Anarchintia+and+Comeras+War

//__BATTLE OF BENTA__//

"We've been playing tennis; it's now time for rugby," said Garrace, as he faced the citizens of Comeras. "For my entire reign as king, us and the Anarchintians have been at a rivalry. Sadly, nothing has been done to solve this problem...until this very day." Garrace pointed to a large calendar. "Today is the 81st day of our Second Season, and may this day be known nationally as 'Day de CAW.'" A large tapestry came down behind him. On it, there was an outline of the walls surrounding Benta. So, pretty much a square. And in the square, there was the national symbol of Comeras: two cat-like eyes with red pupils. Behind it was a sunlight shining around the square. "Our navy's headed out to Benta today. May history keep this day." He stood in thought for a moment. "Taking my place during my absence, will be my son, Sinanay. I wish you all good luck as I am in absence." Garrace stepped down from the podium, waving his hand to the people. Garrace got onto a cart, pulled by horses, and rode off. The audience still cheered for him, and for the war. At the end of the speech, William Georgest's eyes widened, and as soon as the speech was over, he fled back to Anarchintia. He was a spy of the Anarchintian Union Kingdom, and he quickly made haste back to Arvus to warn of the coming attack and let out a notice to the other spies in Comeras to keep an eye out for now. The new Anarchintian Kingdom is at war. He uncovered the small boat the spies used to go back and forth from Comeras to Anarchintia, and sailed the waves. The waves thrashed the boat quite a bit, but William knew it would hold and that he must get to Arvus as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Garrace was headed towards Port MacArmaou. At the port, a ship was waiting for him, along with nineteen others. The invasion of Benta was near. The strait dividing Comeras and Anarchintia was cold, and rain poured down on the ships. Garrace's ship, the Rioghal Bolt, had a damp odor. But the king had more to worry about. Cannons were being loaded, soldiers took their spots on board, and Garrace was sent below deck One ship, the Sancto Claro, had ten cannons on board. Every ship carried anywhere from twenty to twenty-five people, and at least half of them would be archers. One person would move the boat. In Comerish, they call these people Aqua Yøntsi; Water movers. Sometimes called Aire Yøntsi, Air movers, these people use magick to move the ships in the water. Occasionally, if they're an Aire Yøntsi, they can send the ship into the sky. Unfortunately, these people are very rare; probably one in every million people are Air mover. Anyway, the ships were ready for Benta "Set the sails," Garrace said. "Time for kick-off."

As Garrace set off for war David was hoping to finally usher in peace. He was now looking over his new secret weapons to taking down the last of the hostile beasts in Anarchintia. What stood before him were 5,000 troops of the new cavalry. They were one tenth of the force that they would be when all were finished their training. These men were all sizes 4,998 men 2 women they wore bronze helmets and carried bronze small shields just big enough to cover most of their torso. They also carried 4 foot iron swords double bladed it was sharp as could be and had a slight piece added to it that was previously only used by spies. The metal had been soaked in the poison river for months before being forged giving them a greenish glow and adding in a bit of poison on the blade not enough to kill but easily make someone violently ill. They were without a doubt light cavalry and not ones to be underestimated. David knew his old spies would be battle tested on their horses soon enough but little did he know it would be to defend from an invasion by the west instead of finishing his conquest on his south east boarder.

Five days of sailing from Port MacArmaou, one of Garrace's sailors reported to him. "Land ho, my Lord," he said. "What's your next order?" "We're near Benta?" "Aye." Garrace thought for a moment. He wanted to head straight into Benta, but a head-on attack wouldn't do well. Then he thought about surrounding them. "Lieutenant McCoy," Garrace ordered. "Aye?" McCoy responded.

"Tell me where our bases in Anarchintia are." he said. "And tell me if there's one near our spot of attack."

"Actually," McCoy answered. "I do believe there's a fort just a few miles East of Benta."

"Really?"

"Yes," answered McCoy. "I believe it's Fort Allerdice. General Mikelatos is working there."

"Mikelatos?" Garrace wondered. "Wow. I haven't talked to him in over seven years." Garrace paused in memory for a moment. He could remember the times they spent during the battles of Nan and Eirinn. Not entirely a civil war, but a national. Because it was on seperate islands, they called this war the Federal Sink. Six-hundred-twenty-nine boats were destroyed in the middle of the ocean. 12,580 soldiers died, not counting the ones on land.

"Sir?" Mikelatos asked. "Shall I send a message for them to surround the area? Sir?"

"Oh!" Garrace stuttered. "Um, uh, yeah. Yes, do so."

"Alright," Mikelatos insisted. "General Colmer!"

The people on board felt a thud in the boat. "Get ready for battle men," Garrace said. "We're going to touch down on their ass."

Georgest ran into Arvus heels steaming and arrived at Davids home pounding the door like a mad man. David swung the door open and grabbed him than said “Whats wrong man what has happened!” William caught his breath and replied “King Garrace of the Comerites is landing in Benta with 500 troops and 80 cannons he’s bringing 30 boats 15 transports 15 warships!” Davids eyes opened wide in shock he ran out side ordered the commanders into the war room.

As the commanders assembled David paced back and forth the men did not even greet each other seeing their King waiting to speak. David had look in his eyes that was part fear part anger and part lost in thought but he spoke to his men in a quick tone “ Men I have fought beside you since we were but young men, I have known most of you all my life, we built this kingdom together as brothers from the ashes to the clouds, you are all family to me and that is why I regret telling you this but also why I’m telling you first.” He paused for a moment to gather the reality of what he was about to say than spoke with a voice of iron and said “The Comerites are attacking at Benta!” His men looked in horror the room was quite. Than he announced “Men you know what this means the Anarchintian Union Kingdom is at war! And we will do what Anarchintians do best we will fight and we will kill and we will be victorious!” With that the room went up in cheer not for them not for David but for Anarchintia and David continued “ Nothing has ever defeated the Anarchintians in all of history we have survived and I’ll be damned if thats going to be changed by a bunch of little weak Comerites that we’ve been slapping around since we could hold a weapon! Now we tried for peace but if they want us to kill than we will kill! The cheer only grew louder and Natiww jumped on the table and let out a roar to add to the noise. Davids eyes were now filled with fire and he smiled.

Meanwhile in Benta the Town Leader known as Crow Hat saw the puny Comerite force landing. He was an Apache looking man with tan to the point of almost red long black hair running past his shoulder blades thin but muscular. He was born to fire a bow. Slung over his shoulder was his 80lb Longbow and his quiver holding 50 arrows he wore pants made of Dragon Scales hooked to it was another quiver of 50 arrows and rarely wore a shirt to show his badge of honor the scare in his chest left from battling the monster. He showed little fear of the tiny force of 500 and ordered his 5,000 defenders to the walls and into their boats. mounted on the walls were ballistas and oil that was easy to burn. The wall was also built at an angle facing the sky to deflect on coming projectiles that would come directly at the wall like ballista bolts or arrows and leveled out at the top for archers. The ships were Triremes long with two rows of 15 oars to push it a sail the boat was thin with ballistas mounted on both ends of the boat one end also had a curved point good for ramming or lifting a boat out of the water enough to make any movement impossible this made it easy to storm a ship kill its crew and take all useful items. The perfect pirates boat every member of the crew was armed with a sword and bow and once an enemy ship was pushed off the point there would be a huge gash in the side of the boat dooming it to the ocean floor within seconds any surviving crew members would hardly have time to jump off and swim away. Knowing this Crow Hat did not worry.

In the cabin of the Rioghal Bolt, Garrace and his men discussed the battle.

"As I said before," Garrace ordered as he slammed his tankard on the table. "We're not all attacking at once."

"But sir," said Xero. "It's the quickest way to get in." "I'm not interested in speed." Garrace snapped. "We must be wise."

"Sir," said Cymræg. "The ships are all in place to be put to port. Why resist?" "David's expecting us to do such a thing." Everyone looked at each other. //How would he know?//

"Do you know of Gli Assassini?"

"Eh?" Everyone stared blankly. "The Assassins. Do you know of them?" "Oh!" said Fyry. "They killed m' wife." "How do you know?" Garrace asked.

"They 'ad a medallion on 'em." Fyry continued. He had a habit of speaking quickly. "She knew o' the symbol on the thing. Twa daggers, crossed, an' drippin' poison tæ represen' th' poison o' th' blades."

"How did you know? They'd've killed ye as soon as ye saw 'em." "I was wi' m' wife a' the time. I did næ think to grab Ellen's 'and." Fyry started to tear up. "I be quick ol' runner." Fyry prejudiced. "None o' ye cou' catch me. But…some days I wish they did…Aye, they should-a taken me instead…But 'at be in the past. Live in the present."

Everyone stood silent. They couldn't understand the pain he felt inside.

"…Well anyway," Garrace started. "We should get back to the talk. Now, the ships?"

"Send some a wee bit north o' the Bentanian docks." Captain MacOlaf suggested. "Hm," Garrace thought a moment. "How far north?" "Den xero. A mile or two?" "Hm…alright." Garrace ordered. "Thocka! Get order out to Captain Hrut, Jutnut, and Iglidik. We're sending five boats a mile north of Benta." "Aye." General McCoy came into the cabin about an hour later. "My Lord," McCoy said. "Fort Allerdice is ready for conflict."

"Good, McCoy. Now, how far are we from the coast?" "I'd say, by the time we get there, it'll be midday."

"Aye, good." Garrace responded. "But, we're still going to have to discuss strategy." "Sir, do you think time'll be with us?"

"Not something to worry about," Garrace ordered.

"But what if a balista attacks the ship?" "…Only then will we haste." Garrace sighed. "For now, if you wish, we'll unload six boats to start the offensive."

"Aye, sir." McCoy then left the ship without question.

Crow Hat paced on the wall looking over his soldiers straitening them up keeping them prepared and watching over the docks he noticed the blockade and watched it for a moment than a soldier asked "Sir should we try to break through?" Crow paused for a minute than said "No they want to draw us out where they have the advantage with their cannons we must protect our dock its their only way in and if they engage us it will be with our advantage ramming." Just than a man tapped Crow on the shoulder he turned to see a young thin man about 18 with a four foot sword small shield and helmet he reached into his pocket and pulled out a medallion with crossed daggers and poison drips the sign of the Assassins guild which was now being converted into the New Cavalry. The man spoke up and said "I am Dylan Prentil of the New Cavalry King David has sent me to inform you that he knows about your situation and is sending reinforcements." "No need" replied Crow "we out number them 10 to 1 and hold the defensive advantage the Comerites will turn and run within the week I doubt we will even fire a shot." Dylan sighed and said well thats wonderful but to bad because I can't get back through I hardly got through the first time also I think David is going to have them defend this area from more attacks." Crow frowned and said "fine how many soldiers is the king sending?" Dylan replied "100,000" "100,000!" Crow replied shocked "Yes said Dylan one full army." Crow shocked by the number settled it in his mind and thanked Dylan than continued pacing the wall

"...Cadet Brotu," Garrace said. "Do you have the sense that something is about to...multiply?" "Ti?" Brotu asked.

"Feel the atmosphere around you. Doesn't it feel a little bit...heavy?"

Cadet Brotu paused for a moment. He closed his eyes, listened closely, and saw an image in his mind. He gasped.

"What is it, Brotu?" Garrace ordered.

"David sends more down from Arvus. An army in the thousands."

"Where in the thousands?"

"Um," Brotu concentrates more, but sees only glimpses. After a while, he gets a picture. "...One...hundred..."

"100,000?!" Garrace cried. "Damn, they're pansies. Alright, um...first, get me my brown pants. Secondly, if there're that many people coming...call back to Vani-Tat. Order them for about...just get as many people as you can."

The people on board were frozen by the number they heard. //How the hell does Dave have 100k on him?//

"Sir," Brontu questioned. "Can we support all of the others?" "We can squeeze it."

"Are you sure?" Brontu doubted.

"Don't question me, boy."

In his mind, Garrace wasn't actually sure if he'd be able to 'squeeze it' or not. It's been years since he's been to war. Probably centuries. The fact that he did this at all even triggered his curiosity. //What the hell am I doing?// he thought. For the past few days he's been at sea, he's been shaking at the thought of war. //Have I rusted too much? Has it been too long? Will we make it?//

"Sir," Brontu said. "We have another couple hundred coming. We have boats to help surround the area, yes?"

"Aye, and a fort ready to take the hind o' Benta. Why?"

"Then I suggest we attack now."

"With what?" Garrace demanded. "What can we do right now?"

"Send a few men out, and wait for the Bentanians to come out. Once they do, we fire cannons at them. That takes down their force a tad bit there."

"Aye," Garrace agreed. "However, that's a bit too small for my liking...Besides, they have archers also, don't they?"

"We'll send out our most quickly-moving men first."

"Wait, wouldn't we save them for last?"

"Yeah, but it's still the best chance."

Garrace sighed. He knows that they should send them out now, but also remembered to save them for last. As of now, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place. But he must make a choice soon.

"...Send our largest //man// out."

"Wait, just a //man//? Why?"

"Because I said so. Tio-Xeto!"

"Yes, my Lord?" A large elven man appeared, almost three times any other soldier's muscle. He'd a droopy eye, a broken finger, and a scar along his eye-lids. His name is Gyrxnae Tio-Xeto. He was originally from the Pentasteds, but was kidnapped over fifty years ago by a family from Nan. When he was brought to Vani-Tat, he's since then been enslaved by the king of Comerish king.

"...Ye wanna kick-off for this game?"

Gyrxnae looked at him with a wince. "My pleasure."

Brontu leaned over to Garrace. "Ye sure about this?"

"Anarchintians aren't that tough, trust me. If anyone can take them, it's Gyrxnae."

Crow Hat smiled as he saw the man heading out. The soldier carried a large claymore and was huge and that means he was slow, which Crow liked because he was fast. He exited his gate and met the large elf on the field bow in hand quiver on his back and duel twelve inch knives connected to his quiver. Crow shouted with confidence "Go home elf go back to Garrace and tell him you must leave or you will all die here." Then he continued "Or better yet join us you look beat up tired and wounded the Chomerites must not treat you well but we will we can make you a Bentian Brother. Help us defend our city and king David and I will treat you like family come my friend join me."

"Listen to me well, you rednecks," said Gyrxnae. "I've been around these parts before, and I can tell you one thing; I don't kneel to dirty rednecks."

"Excuse me?" said one of the Bentanians.

"What," Gyrxnae responded. "You're offended by my honesty? Why?"

"Do you think you're any different?"

Gyrxnae smiled at him sarcastically. "Yes, for we //actually have// good education in Comeras."

Crow Hat still standing outside the walls lowered his head and said your opinion is to bad only if you had joined us than raised his head and shot five arrows in a matter of seconds four at the chest and one at the head

Gyrxnae, at that moment, dodged three of the arrows. The other two got him on the shoulder. He only winced slightly, and pulled them out. He took out a dagger from his pocket and threw it at his head.

Crow spun his bow in a circle and knocked the dagger from the air into the sand threw his bow on his back and than drew his blades and stayed crouched than said "Elf if you will not join me at least go back to your commander and warn him tell him Davids army is coming and this day is ending that leaves you three days until he arrives. If your army runs now he may show mercy on your forces."

"Boy, please," Gyrxnae responded. "We aren't from the East. We don't stop war, we encourage it. King Beleaker will be on his way shortly. If you don't back down, he will //​not// ​hesitate to attack."

Crow smiled and said "Please do, my archers need some target practice."

Gyrxnae smirked. "And they're smart enough to know this?"

Crow looked at him and shook his head than replied "Your education can't be that great for you do not realize Anarchintians are not fools they are warriors educated in all that they need to know. You on the other hand it looks like your thumb is bigger than your brain you brutish elf. You underestimate us and that will be your downfall. " Then turned and walked back into the gates and listened as they closed behind him.

"I admire your arrogant pride," Gyrxnae commented. "However, it's a little strange to be proud of being redneck, is it not?"

"In position!" Garrace shouted to the soldiers.

Every boat headed to Benta was crowded. Twenty men on each boat. Each of those groups were squished into the corner of the ship. There, they waited for the platform to drop.

//Boom!//

"Land ho, eh?" said one of the soldiers. "Lower the platform!"

A man cut the rope holding the platform. Out the soldiers marched, all at once. Generals on the other ships saw the men march out.

"Cut the rope!" one said.

"Let's go!" said another.

Soon, there was an army at the mouth of the bay. Garrace came out on horseback. At that moment, he rode in front of them to give speech.

"Comerish soldiers," Garrace announced. "As you may well know, this will be your first ever battle. I realise that you have left close and loved ones. But now is no time to think of such things. This could be your first battle, and for some, it'll be your last. I've lived upon this terrain before, and I'm not very strong. I grow old upon you. You men are of a higher stamina than I. So, if this is to be my last battle, I say these words in the name of Cernunnos. Listen well: //**The words of thy lord, Cernunnos, shalt not be spoken, lest ye take his ear, for he speaks only if his servants start. And with these words I speak to him, these words I wish to shine on us: Recall, my Lord, that servants, we be of your highness. By my words, and thy ear, I beg upon of this one desire; save us soldiers from the harms of war, until we're home once more; have you heart and mind on us, that we may live to see our kingdom conquer well, and shalt we survive, bring us to our close and loved, that we may serve as a whole, and nae a partial. Give us glory, and may the unholy Anarchintians be sent to Hades, as the rest of those who speak not the words of ye.**//

Crow looked down from the bastion on the walls as the ships landed and decided on his orders than yelled out "Men the enemy is of fools they unload their troops as dusk gets ready to fall this is a dangerous mistake King David has proven skilled at slaying the monsters in the area but even his men have not done it perfect as you know Death worms are every where and with a few dragons still in the mountains we may be lucky enough that they will graze on our foes." He looked at his commander and said "Keep the torches on the walls light we and wake me if they are foolish enough to attack in the night also get some charcoal and have 10 men slip it into the enemy camp spread it around their tents it will call in the dragons like cat nip." Crow walked away with a smile he patrolled the walls for an hour more before night duty took over and he went to bed in the barracks.

Garrace woke up the next morning. As we came out of his tent, he saw men in a cage…none of his.

"What in hell is this?" Garrace ordered.

"My Lord," General Xermas replied. "These Anarchintian soldiers were witnessed attempting to attract draigs from the mountians."

Garrace rubbed his eyes. "With what?"

"It appears to be charcoal."

"…and?" Garrace asked.

"Charcoal." Xermas said.

Garrace was puzzled for a moment. "How would draigs be attracted from charcoal?"

Xermas thought on how to explain. "When a dragon smells something burning, or charcoal in this case, they tend to think 'Oh, there must've been a fire. It had to be started by something, and must be somewhere big. Let's see what's there.' So then, they track down the scent of the charcoal. Once they've found the source, they think 'Food.' So, even just charcoal can be deadly in this case."

"But draigs are in the mountains." Garrace commented. "How could they smell it?"

Xermas pointed towards the east. "See that mountain?"

"Aye?"

"That mountain is known to have dragons upon it." Xermas said. "We've gained that info via Fort Allerdice."

"And how far are they from that mountain?"

"Under two miles." Xermas responded. "That mountain is Mount Heuvel."

"Do we have any draig in captivity?"

"No," Xermas sighed. "You'd have to kill them on the spot."

"Okay," Garrace said. "Well, are any parts of a dragon of any value?"

"The scales."

"Really?"

"Aye," Xermas explained. "Their scales are so rough, yet also flexible, that they can be made into armour."

"Is that so?" Garrace commented.

"Yes," Xermas went on. "In fact, some men at Allerdice have armour of the kind."

"Well, how many?"

"If you're lucky?" Xermas winced. "Ten out of a hundred."

"What?!" Garrace exclaimed disappointingly. "Why ten?"

"An entire draig can only make armour for ten people. The scales that are tough are the ones on its back. And the back isn't that much."

"Pfft." Garrace responded. "Well that's nice."

"My Lord," a soldier said. "When do you plan attack?"

"When everyone's ready." Garrace responded.

An hour later, each soldier was ready. During this time, Garrace had time to think over strategies.

"Sir," a soldier said. "We're ready."

"Good," Garrace replied. "Tell all the men to head south."

"Sir?"

"There's a town not to far from here. It'll be easier to take over than here. It may have 2,000 pop, but we can still take them."

The soldiers have never heard of anything like this before, but they won't argue with the king. They packed their things and left.

A few hours later, they reached a small town surrounded by walls of, what looked like, pine. Then, with one of their cannons, they fired at the wall.

At the town called Sytia Garrace's soldiers opened up on the city the walls fell in minutes and the Chomerite soldiers stormed in. The Anarchintians defending were mostly a militia though Anarchintian Militia are tuff they could do very little to defend the town against the Chomerite Blitz attack. Few people tried to make a defense those who did barricaded their doors and tried to hold back the Chomerite force many of the attackers being grown men and most of the defenders were children between the ages of 8 and 10 along with their mothers. The only reason they stood a chance was that the women and children had the battle experience of veterans of a great war as to the Chomerites who had none. The town guard boarded up the War Room yet knew it would not hold most defenders had already thrown up their hands realizing their defeat and the town leader rolled out the white banner of peace. In the War Room they terms were agreed on that Sytia would surrender to the Chomerites if the blood shed and destruction ceased and the Chomerite flag was raised over Sytia.

As David arrived in Benta with his massive army Crow met him and reported " King David it is an honor to see you at my city." David returned "It is an honor to be amongst the brave Bentian defenders who have gained our first victory against the Chomerite invaders. I just wish I could have arrived on better terms." Than he continued "Now where are the Chomerites?" Crow smiled and said "The cowards ran with winds after seeing the bravery and determination of our soldiers 10 honorable soldiers gave their lives attempting to lure a dragon to there camp the next morning the Chomerites packed up and fled that was three days ago." "This is excellent!" Announced David "First blood is ours!" "Yes sir" Agreed Crow "But there is some complications." "And what would that be?" Questioned David " My men fired on the retreating army it did not do much but we killed a few and wounded a man who had fallen behind. We captured him and ... questioned him. He said little being a dumb Chomerite he probably knew little but in his final gasps he shouted out Sytia will fall the Chomerite Empire will rise and all the blood of Anarchintia will paint our swords! After that he passed out his life force slipping away and we cut his neck and fed it to the zombies as an insult to his family maybe one day he'll be unleashed on them." Crow finished his report and had an almost pleasureful smile on his face from the zombie idea which was even a little to dark for David but than he replied "And what of the town any news of the battle?" Crow continued "The town surrendered within an hour of battle Chomerite cannon destroyed their walls in seconds and they blitzed into the city." David grew angry and said "We must rescue this town!" A nobel idea sir but I think we may have a bigger problem." Said Crow "And what could be bigger than Chomeras having a foot hold on Anarchintian soil?" David replied Crow continued a bit nervously "Thats just the problem sir it appears they have had a foot hold for quite the long while here at least since the birth of the AUK." Davids eyes grew wide now filled with rage and shouted "What do you mean?" Crow said " We sent out scouts looking for the enemy base and one became a stray and found itself 14 miles south west of our position near Mt. Heuvel and discovered a large Chomerite fort with about 100 defenders." David smashed his fist against a wall and shouted "So your telling me this nation was born with a piece of it under Chomerite occupation?!" "Yes sir I'm afraid so." Said Crow "But theres more. We have found a couple weaknesses of the Chomerites." This brightened Davids mood "Oh really." He replied "Yes sir two things one they hate fighting with their navy their boats were the only chance of getting into this city and to be honest they had a decent chance but they refused to engage and two they greatly underestimate us they see us as uncivilized barbarians and believe we are uneducated in proper warfare that we only no how to raid not stand and fight on the fields." Replied Crow Davids eyes brightened like a young child's on Christmas morning who had just seen the gift he begged for. "Oh thats beautiful an island nation afraid to use their navy and they underestimate us! Their army is already dead. I order you lead a group of 7,000 men to that fort block any reinforcements incoming kill every enemy inside and burn it to the ground. I have deployed 100,000 men armies to three different sectors completely defending our coast and any city within 100 miles of water this army is for your sector." Crow and David now shared this pleasureful smile over the destruction of Chomeras.

"My Lord," Gyrxnae announced. "We have complete controll over the town. The flag is raised, and the people serve you."

"Very well," Garrace replied.

"Sir," Gyrxnae wondered. "What is our next move? I can sense it in my bones that there are more Anarchs coming."

"Are you sure?"

"Aye," Gyrxnae answered. "My nerves ne'er do deceive me."

Garrace thought for a moment. //Well, he is honest.//

"Alright," Garrace ordered. "Major Chobaich, send word back to Vani-Tat that we require more men."

Chobaich stared. "But sir, we have not many men left."

"Define 'not many.'" Garrace ordered.

"If we're to bring one-hundred-thousand people on this land," Chobaich worryingly said. "We may not have enough to defend //our// shores."

Garrace thought a moment. //Since the most-likely place in Comeras for them to attack would be Raibeirt Leth-Eilean, pretty much Ditas and Æther, they could send off the other three-hundred-thousand men to that point. And if Dave comes down here…//

"Alright," Garrace said. "Send fifty-thousand men here to Sytia, and the rest down to Æther and Ditas."

"Sir?"

"Trust me, Chob," Garrace replied. "I know what I'm doing."

Chobaich smiled. "I never doubted." He then turned to the other soldiers. "Sergeant Samhach! Do as he said!"

"Aye, of course." said Samhach. "They'll arrive very soon."

"Good." Garrace replied. "This should be fun."

Davids men with Crow arrived at the fort and made a quick assault they fired Ballista at the walls and used ladders to storm the walls than realized it was empty "What the douce?" Said a soldier "Its empty." "Yes." Agreed Crow "We noticed." "Well where are the enemies." Continued the soldier "Don't question it just be happy about it." Said Crow "Now take everything of value and burn this place to the ground!" The men liked that order and did it with joy. Meanwhile back at Benta David could not sleep he rolled and tossed and turned as visions of the fishing town of Sytia burning to the ground filled his head the women and children dying finally he awoke and went outside to find a soldier than said "Soldier I need you to find your commander and give him orders to meet me here I need 30,000 soldiers."30,000!?" Said the soldier "Yes 30,000 I am going to save Sytia and end the war now this will not destroy my kingdom go now and tell him King David calls." The commander came to meet him and introduced himself "I am Lieutenant Jack, what can I do for you King David?" "I need 30,000 men." Replied David "Organise it of 10,000 Cavalry 5,000 men to man the Ballistas 5,000 Longbowmen 3,500 Fetixis 3,500 Hoplis 3,000 Ariens." "Yes sir." Replied Jack. "We march at dawn." Shouted David as Jack marched off.

The next day, the military Garrace ordered 'came in the mail.' Fifty-thousand men, ready to fight.

"Good," said Garrace. "Now, what do we have?"

Gyrxnae listed off. "Archers: five-thousand; cannon men: two-hundred-twenty; reg-sols: the rest."

"Very well," said Garrace. "Tell the archers to ready themselves."

"And the regs?"

"They wait." Garrace replied.

"For what?" Gyrxnae wondered.

"The right time."

When Davids men arrived at Sytia he positioned his men in between the ocean and a 45 degree decline hill. His Hoplis soldiers armed with spears shields and three foot swords defended his right flank near the water. His Fetixis which were armed with their 3D triangle shields and four foot swords defending the left flank by the hill decline. Behind the Fetixis were the Ballista armed and ready to fire, and in the center were Davids Ariens strong soldiers carrying either maces or duel two handed axes one for throwing at a close range and one to fight with, but their was a problem. The area was two small and instead of thickening their ranks they bowed out making the formation look like a recurve bow this was a problem. Also Davids Cavalry were squished behind the Fetixis and Hoplis making it hard for them to get to the front in an attempt to fix the formation David placed his Longbowmen in position in the pocket made by the outward bulge. David looked at his Lieutenant with nervous eyes and said “I hope this works from what the spies have reported 50,000 Chomerites are coming to the cities defense.” The soldier replied “It will sir we have the finest soldiers a general could ask for with more battle experience than anyone in the world, plus with this victory the war will end. We will destroy their army kill their king and burn their pride.” David still concerned said “I hope so.” Still trying to relax David the lieutenant continued “Plus don’t forget sir these men are more or less civilized not like zombies or wendigo we don’t need to destroy them all just scare them out of their will to fight.” Finally David looked at his lieutenant sighed smiled and said “Thanks soldier can’t have raw nerves before a fight.” Than jumped on his horse and road to the front and rode in front of his men and gave them a speech. “Men today our young nation formed not long ago goes to war yet we should not fear this instead use it for the AUK along with all of its citizens are born into battle! They come from the womb sword in hand swinging it at the enemy whoever it may be! And now our old rivals the Chomerites refuse the fresh peace that has just settled over the region like a new blanket of snow in Firaduil yet now like a coyote stalking its prey it breaks the snow yet this coyote does not realize it has tracked down a bear! I tell you my men not to fear death anymore than you fear your weapon for today death is your weapon take it and plunge it into your enemy and their ranks for today when you do that your names go down to history as the defenders of the AUK the ones who took up their weapons and defended this nation from the wolves at the door and for that you are no longer barbarians or villains as the world previously thought but heros and defenders now stating that the AUK is here to stay and that anyone who dares question that will die before they get the chance to stop us from destroying them! A roar erupted from the crowed and David smiled as he rode back to command his forces in the battle to come.

About three seconds after he finished his speech, a small metal ball landed on someone's skull, breaking it to fifty pieces.

"What the hell?" another soldier said. He looked forward a bit, and in the distance, about one-hundred yards away, there was smoke coming from a metal tube. A cannon had just fired upon them.

"Those pricks!" said another soldier. "First blood!"

Garrace's entire military formation was just one-hundred yards away. There was a line of cannons in the front. Each cannon was covered with a thick, wooden board, sort of like a shield. Behind them, there was a group of archers, waiting to fire. Then, behind them, there were the Reg-Sols.

All of the cannons in the front shot once. This hit one-thousand-two-hundred people of David's military all on the front line body parts exploded with it. This shot scared David's men a bit, but they would deal with it. David shouted “The dragons we fight are more dangerous than these big metal scrap piles!”

Really David was a little shocked by the artillery power got to his cavalry and quickly ordered a charging raid into enemy forces

Garrace expecting a cavalry attack had laid gunpowder 3 yards in front of the cannons and light it off. The fire was quick but intense horses and men yelled in pain and most caught in it were not killed instantly but instead ran out burning and shouting this ended up killing 500 of Davids advancing cavalry and forcing the rest to retreat behind infantry lines. At that moment, Garrace mocked the hell out of David.

"Dude!" Garrace laughed joyfully. "What are you, Stewart's? Hahaha! Dear God, that's fun! Haha!"

In horror David saw his men burn anger and horror and grief filled him at once and he knew the situation was getting worse.

During this moment, Garrace ordered for his five-thousand archers to fire. Each archer shot three arrows. Altogether, there were eight-hundred deaths on Anarchintia's side. Garrace laughed a bit more.

David now frustrated ordered a return volley from his Longbowmen and finally David had something to smile about as he watched 1,200 Chomerites fall to Longbow shot.

The Chomerites Infantry made a charge 15,000 against 10,000 but David had one last card to play he shouted his orders "Hoplis throw spears Ariens Pincer Fetixis kneel Balista fire!" The Hoplis kill 1,500 the Ariens with axes threw their first set and killed 500 but 1,000 Fetixis failed to get down in time and were cut down by their own Ballista than the rest failed to rise and meet the enemy breaking their front lines in the mean time the Arien bow formation was driven back but rallied and held doggedly wavering but not broken as for the Hoplis they held strong against the in coming enemy. David knew his flanks must hold if he wanted a single chance of winning this battle so he rode in to battle and dismounted right before the front. David drew his sword and stabbed an unprepared Chomerite through the ribs and smashed his shield against another ones head. Than he got behind his shield as an enemy attempted to stab him with his sword but instead slid off Davids shield and was stabbed in the back as he fell with a few more slashes David had cleared a perimeter around himself than threw off his helmet and yelled "Come now my Fetixis I am one of you I carry your shield and wear your armor so now I fight beside you join me and hold the line!" The Fetixis rallied as a "Horrah!" raised amongst the men and they began to reform.

//BOOM!//

A cannon fired no more than ten seconds after David spoke amongst his men. The ball from the cannon hit towards the centre of the bow formation. Two or three men were killed on the spot.

David was about to swing his sword at a Comerite, when a large elf appeared. Gyrxnae just gave David a blank stare.

David looked at the big elf and yelled up "I've killed, skinned, and eaten bigger things than you" The elf swung down and David rolled out of the way and cut hit Achilles tended a wave of blood spilled out and the elf yelled as he fell to his knees than David vaulted over the elfs shoulder and stabbed the enemy through the throat another cheer raised from the Fetixis and they formed back into formation

Just as this was happening, David's Arien troops sprung back into their bow form, snapping back the Comerites. Garrace looked in despair.

"How the hell did they do that?" Garrace exclaimed. He just couldn't believe the hell it was.

With Anarchintian Fetixis and Ariens holding their lines this now turned from a massacre to a battle a winnable battle. The fighting raged on for an hour before finally the Hoplis who had fought well all battle long finally broke the Comerite left flank with this the Comerite forces in battle began to run this caused panic amongst the reserves and lead to the full army routing. Garrace ran out and attempted to rally his troops.

Garrace looked at the chances of the battle. He started to regret the choice he made.

He sighed. "Men," he began. "It seems that luck is not on our side. We have no choice but to rout back to Comeras."

"But, sir,"

"Aye, don't speak." Garrace interrupted. "I know what you'll say." Garrace looked up at the sky. "…But let's just go back. We've no choice."

Everyone had a hard time, but they couldn't disobey their lord. Garrace waved his sword in the air, giving them the signal to retreat. This was the end of the battle.

David had ordered his men to charge and take the enemy but were stopped as the cannons exploded in front of them Garrace had ordered their and all the ammunitions destruction Anarchintians poured water on the blaze and by the time the smoke cleared the Comerites were back on their ships sailing home and the Anarchintians cheered and shouted in celebration A.U.K! A.U.K! A.U.K!

By battles end 6,500 Anarchintians and 8,200 Chomerites lay dead on the field

Garrace returns home a few days later to see the banner burned to a crisp by Anarchintian spies and said with a disappointed look "Awe my banner." Meanwhile David after the celebration in Arvus headed into the war room with his commanders. The men smiling with high morale after the victory David greeted them and said "Good morning gentlemen I hope you enjoyed the celebration it was well earned but that is not why I've gathered you. Though the battle of Sytia was a great victory we did not kill a ton of Comerites just enough to bloody their nose but this fight is not over." Ajils spoke up "What do you mean sir the Comerites have seen our power and now flee home?" David replied "That is true we have done well but Chomeras has hundreds of thousands of more soldiers Garrace will just return with a bigger army if he wishes." Ajils spoke again "Who says he wishes after the last fight?" David looked at Joseph and said "Would you like to explain?" "Yes." Said Joseph "As my spies have reported Garrace is rallying his troops this war is just beginning." Ajils again said "But if they come again th" Crow intruded "Sit down and shut up Ajils we need to listen to the report and can't do that with you flapping your mouth." Ajils sat down scowling "Thank you Crow." Continued David "With their army bruised and their banner burnt Comerite moral is on the fringes the war is growing more and more unpopular amongst the Chomerite population and from these reports Ladies and Gentlemen I believe I smell a coup brewing and it smells delicious all we have to do is invade Comeras and defeat them on the fields there and people will demand an end to the war if Garrace refuses Comeras will break into Civil War!" The group mumbled and chatted about the idea and David went on "My plan is to send the remaining force of 100,000 that is not guarding our boarders into the south west point of the island from there they will drive forward challenging the enemy to the field and when Garrace finally meets them the Comerite army will fall and Comeras will surrender. This is a campaign of total war so we will be blockading Vani-tat with 30 Triremes and we will march up through Comeras burn every building take everything of value and kill anyone who attempts to stop us." The men accepted their orders and marched out

Meanwhile, Garrace talked amongst his men:

"Alright," Garrace ordered. "Park yer trap an' arse now, please." He was still a little shaken from the battle, hence the strange speech. "Now, as you can tell, we've just lost our first battle as a nation. No, it's not a guh' thing to admit. However, I've been feelin' strange lately." One of Garrace's men took out a map. It was big, old, and hard to understand. He pointed to the Vatzy Peninsula; where Aether and Ditas meet at the very southwestern tip of Ai-Lyn. "I've been hearing strange voices in my head, saying we should head down here."

"Excuse me, sir," Ioret commented. "I mean no offence to your faith, but how does a dream simply give you the answers?"

"How does a Book?" Garrace said. The others gave a light giggle.

Ioret shut right up. "Good point."

"Anyway," Garrace went. "I've had thoughts of this dream for a while, so I have a plan: We're going to send fifty-thousand soldiers down to Vatzy. All other soldiers around the nation shall be stationed as they are."

"Sir," said another. "Wouldn't you believe that fifty-thousand is a little too big?"

Garrace sighed. "Honestly," he responded. "I think it's too //small//. However, we can only use so many men for one thing. Fifty-thousand, period. Now, any questions?"

"How do you expect to afford all of this?"

Garrace thought a moment. "...I don't." "Excuse me?" said Ioret. "So you're saying we're fighting penniless?"

"At the moment," Garrace added. "At the moment. I don't expect to pay you //now.// However, I will promise full and added payment once I'm at that point."

"And added?" some exclaimed. "That's a first."

"Anyway," Garrace said. "Are you men ready?" "Dependo." Ioret said.

Garrace snarled. "What?"

"How much added?" People around Ioret began to shout.

Garrace took up a dagger and threw to a soldiers head. "Next to think of it gets it somewhere worse. Am I clear?"

"Aye," said them all.

"Alright, then," he said. "Pa-me!"

//__TURNING THE TIDES: THE VATZY VICTORIES__//

Soldiers from all around Vani-Tat, the Pentasteds, and the Isle of Dign came down to Vatzy Peninsula to take place in battle.

"Men," Garrace said. "It's time for another. Welcome to the Vatzy Cogadh. Today, as I said in the Benta-Sytia Dunaidh, this may be your first and last battle. If you're lucky, you'll have a kidney or bone smashed. I just wish to say, Good Luck. Gun teid leat!" He looked out to the sea. "David, you bastard, try us again!"

About an hour after his speech, Garrace and his men started building a wall of wood. It wasn't really a wall, but more of a palisade. It took about seven hours to completely build it; enough to give the Comerish temporary protection. Meanwhile, Garrace ordered for at least three ships to come near the peninsula. The next day, half of David's army shows up without him.

The day before David had seen some Chomeras villages and decided to begin the total war campaign and split the army in half 50,000 to chase Garrace and 50,000 to burn the villages. Davids attack force arrived 5,000 Cavalry, 10,000 Longbowmen, 5,000 Ballistamen, 10,000 Fetixis, 10,000 Ariens, 10,000 Hoplis. He arranged them so it was Fetixis on the left flank Ariens in the center and Hoplis on the right the Balista behind the Fetixis Longbowmen behind Hoplis and Cavalry behind the Ariens. Garrace ordered his troops to then attack the enemy in an all out charge. Crow who is leading the battle for Anarchintia ordered to opened fire with every ranged attack possible. The Fetixis kneeled and the Ballista fired and 1,500 Chomerites fell. The Longbows fired two volleys and another 500 dropped. Hoplis spears flew through the air ending 1,200 more Chomerites, and finally as they closed in axes flew from the Ariens and decimated 500 more. Than the armies colided. The battle raged all day until the sun began to set than both Garrace and Crow ordered tactical fall backs to their camps the Chomerites having taken 5,000 casualties and the Anarchintians having 3,500 losses

The next day, Garrace took his spot on the battle field from the previous day. Although he had fewer men than before, he still felt optimistic. He noticed that David's army had gone down a wee bit as well, so he might have a chance.

On the other side of the field Crow got his men back into position and thought now we've got them in the meantime David had finished his raiding and was marching to the field with 50,000 reinforcements

Garrace in the night woke his commanders and ordered the men to ready their arms and said "We attack at dawn."

The next morning as AUK troops rose from their beds just in time to see Comerite forces spring their trap the troops grabbed their weapons and chaos broke out in the battle camp. Crow grabbed his bow and shot down three Comerites and ordered his men to establish a perimeter. The infantry fought most the day trying to do so. Finally after battling all day the AUK forces establish a defensive perimeter and hold against Comerite attacks. Than Comerite forces fell back to their fort after sustaining 7,000 casualties. Anarchintians wanting to retaliate were to exhausted and salvaged what they could from their destroyed camp after taking 11,000 casualties.

Garrace had just noticed the seven-thousand casualties. He looked around, then ordered his men.

"Men! To the hill!"

"Eh?"

"Just go."

The men didn't hesitate. They retreated to the hill, where Garrace gave more orders.

"A'ight." Garrace said. "Archers, I need you to go behind the hill. Reg Sols, get to port and starboard. Militia; centre, now."

"What're ye plannin' sur?" said an archer.

"You'll see."

At that moment, David's army charged onto the hill. There, for a few brief moments, they battled Comeras. Anarchintia lost one-thousand-two-hundred men immediately. At that same moment, Comeras took around thirty-three-hundred deaths.

"Okay, men!" Garrace ordered. "Down the hill!"

Garrace's men went down the hill, towards the archers. Then David's men came, and the second they came up…

"AH, dammi-" A soldier fell to the ground with an arrow in his eye. David went to the summit, and there he saw twenty-thousand men with a bow and arrow.

"Ah, David," Garrace whispered to himself. "Have fun in Hell."

An entire volley of arrows came down upon Dave's men. Forty-eight-hundred of David's men fell down the hill, all with an arrow on them.

"Alright," Garrace said. "East militia! Flank around!"

After about ten minutes, Garrace had a group about to flank David's people.

David slashed through a Reg Sol than blocked a spear and slashed a Militias throat just in time to block a sword and deflect it with his shield stabbing the man in the gut he looked at Crow who was struggling not to be overrun by constantly attacking Comarites and asked "Why is this getting so hard I feel like I'm fighting a zombie horde!" Crow looked over and Replied "I think we've been flanked and we're being overrun!" David fought his way over and collected a few Comerite bodies and piled them up till he had a stack of five than fought to get a decent clear area around him got on top and looked around. Trying to keep his balance on the shifting pile he took a look over the field and shouted "Damn Crow your right we're flanked and we aint gunna fight out of it sound the retreat.

Some archers killed a few more men, and that was that. The day was done, everyone was tired. Soldiers died, brothers cried, and Garrace broke his shoulder. He didn't mind; he seemed to find the pain go as he got older. He's been through so much in his life. Hell, he's Anarchintian. And the more he went through it, the lighter the pain got. At seven-hundred-eight years old, there's vaguely anything he can't take. The only pain he has now is that of his memories.

"Sir?"

Garrace stood quiet for a moment. "Yes?"

"What are we to do for tom-"

"Don't," Garrace ordered as he through up his hand. "It isn't tomorrow yet, our soldiers are still burning and bleeding, and you...you should rest...But fetch me a beer first."

The next morning, Garrace woke up before his other men. He faced towads the East. There, the sun was on the horizon. The clouds turned pink and orange, the sand was glittering, and the breeze was warm. Garrace thought a moment. //If this be a terrible loss, may the soldier nearest to me swing his blade and end me. If, however, this be a victorious fight, then may I have the strength to take on another. I don't stop by age; I stop by metal through my gut or through my neck. Bleeding isn't the end of a battle, it's the beginning. So let's start.// Garrace took a deep breath in, and had thought once more. His wife, his home, and his reign were all he could think of after that.

"Artemis, be with us," Garrace prayed. "...and save Cassaine, my dear wife."

Shortly after, his men were ready.

"Let's go, men." Garrace ordered. "May luck be on our side. May Artemis protect us."

The army was at the top of the hill from the previous day. Garrace searched the sand for David's men, but they weren't anywhere.

"What the hell?" Garrace exclaimed. "Whe-"

Then he saw a boat headed for the horizon. He noticed its structure, its colour, and everything else. Then it clicked.

"Oh," Garrace said. "…Well, men, I suppose we claimed victory."

The men seemed confused. Some men scratched his head.

"Just like that?" one of them said.

"I guess so."

"…Well that sucks. I had my coffee for nothing, then." said an archer.

Garrace was sort of annoyed. He'd grabbed his soldiers for nothing. He agreed with that soldier and the coffee.

He thought. //What should we do now? We can't just go back and say we won. It's only been four months.//

He wasn't sure what else to do. Except…

"…Alright, men," he ordered. "This is what'll happen. Get back on your ships, and head for the Fluss River. We're going to dry them out."

The men liked the idea, and started heading for the ships.

__//BATTLE OF// FLUSS__

The ships of Comeras were then headed for the Fluss River. There were only about one-hundred people going down, the rest stayed in Comeras as coastguards.

David after falling back from Comeras plotted obsessed with winning the war when a spy met him and reported "King David the Comerites are headed for the Fluss river!" David flipped the battle map he was using and shouted "What!?" The spy could clearly see David had not slept in days and was quite agitated than continued "Yes and Garrace is leading 5 ships against you" David relaxed and smiled than said now I have them I'll kill their king crush their armies and conquer Comeras. I will be on one of 5 Triremes headed to intercept at the mouth of the river." Said David as he marched off. David arrived at the river mouth before Garrace and ordered his ships into ambush position from their they waited David checked his pack for something quickly it was in there a little vial of liquid and quickly shut his bag. When Garrace finally arrived David scouted the enemy fleet and gave the orders to attack. Comerite cannons were almost useless against the close range attack. Anarchintian Triremes rammed their ships Hoplis and Fetixis stormed the boats and battle surged. The battle was going exactly as planned. The Comerites were caught by surprise all 5 ships were being boarded and David had just spotted Garrace. David just about leaped to Garrace and swung his sword Garrace was bearly able to catch it with his blade. David shouted "This is it old man today is your death as the sun rises the next day Comeras will join you!" Garrace responded with "Aye boy shut your mouth and talk with your sword." David stabbed at Garraces chest only for him to spin and punch David in the head. David regained his footing and got behind his shield as Garrace came down with a sword blow that slid of his shield David took a swipe at the throat than with Garrace off balance from dodging the close shot David pounded his shield against Garraces jaw. For a moment time slowed down and David saw as Garrace began to tumble down towards the water than and David was sure he had won finally but than he felt a tug. Garrace had grabbed Davids leg and David fell into the water as well. Garrace passed out not long after pulling down David. David on the other hand was awake and sinking he could swim but he had to much armor he began struggling taking off his grieves and belt and helmet and pulled and pulled and pulled at his chain mail which finally slipped off as he raised to the surface and grabbed his bag he took the vial slipped it in his pocket than he was going to go back down after his shield but at that moment he saw the Comerite navy withdrawing. Then the Anarchintian navy persuing but he only saw 4 Triremes than he felt thwack thwack thwack the last boat smacked him in the head with oars and knocked him out cold.

Just a little while later, Garrace woke up. He felt the sand on his back. He had a cut on his back that burned from the sand. He got up, tried to walk a bit, then tripped.

"…Oh, damn. It's you." he snarled.

Garrace wanted to kill him right off, but was in too much pain. He couldn't even do magick because he was hurting so much. He tried for his sword, but just gave up.

"Go figure," he said to himself. "I have his death on my mind, I can't do it. When I'm focusing on my life, that's when I can get him. Does my god do me no favour?"

"Boy, I do more than a few favours. Trust me." Cernunnos said.

"Meh," he responded. "So what about what I just said, eh? Why does that happen?"

"I don't control your luck." Cernunnos answered.

Garrace just waved his hand in an angry motion. "Whatever."

Shortly after, David awoke.

He looked up and wiped the sand from his face than looked up and saw Garrace. His energy refilled him and he drew his sword than smiled and said "Now your mine old man." David swung for his chest and Garrace jumped back. David again swiped at his throat and Garrace fell on to his back as David with a crazy smile raised his sword but just than a gust of wind blew by from a small nearby tree line. The tree line wasn't large just 5 trees near the water and the breeze was soft but it stopped David in his tracks. He looked up with a confused look and sniffed the air than his eyes widened and a Wendigo jumped from behind a tree David turned his sword and caught the Wendigos battle axe and twisted his blade breaking the axe and sending the head flying off. The Wendigo threw the remaining chunk of wood and it smacked David right in the head sending him stumbling back. The Wendigo charged forward and leaped in the air by instinct David raised his left arm forgetting he carried no shield the Wendigo landed on top of him knocking him to the ground and ripped off its bone mask revealing his jagged broken teeth and torn bleeding lips than dove its head to Davids jugular but David pushed his sword up and the beast stopped and David twisted his sword around and pulled it out along with the monsters intestines wrapped around his sword like spaghetti on a fork. David pushed the creature off of him looked over to Garrace and said "Some help you were." "Aye five minutes ago you were about to execute me." Replied Garrace "None the less I just saved both our lives your welcome." Said David just as he did three more Wendigo came from behind the trees now David was confused.

Garrace saw David fight the Wendigos. //How the hell does he do this everyday?// Garrace tried to walk, but then fell to his knees. His leg had a big cut on it. //How'd that happen?// He went over to the water, dipped his leg, and felt just fine. But he was confused, for water doesn't heal him that easily. Then, just at that moment, he looked over to his side. There, a corpse lied on the shore. It had some clothing and a sword. //That's all I need.//

David just killed the last of the three Wendigos. When he finally caught his breath, he looked over at Garrace.

"Let's see how sharp he kept it." Garrace said. Just then, he swung his blade for Dave's head. David ducked, and swung for Garrace's stomach. He barely hit him, leaving a thin line on Garrace's torso.

They faught a little longer, and then another Wendigo came. //Yay.// Things are getting fun.

David pawing at the ground taking swings at Garrace while trying not to pass out looked behind him and saw a 5th Wendigo "Spectacular" Said David sarcastically Garrace unable to fight started throwing rocks at the Wendigo. He missed several times occasionally hitting the trees in the background while the Wendigo tauntingly walked to their flanks ready to charge David laid on thee ground to exhausted to stand and held up his sword as some kind of defense against the Wendigo. When all of a sudden a death worm popped out of the sand near the trees Garrace had been hitting David knew he had attracted the worm. David felt a quick blast of energy that he quickly used to stand and tumble towards the water Garrace not knowing why figured it was a good idea and rolled into the river as the Wendigo charged but was cut off by the worm and after a minute of being harassed the Wendigo fled. David and Garrace floated in the water on their backs the water felt good on Garraces wound but David tried not to sink than Garrace asked "Remind me why were just floating here?" David replied "Death worms can't get us in the water also it feels good not to have to stand after keeping back those Wendigo." "Oh sounds smart" continued Garrace "Yeah" said David also did you smell that back there?" "What?" asked Garrace "That sulfur in the air. Wendigo never fight in pacts they hate being near other Wendigo. This was obviously Skin Walker magic possessing them. Their magic always leaves sulfur behind the mark of Demons." Garrace looked at him and asked "So thats why you were smelling the air?" "Yeah" replied David "And I doubt its done we must keep on watch." Garrace and David floated for a while in silence and than David spotted something on the river bottom. "My shield!" Shouted David excitedly. He swam to the bottom and pulled the shield it was heavy and David struggled to get it on to its side but finally dragged it back to the surface almost drowning himself but he threw it on and relaxed as he said "Oh that feels so much more right."

Garrace, however, was still in the water. His leg and back were stinging from the water washing out the wound… Garrace, although in pain, had pulled off just enough energy to heal with the water.

"Ah, crap," he winced. He rested for a moment to avoid the Magick Pain, a pain caused by using an excessive amount of magick. After that, he healed a bit more. And again, and again. Eventually, his leg and back were healed, and his pain was gone.

The day was reaching dusk. David, at that moment, mentioned the scent of sulfur. After a few moments, a zombie appeared.

"Get ready," David said by instinct, but then remembered that he'd no military behind him. Garrace gave a strange look at David.

"Um," Garrace paused. "Okay?"

The first zombie appeared, and attacked David he responded by catching the zombie on his shield pushing it up and back than smashing its skull in with his shield.

"Oh," Garrace replied. "Is that all?" When he saw Dave kill two more, he picked up his sword, and decapitated one. "Damn. Easier than I thought."

"Well if you think so get over here and help me!" David yelled as he fought to keep from being over run.

Garrace ran over and tried to pull a zombie off the pile and the flesh just ripped off in his hand. He looked at it shocked for a moment than threw it to the ground and began swinging his sword. Finally David could not fend them off any longer and just hid under his shield and crouched down beneath it. The zombies clawed at his shield as David pushed up and broke the circle. Just as he did one zombie not on his shield tackled him to the ground. Just as it was about to bite him Garrace kicked the monster off and split its skull.

"...Remember," Garrace said, fighting another zombie. "...It's not because I like you."

Just as Garrace said it, two zombies came behind him. As soon as heard the growls and moans, he flung his arm around, and chopped the two heads off. They were the cleanest cut he's ever made. //Bullshit lucky. Let's do it again.// Another zombie came up to him. When Garrace was about to get to it, he tripped on a shoelace that came loose. When he tripped, his sword flew out of his hand an landed in the zombie's stomach. The zombie fell back, and when it hit the ground, the sword flew out of it. It went up about an inch or two, and the hilt hit another zombie on the foot. It looked down, and moaned.

Just then, David came over and put his blade through the creature's head. The head split in half, and fell back. The body came no farther than six inches from Garrace. Garrace looked up at Dave.

"...I don't like you either." David said.

"Fair enough." Garrace replied.

David thought to himself "I may not like him but I do need him for this. We're somewhere in the Numidian Steps or Southern Anarchintia either way not good. It won't be easy on my own and he may prove useful as bait." Than looked over at Garrace and said "Look like it or not we're stuck here together and you can't survive without me and I'm not positive I'll make it on my own out here on my own as is so here's the deal. We'll call a truce no trying to kill each other until we're back to civilization because if we end up out here on our own we're probably going to die." Garrace looked curiously and replied "How do I know once wee get back into the AUK you won't have me killed?" David looked frustrated because the idea had crossed his mind than replied with a smile on his face "What you don't trust me?" Garrace scowled and replied "I trust those zombies more than I trust you Plantagenet." David still grinning said "That hurts Garrace I offer to show you back to civilization out of the goodness of my heart and you think its a plan to hurt you." Garrace tired of Davids games snapped back "There is no goodness in the hearts of Anarchintians your boys proved that with their raids!" David now a bit angry for Garrace making it personal snapped back " If your people were smart enough to learn they would have just stood back and let us take what we need it wasn't much just enough to live but they had to be greedy and fight to keep their extra recourses to fatten themselves up with their own greed is what killed them!" Garrace shot back "Greedy?! Whats so greedy about keeping what they worked for?! What right do you have to come and just take it as you please?!" David smirked and shot back "I could ask you the same thing the only difference between when I do it and when you do it is I call it raiding when you do it its called taxes. When I do it I am met with hatred and resistance when I'm just trying to stay alive! When you do it you are met with acceptance and understanding so it can be easier for you with that big hard life up there in that comfy castle of yours." "Your a thief!" shouted Garrace "And your a greedy tyrant!" David shouted back. Both men drew their swords and attacked each other.

Garrace's sword was able to reflect the sunlight, so, he used it to his advantage. When he had a clear sight of Dave's eyes, he moved the blade to shine in his eyes.

"Ah!" David shouted. "You prick!" Dave, although temporarily blinded, swung wildly a couple times. Garrace dodged all of them.

"Hehe," Garrace snickered. "I thought you were used to this?"

"Shut up!" Dave could see again. When he saw Garrace's blade, he looked away, spun around, and threw his sword at Garrace... He missed. The blade merely caught Garrace's ear.

"Ah!" Garrace shouted. "Skata kefali!"

"Well," Dave began. "That's your own damn fault. You had to be an elf."

Garrace got pissed. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Garrace screamed. He flailed his sword around wildly, getting a scratch or two on Dave. Nothing too serious, though. Dave got some more scratches on Garrace, trying to block his wildness.

David annoyed by the dots still flickering in his eyes from the sun. He finally regained his focus Garrace swiped his sword at Davids head and David ducked than came up and smashed his shield right up into Garraces jaw sending him tumbling back. David took this chance and grabbed his back off the ground. Garrace got back up dizzy from the shot and David shouted at him "I am used to this its like walking just most of my enemies aren't such cowards to use a mirror as a weapon!" Garrace shouted back "I'll show you a coward!" Than charged forward. David knelt below his shield and stuck his sword out. Garrace brought his sword down on Davids shield but it slid off. David than stood up and began swinging his sword in an almost systematic way one hard strike after another pausing for less than a second in between each shot to get strong footing. Garrace continued using these little pauses to strike at David but it was pointless David knew how to use his shield. Every shot by Garraces massive claymore either smashed into Davids shield and did nothing or slid off and threw Garrace off his balance. David kept forcing Garrace back until Garrace felt water on his heel David was forcing him to the river. He yelled "It won't be that easy to swim with that much steel Garrace lay it down now and surrender to the AUK!" Garrace shot another strike at David and once again it bounced off his shield. David swiped down at him and Garrace leaped back into the water now up to his knees. Frustrated Garrace yelled "Screw this!" Stuck his sword in the ground and grabbed Davids shield with both hands and with a swift pull knocked David off his balance and slipped his shield off his arm than threw it like a frisbee into the sands. "Not so tuff without that chunk of metal in front of you now that you actually have to rely on your skill as a swordsmen now are you!" Taunted Garrace "I'll show you tuff!" David shouted back "I may be a Fetixis but I can fight without my shield lets see how much you like the taste of my blade old man!" David stabbed at Garraces head. Garrace leaped back and swung at David. Garraces steel blade met Davids obsidian sword. The weight of Garraces blade made it hard for him to hold it back with his own smaller lighter blade but he held it up both soldiers stood pushing on each others blades until finally David s arms grew weak he could no longer hold up the mass of steel that was Garraces claymore. David swung his sword down into the water dodged Garraces sword and splashed water into Garraces face blinding him for a minute. Garrace steped back unknowingly avoiding Davids blade that swung an inch from his throat. He cleared the water from his eyes and David did it again but this time Garrace used his magic to catch the water and shoot it back at David and shouted "Enough!" David covered his eyes with his left hand and let the water splash into him than taunted "Thanks I was getting a bit warm." Garrace angry and frustrated with the fight charged forward their swords met again but this time David slipped under the claymore brought his sword around and stabbed Garrace through the top of the shoulder. Garrace yelled in pain and dropped his sword than grew angry and tackled David into the river. David and him wrestled in the water but Garrace being much bigger than David pinned him down and started to drown him. David struggled but quickly ran out of air he reached for his sword but it was no use his arms were pinned down and he was starting to black out when suddenly a chunk of wood bumped into him out of dumb luck he grabbed it and broke it over Garraces head allowing David to get up and begin to breath than Garrace tackled him back under the water but now had his hands around Davids neck meaning his hands were free. David quickly reached up and stuck a hand full of sand right into Garraces shoulder wound and began grinding it into his flesh. Garrace flung back in pain David got up and gasped for air than charged up to Garrace grabbed him by his hair and punched him as hard as he could square in the face making it bleed. Than as Garrace got up to fight back David yelled "Stop! We're going to kill each other and if one of us dies out here chances are both of us will die! I'll find our way to Esperia from there we can find ways home but first we need to kill this Skin Walker that is trying to get us ok no more fighting just relax ok!" Garrace looked up and said "Ok." Than shook Davids hand and punched him right across the jaw. David yelled "What happened to the damn truce!?" Garrace replied simply "Had to make it even you got a good I blind you, you blind me you cut me I try to drown you you punch me in the face I punch you in the face." David wasn't happy about it and spit some blood into the river than said "Clean yourself out I'll start a fire night is coming and if we want to stay alive fire is necessary and so is food we need to eat." "And how are we supposed to get food here those Zombies aren't edible and I don't see and berry bushes or anything?" replied Garrace "Leave that to me I have an idea but neither of us will like it."

Later the sun was going down but David had the fire going Garrace had healed himself and now was supposedly helping David get dinner. "Sit here." said David "Why?" questioned Garrace "Don't question it just do it if you want to eat." Replied David as much as Garrace didn't like the idea of having blind trust in David he was starving and agreed. David laid his ear to the sand and told him "Now just sit there and when I say move get out of the way." Garrace now a bit more concerned as to what David was doing said "What do you mean move?" David didn't reply he just waited a moment than yelled "Move now!" A very concerned Garrace barrel rolled out of the way and a three foot long Death Worm poked its head out of the sand right where Garrace had been sitting and David slashed off the head than grabbed the body and pulled it from the sand. Garrace shocked for a moment at what had just happened looked at David and yelled "You used me as bait!" "Yeah" David replied "And" Garrace replied "And you could have gotten me killed!" David looked at him and smiled than said "But don't forget you die this situation gets harder on me and more likely to kill me so I was sticking my neck out to." Garrace mumbled still not happy about being bait and David cut open the worm removed the poison sack and other non edible things than stuck it on a stick and roasted it over the fire. when it was done it looked like a line of meat an actual meal and David sat back for a moment as Garrace dug in and took a bite than quickly spit it our and said "Oy thats awful." David sat back and laughed as Garrace tried to scrape the taste off his tongue and said "I'm actually considering cutting my tongue off just to get rid of the taste." David in the mean time was busting a gut laughing at Garraces face and yelled out "Get help I can't breath." And kept laughing. Garrace looked over and said "Ok funny boy you need to eat to go on take a bite." David managed to contain himself long enough to say "Ok." Tear off a piece and walk to the river side than shouted over "Stupid fancy king your to used to your bread and wine this is an Anarchintian delicacy if you eat it right." He then stuck his head under water popped the piece of worm in his mouth and gulped it down with a mouth full of water. "Delicious." Said David as he pulled his head out of the water. "A bit easier with a cup of water but none the less. The water gets rid of the taste and it fills you up quicker without it you'll be chocking down the worst meal of your life and it will hardly feed one person. Garrace picked up the worm and brought it over to the water side they ate about half of it using the water to wash it down before Garrace looked up suprised and said "I'm full." "Its the water." Replied David "It fills you quick and the meat helps keep your strength up. David than took off his black shirt and dipped it in the water and wrapped whats left of the worm in it Garrace looked over and noticed he had hardly been able to see David all night due t he was wearing all black than noticed David was constantly wearing all black and so were most of his soldiers and asked. "Why are you always wearing black I can hardly see you when your not near the fire even your sword is black whats the point?" David looked and replied "Arvanian military issue the black keeps you hidden." Garrace still puzzled "From what don't most the monsters see just as well in the dark as in the light?" "Yes." David replied "But it isn't to hide form the monsters its to hide from the people when we raid in case we get stuck somewhere over night and can't get back to the ship. Normally regional natives hunt us down Dwarves are especially bad about it during the night but this way they would be able to touch us but not see us. The black blade is just a bonus treasure I picked up it used to belong to one of Anarchintias greatest kings Larik its obsidian so it doesn't break easy its the sharpest material on the planet forged from volcanoes makes so if by some weird chance I was somehow spotted I could just cover the persons mouth plunge this into them and drag the body away." "Well thats a little creepy." Replied Garrace. David just shrugged his shoulders than said "We should get you some black cloth the nomads around here aren't to friendly to outsiders sometimes we should try to avoid them and the cloth would help." Garrace yawned and replied later first we need rest. David went to the river and found some large rocks lying on the bottom than pulled leaves from the few trees he could find leaving them almost bare but scraped together two beds to keep them off the ground. He looked at Garrace and said "It won't be as comfy as your chambers in the castle but it will keep the Death worms from finding us and if we keep the fire going Wendigo will avoid us." Garrace didn't reply after falling off a boat rolling into a river fighting David three times along with zombies and being death worm bait he was to tired to care what he slept on he just rolled over and went to bed. David soon followed his example.

At about 3:30 in the morning, David was holding his sword at his side while he checked some spots around him. The sky was still dark, but he had the moonlight to see. He checked every bush, every rock, and every sand hill. //Okay, we're good.// he thinks. After about an hour, Garrace woke up.

"Ugh," Garrace muttered. "…Ugh, eh, bath…"

David looked at Garrace with a strange look. "Where do you expect to bathe?"

Garrace looked toward the river. He didn't like the idea of going into water with fish in it.

"How clean is it?" Garrace asked.

"Fairly clean," Dave replied. "Why?"

"I'm going swimming." Garrace checked the temperature of the water.

"Alright, good enough." Garrace didn't even bother to undress. He just dipped right in.

After about half an hour later, Garrace was done with his bath. He was not too thrilled to bathe in his clothes, but he knew that he'd no other choice. Then, the sun rose. David had all of his things packed, yet Garrace was still complaining.

"Hurry up," David yelled. "I'm not dealing with your shit today. We have to get to Esperia ASAP. No slacking."

"Hang on," Garrace snapped. "I'm not used to doing this. It's too hot, too dry, and too uncomfortable to my kind."

David rolled his eyes and sighed. "Oh my God, you ass. HURRY UP!"

"Alright, alright," Garrace said. "Let's go."

Garrace grabbed his sword, and they started walking.

They'd have been walking for about an hour, and Garrace started complaining more.

"It's too hot."

David didn't bother with Garrace, for he was tired as is.

"Wait," Garrace said.

"What?" Dave yelled.

Garrace sniffed. "Do you smell that?"

Dave sniffed. "…Damn." David drew his sword, as quickly as lightning. He tried to track down the smell.

"What is it?" Garrace asked.

"Skin-walker."

"What's that?'

"It's a person possessed by a demon," David said.

"Oh," Garrace said. "Lovely."

"Yeah."

They travelled for about two hours. Garrace has been drinking from the river constantly, complaining about the heat, and was dragging his feet along the ground. Dave, however, was wide awake. He kept his sword in his hand, he jumped at every noise, and he was always standing stiffly every second of the way. The scent of sulfur was getting stronger.

"Ooh," Dave said. "You're closer than I thought." Just as soon as it got stronger, the smell nearly disappeared.

"NO!" Dave exclaimed. "Dammit! I've been waiting to kill something for days now."

Garrace didn't like that but than he spotted something buildings in the distance "Oy whats that?" David looked over and smiled "Nomads!" Garrace confused why David was so excited than realized "Your not going to attack that whole village we'll die I know you want to kill something but really?" David looked at him like he was an idiot and replied "No these are innocent people I wouldn't kill them. Whats wrong with you? that's not even close to ok. But stealing's just as fun!" Than began running towards the village. Garrace struggled to keep up David was fast but than he stopped and hid behind a sand dune and Garrace caught up panting for air. David looked over and and said "Shut up we can't let them know we're here." Garrace looked over and replied "Sorry I need to breath!" David just ignored him than said "Follow me." David tossed his shield on the ground behind the dune and than they slipped into the village. David soon looked around like a child in a toy store his eyes lit up and he smiled. "Now we can do something I'm good at." He slipped around a tent a stole a basket than started looking around.

"Excuse me," Garrace said, distracting the people. "Where might I find a place to relief myself?"

"Oh," said a child around ten years old. "Just go in that building there. It's public. The bathroom is on the left."

"Thanks," Garrace replied. "And what's your name?"

While they were talking a little longer, David managed to sneak out some things. He was able to grab some black clothing, some extra food, and grabbed some other things. Mostly valuables. David, at that moment, made a whistling noise.

"Oh, excuse me, lad," Garrace said. "I must check on the, the uh…teapot! That's it. It's whistling."

"Oh, okay," the child said. "Well, nice to meet you."

"Aye, you too." Garrace ran over to David, hiding behind a big rock.

"What are these clothes for?" Garrace demanded.

"Just trust me, and put them on." said David. "No time to talk."

"Why not?"

David looked over in the distance. There, in the desert, a dragon had appeared.

"Holy sh-"

"SHH!" David exclaimed. "Don't shout! Those dragons can have good ears."

"Sorry." Garrace replied.

"Mistah Gawwace!" said a young child's voice. "Oh, mistah Gawwace!"

"Who the hell is that?!" David asked angrily.

"Oh, damn," Garrace said. "It's the kid."

"What kid?"

"When I was distracting people, this kid showed up. I started making small talk."

"And you said your name?!" David screamed.

Garrace shrugged his shoulders with a disappointed look. "It's a force of habit. I'm used to dealing with a lot of people."

"Ugh," Dave sighed in an angry way. "Alright, well, whatever. Come on, we need to kill that dragon."

"Are you insane, you barbarian?"

"HEY! Anarchintian! Don't screw with us."

"I've never fought a draig before."

David stared with a dropped jaw. "…You must be joking?"

Garrace nodded his head, and looked down. David was pissed.

"Alright," Dave said. "I'm going to steal a bow and arrows. You can do magick, right?"

"Aye,"

"What type?"

"Name it." Garrace said.

David thought a moment. //If I can get him to use his magick, since he'll be in pain, I can get rid of him. Haha!//

"Alright, here's what'll happen. While I go to get a bow, you distract the people //and// the dragon."

Garrace stared a moment. "I'm sorry, but how the hell do you expect me to do that?"

"Figure it out."

Garrace was scared, but was courageous. "Okay, let's make some wind." He snapped his fingers, and a gust of violent wind came down on the dragon. It tumbled over, and roared. Meanwhile, Garrace waited for David.

"Mistah Gawwace?"

"Nah! Holy crap, kid," Garrace exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"

"I was wondering if you needed help with your tea?"

"No," Garrace said. "I'm -"

"Holy Cho!" the child exclaimed. "It's a big, scawy dwagon!"

"Yes, it is. Don't tell anyone."

"But we need to warn people so they can be safe!"

"Garrace!" David yelled. "I have th-… Oh, hello," David paused. He tried to hide the bow behind him. "Wh-who are you?"

"I'-" The dragon roared. It was getting closer to the village, and everyone panicked.

"Uiddeg eag, astia!" Garrace chanted, and the dragon flew back about a football field away. Garrace, however, was on the ground, gripping his head. "David, go! Kill it!"

"Yes, sir."

David had recovered his shield from behind the dune and was charging the dragon it was doing the same to him. The beast let out a blast of fire that David could hardly block than the beast ran past him. David slid under the dragon and took a shot at the gut but he was to low than he looked and saw the Dragon was after Garrace and the child. Now in a normal situation David would have let the dragon chow down on Garrace gladly but the child being with him was an innocent who did not deserve death by the creature David sighed and said "I'll have to get him some other way." Than grabbed the end of the dragons tail as it went past. The beast soon took to the air and began circling Garrace and the child David in the mean time had fought his way up to the beasts back and pulled the bow off his back he had few arrows and the bow was a recurve so not very powerful but he had to try to get its attention. All of a sudden the dragon landed and nearly knocked David off its back his arrow went into the air and almost struck Garrace but David got up and shouted "Garrace get the kid out of here!" Garrace who had been just standing with his sword in hand watching quickly realized he was part of this fight to than scooped up the child and ran for the village. The dragon was about to follow them than an arrow planted in the back of its head. David didn't waste time a popped another arrow into the bow and drew it back waiting for the eye but the second the dragon looked back it spun itself around sending David and the bow flying than as he landed he heard a crunch and he knew it was the arrows. David cursed for a second than remembered the beast and his battle instincts kicked back in. He drew his blade and got ran back at the dragon. The beast shot fire at him again and he slid under it again but it just pawed him away and raised its foot to crush him. Garrace in the mean time had gotten the child back to the village and saw David in trouble he focused hard and slid the sand under the dragon. David had rolled out of the way of the dragons foot but it was now about to fall on him he got to his feet and ran it missed him by feet. Garrace now on the ground in pain David jumped up onto the dragons back as it struggled to get up and stabbed down into its back blood shot up and hit David in the face but that wasn't it. David sniffed the air than ripped open the wound a bit more and began to smell "Sulfur!". The beast roared in pain and struggled a bit longer than fell to its injuries David had made a direct shot into the lungs. He began skinning the beast. Garrace had now made it to David and saw him skinning the animal. "What are you doing?" He asked in repulse. David looked over and replied "These beasts scales are worth their weight in gold. Which to be honest I don't understand why your people find that so valuable." Garrace replied "Thats right you make armor out of them and its gold thats why its valuable." "The world is foolish they choose something of value not by its use but for what its shiny? Its soft and breaks easy no blacksmith in Anarchintia even wants the stuff it can't make a good weapon or armor like bronze and iron." David replied as he smashed his sword to his shield. Garrace thought about that for a while for a minute than shook his head and forgot about it than asked. "How did you kill it I thought these things were weak in the gut there isn't any wound David said without bothering to make eye contact (To busy skinning the beast.) "I stabbed it through the back into the lungs." Garrace puzzled asked "How did you do that your own people say its to tuff to attack?" David looked over semi annoyed by the question and replied "What do you not understand about sharpest material on the planet?" As he held up his obsidian sword than went back to cutting. David was about to ask Garrace for help with getting the scales but than villagers began to arrive. "Hello." Garrace said. "Hello great warriors we thank you for saving our town." David immediately leaped off the Dragon and slid the basket of stolen goods behind the dragon than met them. "No problem its my honor." The man was old but energetic David reached his hand out. "King David of the AUK." Garrace followed "King Garrace of Chomeras." The old man surprised and replied "It is an honor to meet such kings we have heard of you I am Ghali this villages chieftain." David smiled and was very nice given he had just robbed them less than an hour ago.

David and Ghali sat and joked and talked for a few hours mostly just about the stupidity of regional monsters and old war tales. Garrace attempted to join in but really just felt like a third wheel he knew only what David had taught him on this trip and it was just enough to keep him alive. He tried telling old war stories but when he spoke of defeating rebellions the two men listened in horror of him try to bring glory to fighting his own people and couldn't imagine doing such a thing. After about an hour Garrace left the tent they were relaxing in and went off towards the dragon. It wasn't looking so powerful now. David had skinned it and taken anything he might find useful than offered the nomads to take whatever they like from the meat. (After finding a better hiding place for the goods that is.) And only said to Garrace "Just consider it a trade they don't know about all that meat for a few survival goods seems pretty good for them." Now the children played on the bones like a jungle gym the nomads tore the meat off rather quickly. Many people admired the size of the beast and were impressed by Davids ability to take it down. Garrace hated to admit it but this was Davids terrain and like it or not he was under David as long as they were here. Just than the young boy showed back up "Mr.Gawwace." Garrace smiled and said "Yes my boy ." The boy was not alone and said "These are my pawwents." The boys father spoke up and reached his hand out "I am Samules father Rasid and this is his mother Julia." Garrace shook his hand and smiled "Garrace Beleaker." The boys mother Julia smiled and said "Its an honor to meet you king Beleaker and we thank you this could be sadder moment for us if you had not been their to defend Samule." Garrace continued to smile but was modest and replied "It was nothing I just got him out of harms way." (Though he had to admit it did feel good to be thanked for something and feel appreciated.) Rasid insisted "You got him away from a massive dragon your a hero! Please come join us in our tent." Garrace flattered by the offer replied "I'm flattered but I really don't want to intrude." Julia continued "No we insist." Samule added on "Please Mr.Gawwace." Garrace agreed and followed them to their tent. When Garrace entered he was quite surprised it was small with a wood floor and very bare. Garrace asked "Not to be intrude but how do your other children fit in here with you three?" "Other children?" Rasid asked confused Garrace replied "I thought people in the south had many children to keep the population up?" Julia looked with a bit of understanding now but Rasid still was completely confused but she replied "You confuse Anarchintian culture for the whole south. But the river boarder is like a flip of the world Numidian culture is much different from Anarchintian. I was born in Anarchintia but fled when my town was over run by Vampires when I was seven so I know a bit of both cultures." she continued "The Anarchintians are very aggressive they always have been ever since their empire fell. When it did they were scared and desperate and kept fighting back cutting down their resources and population for mere inches of their soil back from the monsters. Nobel I suppose but also stupid here on this side of river we just survive live good lives only fight when we're forced to there are even less monsters over here because of the great resistance the old empire put up so many monsters joined in the fight it was unbelievable determined if they could defeat the old empires army the civilians would swell their ranks some even thought of taking the world. Yet defeating the army wasn't so easy than they armed themselves as militia when the army did fail and got crafty its just been a big mess. Most people in Anarchintia don't live to see there twenties here people grow to their forties. Personally I like the nomad life better especially for my son the idea that Samule right now instead of being a child would be training to be a soldier terrifies me and who knows how my husband would be. No not the life for me." Garrace understood her feelings and thought I wonder if David was that young when he began training to be a soldier maybe thats why he's so hardwired as a grunt than offered "Well why don't you come to a place like Chomeras its nice safe just not a traveling lifestyle?" Julia looked at him and said "Because it boring here and if their is anything I learned in my short time in Anarchintia its that boring is a blessing." Garrace was very interested in this women and what she knew but than Rasid called over "Dinners done." Garrace sat down to eat with the family and enjoyed the fresh dragon meat much better than the death worm.

Meanwhile back in the chieftains tent. David and Ghali were having a great time and hadn't even noticed Garrace had left. They continued to laugh and joke and exchange war tales. David was actually very impressed by the Ghalis tales from when he was younger. It turns out Ghali had been in his fair share of monster fights and without things like ballistas or armor. He had killed three hundred of zombies with forty men and was a master spearmen back in his day. The two continued laughing joking exchanging battle tactics and fighting skills. As the day turned to night the topic switched to the AUK. "Never did I think I would be sitting and joking with king David Plantagenet of the Anarchintian Union Kingdom." David smiled and said "I'm surprised you've heard of me." Gahli replied "I have heard of more than you may think king David news moves fast over the steppes." David smiled and said "Well please enlighten me on what you've heard." Ghali replied "I've heard David the Conquerer." (David loved the ring to that.) Ghali continued. "Has united almost all of Anarchintia under his banner. That Vampires, Werewolves, and even zombies run from your obsidian blade." David began to chuckle "Only if it were that easy." Ghali continued "But not all support you many say your a barbarian and that your still to scared to take on the Undead Legion. To be honest I think anyone who brings peace to Anarchintia shouldn't be judged to hard." David sighed and replied "Really I can't say they're wrong at least about the Legion I am no barbarian. But in reality they are the reason I have not continued advancing my boarders lately. You know I almost lost my life to the Legion about a year ago." "Really?" Asked Ghali with interest. "Yes." continued David "Before I began the AUK just about a month before I started expanding a Legion Cohort of 250,000 showed up at Arvus. I challenged their Centurion to one on one combat while my men sabotaged their siege equipment. I was pretty much dead until the Centurion heard the explosion and got distracted. Ever since then I have been a bit nervous about fighting them but I know I have to face them and plan to after my current problems are threw." Ghali responded "By current problems do you mean the war with Chomeras?" David was surprised with the question and replied "So you've heard." "Yes." Said Ghali "Which is why I am so surprised you are traveling with your enemy." David shock his head and replied "It wasn't by choice I was trying to kill him we were battling but we fell off our ships and ended up here in Numidia. I've tried to get him killed more than once but monsters keep intruding and now we have a bigger threat against both of us so even if I killed him it would be no use." "The Skinwalker." Ghali replied David now very puzzled replied "Now there is no way you could have heard of that!" Ghali smiled "No but I know the smell of sulfur and that dragon stunk of it." David smiled and replied "Yes you are cleaver my friend." The men continued talking and joking through the night Garrace stayed in the families tent and both got a good nights sleep.

In the morning David wandered the camp and with Ghali and talked and Garrace enjoyed his time with the family until David found him and told him we need to go. Garrace said his good byes to the family than met up with David and Ghali "Are you sure there is nothing I can get you men before you head off." Asked Ghali David replied "Got any horses or a way to carry this dragon skin?" Ghali thought for a second and said " We have no horses but we do have camels and if you cut the skin up we can give you some packs for the camels." David sliced up the skin and packed it up with a few dragon teeth than after a short lesson on how to ride a camel the men thanked the village and were off. The first thing David did was pick up the basket of goods and find the bow Garrace couldn't resist asking. "After how nice those people were you still have no problem stealing from them do you?" David looked over and replied. "We gave them a literal ton of dragon meat it was more than a fair trade even if they didn't know they were trading." Garrace didn't like the idea but didn't argue the men road for a while until David started sniffing the air again "Oh I've got you now!" "What?" Garrace asked. "This is where he got that dragon to serve him." Again Garrace asked "What are you talking about?" David quickly replied "The Skinwalker you idiot he summoned that dragon to attack us. Couldn't you smell the sulfur?" "Ok." Garrace now began to protest "There is no way that Skinwalker has thrown this much at us and isn't dead from pain! I use magic! I know how painful it is! I almost puked pulling that dragon off its feet! I couldn't imagine summoning it and especially with five skin walkers and fifteen zombies! The pain would kill anyone!" David looked at him like an idiot "You don't get it do you? Wow! Ok quick lesson on monsters ok. Vampire super strong, and smart, and fast, lives off of blood. Zombie dumb, slow, best in numbers, lives off of flesh. Death worm small, spits poison, fast, lives off meat. Skinwalker Can be any of the above and more!, Super evil demon possessed!, Needs no food or water ever!, Demon possession takes in all pain including from magic!" The only thing Garrace could think to say is "Oh." "Yeah so this thing can summon whatever it wants in however much quantity it wants." Replied David Garrace looking puzzled said "Well than what stops it from just wiping out the planet?" David replied simply "The demon feeds off the persons own evil. The demon is just the power source and has the know how to do magic. Yet it needs to live off something and that is the pure evil of the person. The person still controls their actions completely at their own will. The demon starts with a huge stock of evil to feed off of due to the whole sacrifice your family to the devil thing than as the Skinwalker does worse and worse things the demon gets stronger and stronger giving the Skinwalker more and more power to do things that are more and more evil. Its just one big loop of horror but in order to get the power to kill everything on Tetravier it would have had to do something massively evil like for say kill everything on Tetravier to generate such power." Garrace simply looked at him and shook his head "I hate all this confusing monster logic. Lets just kill the thing." David smiled "For once I agree with you." The men continued riding for about 10 minutes more than they arrived "Its here!" David shouted "Whats here?" Asked Garrace "Another sand dune?" "No the Skinwalker layer its right below me!" David leaped off his camel and started digging Garrace ran over and helped him dig than they hit something "Metal?" Garrace asked David replied "Its an old war hatch!" (A bunker from the old Anarchintian Empire.) Garrace confused replied war hatch for what the Numidians are peaceful?" David very excited replied "Its Anarchintian!" Garrace smiled "That makes more since!" David ignored the comment and continued digging out the door until he finally pulled it open than he drew his sword and with a crazy smile and mad look in his eye said "Lets go kill this thing!" and just about leaped down the hatch. Garrace followed (but used the ladder) and soon they found themselves in a metal hall way lit up with torches of blue fire. "Pure magic fire!" Garrace said in amazement "Shut up!" David replied "We don't want this thing knowing we're here we can ambush it and take it out with the bow but we only have two arrows left but it can't know we're here!" "To late for that king David!" a dark figure stood down the hall it was hard to see what he looked like but David knew what it was "Skinwalker!" He replied with bitterness. "Yes I have been watching you to be honest I was surprised you defeated my dragon. When I checked your position again I was looking to find your bodies but instead your digging up my hatch! No matter after all these years I should have known not to send a weak little dragon to do a warlocks job!" With that he threw on a skin and attacked David got behind his shield sword on top and shouted to Garrace "Get the bow ready!" Garrace shot one arrow at the on coming figure but it seemed to stick into it with no harm meanwhile David was calculating "What are you?" Every monster he had ever fought was running through his head he heard the clacking of metal and only one monster wore that but it was impossible it didn't have skin. Than the face entered the light the horrible boney face that even shocked David with horror. Before him stood an Undead Centurion bones armor and all with an arrow sticking out of the shield. "Impossible!" David shouted "What?" Garrace asked David frozen in fear managed to move his lips. "It doesn't even have skin! How?" The Skinwalker shifted its bones in what seemed like a evil grin and replied "Few Skinwalkers know this trick its one of the few things demons don't know about magic when they posses you it must be learned the armor of a centurion works as skin plop on a helmet you get the whole suit and all of their skills and strength." David still stood in horror frozen in his defensive position. "I see the fear in your eyes young king. It is understandable given your last encounter. You know what that Centurion would have done if you failed don't you." David didn't reply still frozen in fear. The Skinwalker continued "You do know it would have torn down your walls stormed your city and now since the Legion can't enjoy your people for slaves in different ways they just eat them. Imagine that your poor sister being eaten to the bone by the same Centurion who killed you maybe I'll do that now." David got the strength to speak again "Like that Centurion you'll never get through the walls of Arvus!" The Skinwalker simply replied "I will with your skin David quickly set down his sword and pulled out the vial. "Not if I use this." Garrace didn't know what it was but the Skinwalker now seemed to frown as David attempted to smile and break his fear it didn't work to well but he said "Greek fire in a jar thats right! If I'm going to die here I light myself up with it you'll never get my skin." The Skinwalker replied simply "Well than I'll bash down your walls with artillery." "What Artillery?" Garrace replied "I know Anarchintians they use ballistas not anything to nock down walls." In the meantime everything fell together. The large amounts of sulfur, the Skinwalker taking Centurion form, where he would get the artillery. On the outside he was still frozen with fear but in his head he was terrified and begging he was wrong. Than the Skinwalker reached out his hand and a golden wolf standard appeared in his hand. "It can't be real!" David now shouted in either fear or anger or maybe both he wasn't sure. "Oh it is more real than you wish boy." Replied the Skinwalker David trying to disprove it begging that it was fake shouted "You would need a thousand years to become that evil to summon that!" "Try two thousand." Replied the Skinwalker. "You call me Skinwalker but that is because you don't know my name." David listened as the monster continued "Its not polite to show up at a strangers house unannounced you know." "Sorry we forgot our manners after you sent five Wendigo our way!" Garrace shot back. "Still its very rude." Continued the Skinwalker "Also some use you were their Garrace David had to kill those monsters alone while you sat on the beach trying to find a bandage for your little scrape." "I was heavily wounded!" Garrace shot back. "So was David he's had a concussion this whole time and it hasn't stopped him." "Shut up!" Shouted David with a wavering voice. "So rude." Continued the monster "Anyways as I was saying you call me Skinwalker but my name is or at least was Satil. King Satil of the Arantanian Empire. Larik chaced me out of my palace with the same blade you hold now David didn't he think he was special. Now though I have an army again and now no Anarchintian can stop me! And soon I will tear down the walls of Arvus with the Legion and smile as I tear that pretty little sister of yours apart." Now though David was sure it was anger and it was eating his fear living off it like fire on oil. He charged out sword over head and Satil tossed the standard into a corner and drew his sword their blades met. David swung for its head than hardly blocked a shot to his legs. "Ah David so predictable always going for the kill to start." Taunted Satil. David swung his shield at the Centurion an jumped back avoiding its blade as the two battled up and down the hall Garrace tried to stay behind David and get a shot at the Centurion than caught a glimpse out a window over looking a cliff side. Now Garrace understood Davids fear outside across the river stood 250,000 Legionaries "David we have a problem!" Shouted Garrace "I know I saw they can't cross the river it was the end of their territory." Replied David "Spectacular but to get into Anarchintia wont you be fighting though them?" Asked Garrace "No we will have to fight them they can enter Esperia it was theirs at a point in time. Now help me" David answered "Spectacular!" Shouted Garrace then he got back trying to take the shot. David kept fighting with the Skinwalker but he had a counter for every shot David took. Finally David made a faint strike with his shield and punched the Centurion where his nose would be any other thing that would have been a great move but not against bone the Centurion struck low and David felt a sharp pain in his leg his calf was sliced open. David collapsed. Satil went for the kill but had forgotten about Garrace. All of a sudden. Thwack crack an arrow showed up in the Centurions eye socket and the force severed the spine at the neck literally knocking its head off its shoulders. The form changed back to a Skinwalker the helmet cracked and fell off Garrace drew his sword but it made for an excellent lightning rod as the Satil hit him with a bolt of electricity powering the lights of the bunker momentarily but than David repaid Garrace for saving him he cut off Satils hands his obsidian sword not conducting any lightning than David stabbed him through the chest and spun his sword than pulled out his intestines like spaghetti on a fork. Satil dropped to the ground in pain David looked over him "Any last words?!" He said with a smile Satil replied "Its my end but I will still be the death of you David you see I began this plague of monsters I was one of the first Skinwalkers and grew more evil for one thousand years than finally began this apocalypse as they called it and destroyed Lariks kingdom I won every monster out there is a spawn of me or a spawn of something I created or simply my evil leading them you will still die by my hand in the end one of my monsters will getting you one day David one day." Than he reached over put his hand on the standard and with his final breath ordered "Attack!" David and Garrace both looked out the window the Cohort began aiming their catapults at a village Garrace and David watched and David said "They aren't the only ones that monster just ordered a full scale attack on my kingdom!" David grabbed the standard and recalled the old myths of what made it tick than reached up and took off the wolf under it was a bronze cup no bigger than a can of soda. He threw out the thick red liquid inside than he handed it to Garrace and said "Fill this with the blood from my wound!" "What why?" Garrace replied David shot back its the only way to control the Legion it must be filled with three things the land they conquered the seas they sailed and the blood of their leader and I'm getting promoted today fill it a third of the way hurry!" Garrace really didn't like it and nor did David but Garrace bled him for about a minute until the cup was a third full than they put it back in the standard and struggled their way up the latter to the camels. David used all his strength to get on than they rode the hundred yards to the river the catapults were beginning to fire. David dismounted with a shock of pain as he landed and Garrace helped him up they were about to go in the water when David shouted "Stop! You can't enter the water a bit of that shock is still in you it would kill us both." Garrace replied "Well how are you supposed to get across you can't swim with that leg." David looked him in the eye and said "Than I'll drown trying!" Than jumped in David was glad the cup was secure in the standard it gave him one less thing to worry about as he attempted to swim across. luckily he had left his shield on the camel and found a shallow spot he dragged himself face down through the water grabbing on to rocks pulling himself forward coming up for air whenever he could trying not to swept down stream finally he got across opened the standard put in sand from Anarchintia and dipped the cup in the water quickly than put it back it turned to a thick red mixture and David said in amazement "The blood of the empire." Than threw it back into the standard and ordered "Retreat." Though David wasn't sure where they were retreating to it was away from his kingdom and that was good.

ALL THAT IS WELL ENDS GOOD ENOUGH

He pulled himself back across where Garrace put him back on his camel for the rest of the day Garrace more or less babysat David as he occasionally spit our directions to Esperia but first went back and had Garrace cut off Satils head for a grizzly trophy to prove the man who caused this all had been punished. After finding a shallow spot to cross the two men crossed the river boarder into Esperia the whole way David used all his strength to stay on the camel and have an iron grip on the standard that would not leave his hands even when they got him to a hospital he refused to let go of it until they knocked him out and had Garrace take care of it after his treatment for the shock. When David finally woke up he was in a hospital bed his leg stitched up and his concussion fading the standard was in the corner of the room almost completely untouched Garrace sat in the other corner. He filled David in on what had happened how he had been out for a few days and the Esperians had taken care of him. All his stuff was in a locker except the standard which they let him keep in his room and they had sent word with the caravans north that we're alive in Esperia and for further fighting to cease than he threw in. "Oh ps your sister says she's going to kill you when you get home for scaring her so badly again." David chuckled and made the comment "Great I survive Wendigo, Zombies, Dragons, and a ancient Skinwalker to go home and get killed by my little sister." A few days later David and Garrace were on a boat home when David reached into a pack and pulled something out dragon skin and as he did a little vial fell out David nearly jumped out of his skin and caught it before it touched the floor. Than packed it back up and handed him the dragon skin "You earned this should be enough for a suit of armor and a bit more." Wrapped in it was a dragons tooth. "Oy whats the tooth for?" David replied "It makes good arrow heads and is kind of just cool like a decoration." Garrace gave him a weird look "Anarchintians decorate things?" David ignored the comment. Than Garrace asked "Why did you bring that Greek fire with you any way and what does it do?" David replied "It gets on a material and burns it to a crisp its unstoppable even pouring water on it doesn't stop it and in all honestly I brought it to burn you to a crisp in that navy battle it just didn't work out as planned." Garrace was happy for that. A few weeks later the two were in Arvus signing the Treaty of CAW to end the war in this it stated that all captured lands would return to their rightful rulers (Except for a city called Jay Song that the Chomerites saw as the Jersey Shore of their nation they left that in Anarchintian hands as a vampire reservation.) And that all fighting would cease. Most Anarchintians and Chomerites still didn't like each other but had gained a healthy respect for the others military strength and as long as David and Garrace were in power there would be no more fighting between the two nations. David with the help of the Undead Legion continued expanding the AUK inside Anarchintia and Garrace went back to his peaceful life in the castle.