Garrison

Location: Temporary Encampment South of Fort Nora

Time: Y1503 / 26th day of the Wither Moon

A dozen strong unit of soldier was marching in the sea of grass weighed by heavy backpacks and carrying the banners of the Kingdom. It was a rainy day and marching in the muddy terrain was sapping the strength of the soldiers.

They were heading for the encampment that had been setup just south of Fort Nora.

"Leader! The garrison is in sight!" (Kei, Scout of the Twelfth Unit of the Kingdom)

The words of the scout brought relief and anxiety in equal measure in the hearts of the soldiers. The march was coming to an end. A bloody battle was inching closer and closer.

A few more minutes and the unit arrived at their destination.

The grass was mowed down in a fifty meters wide area. Soldiers were still working hard on the outside, excavating and consolidating a moat and raising a waist height artificial hill using the dirt. Behind the dirt wall, the newly made encampment.

The twelfth unit was heading for a gap in the wall guarded by two soldiers on the lookout with their spears readied.

"Halt! Identify yourself!" (Guard)

"At ease, comrade. I'm Turman, leader of the Twelfth Unit." (Leader Turman)

The leader, a Dark Skin man in his late thirties with black hair and brown eyes, showed the insignia of his unit. The guard confirmed it was genuine, than allowed the new arrivals inside.

"You may pass. Have your men ready their tents and report to the command tent." (Guard)

The unit marched inside the encampment, the leader in front and the men marching in rows of two. Past the walls there were rows upon rows of tents made from entwined grass blades.

The place was bursting with activity. One hundred soldiers were engaged in all sort of preparations. From weaving grass blades into sheets for the tents, to preparing food, sharpening weapons, repairing armors, raising tents and excavating and leveling the ground.

"Leave your equipment over there and help the others with the preparations." (Turman)

""Yes, Leader!"" (Twelfth Unit)

As the newly arrived soldiers deposited their heavy backpacks on the ground, the leader headed for a large tent in the middle of the encampment. Unlike the others which were green, the command tent was much larger and was covered by a red sheet.

"Leader. The others are already inside." (Guard B)

The guard stepped aside and Turman parted two red sheets as he entered the command tent. The inside was spacious, leaving about four meters of living space. It was day and the light filtering from the outside painted everything red.

Four leaders and a woman whose visage was hidden below a black cowl were standing around an unstable wooden table. On the table there was an hand drawn map, the leaders were planning their assault.

~and over there is the entrance to the dungeons. It's the only place I was unable to inspect and I assume it's there that we will find~ (Inquisitor Augure)

"Turman! Glad you made it, old friend. We were checking out the intel gathered by the church." (Gaston, Leader of the Third Unit of the Kingdom)

The elderly Dark Skin soldier lifted his eyes. He was clearly pleased to meet Turman. Gaston had long served the Kingdom and he was entrusted as the overall commander for the Fort Nora subjugation force.

"I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world, Gaston. Those bastards sacked my home village." *clench fist* (Turman)

Leonora's warband had pillaged many Dark Skin villages, leaving great misery in their quest to annihilate magi and those who helped them. Many soldiers there had lost a loved one to them and volunteered for this task. The enemy wouldn't find any sympathy from them.

"It's good to have you here." (Hedra, Leader of the Tenth Unit of the Kingdom)

Hedra was a Fair Skin woman in her thirties. She had red hair and brown eyes. She bore a visible scar on her face and was missing her right hand. A gift from bandits she subjugated many years ago.

"Let's leave pleasantries aside. What's the plan?" (Turman)

"If the reports of this lovely inquisitor are to be believed~ (Commander Hedra)

"You dare doubt the word of a servant of Gloria?" *glare* (Augure)

"I only trust myself, inquisitors. And only partially." (Hedra)

"Enough! Keep your heads in the game! You can bicker after the battle!" (Commander Gaston)

Needless to say, inquisitors and Kingdom's soldiers didn't see eye to eye many things. But today they had a common goal. They all lost something to the lowlives that took residence in the ruins of Fort Nora. It was in everybody's interest to work together.

"..." (Augure)

"This charming inquisitor claims to have scouted Fort Nora. The enemies we face are mostly grunts who deserted Leonora's main force. There are about one hundred of them left. They are weakened by hunger. They are unruly and demoralized. The inquisitor drew us a map of their patrolling routes and rough location of their forces." (Hedra)

"Something bothers me. If they are short in supplies, why don't they raid nearby Dark Skin villages like they usually do?" (Leader of the Thirteenth Unit, Bartolo)

Bartolo was a Fair Skin man in his late twenties, very young for a leader. Rumors are that he was once a son of a noble family that had to enroll in the military after being discarded by his family and that he only became leader thanks to his connections.

"I suspect that after losing their leadership, those cowards no longer have it in them to carry out raids anymore. Apparently they are trying to plant fields and hide in Fort Nora to rot." (Gaston)

"All of them? If I were there, I would take my chances and leave those losers to their fate as I try to get a new life in a village or a town." (Turman)

Turman made a fair point. What hold men in a pace where they had nor food nor a reason to stay?

"Oh, many tried! Believe me. My unit has been hunting down escapees in the sea of grass for a while. By the dozens. They were all scrawny and weak. I believe the inquisitor's report is accurate" (Gaston)

"Of course my intel is accurate! Gloria cannot allow those sinners to walk this earth!" (Augure)

The kingdom and the church had the same enemy, but their reasons to oppose them where as different as white was to black. The kingdom fought for revenge and loyalty. The inquisitor fought for faith.

"Uhm... If we wait, the problem might take care of itself. Discipline is hard to maintain on an empty stomach and they might kill each others off because of the hunger. Those must not have been the most loyal bunch to begin with." (Bartolo)

"No. We waited long enough. Their force is already cut to half, but the fewer they are, the easier it will be for them to feed themselves. They might actually become more troublesome if they can recover their strength. Tonight is our chance, the rain will mask our smell and hide our tracks. This ends tonight!" (Gaston)

The leaders looked each others in the eyes. They all agreed with their commander assessment of the situation.

"We have better things to do than wait out in this encampment. We still need to maintain the peace after all. We might as well end this." (Hedra)

"The Twelfth Unit stands by your side, old friend. My sword is yours." (Turman)

"Fine. We move out tonight. I'll tell my men to get some rest. What will your role be, inquisitor?" (Bartolo)

As an inquisitor, Augure was probably a powerful mage, and magi can be double edged swords in battle as most spells do not differentiate friend from foe.

Fighting as two separate entities only invited for friendly fire, but coordinating would be equally troublesome as the inquisitor might not answer to orders conflicting with her belief.

"Worry about directing your soldiers, leader. I will take care of the sinners my own way. I wont injure your charges." (Augure)

"Fine. I hold you to your words. And don't get in our way." *glare* (Bartolo)

"Likewise." (Augure)

"Enough! You all know what to do, so get to it! You are dismissed!" (Gaston)

Having come to an agreement, the inquisitor left for her tent, leaving the leaders to discuss the details of the assault.

A Crusade for War

Location: Fort Nora

Time: Y1503 / 26th day of the Wither Moon / Night

A thin Fair Skin man wearing a consumed leather doublet was patrolling a debris laid path near the outer boundaries of the fort while holding a torch.

[Damn it. That thief's meat barely filled my belly! I should take my chances and flee like the~ (Night Patrol)

*swish* *hit* (Arrow)

*fall* *splash* (Night Patrol)

The guard was unable to act upon his thought of escape as an arrow lodged in his right eye socket. His corpse fell backward in a pool of rainwater, unnoticed.

A partially standing roof was giving shelter to about a dozens of hungry souls.

The humidity was making them cold, sapping what little strength they had left. To try and stay warmer, the sleeping sacks were tightly packed together, and even than many couldn't sleep due to hunger.

[I hope another thief is found tomorrow. I never thought I'd eat a human, but right now I'd eat my own flesh. So. Hungry.] (Deserter)

*whisper* "Now." (Kingdom Soldier)

"Wha~ *slash* *gurgle* (Deserter)

The deserter felt a gaping wound opens on her throat. She wanted to scream, but only gurgling sounds came out. She turned on herself only to see several figures covered in mud busy with their knives, snuffing the lives of her comrades.

[It doesn't. Hurt. Anymore~ *exhale* (Deserter)

The deserter closed her eyes as she descended into slumber for the last time.

Near the core of the fortification, taller buildings were still standing despite gaping holes in their structure. The place had been built to last, and even with all that damage, towers were still holding up.

Atop the tallest standing tower there were four well fed sentries that were given the duty to keep watch. From up there, the whole fortification could be seen.

Those sentries were the trusted lieutenants of the self declared leader of the deserters and were given special access to food. At least some men had to be healthy to keep the others safe. It might have been just an excuse to give favor to the ones closest to him, but there was a sound reasoning behind it.

"Hey Jarfe, it's about time I take over." (Sentry Hamen)

"Thanks, Hamen. I can't see much anyway due the fog. What a shitty day. It's freaking cold, tonight." (Sentry Jarfe)

Both Erdi and Jarfe had previously hold the role of scouts when Leonora was still alive. While far from the best, they still knew what they were doing.

"This rain might be good, you know? The farmers says that we need some water to get the fields to grow up. Maybe we'll get better food~ (Hamen)

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* "Gha!" *fall* (Hamen)

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* "Wha~" *fall* *thump* (Jarfe)

Hamen who was standing near the edge was hit by an arrow in his throat. He fell down, coming to a crushing halt many tens of meters below. Jarfe was hit in the chest, falling to the floor.

The ruckus was enough to wake up several people nearby, including the sentries of the day shift that were soundly sleeping near them.

*wakes up* "... What's going on here?" (Sentry Erdi)

It took a few seconds for the still sleepy sentries to make sense of the sight before them. their friend and comrade, Jarfe friend was laying down with two arrows sticking from his chest.

"Jarfe?!? We are under attack!!!" (Erdi)

"Crap! The bells! Sound the bells!!" (Sentry Awen)

Erdi quickly ripped her sleeping sack, running toward the nearby bells. With all her strength, she pulled the chain, forcing the heavy metal to move.

A dreading hollow sound resounding in every corner of Fort Nora.

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* "Argh! I'm hit!" (Erdi)

Awen saw her friend get hit by two arrows in her right shoulder and right arm. her training kicked in, and she checked the arrows to understand the location of the enemies.

"The arrows came from the south! Let's hide behind~ (Awen)

Awen realized what the best hiding spot a beat too late. Another volley of arrows showered the exposed top floor of the ruined tower. One hit her head, ending her life.

*swish* *ping* *ding* (Arrows)

Erdi, the last standing sentry, rushed to an hiding spot, behind a partially destroyed inner wall facing south. She made it just in time, as the next volley hit only wood and stones.

[Damn it! They got all of them! I can't believe the enemy got this close already! What were our patrols doing?!?] (Erdi)

With the bells were now in motion, a deep dreading sound could be heard in every corner of Fort Nora. It would take a few more swings before the bells come to a stop. The sentry saw to their duty, albeit at great cost. The rest was up to the ground forces.

*groan* [My arm... Courses! I can only hope we can beat them back! I didn't survive the horrors brought by The Beast only to die in this forgotten pile of rubble!] (Erdi)

*far voice* "We are under attack!" (Deserter)

**screams**

Little by little, the men below were waking up. Screams and confused shouts could be heard in the distance. The enemy took them by surprise, and the forces below were in complete disarray, not knowing what to do.

*snap* *mmph* (Erdi)

Erdi snapped the arrow lodged in her arm, she dressed the wound the best she could. To have any hope of leaving Fort Nora alive, she would have to pull her weight and thin the enemy forces.

Erdi grabbed her bow, she flattened herself on the ground, wielding her bow sideways, aiming for a small opening at the base of the wall in front of her.

[Come on. Show yourselves, bastards! I'm not going to die! Not today!] (Erdi)

From the relative safety of the partially collapsed dungeons of the fort, the leader of the deserters along with his inner circle of well fed lieutenants were sleeping as the ominous sound of the bells broke the peace and quiet reigning there.

*dong* (Bells)

*yawn* "Bells... " (Deserters Leader Yordien)

*dong* (Bells)

"Bells?!? Wake up, idiot!!!" (Yordien)

It took a few seconds for the self declared leader of the deserters to realize the meaning of the sound he was hearing.

The sentries had sounded the bells. Enemies were attacking the fort.

*yawn* "What's going on?" (Lieutenant Karen)

"Don't you get it?!? We are under attack! Move out!" (Yordien)

The lieutenant realizing the gravity of the situation got out of the sleeping sack she shared with the leader. She dressed and followed after Yordien out of their private chambers.

A few minutes of preparation was all it took for the leader and his trusted lieutenants to get ready for battle

**screams**

Screams could be heard from outside the thick door that separated the entrance hall of the dungeons from the courtyard.

"They are getting slaughtered out there! We have to rally the men!" (Karen)

"Kasmir, you go first!" (Yordien)

After a few seconds of hesitation, Kasmir followed his orders and carefully opened the door, poking his head out.

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* *fall* (Kasmir)

Under the horrified eyes of the people around, a volley of arrows could be heard hitting the door. Three arrows found their way to Kasmir's exposed visage. He died on the spot. His face pushed the door closed as his corpse was being dragged down by gravity.

Yordien and the others flattened themselves on the walls beside the cursed door, unsure what to do next.

"Kasmir..." *sad look* (Karen)

"Yordien! Other tunnels have long collapsed! This is the only way out! What do we do?!? Those idiots outside are going to wander around like headless chickens unless we give them orders!" (Lieutenant Selfin)

"If we stay here we are done for!" (Lieutenant Vol)

The leader reflected on the action to be taken for a few long seconds. His men were dying left and right. Not that he really cared for them, but he needed them to at least put up some fight to buy time and allow him to escape.

"That door over there! Remove the joints! We'll use it like a shield!" (Yordien)

This was the best plan Yordien could come up with. Not seeing any alternatives, the lieutenants hurried to execute the leader's order. Seconds later, they had a makeshift shield in their hands.

"On my command, opens the door, Karen. Vol, you slide the door outside upright. Then we put the door sideways, and use it as cover to advance. Go!" (Yordien)

The lieutenants executed Yordien's to the letter, and seconds later they found themselves outside the door, defended by an heavy slab of wood, covering them from the incoming arrows.

*swish* *ping* *ping* (Arrows)

The door they were using as shield was made from solid wood and was almost two meters by one meter in size and ten centimeters thick. Long story short, it was really heavy. It took all the strength of four Dark Skins to lift it and advance. All while resisting the shower of arrows that were plummeting their makeshift shield from the front.

"Let's head toward the stables! Before they get to the sides!" (Yordien)

After a grueling slow advance, the group reached the stables on the corner of the inner courtyard. Several hungry deserters had the same idea, and were hiding behind the wooden barricades. The horses and the cattle were laying dead. The animals panicked and were killed either by arrows or by deserters trying to prevent the beasts from trampling them.

*swish* *thump* (Arrows)

"Ahhhhh!!!! We are all going to die!" (Deserter)

"Get a hold of yourself soldier!" *slap* (Yordien)

A nearby man was giving in to desperation, the leader struck him to bring him back to his senses?

"What do we do now, leader?" (Lieutenant Vol)

The men looked with hope at their leader. Yordien didn't have an answer, but he had to look like he had one. Yordien approached a small opening in the barricade and looked at the situation outside.

Several of his men were still alive, hiding behind makeshift protections like tables or rubble. The camp fire was still burning, lighting the area. High above them, from opening in the walls on the second and third level, the enemies could be seen pocking their head, drawing their bows, and taking free shots against his men.

"We are too much in a disadvantage here. We have to fall back to a defensible position, north of here." (Yordien)

From the top of the watch tower Erdi was looking north.

She could see soldiers from the Kingdom inching forward below her with bows and swords readied. She could see part of the courtyard, and there her leader with a small group of survivors, hiding in the barn.

[Yordien is alive! We still have a chance! I have to help him if I am to get out of this alive!] (Erdi)

*far voice* "Over there! Man that wall!" (Leader Bartolo)

*far voice* "Yes, leader!" (Soldier)

[They are going around to the east! With arrows from both sides Yordien and his men will be slaughtered! It's now or never!] (Erdi)

Erdi advanced while flattening herself to the ground and approached a crack in the wall near the bells, on the west side of the tower. From there she could see soldiers getting in position to shot at her only hope.

*groan* (Erdi)

Erdi drew her bow sideways with her bleeding arm. Enduring the pain, she aimed at the bowmen below, and let loose.

*swish* (Arrow)

*hit* "Argh! My leg!" (Bowman)

"Archer on the tower!" (Soldier)

"Take cover! Take that archer out! Now!!!" (Bartolo)

*swish* *ping* *ding* *swish* *ping* (Arrows)

Erdi cowered behind the cover of the wall as arrows started to fly toward her location from all directions.

[I hope this will be enough.] *cut rope* (Erdi)

Seeing the rope used to climb the tower tense up, Erdi unsheathed her knife and cut the line loose, leaving the climbing soldiers fall to their doom.

"Aaaahhhh!!!" *crush* (Soldier)

[This ought to buy some time. Whatever you mean to do, Yordien, do it now. I won't last long in here.] *curl* (Erdi)

"Take cover! Take that archer out! Now!!!" (Bartolo)

The intensity of the arrow shower suddenly waned as what sounded like an enemy leader gave order to aim elsewhere.

[My men are not as useless as I thought. We have a chance!] (Leader Yordien)

"Rush! Toward the northern gate! NOW!!!!" (Yordien)

Like sheeps, all of Yordien remaining charges rushed out of cover and made a run for the gates nearby.

*swish* (Arrows)

*groan* "My leg!" (Vol)

"Here! Lean on to my shoulder! We will make it!" (Karen)

Of course the enemy was not as dull as to reposition their whole forces for a single archer. Plently of bowmen were still taking free shots at the deserters in the courtyard. This was merely a moment of respite.

*run* (Yordien)

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* "Ahhhh!" (Deserter)

Yordien's men were dying left and right. It was a rout, it was everyone for himself.

*heavy breath* "Finally! Now close the gates!" (Yordien)

"Our man are still there" (Karen)

"It's an order!! Close the bloody gates!!!" (Yordien)

*swish* (Arrows)

*hit* "Yarghhh!" (Deserter)

"Don't clo~" *hit* *fall* (Deserter)

With an heavy heart, the survivors pushed the doors of the heavy gate, shutting it close. A wooden bar was lowered, sealing it.

*close* (Gate)

*thump* *thump* (Arrows)

**screams** (Deserters)

The leader looked around. They were now safe behind a solid gate, they had a standing walls at their sides and even a roof on top of their heads. This section of the fort was the least damaged. For now they were safe.

The good news ended there.

Yordien's losses had been catastrophic so far. Counting him, only seven made it past the gates. It was safe to assume that every men south of their position was dead or dying. Two of his lieutenants died as well.

"The southern sections of the fort has been overrun. We should have at least thirty men left north of here. Let's regroup with them." (Yordien)

"How many enemies do you think there are?" (Karen)

"Probably only a couple of dozens. They had the advantage of ranged weapons and high ground. We can take them easily with our numbers in a fair fight. We know the layout of the fort like the back of our hands, after all." (Yordien)

The tired, hungry survivors were desperate to believe in any good news and took relief in the confident and hopeful words uttered by their leader.

The lieutenants knew that they had no hope in a fair fight. Yordien's plan obviously was to to ditch them and escape alongside them.

"Let's go. We have not time to spare." (Yordien)

"Here, let me help you out, Vol." (Karen)

"Thank you, karen. I knew you wouldn't~ *slash* *gurgle* (Vol)

Without saying a word, Yordien headed toward his lieutenant, unsheathed his knife and slashed Vol's throat. His blood sprinkled from the wound splattering in Karen's face.

"Wha~ (Karen)

"He was only going to slow us down. Let's go." (Yordien)

Without looking back, the leader marched forward toward the next gate. Karen was shocked by what just happened, but Yordien had weighted the value of Vol, and decided that he was more of a liability with his leg out of commission.

Yordien's mind was now on rallying the men that could be used as fodder and buy him the time he needed to run toward the Black Mountains.

[I hope Karen can make it. I can use her company after such a disastrous day.] (Yordien)

Yordien had an escape plan all along. Back then, he sent many scouts to their death before one returned with the location of an empty cave at the root of the black Mountain range that could be used.

Yordien had killed the scout to keep the secret, and he made several journeys there to stash food and riches. Nobody would dare follow him in the Black Mountains. His escape plan was foolproof. He only needed to get there, and he was ready to sacrifice as many pawns as he needed to get there.

*groan* (Yordien)

*opens* (Gates)

Yordien opened the gates to the next room. The place was in shambles, much like the rest of the fort. After him, an handful of wary men and a his last living lieutenant followed.

[Where is everyone? Don't tell me those cowards have already escaped?] (Yordien)

Yordien and his group walked forward for about thirty meters. No sign of life could be seen around them, and even the screams from behind were becoming rarer. The battle was coming to an end.

"We don't have much time. Let's press forward!" (Yordien)

"Not so fast." (Leader Hedra)

As the deserters left the protection of the last standing roof over their head, a Fair Skin woman donning a sturdy looking armor muddied with dirt for camouflage, emerged from behind a partially destroyed pillar.

"If you let me live, I can make you rich. The pay of a Leader is not much in the Kingdom, right?" *smile* (Yordien)

Had the enemy been alone, Yordien was confident they could make it. But that would be a fool's hope, there are surely bowmen laying in wait. Buying his way out of this was his best bet.

"Really? What a lowlife like you can possibly have?" (Hedra)

"I know the secret locations where Leonora stored our spoils. I'll give them to you if you give me protections." (Yordien)

"Interesting. Those secret locations of yours... Is perhaps my beloved Roselfin there? Or perhaps that's were you stored the lives you took from the village of Sadalfon? My home." (Leader Turman)

From behind another broken pillar, a similarly camouflaged Dark Skin men came out.

[Dammit! How unlucky strikes can I get in a single day?!? That man lost someone! Striking a deal with him will be that much harder. Uhm... Perhaps, if I offer him life for life~ (Yordien)

"Take my men! I don't care about their lives! I know secrets! Just let me live and I'll give it all to you! I swear!" (Yordien)

"Yordien! You~ (Karen)

"Leader! You betrayed us!!!" (Deserter)

*fall on knees* *cry* (Deserter)

*slam* (Gates)

Having his pawns lose hope was predictable, but the sounds of the gate closing was a bad omen. Looking back, six kingdom soldiers camouflaged with dirt and mud could be seen barring the way with their swords unsheathed and shield readied.

"Please. Let's be reasonable here. I'm more valuable alive then dead to you, am I not? What excuse will you give to your superior when~ (Yordien)

"Traitor... Traitor!!!" (Deserter)

This was too much for the tired, hungry and now betrayed deserters that made up Yordien's sorry excuse for a warband. One after the other, five grunts lounged forward in blind rage against their leader.

The first took Yordien by surprise and stuck his knife in his leader's back while he was negotiating with what he believed was the more immediate threat.

"AAAARGHH! YOU!?!" (Yordien)

Feeling a fit of pain, Yordien turned and with a clean sweep he unsheathed his sword and decapitated the frail soldier barely standing behind him.

**war cry** (Deserters)

One after the other, Yordien side stepped the grunts' slow, weak and telegraphed attacks. He then cut them down with his short sword, one after the other. In their weakened state they were no match for the well fed and experienced Yordien. For all his faults, he was still a skilled warrior, Leonora had trained him well.

*groan* *kneel* *heavy breath* (Yordien)

With the imminent threat taken care of, Yordien fell to his knees, bleeding profusely from the knife wound on his back.

"Nothing can bring my beloved, my family and my people back, but seeing you being taken care of by the men you betrayed do give me some solace. It makes me feel that there is justice in the world, after all. Hedra? May I have the honor?" (Turman)

"... So be it. Avenge your family, Turman." (Hedra)

Dozens of soldiers of the Kingdom emerged from their hiding spot behind columns and rubble all around as Turman ominously closed in to the enemy leader.

Panicking, Yordien turned to his surviving lieutenant.

*groan* "Karen! You have to help me! Move!!! FIGHT!!!" (Yordien)

Karen, who was kneeling on the ground with tears drying on her cheeks, looked at Yordien with empty eyes. It was like the ordeal had drained her of all emotions.

"I was a fool for falling in love with you. We were all fools." (Karen)

Yordien turned just in time to see a glimpse of Turman's blade swinging toward him.

*swing* (Turman's Sword)

*cut* *flies* (Yordien's severed head)

Yordien felt a fit of pain, then nothing.

He was confused by what was happening. The world around him was swinging wildly. He was trying to move, but his limbs weren't' responding. It was like they weren't there at all.

He realized his head has been cut off only moments before hitting the ground, causing him to finally lose consciousness.

"There is still one left. What do we do with her?" (Hedra)

Yordien's last living lieutenant was kneeling with her eyes barred open, without even blinking.

"It doesn't look like she can fight back. Let's take her prisoner, for now. We'll decide what to do with her after the interrogation. If she survives that long." *sheathe sword* (Turman)

"I agree. Men! Take her prisoner! Sweep the Fort and kill the rest!" (Hedra)

""Yes, leader!"" (Soldiers)

Escapees

Location: Fort Nora

Time: Y1503 / 26th day of the Wither Moon / Night

*heavy breath* (Deserter Salkrat)

Salkrat was paroling the northern borders of Fort Nora when he heard scream raising from the south. Without thinking twice, he dropped his weapon and fled his post.

He has been running ever since. It's the second time he betrays his comrades, but unlike them he lives. Cowardice has its merits.

*fall on knees* *heavy breath* [I can't... one more step.] (Salkrat)

Without any more breath in him, Salkrat fell to his knees, surrounded by the blades of grass waving under the gentle breeze that was caressing them.

[Damn it. My sight is going black. I don't have the strength. What now?] *pant* *pant* (Salkrat)

Salkrat looked around. He was trying to get his bearings. Many tried to escape, but their fate is known only by them. He has be cut off from the world inside those ruins.

Should he find a Dark Skin village in the plain? Or maybe go to a big city and disguise himself in the crowd?

*gurgle* [My stomach... I need to eat something. Anything. I'm not going to get anywhere like this. Maybe I should trace back my steps and~ (Salkrat)

*swish* (Knife)

*gurgle* (Salkrat)

The deserter felt the sharp pain of a wound opening in his neck. Desperately he held his throat, trying to prevent his precious blood from escaping.

Regaining a glimpse of conscience in his panic, Salkrat tried to understand what was going on, but he couldn't see anything around him, until a gush of his own blood sprinkled from between his fingers.

Salkrat was astonished when the red droplets did not fall on the ground, but instead splattered over thin air as an invisible veil was being painted red. The red slowly fade away, leaving nothing but nothingness again.

Than, that nothingness spoke.

"Your sins runs too deep. You cannot be allowed to walk the world the Gifted One is going to remake in Gloria's image. But fear not. Gloria will still welcome your wretched soul in her warm embrace. A kindness you do not deserve." (Inquisitor Augure)

*gurgle* (Salkrat)

Salkrat's slashed throat would not allow him to speak his plea for mercy to the invisible force that cut him down.

As colors fade away from the world. He felt a faint sensation of his body falling to the ground, and, with the his last embers of consciousness he could hear steps of someone walking away.