Manta Bay Landing - Trade Prince Augsbora - A shadow fall upon them
The steady beat of marching soldiers brought a strange kind of security to the newly erected city. The grey clad soldiers were patrolling the streets and the surrounding area of the city, carrying the new firearms with an awe-inspiring discipline and steady posture. The marched in squads of seven, an officer and 6 soldiers, and their hard faces where nondescript in the dim-lit streets.
Once in a while, one could hear the sounds of gunshots from the outer perimeters of the city, where the guards where shooting to kill and eventually drive off unwanted beasts and savage natives. For every shot fired, there were less native beasts, thus they migrated outwards, from the else secure forest.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you milord." the general said, his golden star emblem shining brightly on the right side of his breastplate. "I've heard reports, that there might be problems with the payments for the next weeks, and I have to tell you that it might very well cost you my goodwill." the general said, his scarred and rough face a stern mass. The strong eyes prying into the else uninterested prince.
"You suspicions are totally correct. I planted the information myself, so one knows it is correct." Prince Augsbora said, lifting a glass of dark red wine, and sipped. "There will be problems with the payments, because my creditors are wetting themselves. When I mobilized the fleet, they reacted by bribing the imperial administration. The subsidies I am receiving from the Empire might cease to come, although I'm sure this will not stay out of our beloved God-Emperors ears." Prince Augsbora said, and grimaced at the sour wine. It wasn't bad, but he had only just eaten a sweet soup of different fruits and spices, so his mouth was befouled by the sudden sharp taste.
"Very well then, and what do you suppose I tell my men?" the general asked, raising a brow at the indifference of the trade prince.
"I want you to tell them that we'll have a fight coming up." Augsbora said, a devious smile creeping over his lips. "The borders of the Heckclown Union lies only 60 miles to the east of our position, and a quick raid will show our newfound military strength. They'll beg for a peace treaty, and I will demand that they pay a tribute to the emperor." Augsbora said, sipping more wine, grimacing slightly at almost every sip. "If they decline my offer, we'll raid their eastern border cities and sack them. One way or the other, your men will earn their pay." Augsbora said, putting away the glass, and focusing on a table in the side of the dusty study. ON the table lay instructions and battleplans, all written with intricate letters and small illustrations.
The general drew in an amazed breath, when he saw the battleplans. Augsbora only smiled, and replied "Yes general. I will be using your own battleplans!"
Mountains of Rain - Amran Khan - Morning Dew
Amran placed his thick coat over the sleeping contours of his concubine, and then hurriedly ran in the damp and cold morning. When he reached the first outpost, the guards started laughing and pointing, yelling rudely at their captains adventures. Amran only grinned at them, and ran on, hoping that people were still asleep. And the god of fortune was luckily with him, as he ran into the camp.
Only those who were required to stay awake were up, and none of them took note of him running.
When he entered his tent, he breathed out, and looked at a fresh set of clothes. Surely put out by his chamberlain. An old stately man, who'd also served under the previous khan. He was always very precise and made sure to remain formal and civilized even when outrageously insulted.
Amran quickly put on the clothes, plain white shirt, with just as plain brown trousers. He then proceeded to comb his hair with perfumed oils, and washed his face, before he exited his tent and strove up to the commanders pavilion.
Inside, he quickly devoured the bowl of fruit on the table, having not had much to eat and far too much exercise already, he found the bowl to be too small, and soon after he chose to wake up the rest of the commanders staff, wanting to start the campaign as quickly as possible.
Tolhorn'Ul - Al'Djiin - In the valley of peace
Al'Djiin slumped down in his throne, and sighed. Even though he was a divine being, he saw little rest, and it was clear to all that lately he had been much at work. With a heavy thud, he threw his golden sword on the ground. The sound awoke all beasts in the inner sanctum, and they all looked at him, with eyes of concern and curiosity. Two young gryphons both swirled up, and flew to the sword where they cast themselves into a playful fight, biting and nipping oneanothers tail.
The fairies and pixies all left their flowers, and began flying up to the tired god, letting a cloak of stardust fall down behind them. Slowly the manticores, unicorns, pegasi, snakes, bears, boars and other fowl and creature began swarming around the throne, all looking up at the god, who'd slumped down, almost crouching in his chair.
"What is it?" he asked, his deep voice echoing into the room. Silence. Then one of the youngest gryphons in the sanctum flew down, and settled in the palms of Al'Djiins hands, clawing a little and then laying down to rest in the hands of the wrathful god. For a moment all creatures just looked, but then they all turned and sought out a place to lie down.
Al'Djiin sat still for a moment, perplexed by the resting creature, then chuckled and placed it in his lap wherefter he leant back and slipped into a dream, a dream wherein he watched his avatar...
Mountains of Rain - Amran Khan - Blood of our Brethren
Amrans heavy mace fell in quick succession from the back of his camel. The first three skirmishes with the rain warriors had been indecisive, but a sudden change in attack pattern had given the imperial riders a quick chance to strike down the retreating foes, killing hundreds within mere minutes, as the cavalry rode down the hillside and crushed the Rain Warriors.
Amran looked out over the battlefield, where his men where making short work of the Rain Warriors. He knew it wouldn't stay like this, the minimal losses would soon take a steep rise, as the cavalrymen would have to abandon their steeds. Amran didn't look forward to it himself. He felt that it was stupid and an ignorants move, but he had to take the mountain within a month, so he had to press on.
At the next hilltop, his men stopped, creating long lines of heavy cavalrymen, supported by flanks weighted with light cavalry.
On the other side of the hills, stood an army of rain warriors, waiting in the morning sun, for the imperial soldiers to move forward. Amongst the rain warriors stood halberders, ready to lower their pikes and protect the else vulnerable infantry.
Amran looked from side to side, wondering what the catch with the army in front of them would be. Maybe it was a decoy, or even an illusion! But for every passing moment, it became evident that the rain warriors had just been caught off guard. scouts were continuously bringin news of other troops, but none of them were big enough to support the large army in front of them.
For a moment, the commanders were still. But then the orders for the dragoons to take position was given, and a company of dragoons were produced, and sent off. The hooves creating a thunderous sound, as they passed the depth of the valley, and rode up the side of the hill. Then they stopped, and fired. The bullets effect was only just visible, but the tactical decision had been worth it, as the rain warriors came tumbling down into the valley, in close pursuit of the retreating dragoons, who never seemed to be less than ten metres ahead. And then a horn sounded, as the dragoons split out and dissipated on the bottom of the valley, making leeway for the heavy cavalrymen, who came down the hillside. The thunder of the hooves were high enough to deafen most, and more than once did a rider loose his lance to the heavy bumbling, but little did it matter, when the heavy horses churned into the less disciplined rebels. The boom with which they clashed could be heard miles away, and the blood which began to flow was creating a small stream through the valley. It didn't take long before the rebels morale crumbled and they sounded a full retreat, every man for himself.
Then the light cavalrymen swooped in, like greedy carrionbirds they sought out and took down easy prey, using their speed to catch up with fleeing enemies and then used their long spears to end the enemies misery.
From the hilltop, Amran had a clear view of the onslaught, and all of the time, he could only think of how little he cared for battle, and how much he longed for peace.
