Snippet #2575884

Trailing back through the harsh winds and hard rock, Weyellin and his men found themselves in familiar territory, the hills of Everlast appearing before them like a kind memory. The Great Doors were concealed in a valley, but they all knew the way, even in the weather they faced. As they approached, they heard the loud thuds and clunks of ballistas and trebuchets being loaded within the smooth stone walls, and soon enough they appeared through holes in the rock.
"Who approaches?" A voice bellowed in a threatening tone, filling the harsh air with his raspy and worn out voice.
"Your Overseer." Weyellin replied calmly, nowhere near as loud, but still heard.
"Welcome back, sir."
The tips of the great defensive weapons returned to the darkness within the walls, still loaded.
"Home at last." An elite said, followed by a content sigh.
"Indeed."
As the unit moved slowly towards the Great Doors, they did not open. The defensive weapons reappeared and the guardsmen stood ready, their hands clutching the adjustments. Upon this surprise, Weyellin turned his head to face behind him, and saw the rider in the top hat progressing towards the walls of Everlast. An elite laughed wildly.
"An imbecile, sir, he still approaches our Great Kingdom!"
Upon this joke, the elite joined him in laughter, the only warrior not finding the situation amusing being Weyellin. He had been observing the rider. Long, drooping coat, top hat, all dark in colour. This was Ulysses. He clenched his teeth, although his anger did not last long. Over the laughter of his elite, he heard commands from above him, and a thick, devastating bolt from one of the ballistas was fired from the walls. Ulysses barely had time to react. The large wooden bolt was about the size of a trunk from a tree, tipped with a huge metal point. It found its way neatly into Ulysses' horse's flank, the force throwing Ulysses some many metres from where he sat, and almost tearing the horse in two.

He lay on the floor, winded, and badly hurt. He could barely breathe, and standing was out of the question. He closed his eyes and tried his best to concentrate on his breathing. It was no use. He opened his eyes and was greeted by the face of his hunter, the High General and Overseer of Everlast, Weyellin. He shook his head before bringing his armoured heel sharply down onto Ulysses' temple. With the same technique as he had used for Iaira, he dragged Ulysses to his horse outside the Great Doors, now open for him and his unit. Dimly lit by torches, the Grand Terium to the kingdom was large and steeply sloped downwards. He had captured two, on one surface mission.
Magnanimous are the Dragon Gods. He thought, bringing himself, his elite and his two captives inside of the kingdom, the Great Doors sliding shut behind them.