"Lord Damian, prince Aedrik and a large escort are coming for the estate" Laurent the guard at the gate, entered the lounge, with a worried look on his face.

"Let them in" lord Damian got to his feet quickly, the habitants of the estate had stayed at the lounge discussing the wedding preparations. It had been just an hour since Aedrik and Pan, had left to accompany Mrs. Ferlin, the royal duke, and his wife, had left shortly after.

"The orcs must be moving" Luka said as he stood up as his father had, Frey grabbed the ring on her hand, Aedrik heartbeat was calm, and it soothed her "We should go to the study, we have the maps there" both men went to the study and after a moment of hesitation, Frey, René, and lady Margaux went as well. Noelle, Lea, Anne, and Danielle wanted to go but the space was too small, they decided to wait the reception hall, that way they would know what was happening, they were too nervous for anything else, Danielle had gone pale.

The door opened, Laurent let, Aedrik and Siv inside the reception hall, both were calm, but Aedrik was focused, serious.

"They are in the study already" Noelle said to Aedrik, he nodded and paused as he looked at Danielle.

"Don’t worry Danielle, there is orc movement but too far from the Beaumont dukedom, the eastern army, is going to depart at morning, and met the, before they can get any closer to the border” Danielle looked at Aedrik and gave him a small nod, he and Siv went inside the study.

Lord Damian and Luka were inspecting the references they had placed at the map when Aedrik and Siv got inside. Lady Margaux and René were sitting at the end of the study, Frey was waiting at the door, she turned when they entered, and calm as Aedrik smile appeared as he saw her.

"Good evening, I am sorry to have come back like this, but as you might have expected, I just received a report, the orcs are moving" Aedrik said as soon, as he and Siv had gone inside the Study.

"What is the situation? How much has it changed from what you told us yesterday" Lord Damian asked.

"The general distribution has not changed, but as we expected, the large group that has been taking on smaller tribes, has already considered itself a raiding party, and had started moving northwest, towards the Beaumont border” Frey felt a knot in her stomach, her father and Luka just nodded, they all knew this was the most likely action for the large group “The large group, will most likely try to take over as many tribes as it can before reaching the border, that will give us week perhaps more to prepare” as Aedrik explained he pointed a the map, and started moving the little wooden blocks they had placed on the map for representation.

“That is good, we might have enough time” Luka said more composed, a week was not much time, but they had been already aware of what was going o happen, they had already started preparing, they had enough time.

“What else changed?” Lord Damian guessed there was more for Aedrik’s expression.

“A smaller group took over two tribes and are marching straight for Kozâ, a small town at the imperial border” Aedrik pointed at a small town a little bit south from Svet Cilar, the border fortress. Frey noted Luka and her father had arranged some green pieces of wood, which represent the orcs, Aedrik was arranging the pieces to match the current situation

"The largest group is advancing for Landris" he pointed at a border town inside the Beaumont territory “I’ve already ordered the eastern imperial army to move into a coalition course with the large group of orcs, we should be able to reach them in about 4 or 5 days, around this area” he pushed the pieces representing the empire, from Svet Cilar, as they would traverse the warring hills, and meet the orcs at a forest.

"What about the smaller raid heading to Kozâ, when they will reach it?" Frey interrupted, the empire was going to march its army, when there a raid on them, something was strange about it, she looked at Aedrik, and felt nervous.

"They smaller raid should arrive at Kozâ in a few hours" everyone in the room went pale "I am going to see the defense of Kozâ, before I came with the delegation I supervised and rearranged the defenses at the border, we are already evacuating the people, the defense is set”

Frey felt the knot on her stomach tightening up, he said he was going to see the defense of Kozâ…

“It is a small raid Frey, don’t worry. Otherwise, I would have mobilized the forces at Svet Cilar, the defenses are enough for it, I have to go because I am the acting commander of the eastern imperial army, once the smaller raid has been dealt with, I will link with the army marching on the way to Landris” Aedrik came closer to Frey, he gently took her hand, never taking his eyes of her, she simply nodded.

"As soon as I got the report, I came to notify you first, we have things to prepare” Aedrik, addresses the rest as he saw Frey had calm down “We need to inform the Beaumonts of this, and I need to way to establish communications with them, we need to coordinate how are our advance on the large orc group, we still have scouts tailing them, and we can act accordingly. Pan, will be moving with the army, he will be the link on our part”

"Percy, went by horse, we did not think the orcs would move so fast, he was going to prepare some supplies, but it will take him 3 or 4 days to arrive, and Rowan can be stubborn, that is why Percy wanted to go sooner" lord Damian commented worryingly.

"I will, ask the Palace to help me teleport to Levale Mont, I will be the liaison with you that way" as Luka said it, Frey saw René worried face, Frey was at a loss. They had all talked about the orc campaign, but it had not been real, and this was too sudden. Aedrik took a small marble from his bag of holding, it was a location marker, usually used by mages.

"Thank you, Luka, Pan has the other one, that way, we can send messages with you" Aedrik said as he handed the marble to Luka, lord Damian, was frowning but this was the best action.

"If the orcs keep their direction, we might be able to surround there here " Aedrik was pointing at the map, they were going in a straight line for Beaumont, almost accompanying the orcs "We should be able to ambush them here" he pointed at a place where the mountain forest and plains converge.

"You want to draw them on your forces, so our knights may flank them" lord Damian quickly noted Aedrik's intention, it was a good plan, and it would little chance for the orcs to retreat, but it would mean the complete charge of the orcs on the Empire forces.

"That is the plan, it is simple, I know, but simple is better as this is the first time, both our forces are working together" Aedrik explained, Frey saw that the Empire forces, would have no place to retreat, they were exposing themselves.

"Aedrik, the Empire forces are going to be in a bad spot…" Luka began

"We are allies, an act of faith, is usually what’s needed, I trust you. We will hold until you can flank them" Aedrik interrupted "If we all agreed, I need to get back to the palace to let the king know, I will teleport from there to Kozâ, Pan will go to Svet Cilar as well" Frey felt something was wrong, if Aedrik scouts had been following the orc movement, they should have more time to prevent the attack on Kozâ at least, as much as Landris was having.

"Why the sudden change in the movement?" Frey asked without realizing she had done it out loud "It does not make sense" both Luka and lord Damian turned to her and nodded, they were thinking the same, Aedrik sighed.

"There is someone or something pushing the orcs, I do not know who, our why, but they want to see our alliance fail. The orc raid on Kozâ is just a part of a larger group, it took some time before the scout noticed the change in numbers. This happened, after I presented this information on the war talks" Aedrik said with a lone tone, but that would mean...

"You are implying there is a traitor in the noble high council?" Lord Damian asked in a cold voice

"I am not, lord Damian, we were very open about the information in the strategy meeting, I for one don't like making assumptions or hearsays, dangerous one's in particular. I am certain there is someone who is using the information, it could be someone who asked another lord, I would not recommend pointing fingers, but this proves, there is something happening, and perhaps with this, we won't be frown at if we handle information with more care, without someone pointing at us, and accusing us of conspiracy" Lord Damian was surprised, Luka was as well, but Frey had understood Aedrik a bit more. He had told her, he felt something was off, and in a way, he was hunting for it, but by marrying her, she had placed the Lunebleau house in a difficult position, but now, they had arguments, to call for more secrecy.

"We should inform the royal duke, I think he is more sensible with this kind of information, do you agree Aedrik?" Luka asked

"Indeed, he is more open and sensible, than the king. I trust you Luka, I will be open about what is happening, and I'll let you, talk with him, whoever is moving the orcs, he wishes to harm the alliance" Aedrik replied, lord Damian nodded.

"I will accompany you both to the palace, I will send a message to Rowan as well, I will have some of our man began moving as reinforcements" lord Damian said, and they all had agreed. Frey glanced at her brother and mother. Luka went towards René, she was pale, but she showed a stoic face, Frey turned towards Aedrik, he was taking something else from his bag of holding, a piece of hardwood.

"Frey, I am sorry, I have to go, my people need me " He paused, and Frey was already next to him "This is a two way fey board, whatever you write on top of it, will appear on the other half" Frey nodded, Aedrik had the other half, that way they could be able to send messages for each other, that was a relief, for that was what she wanted to most "You will need to place mana for it to send the message, there was a solar stone in the bag I gave you, it should have enough mana to send the message, and it would only need half a day for it to charge again" Frey recalled the small rock with runes inside her bag of holding.

As they were talking, Luka had gone with René to grab somethings for his room, Lady Margaux had come next to her husband, and left the study leaving, Aedrik, Frey and Siv alone inside.

"I have wanted to talk about this before, but there has not been a chance" Aedrik continued "Siv, wishes to become your keeper" Frey turned towards the northern woman, she was looking at Frey as well.

"I am sorry, we have not had the opportunity to meet, lady Frey" Siv gave her the bow Aedrik, had done when they talked at the library "I would like to be your keeper"

"My keeper?" Frey asked confused.

"It is a personal guard, like and appointed knight, but is a term for a norkrieger. With was had happened, I am certain there are other players on the board Frey, I know, the man at arms from house Lunebleau are formidable, but Siv wanted to become your keeper, and to tell you the truth, I would incredibly more relieved that way"

"But who will look after you?" Frey asked confused, if what Pan had said was true, Siv was one of his elite guards, Aedrik smiled, and Siv laughed.

"I knew, I would like you lady Frey, but rest assure, Aedrik will be safe, he has a formidable elite guard, even without taking in account his abilities, and lord Pan, will be with him as well" Siv answered, and Frey was surprised to hear Pan as responsible, she hesitated for a moment, but Aedrik eyes were almost pleading.

"I… ok, thank lady Siv, is there a vow or something we have to make?" Frey asked, if it was a knight, he would have to vow to serve her. Siv knelt immediately.

"By my liberty as a norkrieger, I, Siv Svenson, hereby will be a norkrieger no longer, but a keeper. May my ancestors hear my pledge, and witness my oath, from today onwards, lady Frey Lunebleau, will be in my keep, to the best of my ability and until death takes me" Siv said with a calm tone

"I Aedrik Lachdanan le Fay, had witnessed this oath, Siv Svenson, and see you honor it" Aedrik smiled and turned towards Frey "Do you accept the oath, lady Frey Lunebleau.

"I do" Frey asked not knowing what else to say.

"With that the oath is complete, I have been witnessed to it, and remind you lady Frey, that from this moment onwards, Siv Svenson is your keeper, and as her master, it is your obligation to look for her, and honor her oath" after he finished speaking, Siv stood up.

"Thank you, Siv" Aedrik gave a different bow to Siv, and she just smiled.

"We are ready Aedrik" from outside the room, Luka's voice came. Aedrik turned towards Frey.

"I will sent you a message as soon, as I have seen the defense of Kozâ" Frey heart was beating faster again "Do not worry Frey, nothing will keep me from marrying you" He leaned in and kissed her. It was the longest kiss they had share, and Frey, tried to convey what she felt with the kiss "I love you Frey" that was all Aedrik said, and Frey could feel it.

Aedrik, Frey and Siv, opened the door from the study. The Lunebleaus were waiting, even Lady Liliane and Ide had come down to fare them goodbye.

"If we are all ready, we should go, time is of the essence" Aedrik told lord Damian, and Luka, they both nodded "Please take care of my fiancée, don´t let her go alone to the library" Aedrik said smiling, Frey blushed. The entrance hall was left, with the women, looking at the men departing.

------------------------------------------------------------

The orcs were coming, everyone was aware of it, they had enlisted and trained to face them, but now they were about to face them. Jaksa felt his body dull, numb, his hands were sweating. The small town of Kozâ had already been evacuated, some of the men had wanted to stay and defend it, the leader of their battalion, had accepted them, but they were placed behind the army, behind the new recruits, behind him.

The leader of the battalion was a northern man, master Gunther Frau, he had come with prince Aedrik, to reinforce Svet Cilar, but he was also given the task of preparing the newest recruits. They were meant to become a heavy infantry unit, like the ones the north used, he was going to train them on how to kill orcs, in a more efficient way, according to master Gunter.

The northern man had only trained the new recruits for two weeks, but everyone felt confident the man knew what he was doing. Master Gunther was an older man, over fifty, he was bald and a had thick and yellowish beard that covered his neck. He had an average size, but he was broad and strong.

For two weeks, he had trained them to move together, cover each other, and attack as a group. Orcs were naturally stronger and more resilient than men, most were larger and more driven, ‘brutal, mean, and crooked teeth mother fuckers’ in master Gunther words. Most of the new recruits came form different trades and jobs, no one had any knight training, most of them had never lifted a weapon before a month ago, when they had enlisted. He was a farmhand; he did hesitate to enlist after the last orc raid.

Many of the recruits, himself included were worried they had would have to little time, but master Gunther had no trouble teaching them all. They were trained in using spear, each one of them had been given two, one was really long, the other was short, and a shield. ‘Don’t worry if you have never wielded a weapon before, that is the beauty of the spear, you only have to place the pointy end of it on your enemy, you do that, and you get back home to your mothers’, it was a half-truth.

Since orcs were mostly larger and stronger, they needed to stab them before they could cleave you in half. The shields were meant to protect them, they worked if everyone stood their ground, the long spears did not need to be thrusted, orcs helped with that, according to master Gunther. If your long spear was broken, you would stab them with the shorter one, a simple plan.

Master Gunther was adamant in the importance of working together, ‘If an orc finds you alone, not even your mother will be able to recognize your ugly faces. You stab them with the pointy ends, as far from them as possible, and as many of you as possible, and cover your asses, behind the decent shields the empire has given you’. The empire taking over Faerun, had not meant much for him, as first, but things were changing.

It had been a mix reception, some were happy, others had a very bad opinion of the empire, for him it had not made much difference, but master Gunther truly believed in the empire ‘You are about the become, men of the empire, stand straight and look alive, after your first battle, you will understand’ that was one of the things the northern man often said.

He corrected them, and nurture them properly ‘You, bland piece of waste, hold your damn shield straight, otherwise an orc will kill you and whoever is unlucky enough to stand at your side. If you do not value your life, value that of your companions, or those at home, you are going to become men of the empire, you will hold your fucking shields even if your hand has been cut off, that is why you have a pair’, that was one of the many nurturing comments master Gunther made to them, they were not nice, but they did the job.

“Are we not men of the empire already” one of his companions had asked once. He had taught master Gunther would chew the man, but the northern just smiled and them all formed up.

“You do not look like men of the empire, you do not eat like men of the empire, you do not shit like men of the empire. You live withing our imperial border, you are part of the empire, but you have not earned the right to be called men of the empire, and before any intelligent mother fucker corrects me about the women of the empire, I make no distinction whatsoever on gender. You all decided to enlist and join the rough ranks of the imperial army, you probably were not considering it, but that is the first step to become men of the empire. For whatever fucking reason, you are all on the way to become one, but you have yet earned the right to be called, men of the empire. Now, we are going to make you stab something at the same time, formed up in lines”

No one dare ask again. Master Gunther had them training, all day, every day, until they could all stab at the same time. That is when no one dare questioned him anymore, everyone started understanding, they moved, together, they pushed together, they lived, together. They were all resting after the training exercises, when the order came to form and dress up for battle, the orcs were moving to Kozâ, the regular soldier, had been preparing several defenses, as it was a considered a possible target for the orcs, but they were on their way, just a few hours away.

They had trained with the main army several times, and then they had been sent to Kozâ, some had been happy, they were now responsible for the defense of the small town, the rest of the eastern army at Svet Cilar, could not help them, they would have to stand alone.

The town had a regular group of soldiers, that were under command of a lieutenant, but he was ultimately under the order of master Gunther, by orders of the prince, and there was also a small unit of northern man, that had come with master Gunther and the prince as well. They were organizing the defense of Kozâ.

They had all been formed up and briefed by master Gunther. The town had no walls or barriers, they had made several palisades and watch towers, these structures were made to control the enemy, but not to stopped them, to lead them at the center of the town. There they would meet them. The number of defenders were just over 1,200 men, the expected orc raid was around 800, it was not a good number. Even master Gunther was not his usual self, he was calm, but on edge, they had been told that the safe number to engage against orcs, was to double their numbers, this was not a safe engagement.

The archers were spread around, every structure available and behind some palisades, two hundred of them would serve as a reserve – flanking reinforcement, they were to remain hidden behind some palisades, and once the orcs were at the center of the plaza, they would close on them.

The bulk of their forcers were spread at the plaza, a tight line, armed and formed, master Gunther had spread torches, and the few northern men along the entire line. The original soldiers of Kozâ were also spread among them, he felt they were the most disturbed about their situation.

Master Gunther, was moving around the lines, supervising everything, the lieutenant with him, a courier came running and delivered a message to the northern man. He read it, and smile, his entire posture changed, he relaxed, he moved as he did everyday when he trained them.

"What do you think the message says? Retreat order? Do you think we can make it Jaksa" his cousin Velin, said to his said, they both had enlisted together, after their village was raided. They had gone to trade to Svet Cilar, when they came back, they were all that was left of their village.

"I do, look at master Gunther, I don’t know what the message says, be he is his usual self now” his cousin Velin, nodded to his side.

Master Gunther called for the mage and send him to the rear. He was not just relaxed, he was grinning. They were on the second row of the formation, they could not see were the mage had gone. The north man, called for some of his companions, and they also went to the rear, his cousin and others were frowning preoccupied.

“Do you think, they were ordered back?” He heard someone behind ask.

“They would have sent for master Gunther, instead” someone else responded.

"LISTEN THE FUCK UP" master Gunther said as he had gone for the middle of the formation, everyone could see him. They all went quiet when he shouted, they had been trained to, the northern man voice reached everywhere when he shouted.

"THIS IS THE DAY YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITHING FOR. A FEW DAYS AGO, SOMEONE AMONG YOU ASKED ME, IF YOU WERE MEN OF THE EMPIRE?" He felt his skin crawl as he had been thinking about it a few moments ago “YOU WERE NOT AT THAT TIME… WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MEN OF THE EMPIRE? I ONCE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION MYSELF”

“I was born in the north; Leven was how I called my home, and like your home it became part of the empire” he had stopped shouting, but everyone heard him clearly “It had meant little for me, some of my friends fought against it, others were pleased by the change. Then I understood what it means” master Gunther was grinning, almost ecstatic.

“All of you have bled or suffered, an neither your old home nor the empire has changed that, so WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?” the man words reached everywhere, he had thought about it. He felt his chest swollen, the orcs had come when the country was Faerun, the empire had looked at the border, reinforce it, prepared them, but there was a raid still coming.

“Tonight, you will become men of the empire, as I am, you’ve all decided it was ENOUGH. You chose to take on arms and defend your lands and your loved ones, no one asked you to do it. You said it was ENOUGH, no one else would take from us” he felt something building up inside him, he felt it on his cousin, and the other men near him.

“You chose this, and the empire sent us to teach you, to arm you, to help you stand, but you are those who decided their fate. We came for YOU, because we know you’ve suffered, we know you’ve bled, because you chose to fight. That is what makes you men of the empire, each one of you, you are the empire you make it possible, WE STAND TOGETHER, NO ONE ELSE WILL PASS FROM WHERE YOU STAND, YOU ARE MEN OF THE EMPIRE, WE STOP OUR ENEMIES HERE, LET THEM COME, LET THEM BREAK ON OUR SPEARS, THEY WILL KNOW WHAT IT IS TO CROSS THE MEN OF THE EMPIRE”

The northern man started banging their shields with their spears, and the rest of the men followed. His cousin had calmed down, he was hitting as hard as he could his shield, something called him. A small flash of light came from behind, he had no way of looking what it was, but he guessed it was something the mage had done, at the front the northern man, was grinning from ear to ear.

"Nord Stern"

"NORD STERN”

“NORD STERN”

The words had been weak at first, for only the northern men were shouting them, but the chant was passing, it came from behind, he could hear those near him joining, a deafening roar building up.

Then he saw him, there was a small space near the center to let anyone pass as they were forming up, a tall and broad man was walking towards master Gunther, as more people saw him, they called him. The fourth imperial prince, the commanding officer of the eastern army, Aedrik Lachdanan le Fay.

The prince was dressed in the same standard armor the men from the north had, heavy infantry armor, but his was lighter. He only had one pauldron, and a smaller breastplate, and for some reason his vambraces and gauntlets were thicker, and he had the largest great sword he had ever seen on his back. He was taller than he remembered, he was walking towards master Gunther among the chants.

"NORD STERN" the men kept shouting, even his cousin was screaming, as battle shout, the North Star of the Empire had come “NORD STERN, NORD STERN, NORD STERN” he would stand with them, they had not been forgotten, his name carried everywhere, like a spell enveloping all, he was also shouting the name.

Master Gunther waited until the prince came to his side amid the chants, they shared a small handshake. Just as everyone could see the prince at the front, master Gunther started calling something else.

"ORKFEND" everyone knew the word, no one hesitated to join in.

"ORKFEND, ORKFEND, ORKFEND" the shouting increased until the prince said a hand. They all went quiet, at once.

"FORM THE LINE, READY YOUR WEAPONS, MEN OF THE EMPIRE"

Their formation closed the ranks, no space was left, shoulder to shoulder, shield on shield. They face the two men at the front. So, this is what it meant, to be, men of the empire. The prince gave them all a long look and nodded. They were ready, after a moment, the prince turned to face the incoming darkness, he had been given one of the long spears, which he buried next to him.

The formation was ready, the officials spread, the prince and master Gunther, were standing a few meters from them, at the front. The prince already looking to the front, to what was about to come. The old northern man had not stop grinning since the prince came, he was facing them.

"BRING THE DRUMS OF WAR"

Three of the northern man who had gone to the rear, walked behind the prince, they were carrying large drums, strapped over their shoulders, they had no weapons, only a pair of rutes for their drums. They were staring at the prince, waiting.

They were all quiet, filled, at the ready. He felt his heart beating like crazy, to his right his cousin was nervous, but they were ready. They were waiting for the orcs, he heard them before he could see them. They were roaring, shouting, laughing, at the dim light, he saw the first line of them coming to them. Like a wave of iron and green skin, the orcs entered the plaza, as soon as the saw a glimpse of the prince at the center they started running straight for him. The orcs roared and howled as they ran, blood lust on their eyes, and for a moment, he felt his courage faltering, but then, the drums took over.