A world of chaos and conflict, torn asunder by bloodshed. Continents burn as mighty armies clash on the plains of war
Amidst this destruction, there lies one bastion of purity. A horseshoe island guarded by noble armies of high helmed soldiers, proud birds with wings aflame and majestic dragons. It is the home of the Asur, greatest of the races of the world.
And in that island, a little town, a close knit community. A little world of comfort, surrounded by a universe of war.
But in this age, at this time, nothing is safe.
Kaelon glared at the hamlet in front of him, as if it were a personal affront to his pride. He crouched in the underbrush, hidden behind the scrub of the forest. He lifted a hand, and the corsairs behind him silenced. He stared once more at the glittering white town ahead of him, completely unsuspecting of their oncoming doom. He almost felt sorry for his arrogant kin. Still, it was their fault that they were unprotected. It was unthinkable that anyone could keep a dragon egg so unguarded, even in Caledor. This egg would prove a great gift for his master, and would certainly put him into Malekith's favour.
"Do you have it?" a slow, smooth voice called from behind him.
Kaelon cursed silently. What possessed him to work with the brides of Khaine? "Not yet, witch. I am thinking."
"Well, don't think too long. You are not the only one who desires this item. Morathi is eager to get her hands on this particular egg. Eager enough to offer certain... rewards for it"
"This gift is for Malekith and him alone. He can do with it as he sees fit, but I will not give it to the queen." Kaelon responded angrily. How dare this whore seek to steal this gift from him? He mentally made a note to kill her and her team as soon as this was over. "You may return to your team, lady Mirakule. I will inform you when I choose to begin the assault."
"I look forward to it" Mirakule replied, as she walked away. "Don't keep me waiting"
Kaelon turned his head back to the town. He gazed once more at the high roofed houses, holding occupants that were blindly oblivious to their onrushing doom. Now, if only someone could let him know where the guards in this place were. It would not do well to be caught flat footed in a trap, as unlikely as that was from his naive kin.
There! Kaelon caught a glimpse of movement on the other side of the village. He subtly moved around in the brush until he got a clearer view. He gasped momentarily at what he saw, and instantly commended himself for being patient.
More than twenty mounted princes of Caledor stood astride their horses, their blue and white armour shining as if recently polished. One of them stood taller than the others, his scarred face shown in profile as he tapped his foot. Suddenly, from a bend in the village, a young, slight
elf ran towards the group, a white mare in tow. Kaelon could not help but notice that she was extraordinarily pretty, with long, blond hair, a well framed face, and wearing leather armour that not only marked her as a handmaiden of the accursed everqueen, but also accentuated features that would be otherwise unnoticeable, androgynous as elves were. Snapping his attention back to the soldiers, and swearing silently for his lack of attention in a mission as important as this one, he noted with some surprise that the soldiers had mounted up, and were preparing to ride off. Kaelon almost fell over backwards in surprise. Twenty princes as an escort for one elf? As they started to ride of, Kaelon twisted his head to catch sight of something the maiden was carrying, and a bolt of realisation struck him. on the maiden's back was a large rucksack with protective runes littering it, and it had a metal frame.
Ofcourse... shemustbecarryingtheegg.
Kaelon smiled slowly. he had just thought of a way to attain the egg with minimal loss, and rid himself of the annoyance of Mirakule and her hags. Moving back to his camp in the forest, he called his men to him, the black armor that denoted him a black guard of Malekith. the corsairs that surrounded him were members of the black ark he lived on for the first fifteen years of his life before he was inducted into the guard. He could have taken shades, but he believed loyalty was a more important trait than ability.
"Kardraig, get the others. We are leaving this place. Get the horses. Oh, and tell Mirakule that I have offered her hags the distinction of being the first to attack this town."
Kardraig, an elf of five hundred years, but already a war veteran, asked him. "Why, master? Are we letting them slaughter themselves, then grabbing the prize for ourselves?"
"Something like that." Kaelon replied, briefly allowing a smirk onto his face before becoming emotionless once more. Now go! And fast, we have not much time."
"Lady Mirakule"
"What do you want?" Mirakule snapped. she was in no mood for conversation, having just discovered that the traitor dark elf Kaelon was preparing to leave.
"My Lord Kaelon says that he is willing you to offer you first place in the line of attack."
Mirakule stopped dead. why would that pathetic scum offer her witches first place in the assault. unless...
So that was it! That piece of scum wished to let her brides fight, and die, and then he would swoop in, killing the rest of the brides of khaine, and take the egg for himself. Well he would have something coming for him. When he charged into the backs of her sisters, she would ambush him. trapped between two groups of Khaine,s finest, he would have no hope.
"I thank Lord Kaelon for the opportunity,and you can be assured that we will take it." Mirakule replied. Inside she cackled with glee. This would be a fine day for the Witch Elves.
Kardraig ran up to his lord.
"They have taken the bait, my lord, and will commence the attack shortly."
"Good. Now mount up! We must ride, and fast. we cannot let the prey get away."
"But, my lord, i don't understand. I thought we were going to take the egg from them."
"Kardraig, Kardraig, Kardraig." Kaelon replied affectionately, patting the smaller man's head. "of course you don't understand. If you did, you would be in command of this mission and not me. now stop questioning and get the others. we must leave now!"
Kardraig nodded and called to the others. The other twenty nine corsairs ran to their horses. Kardraig had led them through thick and thin, and he was not to be disobeyed. And when his brother asked something of them, there was double the reason not to delay.
"Now come! There is a pass about two hours gallop from here. We mustreach it before our enemies." Kaelon barked. He gave no explanation, nor would the men ask for one. He smiled inwardly. He knew he was right in bringing along his brother's little warband. he had only known them two weeks, and already they had impressed him.
As he rode off, Kaelon heard screams behind him. The witches of Khaine had just begun their assault on the town. he smirked. they would find an unpleasant surprise waiting for them, for Dragon princes of Caledor never rode alone, and a phalanx of spear men would prove a formidable foe, even to the Hags of Khaine.
As ahead of him he caught sight of glittering steeds, and behind him the sounds of battle echoed, Kaelon felt content. one foe down, and another pursued. Life did not get much better than this.