Tomb of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Master Suit

Jacob looked down and saw the hundreds of tents and campfires of the First and Second Legion camped in the Middle-City. The Tomb Guard, or now known as the Home Legion would be returning tomorrow, they had been remarkably adaptable to Legion discipline and tactics. The Home Legion would continue to train basic and large scale tactics, but as far as their trainers were concerned they needed to learn very little from them and the command structure was largely intact as well.

The Legion had expanded again as word from Clan Thunderhammer and the former slaves Clan Darguun had liberated decided to join their ever expanding ranks, nearly 3,000 all told had enrolled and would be assigned to the Third Legion to balance out all the troops Ineford had enlisted. Once they finished training, the Third would be the only full strength Legion of the three being fielded. Each Legion also had 8 Ballista, 4 Catapults, and Two Onagers to give them enough firepower to take on low-level Fortresses or a small army.

The Cavalry of the Third also had orders to start patrolling the Arathia Basin for any problems the locals needed assistance with and hopefully earn some goodwill from the locals. They also had orders to look for any dungeons keep tabs on the Gilded Handz activities and keep an eye out for outpost locations. Too many plans, but Jacob had to plan for the future win or lose. Eiloma might have a hint, but no one knew the whole picture except him. "Worried love?" Cathrine called from behind him as she walked up and pressed her naked body against him.

Scout groups had long replaced all the portal anchors outside the Fortresses of Torment and Bloody-Edge, but if they left a force of Rogues Stealthed nearby... They could cause a massive amount of damage before they were beaten back. Good thing he had sent a scout force, including Chalxae and June, today to keep an eye on both locations. Neither group had reported any abnormal activity.

"Yes and no. When things go smoothly, it usually means, something bad is just about to happen.' Jacob replied as he continued to study the troops below while trying to think of everything bad that could happen in the coming weeks. Cathrine started to run her hands up and down his body while swaying side-to-side causing her nipples to harden and dig into his back. Jacob frowned trying to hide a smile, 'Are you trying to distract me, Cathrine?"

A low throaty laugh from behind was her only response as she continued to tempt and tease with her body, you could only plan and think for so long before you had to relax. "I am pretty stressed out, so I will have to work off a whole lot of frustration. If we get started, you are going to have to call Sosa to help you out." Jacob told her as he turned to face her. His eyes were completely predatory as he drank in the sight of her naked lithe body.

Cathrine shivered in anticipation, "I already called her and she should be here to relieve me within the next hour. So I only have to hold up that long." Jacob smiled before blurring forward causing Cathrine to laugh loudly before moaning as Jacob started to kiss, lick, and bite every inch of her body. Three Hours South of the Fortress of Torment

Four cracks of thunder and portals opened as the First Legion started to emerge, friendly Rogues and Rangers were nearby on guard to any potential ambushes. In the last 24 hours, they had not encountered any hostile Drow though. Within 30 minutes the Legions had emerged from the portals and were marching steadily toward the distant fortress. Twenty Immortals marched with them, if everything went according to plan, the fortress should surrender quickly, otherwise, the Siege Engines would make short work of any defenses.

Fortress of Torment

Drake Do'und watched as the constant stream of slaves come out one portal while the garrison rushed through another. Those few that were not evacuating were corraling the slaves toward the already overcrowded Slave Pens. Once they reached certain capacity, the minders would close the pens up and lock them in. So far six of the twelve pens were nearly overflowing and they might have to stake any of those they could not fit into the pens, to the ground. Drake signaled to the portal operator to shut down the inbound portal.

"Why are we doing this Sword Captain?" another Drow asked nearby. "It seems to be a waste of resources and money. These are not the best or most compliant slaves, but the clan could still profit from them being sold."

"I do not question my orders boy, perhaps you should worry about following them instead of questioning them.' Drake responded. He didn't need to know the new clan that was emerging was not in the flesh trade and the Empire they would join outlawed such activities. 'Those that are coming here will care for them, therefore it will slow the advance of their armies and these slaves will be a burden on them!! Now go I will not explain your orders again BOY!!" Jacob watched as the Fortress came into view, a small group of people was waiting at the open gates. Jacob recognized several of them, including Darren. A silent PM came through as soon as Jacob and the First crested the ridge and it became apparent that an army was marching on their position. Jacob quickly read it before turning to Brox, "General, Darren and his team have checked the grounds of the fortress and no adverse surprises await us there. They are still clearing the keep though and will inform you as soon as they finish. Our inside man did exactly what he said he would do, keep most of our forces outside the walls I do not want to scare the former slaves but I want to send in enough troops to control and corral them if necessary." Jacob told the armored Orc.

"I will dispatch two Cohorts, that should be enough to contain them if they get combative. We can leave their shackles and chains on them for now until we get them to their destination. Do we have a count of how many?" Brox asked as he signaled for a messenger.

"Thousands, good thing we were given a warning and are prepared for it,' Jacob told him. The large Orc nodded his head before giving his command to the messenger. 'I have a quick meeting before I help with what is going inside. When you de receive the all-clear on the fortress make sure a squad is dispatched to the Keep-Control room so we capture the fortress. It would be disappointing that we came all this way and helped them all, just to forget to capture the fortress." The Orc snorted in amusement while Jacob fell back toward the Dawn Guard. Darren studied the Drow, it had been a long time since he had last seen him. "You grow stronger little mouse, but you still are not strong enough to kill me alone. Everything that had happened to those people are not by my hand or any hand I command." Drake told Darren as he studied the approaching Jacob.

"You didn't do anything to stop it either did you?" Darren responded. He had done a lot of dark things both on earth and here, slavery was not one of those things. Darren had no stomach for those who traded in it or let it happen. Drake merely shrugged at his comment, as if it mattered little to the Drow and considering the way their society built their cities and people and the backs of 'lesser' people, it was not surprising.

"Who is your new friend Darren?" Jacob asked as he walked up. Two full squads of the Dawn Guard were with him, half of them were eyeballing Drake.

Darren drummed his fingers on the hilts of his daggers one more time before turning and bowing slightly, "I present Drake Do'und, Swordmaster to Ranyln Do'und. Drake this is Jacob Longstrider, Leader of House Lightsbane and King of the Empire of Night." Jacob frowned at all the title usages but said nothing while he studied the Swordmaster.

Drake studied him closely before bowing, "It is an honor to meet you. You and your people have come a long way since the day I assisted you. My cousin speaks highly of you, I hope you do not plan on betraying your word to him." The last comment earned a snort from Jacob and glare from Darren.

"Of the two of us Swordmaster, I am the one less likely to betray one's word and I am depending a lot on your cousin. If he betrays me, I could lose far more." Jacob retorted, "Now why are you here Drake?"

Drake smiled, "Let's just say I wanted to see if the myth matched the man and if I thought he could deliver on his promises.' Drakes gaze swept over the Legions and the way they moved professionally and in an orderly fashion before stopping on the Dawn Guard. 'I think the stories underestimate you. I think you want it that way. I hope to see you soon my king." Drake smiled before bowing again and disappearing with a flash. Teleport. Darren cursed while the other Rogues nearby snickered. Jacob smiled at his frustration before patting his back and walking away. Jacob watched as the Legionnaires of the Second Legion cared for all the former slaves, their chains were still on them but as far as Jacob was concerned they were free people. Suddenly several Alerts popped up.

Regional Alert...

The Fortress of Torment has fallen to the Empire of Night.

Regional Alert...

Alert...

Would you like to rename the Fortress of Torment? YES/NO

What would you like to name the fortress? Fortress of Hope

Alert...

Kingdom Alert...

For capturing a level two fortress, you have gained...20,000 Kingdom Experience

Kingdom Alert...

Secret Achievement Unlocked: Chainbreaker

Description: During the course of your campaign you have freed over 10,000 slaves, word has begun to spread of your actions and people will view you differently based on them. (+50 Fame)

Infamy/Fame Unlocked

Infamy and Fame affect your interactions with locals around you. Take care, seemingly benign actions can affect you one way or the other.

Jacob dismissed the Alerts and sought out Brox and Ironbark. It was time to get everything moving again. They could not stop here for long. Both Orcs were talking with several of the former slaves, they were of all ages and races. They were demanding action about something immediately and the Generals were trying to calm them all down. "Brox, Ironbark, report!!" Jacob barked out and both Orcs saluted and turned their backs on the former slaves to face him.

Brox took the lead immediately, "These people are wanting to go home, I am trying to calm them down and explain the situation to them but they keep talking over each other and us." Jacob nodded before turning toward the group.

"Thank you all for being silent, this is what is going to happen, all the former slaves here are going to be evacuated to a more secure area. You will all stay there for a week to recover from everything that has happened too you. Once you are of sound mind and body you can make certain choices then. Right now, you cannot. Now, if you will leave these fine soldiers alone, we will get you all out of here as soon as possible.' Jacob told them and based on the looks of more than one face they didn't like it, but they really didn't have a choice either. 'Gentlemen, you have your orders, let's get to it." Again they saluted and moved off.