Trevor was kneeling in front of his king, Telras the Second. He was loyal to the human king, who had done so much for humans. Not only had he rallied all of the factions and nobles under his banner, but he had protected them from all manners of threats. He knew his king held no ill will towards other species, but incidents had cropped up and the relations with other species had deteriorated to a critical point. Something his king had wanted to avoid. But alas, even he was not all powerful.

“Raise your head Trevor. No need for formalities between us.” The king said, gesturing for Trevor to stand.

“As you will it, my King.” He responded, standing up to face his King.

“What news do you bring me my steward.” The king said with his booming voice.

“There has been another incident on the western border my liege. The beastkin claim one of their villages was attacked by humans, and tried to respond in kind. One of our villages was under attack, but they didn’t manage to get in, however several peasants working the land have fallen to their folly.” He responded with a grave tone.

“A tragic misunderstanding. However, we cannot show weakness, send some troops to reinforce the border. They are not to attack, however. Make that clear to them. We cannot afford to split our forces too thin, and they are to calm down the situation. Also, investigate their claims, if some of our own did attack, we need to know.”

“Yes, my lord.” He bowed his head and strode out of the throne room. There were several people waiting outside, and he pointed to one of them.

“You, get a message to the general, tell him we need some troops to move to the western border, a company should be enough.” The person nodded and ran off.

Trevor continued and went a small room. Someone was waiting on him there.

“Ah, do you have any news for me?” He asked a man. His features were hidden by a hood, and he stood in the less illuminated part of the room.

“I do have some news. Rather strange too.” He gave him a small scroll. He took it and unfurled it. His brows furrowed the more he read.

“Are you sure about this information? It seems highly unlikely.” He said as he burned the scroll with a candle.

“I was surprised myself, and double-checked it. It was confirmed from several sources.” The man said.

“Do you have any spies close by?” Trevor asked, brows furrowed.

“No, it is far into reptile lands. I did not see any reason to station anyone so far from our borders. I dispatched some agents, and they should arrive in a few days.” The man’s tone was neutral, betraying nothing.

“Good. Keep me updated.” Trevor strode out, the room was already empty before he was out.

This was strange news indeed. Humans in reptile territory, on the elves side too. It was on the far opposite side of them. How had they even gone so far. Who would even go there? And why? Didn’t they know how dangerous it was?

The reptiles wouldn’t let this stand, he knew. They hated humans, that much was clear. He would know more soon enough. He had a lot more things to handle after all, and it soon was forgotten, for now.

Trevor’s day continued, as it did most days, consulting with different people, trying to gather information, but also to make sure the people had enough work and food. It befell him to manage the kingdom. King Telras was a good man, and a good King, but he was the King’s hands, metaphorically speaking. He had served his father, and his hair was graying now. But he was proud to serve his King. Telras, Protector of mankind.

It was sometime later, when he was in the mage guild, a man came up with a small scroll, gave it to him before running away on his next errand. As he read it, he slowly started grinding his teeth. Those snakes! He excused himself from his host, and quickly made way towards the castle.

He walked into the throne room, a Noble was standing in front of the king, and turned to look at him, a look of disgust in his eyes, at the interruption.

“I bring urgent news my lord.” He said, bowing.

“It seems we will have to pick up this discussion at a later date, lord Haine.” The king spoke out.

“As you wish, my King.” He bowed slightly, before walking out, while glaring daggers at him.

The doors closed, and he stood back up.

“We have received some strange news, my lord. Humans have settled on reptile land’s, on the border of the elvish forest. A company of reptiles have been sent by the local lord to eradicate them. He sees this as a direct attack.” Even his King couldn’t help but look surprised at these news.

“Humans in reptile lands? How did this happen?” He paused.

“No matter. We need to save them, to bring them home. You will take the first company and two greater teleport scrolls, avoid bloodshed if you can, but bring them home.” His King ordered.

“Forgive me my King, but we cannot make more of those scrolls. Is it wise to use them now? We do not know why those humans have gone there. Using them now...” He replied, unsure.

“I am the protector of Mankind, and I will not stand by while our fellow men are being threatened. However, it is unwise to antagonize the Reptiles more, and as such, I order you to avoid bloodshed, if possible, and simply take them home.” His tone was final, and Trevor was once again struck by his King’s generosity. He did not hesitate to use such rare and valuable scrolls for his people.

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General Carter was sitting in his command when an urgent message appeared. He quickly left the room, towards the portal. He sent out a message to his sergeants stationed here to get ready. They had installed barracks around the portal, and some five hundred men were ready to defend their home at all times. They could always shut down the portal if they needed to, but it was weakening their position to give up their foothold.

He had been happy to see the soldiers training in firearms. The weapons were still fairly old, but one step at a time.

He marched through the portal, men saluting him on the way. Soon he was on the other side, and someone came up to him and saluted.

“At ease. Report.” he said, looking at all the soldiers running to their positions around them.

“We have spotted a human army coming our way sir. About two thousand men.” The man said.

“Do we have a live visual on them?” He asked.

“Yes sir. One of the high altitude drones is on it.” Someone else said as they brought up a holoscreen, showing an army clad in golden armor. It was mostly cavalry.

“Bring Kepler and Zosk here. Now.” He said to someone else standing by.

The army was still fairly far. An hour away at least. They continued to surveil them, and soon, Kepler and the reptile was there. The general wasn’t too happy about letting the reptile go, but they had taken enough measures, and it would grant them some goodwill in the future. And right now, it did help to have someone from this world.

As soon as Zosk saw the army, he seemed shocked.

“Out with it. Who are they?” The general snapped in that primitive language it used. They all had translation software installed by now.

“That is the human King’s first company, sir.” Seeing no one seemed to know what that meant, he continued.

“That is one of his elite troops sir. They are fearsome on the battlefield. Everyone is higher than level twenty. I have never seen them, but that golden armor, you hear tales.” He continued.

“And why would they come here. You told us the humans lived very far from here. How can they be here?” He asked.

“I do not know that. Maybe if they used a greater teleportation spell, but that shouldn’t be possible.” The lizard replied, unhelpful. Hopefully he would be more useful later. A waste of resources is what it was right now.

“Raise the outer wall, and get the men in position. Bring out my personal mech. Let's show these primitives what real technology looks like.” He said in English, most of the soldiers smiled at that.

Around the dome, a small wall of about one and a half meters slowly rose. There were small holes that had been added for firearms. On top of the dome, a rail gun had been installed on the generals orders. Some people hadn’t been happy with the aggressive display, but it didn’t matter. Soon his foresight would be recognized. Already, war was looming.

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Trevor Griff was riding at the head of the column. The exact location of the human camp hadn’t been given, but they should be close by now. A scout came back and told him he had found the camp. The column of riders soon swerved to correct their course.

Several minutes later, they could all see a dome in the distance. A small wall with humans behind them could also be seen. More than on the reports he had read. He just hoped there weren’t too many to take back. Even a greater teleportation scroll had limits.

As they came closer, he could see that the humans were pointing weird things at them. A voice boomed out, from nowhere and everywhere.

“Halt! State your business.” The voice said in a weird accent.

“I am Trevor Griff, and I come in the name of King Telras the Protector! We have come to take you back home to human lands.” He shouted, using a skill, [Loud voice].

“Why have you brought an army?” The voice asked.

“It is simply to protect you. The reptiles have an army on the way, and they don’t intend to let you live.” He responded.

“That is for us to handle. Go back to your king.” To your king? Had he dared?

“King Telras is your King as well! How dare you slander his name. Show yourself!” The nerves of the man. The King was King of all mankind. Trevor was fuming atop his horse. The Kings generosity was wasted on these people.

A man in strange clothes, walked out of the small fortress.

“We are not his subjects, we are Martians, from a faraway land. Now leave us in peace.” Clearly, the man barely meant it. He could see the glint of blood thirst coming from him. He would gladly fight them. Madness is what it was. If humans were divided, what hope did they have against the other species? Humans were weaker physically, their only strength, the union of their forces.

“His Highness generosity knows no bounds, even for you, he would fight. As such, we offer to help you against the Reptilian army coming your way.” He gritted his teeth. If it were up to him, he would have left them to die, as they deserved, but he represented his King right now.

“No, you are to vacate the premises right now. We do not need your help. Begone.” The infuriating man said, and walked behind his walls.

Before he could respond, a deep and rhythmic rumble could be heard in the distance. The telltale sound of an army marching. And soon, they could see an army on the horizon, looming over them. They were more than the report had said. Over ten thousand from the looks of things. It would be a tough fight, but they would prevail. They had been entrusted this task by their King, long may he live.