From atop his mount, King Alister Arcturus VII watched as the horde of Dark Elves, Feral Orcs, Beast Men and Undead were held back by the Hæren's infantry.
The first ranks of melee infantry, the elite Stormænd and the Sværdmænd, stood in formation shoulder to shoulder, holding their shields so they overlap. Forming an impenetrable shield wall while the rear ranks, the Spyd Huskarle, were equipped with multiple javelins which they would hurl at the enemy.
"Hold them back!" A Stormand yelled "Let them break on our shields like water on rock. Sigur eða dauði!"
"Sigur eða dauði!" The Stormænd and the Sværdmænd yelled back.
In the rear of the Stormænd and Sværdmænd, were the Huskarle and
behind the melee infantry were the Bueskyttere.
The missile infantry launched volley after volley down on their enemy. Felling many with their arrows but they were quickly running out of ammunition.
After weeks of holding back the Discordians and being pushed back to the edge of the Frontier Lands, this was their final stand. They have bloodied the Discordians and inflicted many casualties upon their enemies. When the Discordians take down one man of Feoh, he brings twenty of theirs down with him. Showing the Discordians the ferocity the Great Tribes were known for. The fury of the Norðurmenn.
But fury and will alone weren't enough.
Despite their best efforts, the soldiers of the Hæren were soon overrun and only a handful of them were left to continue the fight but a handful was enough to hold the enemy while their allies escaped.
King Alister, instead of leaving with the Jarls, climbed down his horse. Ignoring the calls of his Jarls as he made his way to join the handful of Stormænd, Sværdmænd and Huskarle.
The King wore a short sleeved scale armor underneath a white, sleeveless coat along with a blue warrior's scapular with gold accents and the runic symbol of Feoh in the center. He had a set of steel spaulders with the one on the right having white fur attached to it as well as a set of steel vambraces and gauntlets. He wore a pair of black trousers and leather boots lined with with fur as well as a set of steel greaves and sabatons. His armor was also adorned by a red scarf. One his late wife had weaved for him days before her and their second child's passing.
On his head was a simple crowned helm and in the King's hand was a runic blade. The runes of the blade glowing brightly and bathing the area around him in red light.
"Alister, stop!"
The King did so and looked over his shoulder as Jarl Erik Björnsson of Ravnstad approached.
"Stop this madness, my King! Please. The Kingdom needs you. Alicia needs you. You cannot die here!"
"I've taught her all I can, Erik. She can rule the Kingdom as I had. Perhaps even better."
Alister turned to his friend before holding his weapon out to the Jarl who looked at the blade with wide eyes. The Runic Blade of Feoh's Kings and the First King of Feoh Sigmundr the Conqueror's weapon. Angurvadal.
"Erik." He began "Promise me that this weapon reaches Alicia and when she rules, watch over her."
"My King. You can't- "
"Do this for me. If not as your King then as your friend. Please."
Erik grit his teeth and his fists clenched before letting out a retired sigh. He reached for the weapon and grasped it by the handle. As soon as the runic blade left the King's hands, the runes stopped glowing.
Erik looked into Alister's eyes and the two shared a nod before the former turned and made his way back to his mount. Two other Jarls joined him while the remaining three Jarls followed after their King. One of them handed Alister an Ulfberht sword and round shield.
The bare few Thegn Horsemen left nodded to one another and climbed down their mounts before grabbing their weapons and following after their King.
Alister made his way to the front of the line. The soldiers parting to let their king pass. The enemy had been pushed back but was slowly converging on the Hæren.
Despite their enemies coming to surround them, Alister showed no fear. He looked each of the enemy in the eye before raising his sword over his head and cried out a single word. A word that was worth more than a thousand speeches. A word that would wash away all fear and doubt within the hearts of men. A word that would rally the remaining soldiers and reignite their flames of fury. Making it burn as bright as the Sun God Helios' flame.
"VALHALLA!"
Alister and his Jarls suddenly broke off from the rest of the army and charged into the ranks of the enemy alone. There was no fear, no hesitation, within their being. Just bravery and unbridled Nordic fury worthy of the Norðurmenn ancestors.
"VALHALLA!!"
Not a moment later, the remaining Hæren charged into the ranks of the Discordian army with a war cry as their King and his Jarls lead them into battle. Every single one of them knew that they would die today but they welcomed it with the intent to make this battle the most glorious of all. A battle that would be remembered throughout the ages.
And when death finally claims them, the Valkyries will come and guide their souls to the Halls of Valhalla. Where the brave shall live forever.
(Line Break)
Alicia stared up at the statue of her father in the Hall of Heroes. His crowned helmet, now fixed and cleaned, was currently placed on a pedestal in front of the statue. She gave the statue of her father a smile before leaving the Hall. Passing by the numerous statues of Feoh's heroes and noteworthy monarchs that lined the Hall of Heroes.
After the Battle of Marren, Alicia had relinquished her title of Princess Knight of Iris and embraced her role as Queen of Feoh. Jarl Erik Björnsson of Ravnstad was the one to officially crown her. Seeing as he was her father's closest friend and the Jarl of Ravnstad.
The Queen of Feoh made her way down the corridor of Alister's Keep and passed by the Dining Hall where her cousin was ravaging the large, chocolate cake on the table. Alicia felt her sweat drop at the sight and wondered how someone so small eat so much for such a long time and not gain weight.
'I swear she can eat the entire castle's food supply and still maintain her figure. I wonder if Uncle Robert and Aunt Astrid enchanted Prim when she was a baby?'
Shaking her head, Alicia continued her way out of Alister's Keep and into the castle's courtyard. Followed by her Raven Guards.
The Raven Guards were the Queen's elite guards handpicked by Alicia herself from the Knightly Orders of Feoh as well as the Landeværn. Some were recommended by the Jarls and Alicia judged them first before deeming them worthy to join the Raven Guards.
The Raven Guards wore vastly different armor than the Knights of Iris. Instead of the standard Iris Knight armor, the Raven Guards wore blue tunics underneath a mail hauberk. Over the hauberk, they wore iron lamellar cuirasses with pteruges on the shoulders as well as on the waist of the cuirass. Protecting the hips and thighs. They wore a pair of black trousers and a set of iron vambraces and greaves as well as a pair of leather boots while their hands were adorned with black, fingerless gloves.
They wore dark brown cloaks with black fur collars and slightly conical helmets with spectacle guards and mail aventail. Their primary armaments include Ulfberht Swords, Long Axes and Round Shields with the latter slung on their backs and the swords sheathed inside scabbards that were attached to their leather belts while they held the Long Axes in their hands.
Alicia herself had a change of wardrobe.
She was now wearing an outfit that consisted of a black, long-sleeved tunic with silver embroidery along the neck, hem and sleeve cuffs. Over the tunic, she wore a short-sleeved, mail hauberk along with a pair of iron vambraces with fur lining the top, accompanied by a pair of iron demi-gauntlets as well as a pair of thick, brown, forearm-length gloves that was fingerless in the thumbs and index fingers.
Alicia also wore a blue, sleeveless, open-front overcoat with a white fur collar over the mail hauberk. Stitched on the back of the coat was the White Raven of the Norðurmenn and around her waist was a large, leather belt trimmed with fur which had Angurvadal and Avenger's scabbards tied to it. Below, she wore a pair of black trousers as well as a pair of heavy leather boots with a set of iron greaves that had fur lining the top.
Around her head was a crown. Nothing fancy like the ones the monarchs of Ur wear. Just a simple silver crown with a crest in the middle.
Once Alicia exited the Keep, the blonde made her way out into Castle Arcturus' courtyard where a group of Iris Knights were sparring inside the practice ring against a group of Raven Guards while Jarl Erik Björnsson overlooked the spar. Standing next to the Jarl of Ravnstad was Aedan and Marian.
"My Queen."
Alicia turned to her right as an Iris Knight approached her and said Knight held out a rolled up parchment.
"Message from Jarl Ivar Ivarsson."
The blonde took the message and nodded at the Iris Knight before reading what was written on the parchment.
Jarl Ivar Ivarsson of Gronstad was the youngest of Feoh's Jarls. Having recently succeeded his father, Jarl Ivar Alfsson, who had passed away from old age. She had given him and Jarl Sigrun Eriksdottir of Skalleborg the task of strengthening the defenses of the borders and reinforcing the local garrisons with more than just Falcon Knights. Alicia didn't want another repeat of the Broken Claws entering her Kingdom.
"Our northern border is secured. Patrols are doubled and the garrisons have doubled in number. Our western flank and eastern flanks has been reinforced as well in case the Beast Men decided to raid the Kingdom but our southern flank is slightly undermanned due to moving troops from the south to reinforce the ones in the north."
Alicia rolled up the message and handed it back to the Iris Knight.
"The Royaume d'Ur has been our most loyal ally in all of Eostia. We can count on them to cover our southern flank."
"Even with the threat of civil war, My Queen?" The Raven Guard on her right, Gudmund, asked.
"I trust Lord Blackmoore and his allies to keep the peace but should they call for aid, we will answer."
"Heh." The Raven Guard on her left, Hulda, grunted "And they still owe us for holding the greenskins back during the Carnage."
Alicia wordlessly nodded at the Raven Guard before looking over at Aedan and Marian who were making their way towards the blonde.
The Grey Warden was wearing a black, long-sleeved, undertunic beneath a black, short-sleeved, leather tunic with bronze trimming on the sleeve cuffs.
Over the garments, Aedan wore a long, black, sleeveless, leather jerkin fastened together in the front by four belts on the abdomen and laced together on the sides. It had a bronze Grey Warden crest embroided on the back and the leather jerkin was also accompanied by a leather belt.
Around his forearms was a set of boiled leather vambraces with the Cousland Family crest engraved on the right and the crest of Highever on the left. Below, he wore a pair of loose, black trousers along with a pair of dark brown leather boots and a set of iron greaves.
Finally. Dangling around his neck was his Warden's Oath pendant.
Meanwhile, the Mage Champion was wearing a long, red shirt with a plunging neckline that partially showed the black bustier she wore underneath and bell sleeves that ended just below her elbows with golden embroidery along the neck, sleeve cuffs and hem of the tunic.
She wore a set of leather vambraces with the Amell Family crest inscribed on the surface of both armor pieces. Below, she wore a pair of brown, leather, lace-up leggings alongside a pair of knee-high, black, leather boots with fold over cuffs. She wore a black sash with golden embroidery around her waist as well as a leather belt which held her throwing knives.
Around her ring finger was an ornate silver ring with the Amell Family crest. She had it custom made after they got back from Marren.
"So, Your Majesty." Marian began "What's on the agenda for today, hm? It's been two weeks since Marren and we've barely done anything. Frankly, I'm starting to get bored."
"Normally. I wouldn't be opposed to this peace but I could use a little bit of excitement every now and then."
"If you wanted excitement, you could've gone to a brothel." The Mage Champion replied.
"Not that kind of excitement, Marian."
Said Mage shrugged before turning back to the Queen. Crossing her arms and cocking her hip to the side.
"So? Do you have something for us? Anything or anyone that needs killing?"
"Well... "
Alicia placed a hand on her chin and looked up in thought.
"There hasn't been any raids from Beast Men or Feral Orcs thanks to the improvements to the border defenses. Monsters haven't been sighted in quite a while too. Probably preparing themselves for winter. Hmm."
After a few moments, the Queen suddenly snapped her finger and faced her fellow Heroes.
"The Goddess Incarnate had summoned me to Elenath. Why don't you two join me and see the sights? Maybe even find some quests. I'm sure the Rangers of Lenarien, the Golden Vanguard or even the Silver Sentinels have some quests they could spare."
Aedan and Marian shared a look before both shrugged and nodded to the Queen.
"When do we leave?"
"Right now actually so you two better start packing."
The two quickly left to pack their things while Alicia continued on to the stables. It's been almost two years since she last visited Elenath and the Realm of Cen'aina altogether. She always found the capital of the High Elven realm to be beautiful and often thought of doing nothing but taking in the natural beauty of the capital and it's architecture.
Alicia was snapped out of her thoughts when Aedan and Marian returned with their packs and were all set to for the journey to Cen'aina. The Queen nodded to the two before climbing up the saddle of her mount and turned to address the two.
"It'll take us about three weeks and five days to reach Elenath. Less if we force the horses but we're not really in a hurry." She informed them.
"We'll also make some stops here and there to rest before reaching Cen'aina. Ready?"
"Lead the way." Aedan replied with a nod.
Alicia nodded back before riding out of Castle Arcturus and into the streets of Ravnstad. Followed closely behind by her Raven Guards while Aedan and Marian quickly caught up to her and matched her pace.
From her spot at a balcony on Alister's Keep, Prim watched her cousin and her friends leave with a sad smile on her face.
"Safe travels, cousin. And may the Goddess watch over you."
The pinkette closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them and looking down at the plate of chocolate cake in her hand with delight. She licked her lips and grabbed the slice before stuffing it in her mouth and chewing the delightfully sweet cake with gusto.
(Line Break)
"I don't think we should stop here, my Queen. We are deep in Forest Children lands. The Centaurs have little patience for outsiders and I don't think they'll appreciate us staying longer than we already have."
Alicia nodded at the Raven Guard Captain and former Stormand, Harald Björnsson, before turning to look out into the trees. It was getting dark but her eyes still spotted the unmistakable figure of a Centaur that had been following them since they entered this part of Geofu.
"Perhaps. But I'm sure they won't mind if we let the horses rest. It's been a long day."
"As you wish, my Queen." Harald bowed his head "But I'll have the others ready to ride out just in case."
"Of course, Captain. Now. Carry on with the camp's preparations."
Alicia watched Harald leave to help the others in setting up the camp before turning to her right to see that Aedan had already finished setting up his tent and was now helping Marian set hers up. The Queen decided to join them and made her way over to the two.
It's been two and a half weeks since they left Feoh and they were now in the Land of the Forest Children who resided south of Geofu.
The Forest Children were similar to Beast Men but unlike the Beast Men, the Forest Children kept to themselves and only defended their home. They didn't leave the forest nor do they seek out to interact with the other inhabitants of this world. Most were pacifists but when war came to their doorstep, the Forest Children sent out their staunch protectors and warriors. The Centaurs.
The Centaurs, ever vigilant, were always prepared to jump into action if trespassers decided to harm the forest it's inhabitants. More than once did unfortunate bandits stumble upon the Forest Children's land and were never seen again. The only thing left behind was whatever or whoever they have taken and those were usually left outside of their home.
Sometimes people afflicted with magical curses enter the land of the Forest Children in search of the Dama Druids. In tune with nature and it's magic, those who seek out these Druids wish to free themselves from afflictions that involved nature spirits.
The Dama were, thankfully, more receptive to outsiders than the Centaurs. Always willing to help and giving those they have helped a warning not to anger nature spirits next time lest they suffer a more lethal affliction. One that may be harder for a Druid to cure.
Unfortunately, the one watching them from the shadows was not a Druid.
"And done."
"Thanks. I never really grasped setting up tents quickly. Still have a hard time doing it. But You're quite good at this, Ed. Never thought a Noble would be quite good at setting up tents."
Aedan shrugged and double-checked if the tent was sturdy.
"I learned on the go, actually. After Castle Cousland fell, my sister and I had to learn to set up our own tents and make firewood as well as forage for food while we made our way to Denerim then to Kinloch Hold then Ostagar. Then the Fifth Blight had us travelling all across Ferelden. We had to make multiple camps and had to learn how to quickly set up and tear down these camps efficiently. From then on, the practice stuck with me. Very useful in the Deep Roads considering there is always something lurking on every corner."
Marian nodded in agreement. Among the things she hated the most was the Deep Roads. It was crawling with Darkspawn and other unspeakable horrors that would keep you up at night. It was also the place where she almost lost her brother. Well. She did lose him in a way but at least being a Grey Warden did something good for Carver. He found his own story to write. His own companions to laugh and cry with. His own adventures.
Sometimes, Marian wished he was here so they can talk about the stuff he did as a Warden or just catch up. They had always bickered but he was her brother and she would do anything to keep him safe. Even if it means giving her own life if needed.
"Your Majesty."
Marian was snapped from her thoughts and looked over at Aedan as Alicia approached them.
"No need to be formal, Aedan." Alicia replied "We're all friends here. Just call me Alicia."
"Of course." The Grey Warden nodded.
"So, Alicia." Marian began "Is there something you need?"
"Not really. I just wanted to talk to you guys about something."
"What is it?"
"I've been curious about- "
Whatever Alicia wanted to ask was cut short when a loud roar echoed throughout the forest. The Raven Guards, their Queen and her companions became alert and reached for their weapons. Not a second later and a massive creature burst out from the trees and bashed away the closest Raven Guard. Sending them crashing into a tree.
The creature stopped a few feet away and turned to face the others. Giving them a clear view of their attacker.
It was massive, at least as tall as a Troll if it stood on it's hind legs, with purple skin, piercing blue eyes, spiked back black mane and a pair of horns. It had a muscular frame and steam seemed to be seeping out of the creature's purple skin. It's paws had long, sharp claws on them that could cut down a horse with ease which it demonstrated when one of the panicked horses ran too close to the creature and said beast sliced the horse into pieces.
"Maker. What is that thing?" Aedan asked.
In the months since they arrived in this world, Aedan had yet to see such a creature.
"It's a Behemoth." Alicia answered "Be careful. This thing can use magic, very durable and it's claws can deal a significant amount of damage to anything."
"So it's hard-hitting, hard-skinned, magic-using monster." Marian concluded before shaking her head in annoyance "Great. Absolutely great."
"It's weak against water or ice. Do you have any spells like that?"
"I have. Stand back."
Marian took out the Staff of Parthalan and started performing a few spins for effect before the orb glowed a cool blue.
The Behemoth saw this and roared before running towards Marian. The Raven Guards in it's path wisely got out of the way of the rampaging beast.
The Mage Champion's eyes glowed brightly in the same color as her weapon's orb and Marian swung said glaive in a wide, horizontal arc before spikes of frost shot out the ground a few feet in front of her. Forming a palisade of frost that the Behemoth crashed into. The spikes impaling it's muscular arms before trying to crash into Marian who rolled out of the way.
Aedan and Alicia ran to her side and grabbed one arm each before pulling Marian up her feet just as the Behemoth recovered and roared at them. It grabbed one of the spikes of frost that imapled it's arm before throwing it at one of the Raven Guards and impaling her in the abdomen. It then grabbed a tree and ripped it from the ground before throwing it at another Raven Guard. Crushing him.
The rest of the Raven Guards, angered at the death of two of their comrades, charged the monster with their Long Axes drawn. Captain Harald himself joined his fellow Raven Guards in attacking the Behemoth. Even Aedan joined them. Wanting to taste his mettle against the monster.
The Behemoth roared and swung it's claw at Aedan who jumped on it's arm and used it to boost himself up in the air. Raising Ageless over his head and prepared to bring it down on the monster's skull. The Behemoth, in return, swung it's other claw at the Grey Warden and sent him crashing into a tree.
But that didn't stop him and Aedan picked up his greatsword from the ground before charging at the beast once more.
Alicia joined him while Marian narrowed her eyes and stayed back. Trying to think of a way to defeat the Behemoth.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the monster's ear-splitting bellow. Causing those around it to cover their ears and leaving themselves open for the Behemoth. Said monster pinned the nearest Raven Guard and clamp it's jaws on the man before throwing him away. The Behemoth's fangs left bleeding wounds on the Raven Guard that forced him out of action.
The Behemoth then cast it's first spell since the fight started. A large flaming rock fell from the heavens and struck the earth near Alicia. Sending her flying.
Despite this, those who were still standing attacked the beast with Aedan once more aiming for it's head. His eyes glowed and he was coated with a red aura as he unleashed his Berserker's Rage and leaped high into the air. Rather than swing it's claw at him, the Behemoth decided to just eat the Grey Warden and opened it's mouth.
However, a large ball of frost smashed into the side of the beast's head and caused it to turn to the side while ice started frosting over the area where the spell hit. With it's head turned to the side, Aedan brought his greatsword down and broke a horn off of the Behemoth's head.
Unfortunately, this only served to enrage the Behemoth whose skin and eyes glowed red. It turned it's head to Aedan as he landed and growled at the Grey Warden.
Both were enraged and the first to strike was the Behemoth. Pouncing at Aedan but he rolled out of the way and swung his weapon at the monster's arm. Leaving a large cut across it's skin.
In retaliation, the Behemoth cast a spell that formed a whirlwind around itself and blowing Aedan away who managed to anchor himself to the ground by stabbing Ageless into the earth and holding onto the weapon for dear life.
Aedan growled under his breath before running towards the Behemoth again. He jumped back to avoid getting crushed by it's paw before dashing forward in an attempt to slice it's limb off but only managed to damage it. Still. The damage was great enough to cause the Behemoth to roar in pain before it's mouth started cackling with lightning.
The Behemoth roared into the heavens and lightning struck Aedan. Causing the Grey Warden to scream in a mixture of pain and rage as he bared his teeth and tried to fight through the lightning. Unfortunately, the Behemoth summoned a Meteor that struck the area in front of Aedan and sent him flying into a tree. Breaking said tree in the process as well as knocking him out of the fight. Coupled with the damage he received from the lightning and the Meteor, it wasn't a surprise that it was enough to knock the man out.
Meanwhile, Alicia had recovered and ran at the Behemoth while it's back was turned. She jumped and stabbed both her swords on the monster's hind leg before climbing scaling the Behemoth until she was on it's back. She held onto her blades when the monster started thrashing around in an effort to throw her off.
In doing so, the Behemoth kicked away or smashed into the Raven Guards trying to attack it. It roared and stood on it's hind legs before slamming itself into the ground and sending a shock wave that blew away the remaining Raven Guards with the only one left standing being Captain Harald.
Seeing the Behemoth was down, Alicia removed Angurvadal from the monster's skin but left Avenger there before running along it's back towards it's head. She switched to a reverse grip and grabbed her weapon with both hands before leaping into the air and stabbing her runic blade into the beast's skull as she descended.
Unfortunately, the blade wasn't enough to pierce through it's skull and only earned her the Behemoth's ire.
The Behemoth stood up and started thrashing around once more but Alicia didn't have get a good grip on her sword this time and was promptly thrown off.
The Queen landed on the ground a few feet away and quickly rolled to her front as the monster targeted her next. It lunged at the blonde but before it could reach her, a large fist made of stone smashed into the side of the Behemoth and sent it crashing into a couple of trees.
Alicia looked to her right as Marian raised her hand and a glyph appeared underneath the Behemoth before the Mage Champion cast Winter's Grasp at the monster to slow it down and sending a flurry of Spirit Bolts. She stabbed her glaive on the ground before placing the Behemoth in a Crushing Prison.
Her eyes glowed brightly as two portals materialized over and under the Behemoth's head. A moment later, a pair of demonic hands shot out of the portals and grabbed the monster's jaw and snout.
Marian bared her teeth and mirrored the hands posture before making a tearing gesture. The demonic hands mirrored her actions and ripped the Behemoth's jaw and snout before throwing them away and retreating back to their respective portal which dissipated a second later.
The Mage's eyes stopped glowing and exhaustion hit her. Throwing too many spells in quick succession really takes a toll on her. She leaned on her knees before wiping the sweat off her brow and walked over to help Alicia up her feet.
"Well. That was exhausting and I wasn't even the one who did all the fighting."
"I probably shouldn't mention this but... " Alicia scratched her cheek and looked away "The Behemoth we just fought isn't a full-grown Behemoth yet."
"You meet that thing's a kid!?"
"Yeah. A fully-grown Behemoth is much larger than that. Twice as large. We got lucky."
Marian shook her head and pointed at something behind her.
"I don't think they would consider this as lucky."
Alicia raised a brow before turning around to see that the battered and beaten Raven Guards were removing the tree trunk from their dead comrade as well as removing the body of another from the frost spike that impaled her.
"Oh no."
The Queen ran to her Raven Guards as they placed the mangled bodies in the center of the clearing.
"Hjalkar and Freygerd."
Alicia turned as Captain Harald approached and helping a Raven Guard who had bandages wrapped around his abdomen.
"Hjalkar was a Stormand like me and Freygerd was an Iris Knight. I'm sure you were familiar with her, my Queen."
"Yes. Two of you ride back and bring their bodies to Feoh. Give them a proper funeral. One befitting for brave Nordkrigere."
Harald nodded before looking over at two Raven Guards and giving them orders. Alicia knelt down and closed their eyes before placing their hand on their chest as Marian and a recovered Aedan joined them. She muttered something only she can hear before standing up and letting the Raven Guards carry the bodies away.
With a tired sigh, she looked to the others and told them to fix the camp before making her way over to the Behemoth's corpse. She glared hatefully at the monster before retrieving her weapons none too gently and cleaned them off.
So close to Cen'aina and this happens. Sge knew that they were bound to hit some bumps in the road but not like this. It didn't help that they were still in Forest Children territory and she could see that more silhouettes were now watching them from the trees.
'Looks like the Centaurs are more alert now. I wouldn't blame them considering a Behemoth, young as it is, just entered their forest.'
(Line Break)
The rest of the trip was quiet and somber. Nobody talked about it and the Raven Guards remained stoic for the remainder of the journey. When they finally reached the Realm of Cen'aina, Aedan and Marian had expected something grand.
Instead, they found that the High Elves lived only in the City of Elenath as well as other cities in the land and that everyone else living outside the cities were Half Elves and Humans. They also found that half of the Human population were made up of people from the Königreich Geofu while the other half were Imperials that migrated from the Holy Aurelian Empire centuries ago.
It took them half a day to reach Elenath and Aedan was impressed. The city wasn't actually a city but a group of towering mountain islands connected by massive bridges with buildings built on the side of the mountains as well as inside. Each island could be considered as cliff cities with how many buildings there were. But the largest of them all was called the Silver Isle.
The Silver Isle towered every other island there and on the highest peak was the Golden Citadel. It was where the Goddess Incarnate resides as well as her elite personal guards, the Silver Sentinels. Handpicked from the Golden Vanguard's ranks as well as the Rangers of Lenarien. The First Sanctuary of Eos can also be found on top of the island.
"It's beautiful." Aedan muttered.
"It is."
"Well. While you two stare in awe at the place, I'm more concerned at the prospect of climbing up that."
Aedan and Alicia looked to where Marian pointed and the former's shoulder slouched while the latter sighed in resignation.
The only way to get to the top of the Silver Isle was through the Steps of Eos. A massive staircase that leads to the different levels of the isle but would ultimately lead to the Golden Citadel. Unfortunately, their horses had to be stabled on the first level of the Silver Isle so they had to climb all the way to the top and pass the six other levels of the isle.
"Well. You guys don't really have to climb up the Steps. The Golden Vanguard's main barracks is at the first level of the Silver Isle. A lodge of the Rangers of Lenarien can be found on the second level. You can just go over there and ask if they have quests."
Alicia explained before frowning.
"Be warned though. The majority of the Golden Vanguard are... " She shook her head "I'll be straight with you. They're high and mighty assholes. The Rangers of Lenarien are more receptive of Humans since the majority of them are Half Elves. I'd steer clear of the Golden Vanguard if I were you. Especially you, Marian."
"Me?"
"I have a feeling that one way or another, you're gonna end up punching someone from the Vanguard in the face."
Marian opened her mouth to rebuke but stopped and thought about it before shrugging.
"You're probably right."
"She's definitely right."
The Grey Warden received an elbow to the side but it barely fazed him and only served to hurt Marian instead.
Without another word, the group crossed the massive bridge leading to the Silver Isle before going their separate ways with Aedan and Marian wanting to explore the first level first before heading to the second level to search for the Rangers of Lenarien lodge.
(Line Break)
A lone figure stood in the middle of the road leading to the impenetrable Adamantine Gates of Elenath. A gift from the Dwarves and Halflings from the Realm of Ansur as part of their alliance.
The figure was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt underneath a red yokohagi okegawa dō with a white jinbaori which had four black diamonds painted on the back. They wore a set of black sode and red kusazuri along with a white obi. They had on a pair of black fingerless gloves and a set of red han kote.
Below, they wore a pair of dark blue hakama pants and a set of red and gold suneate as well as a pair of red boots.
Protecting their head and obscuring their face from view was a red kabuto helmet with a brass tiger crest in the front along with a red mengu.
Tied around their obi were a sheathed katana and wakizashi as well as a quiver of arrows. Around their back was a large bow or a yūmi and in their hand was a Jūmonji Yari. A straight-headed spear that brandished a pair of curved blades around its central lance.
The figure then proceeded to remove their helmet and mengu. Revealing a young woman with medium length brown hair with a red band tied around her head and a pair of stormy grey eyes which looked up at the massive gates.
"Well, Mina. This is it. You take one more step and you will finally enter the land of the High Elves. I figured it would have been under very different circumstances though."
Minato 'Mina' Takeda looked over her shoulder as a man approached.
Unlike her, however, this one wore little to no armor with the only piece of armor he had were the ones guarding his shins.
The man had unruly black hair that ended just above his neck and a scruffy beard as well as a scar runnng down his left eye which was pale and unseeing. These features, aside from the beard, were hidden underneath a worn down straw hat.
He wore a black shitagi with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and the robe open, showing a portion of a dragon tattoo on his chest. He wore a blue jinbaori with a golden dragon's head painted on the back and a white obi which held a pair of katanas and a pair of wakizashis.
Below, he had on a pair of grey hakama pants tied off at the end by the leather greaves he wore along with a pair of socks and sandals.
"Kenji."
The man, Kenji, stood beside Mina and crossed his arms.
"I have to say." He began "I expected more guards considering this is their capital."
"It's bound to be different for each Kingdom, Kenji. The High Elves are feared, not only for their affinity with magic and the Golden Vanguard, but also the Rangers of Lenarien as well. They could be watching us at this very moment and we wouldn't even know."
"Hm. You're probably right." The Rōnin Bodyguard shook his head and looked at the Samurai "Why do you keep dragging me into these things?"
"Because you're my friend... and I paid a hefty sum for your services so you better be worth it, Kenji."
"True and my services are always worth it. Just ask my old clients, Mina."
The Fearsome Tigress and the One-eyed Dragon shared a laugh before proceeding to enter the Elven City of Elenath.
Mina had been bestowed upon by the Moon God, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, a quest to prevent the fall of Eostia and the whole of Selenus.
As the Sword Saint of Kai, Mina swore that she would see Eostia saved and with the One-eyed Dragon by her side, they would be unstoppable.
(Line Break)
In the docks of Havenport, a young woman with reddish pink hair stepped down the ramp and a pair of emerald green eyes looked around the bustling port around her.
She wore an iron muscle cuirass with the Sun of Helios in the center of the chest. Her shoulders were protected by a set of segmented shoulder guards which had leather strips that formed sleeves fitted with small metal studsto protect her upper arms. Similar leather strips but larger were attached to the end of the muscle cuirass and formed a skirt. She had a belt worn over her shoulder which she used to carry her weapon which was a longsword with a parrying hook and another belt was fastened around the waist which held a gladius.
Around her forearms was a set of iron vambraces and a pair of brown, fingerless gloves while below, she had on a set of iron greaves and a pair of leather boots. Underneath the armor, she wore a white, short-sleeved tunic that also acted as a skirt.
This was all, however, obscured from view by a large, hooded brown cloak.
"This is it. Eostia. Not as grand as the Empire but at least it's not filled with savages."
Nodding to herself, Imperial Legate Iris Arcadia of the Holy Aurelian Empire made her way out of Havenport's docks and searched for the closest tavern or inn. It was the best place to go if you wanted information and she needed all the information she can get to familiarize herself with Eostia.
After all, the Sun God Helios had given her an important task and she would not fail him or the Holy Aurelian Empire. Eostia will not fall. Not today. Even if it's not her home, she would defend Eostia as if it were the glorious Empire itself.