Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- The Wall

Jacob and half dozen other Legionnaires strained to hold the Death Wagon as another four Legionnaires pulled it onto the wall. Jacob and the other Legionnaires let out a groan as it settled down on the huge fortification. Some the Dead Legion immediately swarmed the thing as they checked it over to make sure it was still in working order. "How many more do we have to lift up onto the wall?" a Legionnaire asked.

"That was the last one for the western portion of the wall," Jacob replied. The Skeletal Mage looked at Jacob and indicated everything was fine before the Death Wagon and its work crew moved off. The Legionnaires sighed in relief that it was in working order and they wouldn't have to lift another one onto the Wall again. They had hoisted a dozen of the Death Wagons up onto the wall. Although the Death Wagons were made up of bone and magic, they were still damned heavy and they were mounting two dozen of the things on the oversized fortification.

"Having fun?" General Hune asked as he walked up.

"So much fun, can't you tell. How are the other preparations going?" Jacob asked as he walked over to the outward-facing portion of the Wall. Dozens of more Legionnaires, Engineers, Scouts, and Rangers were out there working on all sorts of toys for the approaching army.

"Work is going steady, but we do not know how far out they are or their numbers yet." General Hune replied as he followed Jacobs gaze to the base of the wall and the work crew there. Even though a large amount of work was being done outside the wall, even more, was being done on the top of the wall.

Supplies, ammunition, spare weapons and armor, siege engines were being tested once again, Enchanters were placing last-minute Wards on the battlements. Yet it might not be enough. "When I first set eyes on this place, I hoped we would never have to use it. Now...I just hope its enough." Jacob stated as he watched all the work being done.

The Drow nodded, "I understand, but we can only do what we can. Nothing more. Now get out of here, you still have to make an appearance at the games. I will send you a message if I receive word from the scouts." Nadal informed him.

Jacob nodded and gave him a salute before dashing off.

Surface-Arathia Basin Region

Empire of Night- Outside the Village of Sawmill Crossing

Ailis stalked that pack of Timber Wolves, they had been attacking the locals' chickens, goats, and other farm animals. A Quest had been issued by the local headman, Ailis had been passing through and had picked up the quest from the local board. She had even teamed up with a Berserker, Priest, and Ranger. The Berserker would tank while the rest of them would kill the wolves as quickly as possible. Well, it had been the plan until the Berserker lost all Aggro on half the pack and they went after the healer.

There had been sixteen of the monsters laying about a small cave, all of them in their low twenties, but the Alpha of the pack was level twenty-eight. The Berserker was the highest level of the group at level twenty-five and Ailis was chasing him at level twenty-four. When four broke free of the Berserker and went chasing the Priest. Ailis immediately dropped into Stealth and moved as quickly as she could as the Priest froze up instead of kiting the fuckers.

Ailis snarled as she got in range and triggered Backstab finishing off one of the wounded and leaving three who immediately turned on her. "I am kiting these fuckers, finish off the damned Alpha!!!" Ailis called out as she flicked a couple of throwing knives at the wolves running after her. The Berserker bellowed something as he activated Frenzy. Besides her new friends, there were seven other wolves left including the Alpha.

Ailis took off at a lope the three wolves running after her as she made a wide loop back towards the main fight. Entering the small clearing at a sprint, she could see two more wolves had been downed. Eight left as entered the fight by triggering Gauge as she plunged her knives into the nearest wolf. It gave a mournful howl as it died.

Ailis quickly moved on to the next wolf, she only had a few more moments before the three other wolves showed up. The Ranger was launching a flurry of arrows at the wolves concentrating on the Berseker as the Priest tried desperately to keep him healed up, but he wasn't a tank and it was starting to show. "Your friends are back!!" the Ranger yelled out as another wolf died leaving eight total.

Ailis snarled in frustration as she backed out of the main melee threw two more of her throwing knives at the charging wolves before darting off into the forest again. Ailis thought furiously as she checked the status of her Stamina, it was down too about forty percent between using various Skills and running around. Ailis activated Death Root Poison wreathing her daggers in sickly green energy for a moment before it soaked into the blades before reversing her run. Both wolves overshot her as she dragged the blades along the length of the wolves. Both wolves howled in pain as the poison went to work. Ailis lashed out at both wolves a whirlwind of steel and limbs continuing to whittle at their health and adding poison de-buffs to both wolves until they finally died.

Ailis sighed, she was down to fifty percent health and ten percent Stamina. She quickly looted both bodies as she downed a minor Stamina and minor Health potion as she took off through the trees. Entering the small glade with the cave revealed only the Alpha survived, but the Berserker was at less than ten percent health and the Healer had no Mana left. Ailis sighed in frustration as she activated Stealth and ghosted forward. Once she was in position she plunged both daggers into the wolfs flanks while activating Backstab. The Alpha wolfs health plunged into the critical zone as it strobed bright red. The Alpha snarled and tried to turn but the Berserker plunged his large sword into its body pinning it in place and killing it.

Alert...

For assisting in slaying 2 Level 23 Timber Wolves you have received...40 Experience

For assisting in slaying 2 Level 24 Timber Wolves you have received...100 Experience

For killing 2 Level 23 Timber Wolves you have received...80 Experience

For assisting in slaying a Level 28 Timber Wolf Alpha you have received...200 Experience

Alert...

Quest Completed: Menace at the Mill

Description: You and a group of Immortals have destroyed a pack of Timber Wolves that have been harassing the nearby village of Sawmill Crossing. Congratulations.

Quest Difficulty: Hard

Requirement: Party of 4+

Success: Slay the pack of Timber Wolves that have been harassing the Villagers of Sawmill Crossing

Failure: Do not slay the wolf pack

Rewards for Success: 500 Experience, 1 Gold, Friendly Status with the Villagers of Sawmill Crossing and Increased Reputation with the Arathia Basin Region

"You want to skin these things or want any of the loot?" the Healer asked as Ailis as she finished reading the notifications in front of her.

"No thanks, I am going to head back to the village and turn the quest in before bedding down for the night. Hey, do you guys know anything about Aramore?" Ailis asked as she looked around the glade. The Ranger was reclaiming arrows and skinning the bodies of the wolves.

The Berserker surprisingly answered, "Yeah, its a large town to the southeast. It's fairly big and located on a harbor. If you want to reach it, keep following the main road east and just follow the signs, it's about another two or three days walk if you just stick to the roads." the other Vampire stated. Ailis thanked them and headed towards the village to turn in the quest and get a room for the day.

Surface- Wind Swept Hills Region

Nation of Daran'thia- City of Elleshara

Inner City- City Library

Ava read book after book, it revealed plenty of things but nothing concrete just conjecture and rumors. None of it updated her quest that was still sitting over her head like a headsman ax. Ava pushed the books away in frustration and nearly blasted them with magic. "Having a tough time dear?" an older female High-Elf asked as she strode up.

"Yes, I am trying to find a live account of how the Loranan Family became what it is now. All I have been able to read are second-hand accounts and rumors, nothing concrete or first hand." Ava replied

The other woman studied her for a few minutes before gesturing for Ava to follow her. "What do you know about the fall of the Loranan Family dear?"

"From what I read, they had betrayed the king, they attempted to kill the king, they tried to overthrow the government, a dozen different stories and theories, and no facts," Ava replied as she tried to keep the anger and frustration from her voice.

"Many things are lost to time, the truth about the fall of the Loranan Family is one of the things lost. However, a first-hand account and journal could perhaps shed some light on the story. Hmmm?" the older Elf prodded.

"Yes ma'am, it would greatly assist me," Ava responded immediately.

"Very well, I am giving you access to one of the restricted areas of the Library. Do not attempt to take the journal out or the guardians will kill you.' she stated as she unlocked a door and gestured Ava to take a seat as she moved over to some shelves. The women was a Lore Master obviously as she used an ability to find what she was looking for in short order and brought it over to Ava. 'Be careful girl. Some things are best left in the past. If you dig too deep, the hole could very well swallow you." the Librarian warned as she left the room.

Ava considered her warning but she had a quest and needed to find out exactly why the family she had been assigned was hated so much. She quickly read the title and froze...The Diary of Tabitha Loranan, Queen of Daran'thia. In the lore Ava knew of the High Elves, she had never heard of a Loranan attached to the Royal family, much less Queen. Time to dig into the journal and find out what had happened.

Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

Palace of Night- Control Room

"Are we sure about these numbers?" Jacob asked as he looked at the strategic map covering the area outside the Wall.

"Yes, we have multiple reports. The army is close too if not just over one-hundred thousand strong, with the bulk of the army, made up of Orc and Troll Chaos Warped, with anywhere between one-hundred and two-hundred Acolytes of various classes. Alexi leads them. They will be at the Wall in three days." Nadal laid out.

Jacob tried to curb his anger at the man as his talons dug into his palms causing blood to flow. "What does the garrison look like at the Wall now?" Jacob asked after taking a deep breath and trying to relax.

"Twelve thousand from the Dead Legion led by the Wraith Knight Aimeri the Butcher, the whole Third Legion, and the Eternal Forest has lent nearly three thousand Sprites, Water and Wood Nymphs, and Dryads. If Tarren's count is correct, we will have nearly two hundred Immortals from the Seekers of the Dawn as well. We will be outnumbered just over four to one." Nadal replied as he finished the troop counts for the fortifications.

"Time to loosen the purse strings and hire some mercs?" Jacob prompted and the Nadal shrugged his shoulders.

"What about the Black Blades? Have they been raiding their supply train? Destroying any Siege Engines? It could buy us more time." Jacob asked as he considered the Mercenaries he could hire.

"The Black Blades and the War Bands that have arrived in support of them, are raiding their supply lines. However, it will just buy us anywhere between twelve and twenty-four hours. This Alexi is a seasoned veteran, he does not let his supplies go unguarded even when they make camp." Nadal replied causing Jacob to snarl.

"The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Legions will be ready in one week, correct?' Jacob asked as his fingers drummed the table. Nadal nodded his head in agreement. 'So we have to hold the Wall for four days. Have Portal Anchors placed a days march to the north within the Golden Plains, have the two new Legions, the Fifth from Mabus, Fourth from Salinda, and Tenth from Ingson rally in the Golden Plains and march on them from behind. Have them attack from the North and West and push them to the East and away from the Empire of Night." Jacob laid out his plans.

Nadal frowned and nodded, "It can be done, but if the Slavers Union launches a counter-attack, we will be hard-pressed to hold those cities to the north."

"Between the Legions and the Civic Legions, they will hold long enough. If everything goes well, they will be back within four days, five at most." Jacob replied.