Chapter 11 - A dying mans dream

Chapter 11- A dying mans dream

           

Gin was abruptly awoken by Sarthan. He stretched and yawned as he rose out of bed. Sarthan alerted him of the pending danger in the throne room. He woke up earlier and stood looking over the city. Nostross and the aerial unit landed at the stables. They made their way through the town. Sarthan ran to alert Gin. He got a little lost but found his door. Now they were headed to the throne room.

            They each picked a side of the vale that closed the throne room off. Nostross talked with eliros who denied seeing his nephew. Nostross looked over at the vale but they quickly jumped back. Gin and sarthan heart raced as they hoped he didn’t see them. Nostross noticed the vale moving but kept silent. He bid elifan a good day. He asked him to alert Lorax if he found Sarthan. Eliros grew annoyed by the sound of his name.

“I have more pressing matters to attend to. My guards will show you out” Eliros said

            Nostross left quickly, gin and sarthan came out from behind the vale.

“Guards leave us!” Eliros said “ not you gardon

            Gardon was a dwarf who was growing quickly in the ranks. He was a bit older than sarthan and had more experience. He stood next to the two boys. His facial tattoos were covered by his beard and facial hair. Sarthan looked down at the short soldier and grinned.

“I fear we may not be able to trust the clerics. Gardon escort my nephew and his friend to esidarap. Keep them there and wait for my message. There is trouble in thandor it seems” Eliros said

“What about my brother?” Gin asked

“I will take care of him but if they find you here. It will not help the situation.” Eliros said getting off his throne.

            He walked over to Gin and hugged him tightly. Eliros had watched over the years as Domori mourned Eleanor. The drinking of firewater changed him. He no longer laughed or seemed happy. Domori blamed himself for not destroying the arrow that killed her. Consumed and festered inside of him. Eliros moved to Sarthan and stood in front of him. He looked him up and down and in the eye. Sarthan stared back and didn’t look away.

“Thorgan be with you” Eliros said to him as he put his hand across his chest.

            Eliros moved down to Gardon.

“Take three horses from the stables. You need to be in taru by midday tomorrow. I will have the harbor master get you seats on a boat.” Eliros said

“I will guard them with my life” Gardon said

“Thorgan be with you” Eliros said

            Gardon slammed his hand over his chest. He headed toward the vale. Gin and sarthan followed behind him in silence. They made their way to the palace stables and retrieved the horses. Sarthan and Gin giggled at the steps gardon brought to get on the horse.

“I hope you two are as good with your arms. As you are with your mouths” Gardon said

“Is that not why you are here?” Gin asked sarcastically

“Do you need me to feed you too young prince?” Gardon asked, “ enough yabbering we can’t delay”

            Gardon kicked his horse and galloped forward. Gin and Sarthan laughed with each other and caught up. The three roads out of the city headed to taru. They would have to ride their horses through the night. Gardon was no stranger to the land. He knew it well enough and could avoid gaurds searching for the boys. He couldn’t believe he got stuck with them. I’m a soldier not a babysitter gardon thought to hisself. The sound of the horse’s hooves echoed throught the forest.

            They reached taru by the morning. They blended in perfectly with the morning crowd. They put their horses up and headed to the port. Gardon made sure to keep them close. They entered the port master’s shop. He was a Naidni with heavy tattoos all over him. The shop had fish of all types and sizes mounted around the walls. Boats inside bottles hung on top of various mantles.

“I got the message from king elifan and I have got you seats on the next boat. You’re lucky this is the only boat heading that way now” the port master said “the boat is the lionheart and the captains Erse”

            Gardon thanked him and paid him for his services. They headed to the pub to find the captain. Gardon thought it was offly early to be at the pubs even in taru. Captain Erse was a known sailor in the Naidni Empire. He had slayed the dragonoff a couple years back. The dragonoff was a giant jellyfish that caused vessels to perish. Year after year sailors and soldiers tried to kill it. Captain Erse had become obsessed with the beast. He had recruited many men over the years to aid him.

            Captain Erse finally killed the beast. He was celebrated in kalinga and the empire as a hero. Gardon, Gin and Sarthan had never seen him but knew of the legend. They reached the pub and gardon asked the bartender for the captain.

“Aye what are those youngin’s doing in here” the werewolf bartender asked looking at Gin and Sarthan

“They are with me, they are alright. Where is the captain Erse?” Gardon said

            The bartender pointed to an older man sitting and drinking in the corner. There were but a few people in the pub. They watched the strangers as they drank. Gardon dropped a few gold coins on the table, which was taller than him. He signaled for the boys to follow. They walked over to Erse in his booth. Where he drank alone. Erse looked up at the three.

“No autographs right now” Erse said then went back to drinking.

“Where not here for your autograph” Gardon scoffed

“So what you want?” Erse asked putting his mug down.

“We are passengers going to Esidarap” Gardon said

“Oh oh yes the port master told me... Well we leave mid day. Are you gonna stand there the whole time?” Erse asked

“You boys go get some supplies and stay out of trouble. Be at the ship by the time Dorlin gets to the highest point in the sky.” Gardon said jumping up into the both with Erse.

            Gardon threw some coins at sarthan and he caught them.

“I don’t know why you giving them to me. I’m old enough to partake in the spirits” Sarthan said giving gin the coins.

            Sarthan bumped gardon a little with his hip. He slid into the booth. The three men looked at the younger gin.

“I have all right to be here. I will not go fetch supplies like a maid. Im the pri—oww” Gin said before Sarthan kicked him in the leg.

            The few people in the bar turned and looked at the commotion. Gin composed himself and stormed out the door. Erse motioned to the bartender and he brought over three mugs.

“Start a tab for the lads Darto” Erse said

            Darto the bartender looked at them then at Erse. His fangs gleamed and he wiped his claws with a rag. Darto threw the rag over his shoulder. He placed his hands on the table and leaned in.

“I don’t like trouble... Word is the clerics are looking for some fugitives. Erse you might want to set sail on time today. Don’t bring your troubles in here” Darto said

“Trouble” me Darto??” I would never cause you trouble. These men are adventurerers and the young lad doesn’t know his place.” Erse said with elegance

“Just make sure you pay your tab this time or the clerics will be the least of your worries!” Darto said dragging his claws across the table.

“These are paying passengers and as paying customers you should be more nice” Erse said

            Darto growled turned and walked away. Erse raised his mug in the air with a laugh. Sarthan and gardon fixed their serious faces and toasted with him. The three men took swigs of ale and laughed. Gardon ordered another round after tasting it. Gin however was not laughing or smiling as he looked for the shops. He kicked the dirt and mumbled under his breath in outrage of them treating him as a child. He outranked Gardon and Sarthan didn’t even have a rank. They should be getting this stuff. Gin mumbled to himself as he reached the first shop.

            The sun beat down on Taru and the windhardly blew. The smell of the sea and sounds of the waves was everywhere. Gin entered the shop and greeted the clerk. He picked up food and fruits. Gin ate as he browsed. Eating the food made him cheer up a lot. He walked to the clerk with a mouthful of food. He placed all his items down and bagged them. The clerk watched him silently ans took his gold piece. Gin left the store getting a weird vibe. He continued onto another shop. It was a candy store.

            Gin walked out the shop moments later with a huge grin on his face. He ate some candy and began walking along. His grin quickly changed to a frown. Clerics were talking to the shop keeper he was at earlier. Gin ducked behind the building trying to get out of sight. One of the gaurds spotted him turning the corner.

“Prince Gin stop” the guard yelled prior to giving chase.

            Gin started to run the bags were heavy in his hand. He focused his aura and started to freeze the bags. The bags put together made a round shape at bottom. Gin pulled the circular base to his chest and chopped the handles off. The circle dropped to the floor as gin ran. He felt like he was playing litric with the ice ball of groceries in his hand. A shopkeeper was selling hats. He quickly grabbed one and sat down in a chair outside the shop. He put the ball on the floor and the huge hat on his head. The guards came running up.

“Which way did that running man go?” a guard asked

“That way” Gin pointed

            The gaurds took off running and Gin got up. He smiled at the shopkeeper and tossed the hat back. The shopkeeper caught it and picked it back up. Gin ran off but forgot the groceries and turned around. He picked up the ball and turned around. The gaurds turned back around and spotted him. He took of down a small alleyway. Gin blew himself up above the house. He placed the ball behind him on the roof. The guards walked down the alley carefully. One of them went towards the back of the house. The other held guard to keep watch.

            Gin’s ice ball started to roll as he peeped. It rolled to the edge and fell over. It hit the other guard over the head. It knocked him out cold. The sound of the crash jumped Gin and the guard. They both ran back. Gin jumped down to grab his ball. As he did the guard turned the corner.

“Sorry” Gin said as he blew a strong wind.

            The guard flew back out the alley and into the street. Gin took the opportunity to quickly slip away. He made it all the way back to the pub undetected. The bar was livelier now. Naidni, Zartanites, Centaurs and Werewolves alike sat and drank. Few looked at him sweating and carrying the ball of ice. He made his way over to the table.

“We need to leave now” Gin said leaning over the table

            Before they could say a word three clerics walked into the shop. Gin jumped into the booth and turned his face. They looked around the packed bar. Musicians were playing as patrons drank and laughed. Captain Erse looked at the three of them and shook his head. He then turned to darto who was looking dead at him.

“Prince Gin stop right there” the cleric yelled as he pointed.

“Oh boy... Im getting to old for this” captain Erse said

            A zartanite stood drinking a few tables from them talking to a Naidni. Erse blew a wind and made his drink splash in the face of a naidni behind his friend. The music stopped as the clerics headed toward the table. The wet Naidni turned around and transformed to a werewolf. He smacked the Naidni in front of him across the room. He kicked the zartanite in the chest, sending him toppling over patrons. The music started playing again and Erse blew a wind. It sent a chair flying across the room cracking a Cyborg over the head. An all out bar fight broke out. Erse signaled the group to run in the chaos. The clerics fought to get through the crowd. The group slits up during the fight. Gin gets bumped and his ball goes rolling. A Zartanite punched Gardon. He get up and jumpes on him. They begin fighting. Darto comes after Erse with a butcher’s knife. A cleric tries to grab Sarthan. He flips over a table to get away.

            Gin is crawling on the floor after his ball of groceries. A Centaur backing up tripped over him. He knocks over the cleric going after Sarthan.  The cleric and centaur fall on top of gardon. Who was punching the zartanite that punched him. Gins grabbed up his ball as sarthan pulled gardon out the pile. Captain Erse blew a wind toward Darto knocking him into another brawler. He ran to the door. Gin got to the door first and was about to open it. He got pulled back as a butcher knife hit the panel. Gin turned to see captain Erse’s smiling face.

            The group ran out the bar and headed to the port. The Lionheart was second to last boat in the harbor. The crew was still loading things aboard as the three ran toward the ship. They ran up the plank following captain Erse. Who immediately began giving out orders.

“All aboard that going aboard” captain Erse yelled “raise the plank and anchor”

            Running buffalo sat by the steering wheel in his meditation style. Gin Sarthan and Gardon stood on the deck of the massive ship. The crew buzzed around getting ready to depart. The anchor was raised and the boat shook as it backed out. The clerics and Darto ran to the docks as the boat started to turn. The sails dropped down and picked up wind. A horn began to blow signally the port closing. The Taruvians got the Garrothians to design a gate, it gave them more control over the port and who came and left. Captain Erse looked at the two gates coming together slowly.

            Below the deck of the Lionheart, A zarga sat beating a drum. A huge chubby naindni walked up and down the row

“Row… row… row.. You salty dogs” the Naidni yelled

            Three big ores stuck out both sides of the ship. Two men sat on a bench and rowed per ore. They moved in unison with the drums and yelling. Back on the deck captain Erse waved to Darto as the boat picked up speed.

“We won’t make it” Gin shouted looking at the gates getting closer to each other.

“Have faith boy” captain Erse yelled

            The boat picked up speed as it got closer to the closing gate. Gin, Sarthan and Gardon braced themselves for impact. Two clerics of water stepped up to the edge of the dock. As they started to glow the water began to rise. A wall of water formed behind the ship heading to the gates. Gin looked at the walls in horror switching his head back and fourth between the two. The clerics pushed the wall of water forward. As they did Erse blew a wind and the ship began to float.

            The lionheart lifted into the air. The bottom of it touching the gate as it closed. The wall of water slammed into the back of the ship, which had a box being towed with it. The box disappeared in the water and the deck got soaked. The boat safely pulled out the harbor and rowed toward the clouds.

“Ha haa aha aha ah” Captain Erse laughed “you must have faith boy”

            Gin shook the water off him and grinned. The port and clerics were off in the distance getting smaller by the stroke. The crew cheered as captain Erse walked down to the deck. He held his hands up for them to hold their applause.

“Let me show you to your humble quarters prince” Erse said pointing the group to the stairs

            They followed the captain below the deck. They walked down the steps past the rowers. To the next level down, it was the sleeping quarters floor. The crew busily moved up and down the cramp hallways. Zartoons, zartanites, naidni, kalingans and dwarfs ran past the group. All of them men from different races working in unison under one captain. Erse stepped in front of a door and turned around

“As you can see I have a packed ship. You will have to stay with twitchy. Don’t worry he is harmless. The old sea dog saw the dragonoff and never been the same since. Just whatever you do don’t ask him what happened. He goes crazy and no one wants that. But other than that dinner is at sunset in the mess hall downstairs” captain Erse said smiling.

            Gin, Sarthan and Gardon looked at each other. They each had the same expression on their faces. Captain Erse opened the door. The room was lit by one window and the sun poured in. it had four wooden cots inside. Two on each side of the wall bunk bed style. Twitchy sat in a rocking chair drawing. He looked up and pulled the book closer to his chest.

“Twitchy these men will be staying here during the voyage. I expect you to be on your best behavior” Erse said

“I’ll be nice” twitchy said looking up at the group

            Twitchy was a kalingan like Erse. He was medium height and white. He was bald except for one thick strand of white hair. The braid hung down the front of his face. He flipped his head back sending it to the side of his head. There were three teeth in his mouth. One on the top his gums and two on the bottom row of gums. He was older than the captain it seemed but not by much.

“Now gentlemen get gomfy. The latrene is down the hall” Erse said

            Gin went to drop his ball of groceries on the bottom bunk.

“its mines, that’s mines, that’s mines, that’s mines, wipe your feet your tracking mmmuuuuddd on mmmyyy f ffloor” twitchy said as he jumped out the chair with speed.

“Twitchy be nice and share” Captain Erse said

            Twitchy backed into his rocking chair. He quickly placed his drawing pad in his hand under his pillow. He glared at them and then started rocking back and fourth.

“Well glad to help chaps. I have other matters to attend to” Captain Erse said walking out the door and slamming it

            The three men looked at the closed door and then at twitchy in his rocking chair. Gardon walked over to twitchy bunk bed looking him in the eye. He climbed up the ladder to the top bunk and laid down.

“Wake me for supper” Gardon said laughing as he looked upon the two boys still standing there

            Sarthan began to walk to their bunk and Gin grabbed his hand. He looked him in the eye then looked at twitchy. Whose bloodshot eyes stared right back at him. Gin looked away quickly back to Sarthan.

“I’m getting the top bunk” Gin said

“No way you already went for bottom live with it” Sarthan said pulling away

            Gin stood in the doorway confused and perplexed. Both his comrades were doing what he wanted to. He could feel twitchy’s eye burning into him but he refused to look.

“Gardon I order you to give me you bunk” Gin said

“I’m not under your command young prince. I’m an escort. Don’t be a girl. Leave me be I’m tired” Gardo said grumpily

“Twitchy no like spoiled children” Twitchy said

“I’m going to go explore the ship” Gin said backing up to the door.

            Gin walked out in the busy hallway again and closed the door. The ship swayed from side to side as he made his way back to the stairs. His big ball of groceries seemed to become heavier. He made his way up back to the deck he walked to the front of the ship and looked out into the sky. The ocean was beautiful and the wind felt marvelous. All the stress on gin’s mind went away as he looked out inot the endless sea. The frozen ball that was in his began to melt. Since he broke the handles of the bag off they fell to the floor.

            Gin picked up the groceries out the puddle of water. He put them all in one of the bags. He went to go back downstairs as he juggled the groceries. Running buffalo caught his attention and gin walked up to the captain’s deck. Running buffalo discipline tats were on on the left of his face. He sat motionless in Indian style focused on his task. The boat sailed through the sky gracefully.

“What are you doing?” Gin asked

“Guiding the ship while the captain is away” Running Buffalo said

‘Can I help my aura of wind is quite strong” Gin said

“Strength may move a mountain but the wind splits it in half effortlessly” running buffalo said

“Oh” gin said turning around to walk away

“Sit young prince” Running Buffalo said

            Gin sat down next to running buffalo who was not glowing. Gin felt his power and looked at the sailor. He was an elder but not farther from Gardon and no older than Erse. His level of discipline was incredible. Now Gin could feel the wind carrying the ship. As a naidni of air how could he of overlooked such strength for so long.

“Clear your mind young prince. Release your emotions. Feel the wind around you as you breath.“ running buffalo said

            Gin began to clear his mind as he did he began to glow. His aura was white and engulfed him as he breathed in and out. The wind began to pick up Gin could feel the boat. It was heavy he started to pick the wind up to try and carry it.

“Be calm young prince. I have it just assist me”

            Gin started to sweat, the boat shook a little. He took a breath and relaxed. The wind slowed down and gin felt Running Buffalo’s power. The boat balanced out as the two naidni synced their efforts. Gin felt the whole boat in his power he remained calm, although he was growing excited at his accomplishment. The boat floated in the air with ease. Running buffalo stood up and looked into the setting sun. Gin felt him release his hold of the ship. He relaxed and maintained his efforts of keeping the ship afloat. The ship was not as heavy as he thought it was originally. It felt as a pea that he was levitating at his dinner table. The dinner bell started to ring.

“Go eat you prince you did fine” Running Buffalo said sitting down and taking back control of the boat.

            Gin stood up and looked at Running Buffalo focused sitting Indian style. He picked up his bag of groceries. He went below the boat and returned to his room. The room was empty he placed the groceries on the table.  The room was dark he lit a match and put it to a candle. The book twitchy was drawing in laid half out his pillow. Gin looked around once more to make sure he was alone. He walked over and picked the book up.

            The book was long and the cover was black. He opened it and looked at the pictures. It was full of random doodles. Twitchy was a good artist gin had to admit. He flipped the page and turned the page. It depicted a batlle on the sea. The dragonoff sat in the water against an armada. Captain Erse stood on top of the biggest ship. Gin flipped the page and looked at the next picture. It depicted the dragonoff attacking the ships. Now a lot of ships were sunk and he moved closer to captain Erse’s ship. The door opened suddenly making Gin jump and slam the book closed.

“What are you doing?” Sarthan asked

“Nothing” Gin said putting the book back down

“Let’s go to dinner im starving” Gin said blowing the candle out

            He pushed Sarthan out the room. They headed to the stairs and to the dining hall. The whole crew sat eating and drinking. The hall was loud as men laughed and talked. They headed toward the captains table. Captain Erse and Gardon sat waiting for them. Gin and Sarthan sat. They over looked the two long tables of crewmembers in front of them. The chef came in a line and placed food on the table. Gin looked in disgust at the food. His stomach growled as he looked at gardon tearing into the meal.

“I know you are not use to this prince but try it you’ll like it. Marzo is the finest cook on the three seas” Captain Erse said pointing to the chef.

            Marzo was a massive werewolf with an eye patch. His drool dropped down from his fangs and into the pot. Gin looked down at his plate once more. He took a gulp and grabbed his spoon. He dug into the oats or grits he wasn’t sure. He gulped it down then smiled. It was delicious, he scarfed it down. Gin grabbed the chicken and tore inot it. The corn was juicy and sweet. Gin gleaned his plate and looked for seconds. Marzo came and served him a second helping.

“I don’t think we accounted supplies for the young lad’s appitiete” captain Erse said

“We will be fine” Gardon laughed

‘Captain Erse tell the tale of how you killed the beast’ a black kalingan yelled from his seat

            Before Captain Erse could respond twitchy jumped up and began yelling.

“I saw the devil and she touched me” Twitchy yelled running out of the mess hall

“She touched me and she’ll be be be back..” Twitchy yelled running upstairs

“She’ll be be be bee back” Twitchy yelled on the deck

            The rest of the crew threw things at the laughing kalingan; Twitchy would be yelling til he got tired.

“Ok ok settle down you salty dogs” Captain Erse yelled

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            An armada of kalingan and robandian ships sailed through the seas. There was a heavy fog floating over the sea. Everything was quiet and still as the boats sailed the water. A younger captain Erse stood on his deck over looking the armada. This was the 7^th year of his campaign to destroy the beast. He had lost many good soldiers trying to accomplish the feat before him.

            A loud crashing and crackling sound that he knew well snapped him to attention. It was a mass of ship that cracked. They found the beast again. All the ships sprung into action they each had their own task. Captain Erse pulled out his sword and prepared for the beast. His crew ran around handling the ship headed to the action. The fog made it hard to see. The Dragonoff body glowed yellow, green, blue and red. It kept up that roatation. The armada approached the colors as it appreared and disappeared in the fog. The sounds of cannon fires and men screams filled the once silent seas.

            The lionheart approached the carnage. There was five ships including theirseves left of the armada. Men were trapped looking with dead eyes, through the jellyfishes clear body. The dragonoff was still pulling soldiers up its mouth with its tentacles. It grabbed a ships mass with one tentacle and broke it off. The crew ran as the massive mass toppled down. It smashed through another ship, sending its crew jumping overboard off the sinking ship.

“Tarlus straight ahead ram the demon” Captain Erse yelled to his first mate

            Tarlus was a younger Twitchy. He steered the boat straight toward the beast. The Drangonoff was destroying the rest of the armada. The Lionheart plunged in to the Dragonoff. Captain Erse blew a wind and flew on top of the beast. He dropped into its soft jelly body and looked down. The dead soldiers just stared back at him as the beast digested them slowly.

“Die you beast” Captain Erse said plunging his sword through the Dragonoff.

            The beast started to shake uncontrollably. He grabbed Tarlus and slammed him into the mass. Captain Erse grabbed a piece of its eposed body as not to fall. The guts and dead soldiers started to slide out into the ocean. The Drangonoff grabbed Captain Erse with its tentacles. Its stingers dug into his side he felt the burning sensation. It dove down with him freeing itself from the lionheart.

“Captain” Tarlus shouted running to the front of the boat.

            Captain Erse held a ball of air around his head as the beast dove deeper. He felt cold and numb as the burning sensation went away. He felt weak and his air bubble started to shrink. The Dragonoff took him deeper in to the dark depths of the ocean. Captain Erse finally stopped struggling he gave up and accepted his fate. He was in Draygor coffin now and there was nothing he could do. His air bubble went away and his green aura started to fade away. The flashing lights of the Dragonoff were all he saw in the darkness. The beast slowly raised him into his mouth. Captain Erse caught his breath quickly as water rushed around him.

            The captain regained his composure and focused his energy. He made another air bubble as the beast stopped. A shiny pink egg laid to the bottom of the ocean. The Dragonoff reached one of its tentacles toward the egg. Its tentacle stopped short as it died. Captain Erse floated out the hole he burst in the Dragonoff. He began to swim away but looked at the egg. He turned and swam toward it. He pushed it with all his might and it rolled. Erse pulled together what little strength he had. He forced a mighty wind under his feet. He the egg and the carcass of the Dragonoff flew toward the surface.

            They blew out the water. The massive carcass of the dragonoff came out the water in front of the lionheart. Tarlus looked it face to face and peed his pants. He grabbed his heart and started twitching. Captain Erse and the egg floated down on the deck. The exhausted captain laid out on the deck. He couldn’t believe he survived but he couldn’t feel his left side. The crew rushed over and pulled him up. Tarlus regained his composure looking at the carcus floating in the water.

“Captain is it it dead” Tarlus said stuttering and twitching

“Yes” Captain Erse said catching his breath

“Is that is’ egg?’ he asked

“I don’t know maybe” Captain Erse said “ tell no one of it” he said before passing out

The crew braced his fall. They pulled back his jacket exposing his wounds. The barbs of the Dragonoff stuck into his side. They carried him to his quarters and left him with the doctor.

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The crew cheered as Captain Erse finished the story.

“Now fella’s I will leave you to enjoy the night” Captain Erse said standing up

            He bid the table a due and walked out the mess hall

“I saw the devil” Twitchy yelled from the deck

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chapter 6 -The Seige of Fordlandia

Chapter 6- The Seige of Fordlandia

           

           

Seven years passed since the Zartoons had left Foratu. Schordin had become crueler to his subjects. He became paranoid of plots to his throne. He felt like that slip in security lowered his respect and fear over his subjects. He sat on his throne-guzzling goblet after goblet. He killed his subjects at will without the slightest regard. Schordin stewed over how he looked like a fool in front of the whole kingdom. He would make the zartoons and naidni pay.

            Schordin plotted and stragiezed over the years though he drunk his self into a stupor most nights. He had his soldier start to reconstruct the bridge that was destroyed. Even with all the zartoons that left. Over the years he multiplied his army by three. Schordin amassed a massive army that had become restless. This was the time to act or he saw a rebellion rising up against him. He made a two phase plan to secure his throne. The Garrothians were focused on his construction of the bridge. They however were so worried and committed to planning their defenses. They would overlook his real goal.

            As schordin ordered the construction of the bridge, he also ordered a tunnel be built. This tunnel would be carved straight through the mountains of dragor. They would launch a surprise attack on fordlandia. No one in the naidni empire would see it coming. If his plan went well they would take the city before thorgan could send troops to stop him. He would attack garroth as a diversion. The Naidni Empire would have most of the troops stationed at Garroth. Which would Leave forlandia wide open for the taking.

            Schordin still had his doubts about his plan. It wouldn’t be the first time the naidni managed to foil his plots. He assured himself this time would be different. This time they wouldn’t even see it coming. He would have them right where he wanted. Finally the zartanites would be beyond Foratu.

            With Fordlandia in his control he could take the empire. Setting up a new base of operation and giving them the resources they greatly needed. Since the zartoons destroyed the bridge. Thorgan stopped sending the water that he promised them. It made schordin laugh, when he pictured thorgans face after he received the news of the siege. He too would pay for going back on his word. Once he took Fordlandia he would knock on the doors of thandor. finally paying his old comrade a visit with his army.

            Over the years the construction of the tunnel had delays. The heat of the volcano melted the metals and forced the zartoons to forge stronger metals. They designed machines to drill through the rock. The heat of the rocks melted many of the machines. Making the process tedious and wearing their resources thin. Schordin was relentless on the workers. Killing them for every delay, which didn’t help the progress of the tunnel. The bridge was almost completed and, they were only a fourth of they way finishing the tunnel. Patience was one thing schordin didn’t have. Seven years was long enough for him. He grew more agitated by the day.

            Schordin reviewed the plans daily. He knew they drilled in the wrong spot everything would be ruined. The volcano would leak out and flood foratu with magma wiping it out. But once they got to the northern side of the mountain. It would be smooth sailing they could plow through it like butter.

            It would only be a few months before they would complete the bridge. The zartoons engineers estimate another year for the completion of the tunnel. As much as schordin hated it, he had no choice but to wait. He was arrogant but not a fool. He had waited to long just to throw it away. He kept in mind the restlessness of his troops and realized something had to be done.

            Schordin deciede that he would terrorize garroth until the tunnel was completed. He had over a hundred thousand men at his disposal. with enough machinery to man a twenty thousand man army. The weapons the zartoons manufactured grew dusty in their armories. from the years of being stored and not used. It was time for the naidni to fear the zartanites again. For to long they had counted the zartanites out. The day of reckoning was finally upon them.

            The city of garroth would not allow the zartanites to just storm their city. They watched their reconstruction of the bridge. Sarthis and mizzle ordered the construction of the first wall in the Naidni Empire. The wall was very similar to the metal wall of Foratu. It had turret stations on top of it. the only major differences in the two walls was the gods came to garroth. They used their powers to help forge the metal. The end product was something you had to marvel at.

            Lordon engulfed himself in his flame and walked into the furnace. Zarton searched the earth’s ground for the best metal ores. He arose from the ground in the forgery and presented them with metal rich ores. Every sheet of metal that was forged wild horse took the liberty to cool. He took his hand and ran it over each piece. Steam filled the air once he touched the glowing red scrapes. Kaway pulled down the wind and feed it into Lordon’s flame. He fed the flames heating lordan up to almost unworkable heats. Sweat dropped down the faces of dwarfs and zartoons in the forgery.

            This wall would be the last line of defense against the zartan threat. The matal was stronger than any forged from magma. It was also comforting for the garrothians. The whole city knew the zartanites were creating a new bridge and they knew it would only be a matter of time before they attacked. The completion of the wall allowed many of them to sleep at night. It let them know the zartan’s couldn’t just walk right in and destroy them while they slept at night. They were peace loving people but when forced would raise their arms to defend their land. The last seven years brought peace, innovation and prosperity to them. They held in the backs of their minds the threat to the south.

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             The Olympics these years were being held in Oakland. Black bear had become known for his extravagant shows. His kingdom was the most beautiful in all the lands.  It was usually referred to as the hidden city. The synthesizers protected it well. They Formed bridges with their roots as paths. The city sat in the middle of the jungle. They used their powers to shift the rocky terrain into a thing of beauty. Canals ran throughout the city and naidni sailing boats filled them at all hours. It was a vibrant city, in the center of the town where all the canals connected stood a monument. Black bear and his students forged it from the mountains; Black bear had a statue made so no one who saw it would doubt the unity of the naidni.

            The statue depicted all the chiefs of the Naidni Empire standing behind thorgan, Black bear to his left and thandor to his right. The synthesizers stood behind them along with the centaurs and werewolves. The sarthis and buffalo hoof took the ends. The statue looked so realistic they were praised through the empire. The skill and craftsmanship was unmatched to any in the land.

            The event which everyone awaited this year was the water games. Oakland’s canals served as an obstacle course rather than have it on the lake or ocean as other tribes had it. With the canals being so intricate it gave the fans a better view of the contestants in action. Weather it was the boat races or water runs every on looker had a great view. The canals were flooded to give the contestants more room and deeper water.

            Each element had a game that represented their skills. The games also had portions for those with no power. The final Olympics was the game of lictric. Contestants built a team and competed in elimination until one team was victorious. The game entailed a cleric throwing the ball down the field. The catching team had to get past the opposing team. the ball had to pass the goal line, in the goal hole or into the clerics box. The teams needed to have at least three non-mutants and a minimum of 12 people.

            To get the ball past a cleric was a hard ask. Since the ceremonies only a few have attained that goal. Most just manage to make it past the line. Each team is given three chances to score per round and whichever team scores twice first usually won. The ball was metal and the size of a bowling ball. It was light enough that a child could kick or throw it though. It could be passed anyway seen fit and a turnover kept the ball in play. Player’s scowered the lands yearly to find team members to could achieve this feat with.

            The fire trials were another caliber of test for the combatants. These test put the contestant’s physical abilities to work. Combatants fought each other for the flame of ceremonies, weapons specialist, disciplined mutants and skilled warriors flocked to show they were the mightiest. The dwarfs and werewolves surprisingly faired better over the years in the fire trials. The trophy was a torch lit from Lordon himself. It was was to be an eternal flame. One that the combatants that received it said never died.

            Spectators watched these battles with the upmost enthusiasm. Fordlandians stood in the crowds taking bets on the fights. They had become known to capitalize on the events of the Olympics. Trying to raise a profit at any angle they could. They staked the odds in their favor but never swindled anyone in their deals. They gave the Olympics another reason for the crowd to cheer for their contestants. At any given event or corner of the Olympics you could see or hear them calling out wagers, or collecting coins for bets. Avoiding any type of trouble and forcing the clerics to intervene.

            Although the Fordlandian bookkeepers were popular many thought the practice be little the Olympics. They felt it gave the Fordlandians advantages toward better fighters. However most thought it took the fighter to a new level. It brought the best out of them. Fighters and competitors in all the events earned reputations over the years. They could have started with little no chance odds in bets. Then work their way up to higher wagers. Over the years there were competitors who dominated their events Olympic after Olympic.

            The Olympics brought memories and unity year after year. They not only tested strength and ability they tested creativity as well. The earth games challenged competitor’s ability to create works of art. Competitors from all points of the empire made creations from all types of materials. Judges critiqued the pieces from all types of materials.  The judges that critiqued the pieces in that event then selected the winners. The winner’s trophy however was the most unique of all the prizes. It was a 100-pound pot and inside was a seed. The seedling was a synthesizer’s baby.

            The growth of a synthesizer was a long and patient process. They lived for hundreds of years. Many if not most of the recipients of the seeds died before they saw them mature. The tribes continued to nourish and care for them after their owners past away. Thorgan over his lifetime had seen the act many times. It was a celebrated occasion when the synthesizer left his pot and became one with the earth. When that time did come the celebration would last for three days. It started the day before they did, the day they stepped out the pot and the third day of their new life. Synthesizers and Naidni alike flocked to wherever the new synthesizer was.

            Thorgan’s Olympics had withstood the test of time. They continued to unify and connect the empire and instilled pride in many different tribes. All naidni weather mutated or not were able to compete on an even playing field. The winners had to admire the skills and discipline of his opponents. It brought a newfound level of respect and understanding to the Naidni citizens.

            Black bear watched day after day at all the competitors and events. He marveled at his beautiful city and his magnificent courses. He was a great host and brilliant designer. His citizens have held the most of all the other cities in awards. He attained a level of discipline for students of the arts that the clerics watched closely. Oaklandites level of discipline was tight and well trained. They selected warriors to train just as the clerics did. The clerics however still maintained first pick of the children born. Still many picked by clerics left to train with the Oaklandites.

            Black bear still contemplated as he watched how he could take the Olympics to the next level when it came back. Most field constructions had been done and the winners were starting to be stable again. The city of Garroth stood alone in competition with him. They took their tracks and fields to a new level every year. Their inventions and shows marveled the crowd. Yet they lacked the finesse that he attained in beautifying the grounds. Black bear was thinking of something massive, something new that would top all the Olympics of previous years.

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            The kalingan legion stood in the fields of karnage and awaited their foes. Their amour shined in the light and the kalingan flag flew in the breeze along with other flags. A solo scout from the scouting party had returned with grave news. The layorians were coming and his team was killed. He himself didn’t escape without wounds. The generals sounded the alarm and rallied the troops. No one wanted john back and the throne had been empty since he left.

            Kalinga over the decades had changed tremendously. There was no king. Generals from all areas of the empire sat and discussed the issues. They had come to enjoy the split power and didn’t see a need for a king. A democracy had formed and the republic grew strong. Although the governing bodies changed the practices and beliefs of the Kalingans but much didn’t change. Elemental Mutants were accepted in their society. Many fought in the new armies they assembled. There was still killing for witchcraft and wizardry. The mental kalingans more times then not abused their abilities. Which made he mental mutants were subject to this bias. Yet now they had a new target, the kalingan werewolf.

            Many men and women lost their lives from suspicion of being a werewolf. The first few decades of the new kalingan empire were dedicated to their irradiation. The trials became known as the kalingan werewolf hunts. Houses and families were burned or punished for having even a suspicion of werewolf dealings. Many kalingans saw the werewolves as threats and abominations. Most though just simply feared the beast. The streets of kalinga filled with blood and cries of mercy when the moon turned full.

            When a werewolf saw the full moon if they were in their human state they would change. A blind fury would consume them and nothing but death could stop them. When they stood in their beast form and looked at the moon. It set them into a trance. They couldn’t help but stare at it aimlessly. They became slaves to it until the sun rose. Then they snapped out of their trance. Over the decades many of them escaped from kalinga. They scattered the world in search of peace. Some landed in the naidni empire, others esidarap, most though just found various spots in barsland. In their wolf state they could handle the extreme climates of the wastelands. They could bear with the hot desert in their human state. Those that made it to robandia were welcomed and accepted in. A temple like the one in Taru was erected for them over the years.

            John the 23^rd over the decades tried to get many of them to join his side. They could together get their revenge on the kalingans. The werewolves could pay their respects to their fallen brothers. John could reclaim his throne and punish all those that rebelled against him. The werewolves refused, they remembered how he was king. Though they were hunted down, kalinga hadn’t had a war since the asteroid fell. The focus was taken off of conquest and put on civil issues. The days after john’s exile the empire started to unify more. It was no longer what a region offered the army but rather what the region could offer the nation.

            John fumed over their refusal to join his army. It however was a small convience to have them. Over the years he amassed his army of layorians. He was ready to take back his throne back. He would not be denied. The kalingans should of killed him when they exiled him. John told them he would have his revenge and today was going to be that day. He rode on top of a wholly mammoth behind his army toward kalinga.

            He marveled at his brillance. John had taken savage beast and turned them into a unified unit. The giants marched across the tundra together and as one. Hundreds of layorians amerged through the brutal snow storm and looked down upon the kalingan army.

“huuuuuuuuuuu awwwwwwwww hueeeeeeeee awwwwww!” one layorian at the front line yelled as he beat his chest.

            The rest of the layorians came alive and started beating their chest in frenzy. The sight sent chills down the kalingan soldier’s spines. Yet they stood steady as they watched the layorians run down the hill.

“For kalinga!” one soldier yelled pulling out his sword and running toward the layorians.

            The kalingan soldiers followed the soldiers into battle. The two factions clashed and the battle began. It took at least two kalingans to take down one layorian. Their swords pierced the layorians but wasn’t enough. Layorians tossed kalingan soldiers around the battlefield like rag dolls. The wholly mammoth the layorians brought made havoc for the kalingans. They trampled and knocked them around as they made their way through. The sounds of injured men echoed around the battlefield.

“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh raaaaaa” a layorian cried out as three kalingan soldiers stabbed him to death.

            John the 23^rd smiled evilly as he watched his army push the kalingans back. He met eyes with his former generals and they all looked down. He knew as well as them that the battle was over. Many of the kalingans had started to retreat. A layorian grabbed the flag bearer and ripped him in half as he made his way forward. John commanded his mammoths to move forward. He could see the stone walls of kalinga in his vision.

            John laughed to himself on top of his mammoth. He envisioned the futile final stand they would try to rally. The future pleas of his backstabbers before they hung for treason amused him. He watched as the kalingans made a full retreat. They looked like scared little children running home. If only they knew home would be their demise. It wasn’t long before john saw his home for real. His palace looked just as it did when they exiled him. His face quickly turned to a frown as he thought of them using his palace as their own.  He could see them lying in his rooms while drinking his wines and eating his foods, probly even having his chamber maidens.

            He reminisced on his life before his exile. He took the finest women from from all parts of his kingdom. The finest wines were stocked in his cellar barreled and ready. He couldn’t remember what wine tasted like or what a woman smelled like. All he felt for all the years was cold and colder nights. Imagine a king no longer sleeping in a bed but on floors in caves. Layorian women were no prettier then the men. They had no perfumes and wore loins they made from mammoths or tigers. The smell of the fur repulsed him and the nightmare was finally coming to an end.

            The sound of cannons booming snapped john back to reality. The kalingan soldiers had regrouped and were ready to defend the city. The layorians were pelted with a barrage of cannons and arrows. This new offense slowed them down. One hit with a cannonball and they fell down. Even their superior physic was no matter to the might of cannon. Kalingan archers shot arrow after arrow at their enemies. The archers only seem to pierce and annoy them but nothing more. The layorians pulled the arrows out and continued moving toward the city walls.

            Many of the layorians started to pound on the doors of kalinga. They intended to break it down and enter the city. The kalingans poured hot oil off the top of the wall down on them. The layorians that got hit cried out in pain as they held their melting flesh. Other layorians dug their massive hands into the city walls and began to climb the wall. The kalingans on top of the wall did their best to keep them down. They tried stabbing their hands as they reached the top. Some of them were grabbed by the layorians and pulled off.

The take over of kalinga was almost complete. The layorians had entered the city and were wrecking havoc. John watched from outside the city as his army finished entering the city. The cannons stopped booming but men continued to cry out in pain. Women and children ran for safety as layorians walked through the town center for the first time in decades. They smashed buildings with their massive size. A white flag started to wave and all the layorians stopped. They waited for johns command. John stood up and hopped off his mammoth. He walked to the front of his soldiers and looked at the steps to his palace. His four generals stood at the top of the steps looking down.

            John turned and faced his army from the steps. Some kalingans started to come out of hiding to see the return of their king. John smiled as he looked down upon his new subjects as well as the old. He turned to look at his generals, as the smile grew wider. He calmly walked up the steps toward them. The sick grin on his face growing darker and sicker at the moment.

“John my lord please grant us mercy!” todd said

            John smiled wide and raised his hand to squash him. He pounded his massive fist down on him. The blood spattered on him and the other generals. The remaining generals looked at john and dropped to their knees. They begged for mercy and forgiveness.

“Save your cries for the fate I have for you, will make you wish you got his fate” john said wiping the chunks of Todd off his hand onto the steps.

            The generals stood aside as john continued his walk to the palace. He stopped and turned around. He admired the carnage that he saw before his eyes.

“Have what’s left of the cannoneers fire off twenty-one cannons for my victory!” john the 23^rd said turning back around and continued his stride to the palace.

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            With the bridge finally completed schordin began his assault of garroth. The naidni were fully prepared for his attacks just as he planned for them to be. They were to focus on the battles to notice or feel the construction of the tunnel. The zartoons forged stronger plowing machines. They were almost about to break ground on the north side of dragor’s mountain. They estimated another month to completion. Thorgan had his invasion legion prepared and ready for the take over.

            The battle in front of garroth was fierce. Although the zartanites only wanted to distract, if the opportunity to siege garroth as well appeared they would take it. the clerics addition to the garroth army gave the naidni the advantage. Clerics of all mutations ran around the battlefield taking down zartanite after zartanite. Their weapons ranged from all elements to the power of the mind.

            Once a naidni reached a certain level of discipline. They were able to focus their aura into their weapon. Each weapon was different and depended on the owner. Archers shot arrows of ice freezing what it connected too. Soldiers fought with swords that blazed with fire. Its flames burned as different as the sword it engulfed. Earthly mutants hardly needed weapons for the ground around them provided one. They could become stone or sand willingly. As earthly naidni got more disciplined the area of ground they could affect grew. Mental naidni were very similar however many of them used special words to focus their powers.

            Day after day the naidni defended the zartanite attacks. The naidni soldiers were tired and weary. It had been over a month the attacks started. They never knew when or the time the zartanites would strike. The zartanites struck at random and never brought their full units out. They attacked in small but organized groups in order to keep the naidni on their toes. One day it would be a battalion of zartoons. The next dat it was zarga’s another day it would be zartanite’s. Schordin even mixed the units up on some days. Whichever unit he sent, they were prepared to give their life for Foratu progression.

            The day finally came when the zartoons welded the last hollow piece of pipe to complete the tunnel. The entire city of foratu cheered at the accomplishment. The city was so loud the garrathians soldiers and clerics heard them. They wondered what could make the zartanites cheer like that. They prepared themselves for another battle as they expected the worst. Their newly mounted defense would serve them little good.

            Schordin walked over to his balcony and over looked his massive army. The crowd silenced when he raised his hands.

“For to long we have stood in the shadows. Looked down upon by the naidni and counted out. We are the mightiest warriors to walk this planet. Once again brothers we will make the naidni fear us again. In two days this time we will lay siege to fordlandia. By the setting of the sun on the third day we will have a celebration like none have ever seen. Are you with me brothers. Let us rise and conquer or die as warriors!” schordin said

            Foratu erupted hearing his words. So many of them had been wanting and waiting to just leave the city. They yearned for battle; they grew weary of forging amour and weapons just to admire them. They were tired of schordins cruel reign. The zartanites standing in the crowd rejoiced for they felt the tides turning. With fordlandia they would finally have access to fresh water. Although many despised schordin they rejoiced at his brilliance to take them into a new era. Schordin turned from the crowd and walked back into his palace. The crowds roared as the city rejoiced in the streets.

            The zartantes beat their massive drums straight for two days. The sound of war and preparation echoed through the land. The afternoon of the second day a zartanite legion headed toward garroth. After all the months of picking they finally could have a full on assault of garroth.

            The naidni forces were weary and on the edge. This was the perfect time to strike. The garrothians soldiers and naidni soldiers stood on the bridge prepared to finally put an end to the zartanite uprising. They were tired of the zartanite’s plaguing their land and scaring the children. Sarthis, Mizzle and black paw the cleric general sat on their horses prepared for the battle. Once they pushed them back this time they would destroy the bridge once again.

            The three generals thought of all the good men that were taken by the magma lake. For as many of the zartanites that they took down, they had received close to the same causalities if not more. The naidni army was growing thin and most of the clerics were called to help finish the problem. The launching of the zartanites catapults awoke the naidni forces and the battle began. The young clerics on the front lines ran to the zartanites. Their white robes blew in the wind as they clashed with their enemies. Although the zartanites had no elemental weapons their strength size and well forged weapons made them worthy opponents.

            While the battle waged on another legion of zartanites travelled through the tunnel. This siege battalion was double the size of the garroth assault unit. As they marched down the tunnel, it was hot and almost unbearable at the beginning then cool and refreshing at the end. The zartoons at the end continued to drill and break a hole in the final end of the mountain. The drilling machine roared as it spun and dug into the wall. As they pushed deeper into the wall the sun started to come through. The wall collapsed and the zartanites stood on dragor’s mountain overlooking fordlandia.

            The zartanites started setting up for their attack. Their catapults were lined up and their range was the city. They looked down on the unsuspecting Naidni. They wound up the catapults and prepared to start the invasion. The drummers that followed them through the tunnel began to pound their drums. They released the catapults and let boulders rain down on Fordlandia.

            The horns of Fordlandia immediately got blown. All through out Fordlandia people scurried to find safety and in confusion. The zartanites had already made their way down the mountain and through the forest. Before the fordlandians got a proper defense mounted, Buffalo hoof hopped on his stead and road like a mad man towards the zartanites. He rallied his troops as he sat on his horse; he raised his flame engulfed sword in the air.

            “The zartanites think this would be easy. They thought they would surprise us and take the city. Well they got another thing coming. Let’s give them the fight they were looking for. Lets send them running back to foratu we stand alone now but we shall arise victorious together brothers!” Buffalo Hoof said waving his sword and putting his horse to stand on his hind legs.

            The small army that he had mustered cheered as they looked at the zartanite legion closing in. the ground rumbled under their feet as they watched the zartan unit after unit come out the tunnel and head their way. The boulders they launched flew threw the air and tore up buildings and other things they collided with. The naidni soldiers ran to their attackers with a roar. They were prepared to give their lives to protect their home. There was no more than five hundred naidni to what seemed like an endless sea of Zartanites. Most of the Naidni were just citizens who cmae to aid the effort. There were less than fifty clerics on the battlefield.

            Buffalo Hoof tied a note to his raven and sent it to thorgan. He informed him him of the surprise attack and asked for reinforcements. Buffalo hoof knew it would take at least half the day for them to arrive. As arrogant as he was he was no fool. He could see a lost battle, but he hoped he could hold them off long enough. Buffalo Hoof blazed his fiery sword through zartanite after zartanite in a rage. He knew the garrothians were close enough but they had no men to spare.

            The zartanites line slowly started to move forward. Wave after wave they came and pushed the naidni back. The zarga’s recked havoc as they tossed men out of their way. Two clerics ran to a zarga. One just to his left sliced his arm off. The cleric’s sword glowed bright blue and it cauterized the zarga’s arm as it sliced through. The second cleric’s sword looked like normal steel. He sliced up his right leg and the zarga’s leg froze over turning black. When the clerics got to the top of his leg it was encased in ice. The zarga fell back causing his leg to shatter into pieces and his left arm laid next to it with steam still rising out of it. The two clerics nodded at each other and separated back into the battlefield.

            The cleric that sliced his zarga’s arm turned just for a second. As he did he watched a zarga smash his cleric brother with his hands.

“Joshua!” the cleric yelled running with his sword.

            The cleric jumped at the zarga and sliced his head clean off. The zarga continued running as his head rolled on the battlefield his body fell too. The cleric ran over to Joshua’s mangled body which was twitching as he grabbed his final bits of life in his blood filled breaths. Joshua’s eyes met the clerics before he finally closed them and stopped moving.

“May the gods be with you!” the cleric said as he folded Joshua’s arm over each other and stood up.

            With a few tears dropping down his face he threw off his greenion cloak and he pulled his sword out. He summoned all the aura he had within him with a loud battle cry. The sword in his hand began to melt as his hands blazed. He ran back into the battle with a vengeance. The cleric attacked zartanite’s with his bear hands as if a mad man. It was quite uncommon for a cleric to become emotional. Every zartanite he touched melted as if they fell in the lake of magma. His aura was an ominous black around him. Although he blazed a path of fire in his rampage his emotional state would be costly. The clerics had taken down more than his share of zartanites but now he found himself surrounded. He fought off as many as he could but he was weary now. He soon felt the cold steel of a zartanite’s blade in his side.

            The cleric liquefied the zartanites head and pulled the blade out. As he did another zartanite stabbed him on the other side. The cleric continued to fight but many more blades stabbed him. He finally disappeared below the sea of zartanites. Buffalo hoof shook his head as he watched it unfold. He was trying to assist the out of control lad but couldn’t maneuver quickly enough. He needed to regroup his forces. The sun was beginning to set.

“Retreat” Buffalo hoof yelled

The Naidni soldiers continued fighting as they made their way back to Fordlandia. They dodged boulders as they retreated. The city was in the same condition as the battlefield citizens scurried to put out burning buildings. The soldiers regrouped in the front lines of Fordlandia. Archers rained down arrows on the incoming zartanite legion. Arrows of all elements showered the zartanites but still couldn’t stop them. The zartanites just kept coming.

“Brothers we stand here now maybe for the last time. If we fall let us give them hell!” Buffalo Hoof yelled as he raised his sword.

            Buffalo hoof ran towards the zartanites and the remaining of the soldiers followed. The Naidni met the Zartanitess and showed their heart. They gave their final push everything they had. But it wasn’t enough Buffalo Hoof himself became overwhelmed. He felt the cold steel of the zartanites. A zartanite general stabbed him in his stomach. He looked him in the eyes as he plunged the sword deeper in his stomach. The zartanite then kicked him off his sword and continued to the city.

            The Naidni soldiers watched their mighty leader fall. They felt the cold touch of defeat creeping up their spine. The zartanite’s had taken Fordlandia from them and they were helpless to stop them. The zartanites continued their push into the city. The citizens and survivors of the battle scurried as the zartanites entered Fordlandia. Loran a Zartanite general took a raven out it’s cage and tied a note to it’s leg. He looked down on Fordlandia from the mountainside.

“Start the defense stage!’ he yelled to his underlings.

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In Garroth the naidni were pushing the Zartanite’s back to Foratu. They began preparations for destroying the bridge again. A cardinal flew to black paw. It informed him of the pending attack in fordlandia. He inturn informed Sarthis and Mizzle. They agreed and in ordered the soldiers to speed up their preparations. Sarthis sent their reinforcements to Fordlandia to meet the legion Thorgan had sent. It would take them a few hours to arrive they would be late. That had to be better then never for the empires sake.

Thorgans forces were headed to Fordlandia. He and Thegan rode with the army to see the battle their selves. They were a few hours from garroth but thorgan didn’t plan to attack until he saw the situation. He still couldn’t believe schordin had amassed such a bold attack. The halting of his army snapped him out of his thoughts. One of the lead horsemen rode back with a soldier.

“Thorgan they have taken the city and killed Buffalo Hoof. What will we do I’m sorry I failed you” the soldier said jumping off the horse and kneeling

“Arise brave warrior the city may not be lost yet.” Thorgan said, “Join the ranks and let us take it back”

            The soldier stood up and joined in the army. They proceeded towards Fordlandia to face their crafty opponents.

            The naidni in Garroth had pushed the Zartanites back enough to explode their charges. It didn’t surprise Mizzle to see them retrating. He knew schordin was up to something. He had a feeling the fleeing zartans would no doubt rejoin the siege of fordlandia. Mizzle hoped their reinforcements were not to late to help keep the city. He signaled a fellow zartoon and the zartoon lit a fuse. He ran with the rest of the army to safety. As the lit fuse took off like a firecracker.

            The fuse met its connecting bomb but didn’t explode. The zartoons looked at mizzle in surprise. He ran over and kicked the closet charge into the lake of magma. The bomb exploded triggering the other bombs as he ran away. A wave of magma rose up as en effect of the bridges destruction. Earthly naidni seeing the threat raised a wall of earth up to block it. The aerial naidni in the area blew back what little magma got over the wall. The bridge was destroyed once again and all the soldiers were safe that survived the epic battle. They focused their attention to Fordlandia now.

            Thorgan stood on the hillside and looked down upon fordlandia. He couldn’t believe what he saw. The city was still burning in many places and the Zartanites had constructed a wall. It was a shabby stone wall and quickly constructed. This was the only wall built in the empire besides Garotth. The reinforcements sarthis sent were making their way up towards thorgan. Over all the years of battling the Zartanites he had never seen them make such a strategic move. It was clever but not enough to stop a full Naidni army. The drums of the Zartanites blared in the distance. They were setting up their defenses and preparing artillery.

            Schordin made his way out the tunnel and an evil smile came over his face. His army was running all over fordlandia like busy little bees. They were following his plan to the T and his army would still be prepared before the Garrothians army could mobilize back. Zartanites were still running out of the tunnel. Each one was just as eager as the last to play his role in the great siege. The Zartoons were setting up there mobile turret guns along the walls. In a matter of hours the Zartanites had transformed Fordlandia. They were ready for the naidni who were tired and low in numbers.

            Schordin knew that Thorgan’s kind heart wouldn’t permit him to continue to lose man after man. They suffered tremendous loses defending Garroth but the Zartanites had units still waiting for battle. More fresh legs then the Naidni had. They still poured out the mountain as an endless sea. They’re drums were still beating and echoing along the mountainside. Schordin could see thorgan forces assembling. The Naidni would make it a two-sided war. Schordin figured he had a few hours before the garrothian soldiers would be at the rear of fordlandia. He signaled one of his soldiers to begin the battle. The soldier picked up a flare gun and shot it into the sky.

            The zartanites in Fordlandia watched the fire drift down from the sky. They immediately started launching their catapults. The battle had begun and after the naidni charged the city. The zartoons bust shot after shot with their turrets into the army. The artillery for it was a small metal ball. It pierced and dropped naidni as they ran into the battlefield. The zartanites met the naidni outside the city walls with fierceness.  They had the city and were not going to let it go easily. Zartanites, zartoons and zarga’s fought side by side to push the naidni back. The battlefield was getting bloody both sides were evenly matched. Casualties fell upon both sides but the zartanites still had a legion waiting in the city.

            The tide of the battle started to change however. The zartanites started to overwelm the naidni. Thorgan stood and watched as his army line was slowly pushed back. The zartoons turrets proved to be more then they could handle. The naidni couldn’t get to the city to try and destroy them. The zartanites were proving to be more than they could handle during this battle. Thorgan had to make a choice that he didn’t want to. He signaled a soldier to sound the horn of peace. Everyone on the battlefield came to a halt. The soldiers on the front line took a step back from each other. Thorgan made his way to the front of the lines and schordin did the same.

            Thorgan waited at the front lines for schordin to meet him. He could feel the eyes of both sides on him. Many of there thoughts flashed through his head.  Schordin arrived moments later and stepped down from his onita. The two kings stood face to face so to say. Schordin was the shorter of the two and his hunched back didn’t help much either.

“Stop this madness comrade” thorgan said

“Comrade! I’m no comrade of yours” schordin said

            The sound of a horn took their attention away from each other. The garrothian soldiers had arrived at the southern gates of fordlandia.

“So will you sacrifice more people to have your city?” schordin asked with a sick grin

“I will not leave my people for you to have your way with” thorgan said “if I leave you within a year’s time you will be knocking on the door of thandor.”

“We have no need for more conquest we want resources and trade. For a decade you abandoned your word. We had no water and now you want us to just leave on your request. Ha hah ahahahah” Schordin snorted

“Open your gates and allow free passage to all then” Thorgan said

            As long as the Garrothians allow the same we have an agreement and all trades will continue” Schordin said as he walked back to his onita.

            Thorgan gave him a nod and got on his horse. A deep burning feeling ran through his heart. He never felt such a pain in all his years. The earth started to spin but he managed to guide his horse back to his generals and thegan.

“Father we can take the city back with the reinforcements” thegan cried

“The battle is lost and I will not have another drop of blood spilled today” thorgan said

“Are you ok father” thegan asked noticing thorgan was in pain

“I am fine let’s go home” thorgan said