“Mr. Osborne, forgive my intrusion but as you requested I am here to report that there is a small stream beginning to flow towards us.”

So this pit has finally filled has it? For it to take an entire day to fill, I’m really quite impressed by the scale of it. It’s hard to believe a mage capable of that was living here in the Northern Territories. It’s too bad he chose to oppose us.

“Commander, is there any word on my brother yet?”

“I apologize Mr. Osborne, but your brother has not been seen since he departed.”

“Is that so…”

Odd. My brother should have finished his battle with that mage yesterday so why has he not arrived? It is approximately 20 miles from here to that pit, so even if he walked he should have made it back by now. It’s possible the battle was a bit more intense than expected and he decided to rest, it’s also possible that lazy attitude of his is acting up and he’s decided to hold off on coming back for now.

“Commander send a platoon to my brother’s location. I want to know why he is taking so long to return after dispatching with that mage.”

Hopefully, he will not be found intoxicated with drink over such a small victory.

“We should probably send a medical unit as well. It’s possible that some of the men stationed with my brother were injured. After you have finished with that have the remaining men load any equipment on the boats and report to me when they have finished, you’re dismissed.”

Now that the river is flowing again I’ll need to do a little work to earn my pay. From city to city this is perhaps the most effort I have been forced to expend. Not that I should complain. These battles have all been terribly boring so it’s a good change of pace.

But really the Northern Territories do not hold even a fraction of the appeal the Empire does. Just two more years, two more years and I can finally leave this desolate worthless land filled with wastrels and demi-humans. Hurry back dear brother, if I am forced to converse any longer with these simpletons on my own I may find myself trapped in madness unable to escape.

********

Between the Northern Expanse and the Kundar Mountains, the plains acted like a great well trapping the cold air that descended down from the higher ground at night in the winter. The overcast sky and the cool air was a sign that chills of winter were not far away.

Because of the raids livestock was very limited and with winter drawing near most large game would migrate west towards the more temperate savannas. The people of the plains would have no choice but to rely on their harvests.

However, this year’s harvest was not particularly good, even before the battle with Elkia and the Northsmen, rations had been discussed. The drought had been severe and the increased population load was just too difficult to overcome. If the winter was long then there would definitely be a rise in starvation.

Though a large number of people had lost their lives to the Northsmen raids, their numbers would be easily made up for by Elkian soldiers. To feed and house such an army that counted ogres and warbeasts amongst their numbers made Isaac Wolfe’s headache.

He had stockpiled massive amounts of grains such as wheat and barley and stored enormous containers filled with dried, cured, and salted fish and meats. Despite spending a large portion of his wealth he was still not sure if it would be enough to last the winter.

This was the cost of his freedom. To secure their lives as well as their family lines, members of the council would need to provide provisions, housing, and pay for the Elkian soldiers who would occupy Freeport until spring.

Looked at from the outside anyone would mistake the actions of these council members as selfish attempts to buy their safety. And while this was true to an extent, each member was genuinely concerned with the outcome of both Freeport and its people.

The world was rarely black and white and Isaac was not a heartless man. No matter how hard members of the council tried, no matter how much they were willing to sacrifice, the simple truth was there were going to be deaths. A massive amount of deaths.

“Lando, you look tired. Did everything go well last night?”

“Ah Isaac, yes, it was difficult but no barbarians were able to make it through the blockade to the grains house. The cured meats were also kept safe with the help of Elkian soldiers on my estate.”

“That’s good to hear. Despite limiting their movement and their numbers they were still able to do this much damage. The loss we’ve seen went well beyond what we had envisioned. Truly a tragedy.”

“Yes, so many deaths, do you still think we did the right thing Isaac?”

“It’s too late to question ourselves that now isn’t it? Well, the number of dead has exceeded our initial estimates but it still pales in comparison to the numbers who would have died of starvation and the barbarians as they migrated out of the city. What we have done is a terrible thing, we may have done it with the best of intentions but there is no way to wash away this stain. Even so, I would rather carry this mark then watch as the people slowly starve in our streets.”

“This burden is heavier than I thought it would be Isaac. I did not expect the barbarians to be so brutal. I’ve only ever read the reports, choosing to leave the investigations to others. But hearing those screams and seeing this carnage. It really beggars belief that such beasts are allowed to roam the same lands as humans. How can the gods let such atrocities go unpunished?”

“You do not carry this burden alone Lando, remember that. The sins here fall upon all of us, and in my heart, I believe we shall one day be judged and punished for them. Even still I would make the same decision every time. But take heart in one thing old friend. The gods may favor the barbarians, allowing them to rampage through the plains without consequence, but General Mason does not.”

“Isaac what are you saying? Has General Mason chosen to act?”

“It is true. Last night the barbarians proved what we already knew. They are beasts, worthless animals that have no long-term value to any civilized nation. Last night the barbarians terrorized and murdered future citizens of the Elkian Kingdom. It’s only right that Elkia makes an example of them and send a warning. No attacks on Elkian soil will go unpunished, and no attackers will be allowed to live.”

********

“Goodbye chief.”

As the colonel spoke those words with a grin Chief Kharel felt a sharp stab that traveled through his spine. Though the word’s “Goodbye chief” could be taken as a cordial gesture of goodbye, something told the chief the Colonels' words were merely a pretense to something far more nefarious.

Despite his physical superiority, Chief Kharel would not dare attack Colonel Dyer first. He knew very well that their chances of defeating the Elkian army were practically zero. Chief Kharel was not like many of his kind. If he could find a way to resolve the problems between his men and Elkia peacefully he would choose that option instead of waging war.

“Colonel, we have agreed to your terms and will be leaving shortly. It does not look like you came to see us off, so why have you come?”

“What you’ve said is true Chief. You and your men have agreed to our terms and they have indeed left the city with little to no fighting between us, for that you have my thanks.”

“Then is there a problem Colonel?”

“No Chief, no problem at all. You see actually I’m so happy I’m having a hard time containing my excitement.”

“Excitement? What do you mean by this Col-”

“Strike!”

Before the chief could react a massive mace slammed through the wagon to his left landing on his shoulder and causing him to tumble back on the ground before rolling to a stop almost 30 feet away.

With his vision impaired from the carriage cover, the chief did not see the ogre that had been ordered to stand beside the wagon and attack the chief when commanded to. With a hulking frame nearly 9 feet tall the ogre was a powerful beast capable of ripping a horse apart with its bare hands.

However, though not as strong as an ogre, Chief Kharel was considered powerful even amongst the most elite of the Northsmen. And standing over 7 feet tall and weighing almost 2 and a half times more than a normal man it was easy to see the giant blood that flowed through his veins.

One on one against an ogre most Northsmen would stand less than a 40% chance of victory. But with what he lacked in size and strength the chief more than made up for in skill. He had fought against ogres before and won. To a large extent, a single ogre was not an opponent that would cause fear in the chief. However, after standing back up and looking towards the east what he saw almost made his legs buckle.

A cloud of dust had formed and was headed directly towards them. The ground began to tremble and there was no doubt in his mind over what was causing the dust to rise up. Warbeasts. Though he could not tell how many there were, the chief knew it was a number they could not hope to stand against. His only chance at surviving this battle would be to retreat back north as quickly as possible.

To retreat. Just thinking about it causes a sense of shame to well up into the chief’s heart. Warriors of the expanse were taught to never retreat from a battle. It was a sign of great weakness and cowardice. To die on the battlefield was considered a great honor that would ensure your place alongside the gods in the sea of jewels.

But to retreat in the face of battle, one’s name would be forgotten from memory for all time and they would be forced to walk the planet, unable to reunite with their families and loved ones for eternity. To the Northsmen this eternal life was a fate worse than any other punishment conceivable.

This was what they were taught from the time they could walk. Ingrained in every aspect of their lives most would never think to even question it. And this was the cause of the shame Chief Kharel was now feeling.

Honor, pride, glory for the gods. Chief Kharel did not believe in any of it. If he had no choice but to fight to the death than he would, but if there was the chance for survival he would choose survival every time and live to fight again.

To live and continue to fight, this was just common sense to Chief Kharel. There was no way to survive an attack against warbeasts. To fight knowing you will die without even attempting to survive, as far as he was concerned it would be better off if he ended his own life.

With a plan beginning to form in his mind the chief reached behind his back and pulled out a massive steel blade that looked like a mixture of a battle axe and sword (Khopesh). His preferred weapon, the sword would normally be used in conjunction with a large shield, however, because he was caught by surprise Chief Kharel did not have his shield.

“Spread out! Attack!”

The Northsmen were confused by their commander’s orders at first, but when many saw the incoming dust cloud they quickly rushed to their horses and spread out in all directions, colliding with Elkian soldiers and captured slaves as they did.

A clash between Elkian warbeasts and Northsmen mounted on powerful war horses. Each man knew they stood no chance against a warbeast, however, despite that fact and the ability of war horses to outrun warbeasts, not a single man would dare flee.

Colonel Dyer slowly walked back in the direction of his own tent carefully observing the forming battle lines. Ogres, warbeasts, and men facing off against the warring tribes of the north. Today would be a bloody battle of annihilation.

A battle that would not end until every member of the warring tribes was dead. Although he was certain of his victory, he also knew the cost of life on his side would be enormous. Each ogre and warbeast represented a significant investment. This battle would be the costliest of his life.

“Colonel what should we do with the women and children?”

Thousands of women and children stood in line with vacant expressions. Any humanity they once held was stripped from them the moment they met the Northsmen.

“Kill them.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me Major. The ability to deny collusion with the Northern barbarians is paramount to our successful occupation of Freeport. We will place the blame fully on these animals and march into the city as heroes. We cannot risk having the truth of our collaboration spread through the masses.”

“But women and children…”

“Look at them Major, take a good look at them and tell me do you see people who wish to live? The women have been raped and the remaining boys castrated. Their minds are already amongst the dead with their bodies are sure to follow. For them to die by our hands is an act of kindness that would not be shown to them otherwise.”

“Sir, that might be true… but I worry about the impacts it may have on the men.”

“Then use ogres or warbeasts major. I’ll leave it to your discretion but I want it done properly.”

“I, I understand sir, I’ll take care of it immediately.”

“Good, I’ll be returning to camp to prepare, dismissed.”

As the colonel and major separated, Chief Kharel resumed his battle with the ogre that had attacked him. To a normal man an ogres skin was almost an impenetrable armor, but to Chief Kharel it offered only slightly more resistance than the flesh of a normal man. Using his agility and speed he took advantage of the ogre’s clumsy movements leaving deep gashes across his midsection and limbs.

The outcome of this match was clear to all that were present. To Chief Kharel victory against this ogre was never a question, however, this ogre was not his only opponent. Charging in his direction were 4 more ogres and several dozen men armed with pikes nearly 20 feet long.

No matter how confident he was in his abilities he was not delusional enough to believe he could defeat this number of foes single-handed. With his men spread out and distracted by the incoming warbeasts and ogres Chief Kharel would commit the most shameful act of his life. He would retreat.

After killing the ogre in front of him Chief Kharel sprinted to his mount and galloped away from the warbeasts in a westward direction. He would not stay to battle the warbeasts, but in his escape he would take the heads of as many Elkian soldiers as possible.

As Chief Kharel charged west the Northsmen prepared themselves one last time. For most of them, their greed and lust had been satiated the day before, one could say they would never be more ready to die and face their ancestors.

The previously smiling faces filled with laughter could no longer be found amongst the Northsmen. Their wild mannerisms from moments ago were now controlled as each of them equipped themselves with their weapons of choice including halberds, spears, swords, and axes.

No words were spoken. None were needed. Raised on the battlefields of the Northern Expanse any fears they may have felt were suppressed by their natural desires to fight. With one last check of their equipment the de facto leaders led the charge and with a loud battle cry impossible to confuse with a humans voice. The Northsmen charged forward towards their newest enemies.

Slamming into Elkian soldiers and spear walls the Northsmen would attempt to create chaos and blur the battlefield by making it difficult for the Elkian troops to force them into direct contact with the warbeasts. They would drag down as many enemies as possible.

With no fear of death they attacked ferociously and recklessly in all directions. Like an unstoppable storm they surged through the heart of the Elkian formations bringing a whirlwind of blood and gore. In physical prowess and aggressive savagery the Elkian soldiers were clearly outmatched.

But the momentum of this charge could only bring the Northsmen so far. Outnumbered nearly 5 to 1 the Elkian soldiers were like an untiring sea whose waves beat against the rocky cliffs until they crumbled. Under the unrelenting attacks leaving small wounds and gashes the Northsmen’s forward charge slowly turned into a crawl before halting completely.

The ground below their feet had long since turned to a red mud trapping soldiers and warriors alike as ogres rampaged through in a frenzy created by the blood mist they took in each time they breathed.

As the warbeasts drew nearer the chaos only intensified as none wished to be trampled beneath their massive feet or impaled by their sword-like tusks. The Elkian soldiers retreated and the Northsmen gave chase striking down as many as they could until finally, they arrived.

Ripping through the mass of bodies, the warbeasts stampeded through the crowd swinging their heads side to side in an attempt to sweep up as many fleeing bodies as possible. Their attacks were indiscriminate causing both soldiers and warriors to fall.

However, unlike the soldiers of Penrith, the warriors of the north attacked the beasts relentlessly, even bringing some of them to the ground by focusing on weighing down their heads and attacking their legs. Using power that far surpassed a normal man they were able to take advantage and slice through the softer underbellies of the beasts mortally wounding dozens of the monsters.

The foul stench of death soaked into the soil where it would likely remain for years to come. Despite the intense dislike he held for what he viewed as lower quality males they were still his people and watching the scene play out in front of him Chief Kharel couldn’t help but feel his stomach turn.

As he watched he could only think that perhaps this was divine justice brought upon his people by the gods as they were slaughtered in the same manner they had slaughtered the people of Freeport the night before.

Elkia had struck earlier than he anticipated. War between Elkia and the Expanse was on the horizon. He hated to admit it but it was not a war they could win. If his people were going to survive they would need help. But with no ties to any powers capable of taking on Elkia, who would he be able to turn to?

********

The stillness of the city tells me just how shocking the aftermath of last night must be. Those grieving their losses have become silent instead, perhaps deluding themselves into believing this is just a bad dream.

The depraved noises only ended when the rhythmic sounds of the collective march of Elkian soldiers neared. No lives were lost in the staged battle between forces in our streets. Many may already know the truth, but it’s hard to question your saviors and better to hide your doubts than risk execution.

“A few must perish so the majority can live.” This council I once served on who was sworn to protect the people could dare spout words such as those with no difficulty. But who determines who should live and who should die?

At the very least they were able to control their impulses to select who can live and who must die. Passing on the urge to deify themselves they instead left that to fate and the barbarians of the north. But how dare they call themselves more civilized than any of the beasts they criticize?

So many people lost their lives last night. None of them had to. If we were unable to support our population would it not have been better to give the people a chance at survival? Let them leave to Penrith, the Corinth Alliance, The Federation of Coastal States, or even Elkia itself. But to decide unilaterally that these people do not deserve the chance to live…, they’re worse than the barbarians.

“Alan, I’ve brought you something to eat.”

“Lady CeeCee, surely you did not only come to bring food. You haven’t come to free me from this cell by chance have you? Or have you instead come to deride my decision once more?”

Of all the people who could visit me, behind Randall she is the person I least want to see. My greatest ally on the council was actually a well-concealed dagger that was poised to strike out at a moment’s notice. How foolish I must have appeared to her.

“I am not here to free you, to mock you, or to attempt to change your mind Alan. The General has already made his decision and there is nothing any of us can do about it. You may think my reasons are disingenuous, but I really just wanted to see you one last time. You look, you remind me of him so –“

“Don’t you dare bring up my father to me! You think because you whored yourself to him you held some special place in his heart? Don’t make me laugh!”

Has she no shame!? To show her face for such a reason.

“Think what you may Alan, but your father and I loved each other from the time we were young. That never changed, even after his death. Had we not been the heads of our prospective houses we would have been wed. I know when I pass your father will be there waiting for me.”

“You speak nonsense. My father will never welcome you into his heart after what you have done. For your crimes the gods will punish you for eternity. You will never unite with your ancestors.”

“What we have done will undoubtedly be looked at as reprehensible to the majority of people. But they will never know how difficult it was for us to reach this decision nor will they know how horrific the alternatives were. No matter how many times I explain it to you, you will never accept it, so I will no longer try, but know that this plan you despise so much was fully accepted by the father you look so highly upon.”

“Why are you really here Lady CeeCee? Have you only come to tell me your nonsensical tales of love between you and my father? If so please do me one last kindness and leave me to my final moments in peace.”

“No, I came here for myself. Did you know you had an older sister Alan?”

What is she talking about now? More lies to play with me? To toy with me and make me suffer?

“There’s no need to look at me like that. It’s true. You had an older sister.”

“Why should I believe you? You’ve done nothing but lie to me. And in my situation why does it matter now?

“You know women are pregnant for almost 10 months Alan. Ten long months carrying life within you. And to me, those were the 10 happiest months of my life. She was born with her eyes wide open as if she could not wait to see the world. They were the brightest green eyes I had ever seen. All the happiness I had stored for that one moment finally burst out. Mine and your father’s first child. We both cried at how beautiful and precious she was. But life is not always so kind Alan. As the tears flowed down our faces we began to realize, we were the only ones who had cried.”

“Liar! My father never said anything to me about this, you may have slept with him but he would never have a child with you!”

“I rocked her in my arms for two days. Crying, singing, pretending to nurse her. My sweet Alexa, my beautiful baby girl, the one thing that will forever link your father and me together. Your older sister that you never met.”

“Why tell me this? Why tell me of a sister I had before I am going to die? Is there a reason for it?”

“A reason huh…? Perhaps, but it’s a selfish reason. Most people do not know this Alan but I never did have another child. My marriage was only for appearances after all. My son is not really my son. He was adopted shortly after Alexa passed and given the place of my heir so I could remain on the council. With your father I had Alexa, and although you are not my blood, I have always looked upon you as though you were my own. Even now I still want to protect you. You do not know how much it pains me to outlive another child.”

“Please stop, I don’t want to hear any more.”

“I do not blame you for hating me Alan. But there is no one who hates me more than myself. Perhaps I’m only telling you this in hopes I will feel better, but when you see your sister, when you see my Alexa, please tell her that her mother is sorry she was not able to be there for her as she grew up. Tell her she has always been in my heart, and tell her, tell her I will be coming to see her soon. Goodbye Alan.”

“Wait! Lady CeeCee wait! Get back here damnit! You don’t just get to say goodbye after that!”

Why is she telling me this as if it matters? Damn that selfish-! And my father! How could he hide this from me? From my mother? Why? Why would you tell me now? You should have told me sooner or never at all. To tell me this now, I don’t want this. Don’t tell me this.

Why are they doing this to me? Why is everyone doing this? Father, when I see you again, will you betray me as well? Is it not enough already, haven’t they already won? I’m sorry Grace. I should have told you to go with your mother, better yet I should not have married you.

Now because of me…, when we see each other again, when we meet once more on the other side, please Grace, please forgive me. If you can, please forgive me for killing you.