparently, Captain Drake was actually Captain Redbeard himself. He posed as our captain in order to hold us for ransom, but the Sea Queen attacked his ship, having immediately recognized it as The Ochre, Captain Redbeard's command ship. During the battle, the arrow hit your arm, and when you were set on fire, Conan ran into you and pushed you overboard to save your life from the flames. The ship was borded by the Sea Queen's troops soon after that, and her commander informed us of the predicament, Redbeard unfortunately, escaped with most of his crew, and all of the other soldiers that we sent. The troops immediately fished out out, and brought you here, where they have nursed you back to health for the past two days."
"And there you have it, a basic recapitulation of three days worth of events in about five minutes, I envy you, the rest of the world had to take the long way 'round." said Conan.
Finally Leo found the heart to crack a smile.
[4299180]
Noble Leone (ASIA1) [None]
:: Feb. 18, 2016, 6:46 a.m.
Dear Reader,
I will no longer be posting the story in this section of the forums, instead, I will be writing this all the way over in the creative corner. In parts one, two, three, and potentially four, we shall see on four, no promises yet. You will have to be good, and maybe bring me some milk and cookies as a bit of a, uh, exchange, and you will be treated with a sequel. But you have to promise, no take backs!
Anyways, you will have to make the long, and tiresome trek in the north to the Creative Corner, beware! The journey will be long, perilous, and testing, but the rewards shall prove worthwhile!
~NL
I will no longer be posting the story in this section of the forums, instead, I will be writing this all the way over in the creative corner. In parts one, two, three, and potentially four, we shall see on four, no promises yet. You will have to be good, and maybe bring me some milk and cookies as a bit of a, uh, exchange, and you will be treated with a sequel. But you have to promise, no take backs!
Anyways, you will have to make the long, and tiresome trek in the north to the Creative Corner, beware! The journey will be long, perilous, and testing, but the rewards shall prove worthwhile!
~NL