Surface- Iron Hills Region

Free Lands- Outside the City of Mabus

It had taken the scouts most of the day, but they had finally pinned down the forces that had been hidden by illusion magic. Nearly ten thousand Chaos Warped and Chaos Acolytes waited in ambush for the Legions to march on the last camp outside the village of Petersbrook. One army was wedged in a small hilly area, and the other was camped within a small forested area. Both armies were set and ready to ambush anyone approaching Petersbrook, which would be the Legions.

"Do we have any idea what the hell is happening in Mabus?" Jacob asked Nadal who nodded.

"Our people were finally able to infiltrate to the inner districts of Mabus, there was an assassination attempt on the cities leadership. That is why the city is on lockdown. I am assuming the Slavers Union set that up to coincide with the invasion, but the assassination was stopped and we showed up." Nadal replied causing Jacob to reconsider the possibilities.

"We got to talk to whoever is in charge of Mabus, we need to convince them to help us," Jacob stated and Nadal looked up from the map.

"So I assume we are staying for now?" Nadal asked and Jacob nodded his agreement.

"For now, but I am not going to commit the Fifth and Tenth Legions to a pyrrhic victory to help a city that won't help itself.' Jacob replied. "Plus the Slavers Union had to have an inside man to have even a chance at an assassination attempt." Jacob outlined his thoughts and the Drow nodded in agreement.

John cursed as he looked at the Guards patrolling the approaches to the keep. He and his team of Immortals had infiltrated Mabus over a week ago. Less then two days after that, the city had been put on lockdown and it had taken them most of the week to get into the inner city and find out why.

An assassination attempt had killed two of the five Lords that ruled Mabus jointly. No one knew who or how they got into the keep. Now John was trying to figure out how to get inside and talk to them, but no one was willing to listen to reason, they were all too frightened. So John was taking a risk at attempting to approach one of the officers in a bar outside the keep. If the officer turned him in, they could be screwed for trying to bribe a Guard which usually carried both jail time and a fine. He had left orders with his team if this approach failed they were to try infiltration next.

John sat down on a stool next to his target, they didn't have days to get the Captain to warm up to him. This was a do or get caught mission John mused as the bartender made her way over. "What can I get you, hun?" She asked as she leaned over displaying ample distractions.

"Whatever is recommended ma'am," John replied as he sent a gold coin spinning on the counter as he waited for the bartender to come back.

"Isn't this place kinda cheap if you have that much money to go around?" The Dwarf asked as the Bartender came back with the beer and John shoved the gold coin into her outstretched hand.

"Money is money, and this place reminds of place that used to exist near my home. It's gone now though, so I will enjoy this bar while I can. I am John by the way." John extended his hand toward the Dwarf who eyeballed it before taking it.

"Gregory Hammersplitter.' The Dwarf replied before taking a drink of his beer and studying John. 'So what is an Immortal doing in the Shattered Shield?" The Dwarf asked cautiously.

John took a sip of his beer then took a gulp. "Well if one was so inclined and had the money, one could be smuggled into the inner city. From there it is just a matter of talking to one of the guards to find out what is going on.' John quietly replied as he sipped his beer again as he placed half his change in front of the dwarf. 'To cover your tab for the night, since I want us to be friends." He explained before the Dwarf could be offended.

The Dwarf frowned and nodded, "If one was so inclined to tell a story, well it's just two friends talking, no harm in that. This story centers on five people being attacked in their home. Two died and three were critically wounded and are currently on bed rest since they almost died. Then because these people were hurt, the Seneschal had to take over their house to run things. Now his first order would be to seal the house up, both the inner and outer doors so the traitors were limited in what they could do was his reasoning.' Gregory mused as he continued to drink. 'Now a traitor or assassin would already know this so I feel safe in telling this story too you."

John nodded sagely, "Very true my friend. Now naturally one would wonder was there anything odd about the assassins and did the family guardians figure out how they got into their house to kill the families leadership?" John mused as he finished the beer and called for another.

The Dwarf frowned, "They were equipped with some very odd weapons. Chaos-based weapons in fact." Gregory stated causing John to flinch.

"Well, then your family should be warned that they have many friends outside your house's walls. In fact, they have over ten thousand to be exact, but my family is unwilling to do any more to help you unless you come out and help us crush them.' John replied as he finished his beer as he shoved the rest of the money toward the Dwarf. 'In fact, my family plans on leaving within a couple of hours if your family doesn't get off your fat asses and do something. The King's words are 'We lost enough Legionnaires for your city. If we leave, the next time we come we won't be potential friends, we will be taking your city.' The Kings warning exactly and he is a man of his word Gregory, so I would suggest you go back to the keep and convince the Seneschal that its in your cities best interest to get into the fight on our side because we are the only ones standing between an army of invaders and all these innocent people dying." John stated before leaving.

Surface- Iron Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Ordgan

Outer City- Main Plaza

Jacob watched as the portals disgorge rank after rank of the Fifth and Tenth Legions as the left the city of Mabus to its fate. Jacob refused to fight for those unwilling to fight for themselves. "I can't believe you had us withdraw. I understand why you did it, I am just surprised you went through with it." Adrian stated as the last of the Fifth Legion appeared and the portals for them closed. Over half, the Tenth Legion was through,

"I am a man of my word Adrian, if they are unwilling to fight, why should we fight and die for them?" Jacob asked the man and did not expect an answer.

"It just seems wrong," Adrian replied and that cut to Jacobs core.

"Feel free to head back on your own Adrian, I will not be sending the Fifth Legion with you though to die a meaningless death." Jacob coldly replied as he glared at the man who paled a little bit as he realized he had overstepped.

"See to your men General Riptide, we will discuss this infraction later. Go now!' Nadal grated out and Adrian quickly saluted before running off. 'The orders you issued have been acknowledged, the First and Sixth Legion stand ready to move out once they receive the word, my king." Nadal reported once Adrian was out of earshot.

"Good, our enemy has two choices at this point. Withdraw or assault the city, either would work for us. Either way, our scouts and spies will let us know what they decide soon enough. Anything else to add Captain-General?" Jacob asked the Drow who simply saluted and left.

Surface- Arathia Basin Region

Empire of Night- Middlebrough

Turned Pear

Jacob watched as Jax, Fred, and a couple of other mercenary representatives came into the inn and head to the bar immediately. After gathering drinks and ordering some food, they made for Jacob and Darren. Legionnaires of the Thirteenth Legion ringed the inn. Normally this would piss off the owner, but the small bag of gold and the promise of more silenced any protest and his distance from Jacobs table. "Thank you all for coming, I called this meeting to inform you all that Chaos is moving more overtly. They might have also infiltrated the Slavers Union or they might control them, I am not sure." Jacob informed them as he dug into the chicken and potato in front of him. This was a late dinner and early breakfast for them.

Jacobs statement caused more than one look of concern pass between the mercenaries. "How do you know this?" one of them asked.

"You know the Empire recently acquired Uldon and Ordgan, correct?' Jacob asked the men, 'Well one of Ordgans' neighbors Mabus, faced an invasion from Niamphis, Yhieburg, and the Slavers Union. The attack was a setup trying to sucker either the Empire or the forces of Mabus, ten thousand Chaos Warped troops were nearby and assassins that answered to Chaos managed to kill two of the five lords that rule Mabus days before the invaders showed up. If you send people to the area, you still should be able to confirm this." Jacob informed them as he finished his chicken and their breakfast arrived.

"Shit!!" Jax cursed as he started to eat his food.

"So I guess the stories coming out of Arang'mor are true," Fred stated as he sat back sipping his tea.

Jacob looked around at all the occupants of the table, "Care to enlighten me?" Jacob prompted as he finished the last of his beer and started on drinking water.

"Well, a civil war has broken out in the southeast portion of Arang'mor. A lot of the nobles from that area are in the pocket of the Slavers Union. The prisoners from that area get turned over to the Slavers Union and the local lords get rich. Well, they rebelled against King Othgad Lightbringer and when the King went to spank the rebellious lords and put them back in line, the kings' forces were slaughtered. Word is the rebel forces were augmented by forces of Choas. Its only rumor and the Swords of the Light are pretty mum on the information." Jax explained as they contemplated the new world they were living in.

"Did anyone try to warn them?" Jacob asked and multiple heads nodded in response.

"We did, but the High Inquisitor can force the truth from people and he wanted to know where the information came from. When he heard the information came from someone allied with the Empire of Night, they failed to believe us." One of the other mercs responded with a snort while other muttered 'idiot' or other uncomplimentary words.

"When did this attack happen?" Jacob asked them as he studied the men.

"About a week ago, why?" Jax responded.

"That was about the time the armies from Niamphis and Yhieburg. Maybe its nothing or maybe its something, it's just odd..." Jacob responded as he sat back sipping his water and considered everything going on.