Here it is, another chapter for my adoring fans. Hope you enjoy it.
Nothing more to tell but that this one really gets into some dark areas, so be aware of that, what happens in here is not for the feint of heart. So be aware of that. We are now moving into the Black Dog rebellion in earnest, this is where the fighting and conflict truly start.
The Hand of Suffering
Chapter 15: Noble no More
Feoh, Royal Palace
Alicia looked over the map once more, looking for any minor detail that might offer her a new avenue for the battle to come. It had been a hundred times she had done so, her entire attention was on creating an impenetrable defence to hold back the Black Dogs. All other things were secondary, even her own parents objections to her actions in Ken.
Even now, during this important meeting her mother demanded she capitulated.
"Alicia, you cannot turn your back on the Alliance, or the Goddess." Aurora said, her mother looked worried, perhaps she thought that the actions of her child would bring about a great calamity upon their nation.
But even so her expression was much more subdued than before, once she had argued and yelled at her to do as she asked and now she begged and pleaded with her. It had been something she had not thought her mother would do, but perhaps her fears had been so well engraved that she had let go of her firmness to try and convince her.
"I do not turn from the Goddess, my Queen, but I have been besmirched, I will not return back to that city until I am recognised for who I am." Alicia replied, as much as it hurt her to ignore her mother's wishes this was the only way.
She had been insulted, accused of a great failing, but the blame lay with those that had pulled the veil over her eyes. Until the truth was revealed, until she could prove herself to be unflappable in this crisis, Ken would not known her presence. Even then, so long as Maia and Kaguya remained as Shield Knights and welcome in that city she will never go back, or retake her discarded title.
"They are arrogant to think they could accuse my child of failing, she is a chosen of the Goddess herself." Eros said, giving a dismissive gesture, as if to wave her mother away. "Bah! Enough of this talk. We are not here to rekindle pointless discussion, it is war we must speak of. These Black Dogs will be upon us soon, and we must be ready."
Alicia was thankful her father was on her side, one of the few it seemed. How many had come to her demanding she take heed of their words and do as they say, to accept that there are traitors and wrongdoers not only within the city but the noble court. It was sacrilege that they could speak such words, cast doubt on the leaders of this city to try and taint their image.
"The Black Dogs can come only from one of two ways, and both lead to Geoff." Alicia stated, pointing to the city itself that was a hundred kilometres from Feoh. "It is either from Mayim Cho or from the Jyr'oren Pass that leads into the Crescent Mountains."
Mayim Cho, commonly known as the Sea of Sand, was a massive desert to the west, separate from Eostia by a long mountain chain that moves several hundred kilometres south. Only a single opening existed, and that was just due west of their sister city, Geoff. It was mostly uninhabited, save for a single mesa close to a thousand kilometres away. Home to their hated enemy the Dark Elves, who controlled the only source of water in that lifeless land.
Over two centuries ago her forebears had attempted to build a great navy to challenge the Dark Elves and control the Dayla Sea. They built the city of Adeltraud on the coast of Mayim Cho, and from there created the first Feoh Navy. It had ended in failure, their fleet had been smashed to splinters and the distance between Adeltraud and Geoff had been too difficult of to maintain to continue relations.
In time the city would fall out of view of their watchful eye and eventually become a lawless haven for miscreants. Those that remained would declare their independence and use what skills they had left to turn themselves towards a life of crime.
The city was run by Pirate Lords and raiders, most of the lowest of the low call that city home as it is now the site of criminal things that occur on the Dayla Sea. It was Alicia's belief that the Black Dogs may have dealings with these pirates. Evidence from Diohart suggested that they had friends in the port, and over the years have been planning to send soldier up to Garan by ship.
It was no stretch of the imagination to say that they wouldn't be able to do the same from Garan as well. If they were able to gain some ships they could sailed all the way down from Garan to Adeltraud and then march into their nation through the Blazing Pass.
The alternative was very much similar, but instead of going across the desert, they would sail into the Crescent Mountains. A split in the mountains allowed for ships to sail into a long gorge that led to a valley in the mountains ranges, which in turn funnelled down into their nation. One was a days ride from Geoff, and the other towards Markward. Her intent was to make sure the closest to Geoff was secured, she was certain Markward could hold back an assault should the Black Dogs attempt to march upon the city.
Word had been sent to Lord Bobeleilles, he had given his solemn oath to protect the pass from any assault.
These were the only possible ways the Black Dogs could attack, they could not cross the Badlands again, their only option was to come by sea. If they chose to attack then it would be from those two place, but the centre of this defence relied of Geoff. It would be their key to victory, an assured one if the enemy were stupid enough to lay siege to the fortress.
"Geoff is the only obstacle for the Black Dogs to entering our nation, all that is required is for them to be dispatched from there. If we can push them back into the mountains or the desert they are doomed." Alicia said, smiling as she looked over the plan, there was nothing to worry about.
"There is a lot of open land between Geoff and Jyr'oren Pass. The Godafry Plains are wide and flat, they could easily march across them and past Geoff without any difficulty. What is the plan to cover this weakness in the defence?" Eros inquired, looking at her critically and waiting for an answer.
She smiled, he noticed, and was testing her. That was something she had seen as well, and had planned for from the beginning.
"Over the last month I have brought in an army of workers and farmers to dig trenches, pitfalls and build defensive barricades along the open fields outside of Geoff. With them present the enemy will be forced to fight their way through." Alicia said.
Assaulting Geoff was a possibility she did not expect to occur, none had ever taken the city, and she knew Vault was not stupid enough to try. No, he would go for the easiest options, and if it came down to facing Geoff or a battlefield filled with trenches and wooden walls he would go for the battlefield.
They would break the Black Dogs ranks there and then wipe them out, Geoff was a major deterrent and one that would lead the Black Dogs right into a trap that would crush them.
"What of the Pass?" Eros asked, crossing his arms.
"The forts along the pass have been repaired, and manned with a contingent of conscripts and Knights of Iris. In the event of the enemy passing over the mountains they can be repelled." Alicia replied.
Those forts had once held back the Dark Elves, for hundreds of years those fortifications stood and not a single enemy had ever been able to push their way through and into their nation. It would be no different. While unlikely for them to take that route she thought it prudent to defend it none the less, you could never be too careful.
While this left the enemy alive she could work from there to see about launching an attack into those mountains. They would be cornered in those mountains and she would crush them there.
"Well done my child, you have proven yourself an adapt student of war." Eros said.
Alicia beamed at the praise. Rare was it that he attended these meetings, often at times it was only herself and a few of her trusted Knights.
"What about soldiers?." Senator Holland inquired "Are we still rounding up farmer and levies?"
"Prime Minister Beasley along with Parliament have been kind enough to offer his support in recruiting and arming our forces." Alicia said, looking over the ageing politician and giving him a nod to explain.
"I have been in contact with several members of the provinces around Feoh, and we have been able to scrounge up some more conscripts. Most of those working on the fortifications outside of Geoff have already been conscripts, while further levies are being called upon throughout the nation." Beasley stated. "Over ten thousand people have been gathered in a few short weeks."
Beasley had done well, he had brought in thousands of levies to fight. A majority of them had been sent out to Geoff to aid in the defence, but a thousand had remained in the city to relieve the city watch. In the event Geoff would need reinforcements Alicia would ride out with her Knights and the seasoned soldiers of Feoh to provide support.
The skeletal crew of soldiers left behind would be nothing but simple guardsmen that would patrol the streets and be on the look out for pickpockets.
It amazed her how easily Beasley had gathered this many soldiers, in a few short weeks they had marshalled over six thousand men at arms. For years the Parliament had been against spending money on raising a longstanding army, believing it inefficient and would bankrupt them.
After thirty years of denying the request to call in levies it was a surprise so many had been brought in. Most people thought that the conscripts would be subpar, that for a nation so used to peace and never having to need their people to fight they would be unaccustomed to the sword. But it seems that soldiery came naturally to the common man.
Given the numbers they were gathering in such short time. This nation was built on the principle of working towards accomplishment, she exemplified that virtue and now her people were taking after her. To step up and go beyond your limits and expectations and do what must be done for the good of the nation, that is a value that had been instilled in all people of Feoh since its reformation forty years ago.
"Of the seven thousand gathered in Geoff, another thousand are present here to relieve the guard, the rest are being rounded up and will be moving to Geoff by weeks end. " Beasley reported.
He had been one of her few supporters, and the only one to reaffirm her belief in this nation and its integrity. The people and nobility were honourable and virtuous people, to think them sinful and corrupt was a great insult. Many naysayers have tried to tarnish their reputation and slander the nobility but their words matter not, she believed in this nation and its ruling body. Her father thought so as well, what else was there to be uncertain of?
"Very good, the next shipment of weapons should be ready by days end, as soon as they are I want them delivered. I want every soldiers armed and trained to use these weapons, I want them prepared." Alicia said.
The plan was set and she was certain of its success, there was no way that Vault could hope to breach her defences. This plan had been in the works for over a month, ever since she left Ken she had been working on the defence of her nation. There was no way she could lose, everything had been thought out perfectly, she was ready for whatever Vault threw at her.
"I do not need to be convinced any further, this seems to be well in hand, carry on my child. Do this city and nation proud, and never disgrace the family name." Eros said, turning and moving for the door, his hand caught onto her mothers arm and he led her away.
Alicia bowed as he departed, content that she had done all that was needed. This would be a hard fought battle, one of the largest she would ever have to fight, but it would be one that history would never forget.
"Continue the good work, all of you, we will win this and put an end to these bastards once and for all." Alicia said.
Beasley and his cabinet walked out, murmuring amongst themselves, while the Guard Captain gave a salute and departed. Alicia was pleased, everything was going as she wished, and soon all would be right and the proof of her success would not be denied by anyone. But not all had departed, three remained in the chamber with her, when they had first arrived she had only given a single glance.
To do so any longer and she feared she would have been filled with shame, so great that she would have been unable to carry out the meeting. But to know that they were here, she was here, it brought about a wave of guilt that ate away at her resolve.
Looking to the back of the room, past her uncle and aunt, she saw her cousin, head bowed and hands clasped in front of her. For a moment she raised her head to look at her, the moment she did her eyes turned away. That had sapped more of her strength than any training drill she had ever taken part in, to have Prim so frightened to look at her.
Delphine Arcturus and Corentin Fiore stepped forward, both of them oblivious to their daughters fear and her own shame. Alicia had barely listened to them when they had approached her several times, the guilt over harming Prim had made her unable to even break words with them. At times she had avoided them when possible, fearing that she may speak up about what she had done.
She needed to speak with Prim, talk with her and try to fix the damage she had caused. To convince her that it was alright, that she had only been frustrated, that the constant badgering of those that had driven her to lash out. If she could convince her, it would all be alright.
"Lady Alicia, it has been difficult to speak with you as late, in spite of calling for us you seem quite intent on keeping your distance. Although you have been showing signs of that as of late, especially with Celestine and Ken." Prim said.
Alicia did not know what felt worse, the fact she had dismissed them or because she was making an effort not to hear them out. What they said was exactly the same as what her mother wished for her to do, that alone had spurred her to ignore them. Although this time she felt it was something she could not do, not after what happened with Prim.
"I would love nothing more. I hold no ill will towards Lady Celestine or Lady Claudia, but I must do this on my own." Alicia said, she wondered if they attributed the shame in her words for her acceptance that she should speak to the Goddess and her superior as a Knight. The truth was not what they believed. "Many question me, if I am to silence such rumours and repair the damage done to my name and that of our family I must prove that I can not only face this evil, but crush it utterly as it appears."
Many saw her failure to reveal the crimes in Zelindo as a weakness, her only failing was listening to Maia as she defended Vault from accusation. She should have pursued it regardless of what either thought, for Maia was just as culpable as the man for not revealing the state of the Valley when she had been alerted to it years ago.
Because of her the Black Dogs were allowed to go about committing heinous crimes, along with those corrupt sycophants in Zelindo aiding them. Then her actions allowed for a notorious band of beastmen to escape justice. Worst of all, she made no effort to identify and deal with the threat of this cult in the Valley that had popped up years before.
Maia's crimes were absolute, it was insulting that the girl was allowed to go free while she suffered the ridicule and insults from her peers.
"When Vault arrives I will be leading the charge, then when I have his life in my hands I will prove to all that I am not to be judged." Alicia stated.
"Just send word to them, let them know that you are still their friend and ally. I know you feel sad for leaving the way you did, don't waste time when you can make sure that your comrades know that they are still in your heart." Corentin said, staring hopefully to Alicia.
Perhaps he had a point, the way she had departed had not been a proper farewell. Her last words to them had been her dissolving of the alliance with Ken, along with renouncing her title of Shield Knight. It could be construed no other way really, it was best if she cleared the air and made sure they understood her intent.
"I will send a letter this afternoon, do not worry." Alicia replied, trying to give a reassuring smile.
Delphine and Corentin responded in kind, and her heart felt that much lighter knowing that she could give her aunt and uncle some hope. When this was done, when Vault was dead and her nation secured she could return to Ken a hero and with the honour of Feoh intact. Then they would accept her truth and she would see that Maia paid for her actions.
"Prim." Alicia said, stopping her cousin before she could leave with her parents.
She rushed to her side, but stopped herself from grabbing her. Scaring her cousin again was not what she wanted, only to make amends. It had been on her mind for some time, how to convince her precious cousin that all was right and that she should not be afraid. It had taken a week of planning, but she hoped that it would work.
"I am sorry for what happened, I want to apologise, and make it up to you." Alicia slowly walked around her, kneeling down and looking her cousin in the eyes.
She offered a smile, trying to remind Prim of who she was, for a moment she looked up and gone was the fear.
"I spoke with the Horsemaster, he has some new steeds for my Knights. I asks that I would be able to ride them with my cousin, since I have the time why not come with me. We can have a nice ride through the countryside before noon." Alicia said, holding out a hand to her cousin.
Surprise and soon excitement blossomed in Prim's eyes and smile, she accepted her hand and Alicia guided her out of the chamber. She was glad to see that smile again, to know that she would not be afraid of her anymore.
Alicia basked in the wilderness, paying attention to Prim as she pointed out all the flowers and animals they came across. So vibrant and cheerful, it was impossible for anyone not be charmed, whomever her cousin married Alicia knew would be lucky.
Although a part of her warred at the idea of someone marrying her cousin, the idea of some man being worthy of her hand was something she could not consider possible. Who could possibly meet her expectations to marry Prim?
"Look Alicia, it is a Blue Edelweiss!" Prim said, pointing to the blue pedalled plant.
"Very lovely, they don't usually come this far down do they?" Alicia asked.
"No, they like it in the mountains near caves, so rare to see one here!" Prim beamed back, likely happy she had remembered the key fact about the plant.
With so many outings like this it was no surprise she would remember, Prim would always call out the name of any plant or animal she saw. A bit of a green thumb, her own parents often scolded her for getting her cloths dirty when she tried tending to the garden. Alicia found it quite humorous, for all her training and fighting she was certain Prim has had more dirt on her hands than she has had in her entire life.
"Sometimes, I just want to stay out here, away from all the politics." Prim said.
"Yes, it is peaceful here, but it would not be so beautiful if we could be here forever." Alicia said.
"Maybe, but sometimes I think that with how the world is, that maybe escaping it all is the only thing one can do." Prim said. "This nation has been in conflict since its foundation, I wonder if it will ever get better."
Alicia placed a hand on her shoulder, giving a smile, and saying what she knew would wash away any of Prim's fears. She was glad to see that her touch had not startled her cousin.
"You don't have to worry, once this matter with the Black Dogs is done there will be nothing to fear."
Olga may still be on the loose, but she was no longer the threat she used to be. In time they would find her, but until then they will fight this one last battle and secure peace, and finally they can say that Eostia was free.
"Lady Alicia!"
Turning in her saddle she saw Ursula riding to her at full speed.
"What is wrong? Has something happened?" Alicia said, many possibilities going through her mind.
"We have received word from Geoff, an army of six thousand has cross into Feoh from the Blazing Sea." Ursula said, the news she brought was just as grim as the expression on her face. "They are Black Dogs."
They had returned back to the city with haste, called another meeting and she was surrounded by all her advisors. They needed to hear this, the news has surprised many, although a grim silence had descended onto the meeting.
"Six thousand, it seems that they had suffered greatly from the assault upon the Black Fortress." Alicia muttered, the had lost over half their army it seemed, unless some had attempted to breach the nation through the pass in the Jyr'oren Mountains.
The report was barely a few hours old, meaning that Geoff likely would not be under siege for another few hours. Even if not, the city and the defences erected in place would certainly slow and whittle down what remains of the mercenary army. They were nearly matched for strength, although the Black Dogs would be attempting a siege over a straight battle, they were certainly doomed.
"It would be best to send out those troops now Beasley, they will be needed." Alicia said.
"We don't have all the weapons to arm them." Beasley replied.
"It does not matter, they can use their firsts and take from the enemy as they fall, we do not have time to waste. I want this to be a decisive victory, and to do that we must make sure the enemy is wiped out." Alicia ordered.
Even if they were sending more troops than needed it was better that way, mercenaries were notoriously resilient. But more than that she had her own Knights up in the Jyr'oren pass that could march back towards Geoff and offer support.
If they could wipe out most of the attacker in a single fell swoop it would be easy to clean them up, especially if they were reluctant to return back to the Blazing Sands. If they were repelled from Geoff it would be the end of Vault. She could hunt him down at her own leisure, capturing him would be simple after that.
"Right away." Beasley replied, giving a curt nod.
"Then there shouldn't be anything else to discuss, you have your orders…"
"Actually, no, there is something you should be aware of." Beasley said.
Alicia was caught off guard, but she held her tongue as she tried to reign in her annoyance, she would let it slide but remind him later not to be so cordial during meetings such as these.
"What is it?"
"I receive word recently from a colleague in Markward, reports of an orc warband moving southwards. It seems that the border has been attacked and a warband has slipped through two weeks ago. The Kepler Province has all but been lost. Along with several others." Beasley said, pointing down to the map. "If this warband remains active our troops would be in danger, a long march up to Geoff would be difficult if under attack. Also with the remaining villages still recovering from the last massive invasion. I think it best we defend them."
Alicia couldn't believe their luck, just as the Black Dogs show up so too did the orcs. They were close to the city as well, the last report had put them a three days away from the city, how had they gotten this far in such a short time? Why had Markward not sent word sooner? It was their duty to defend the borders, why had they failed to do so.
"Didn't that werewolf say that the Black Dogs have allied with the orcs?" Prim said. "Do you think they are working together?"
Alicia smiled slightly, giving a small titter, it was impossible to think such things could happen. Orcs and humans working together, never would happen, the hatred between these races was too powerful to be ignored. Orcs were dumb creatures that knew nothing other than violence, they could not be negotiated with.
No matter what someone says it would never come to pass. Besides whatever came from that beasts mouth could not be trusted, it was a liar and cheat that had insulted them as much as Vault had with his crimes.
"Do not fret, this is just some wild warband attempting to rampage where they shouldn't." Alicia said. "While I would be annoyed to have to fix another problem made by another, I see no other option. I will go and deal with this myself."
"To warn you in advance, most of the Knights of Iris are not here. I think it prudent if the city guard are deployed with you, might do them some good to put their skills to the test before they go off to fight the Black Dogs." Beasley suggested.
Yes, a prudent move, she knew that her forces were limited at the moment. Also giving the City Guard some actual live combat training would do, she knew that being a city guardsmen was a very comfortable job. Crime was not so rife here, they were mostly for show, so maybe allowing them to taste the blood of orcs would do them some good.
"I intend to do so. Call for my forces, I will be marching from the city by noon." Alicia commanded. "I will be taking our entire cavalry force, we will need speed to deal with this."
It was only a few hours of hard riding and they had found the orcs, rampaging through the countryside.
Following a trail of destruction they had found the orcs besieging a small town, screams filled the air and smoke blocked out the sky. There were many of them, but it didn't matter, with a charge they could break their lines easily and then carve them apart.
"Prepare to charge, we will ride in and scatter their forces, from there we will cut them down as they flee." Alicia called out, drawing her sword she led the forward line. "On me proud defenders of Feoh! Forward and to victory!"
They charged in without much warning, and the results were spectacular. The orcs were caught unaware and torn apart, they could have outnumbered them five to one and still wouldn't have stood a chance. Alicia swung left and right as she rode through the town, lopping off heads and opening throats.
"Forward!" Alicia called out. "Ursula, lead the clean up. The rest of you! Secure the village!"
The orcs had been scattered, now all that remained was riding them down. Her forces were already on the way to doing so, she would command the relief force and help whoever remained in this village. Although giving it a look she didn't find a single soul, there wasn't even blood, no bodies either. Had they already been taken?
They would need to search for a camp, she would not allow her people to be made into slaves for these beasts.
"My lady!" Doretha called, riding up behind her and pointing her lance into the distance.
Alicia looked, and to her horror saw a massive force of orcs charge over the hill, in a matter of seconds the tide was turning. Her forces that had been running down orc stragglers were now being picked off one by one. They were caught unaware, unable to regroup they were being slaughtered, with a hiss she grasped her horn.
Giving it a hard blow she signalled a retreat, if they could get around the village they could use it as a shield to break the orcs advance and then counterattack.
"Get our forces on the opposite side of the village, the orcs will break against it and we will strike when their momentum slows." Alicia ordered.
"But what of the people?" Doretha cried out.
"There are none, do you see any?" Alicia shouted. "Get the men ready…"
Before another word could be said the loud thunk of many doors opening echoed through the street. Turning she saw the doors to the many houses and windows fly open, from the windows arrows came flying and laid low several of her warriors.
Then came charging out their attacker. To Alicia's horror there were not only orcs and other foul demons charging from the houses. Black Dog Mercenaries accompanied them, rushing from the houses and skewering her mounted soldiers before they could react.
"To arms! Defend yourselves!" Doretha called out, swinging her sword to the side and carving through the neck of a mercenary.
Alicia followed suite, spurring her horse forward and riding it into the enemy ranks. Orc and men fell to her blade, but it would not be enough, they had to retreat. But she would be damned if she left what remained of her forces here to be killed or taken by these bastards.
"Form up on me! Fight together!" Alicia called out.
She carved her way through to her soldiers, then with them at her side they cut their way towards more. If she could gather enough they could make a break for it.
Eventually something pulled her from her horse, she hit the ground hard and looked up at a grinning mercenary. His boot came down on her sword and held it down, then his hands reached forward and wrapped around her throat.
"Go to sleep! When you wake up, I'll be fucking you!" His breathe smelled of rot and if his toothless smile were any indication it was why his teeth had fallen out.
Reaching for her belt she drew a knife and stabbed it through the man's neck, he crumpled to the side and she lifted herself to her feet. Looking around she could see her warriors fighting for their lives, against Black Dogs and demons.
How was this possible? They were working together, why would they do such a thing? As disgusting and foul as the Black Dogs were she did not think that they would be able to fall into league with these monsters.
'They rape and imprison women, I am surprised I didn't think it possible sooner.' Alicia thought, before she was drawn from her musing as a man charged her.
She blocked with her sword and then stabbed him through the shoulder, he let out a pained grunt. But he didn't die, good, she needed him alive. Knocking him to the ground she held him there, all around the fighting began to die down, they had been victorious.
"Regroup! We are not out of the fight just yet!" Alicia barked, before turning to the wounded mercenary beneath her boot. "I have questions for you."
"Eat shit and die you bitch!" He hissed, hand reaching for the wound on his shoulder.
"Those were fucking Black Dog Mercenaries, how the hell did they get here?" One of the men said, a city guardsmen.
Only a few dozen of them remained, the rest had joined their defeated enemy on the ground. Margaret and Natalie were among the dead, two good Knights felled in an ambush, she also saw Captain Rupert, the City Guard Captain could only be identified by the stripes on his armour. She could hear fighting across the village, they had not been the only ones then, how many were dead?
This was a disaster, how the hell had this happened? It was as if they knew they were coming and planned this.
Perhaps they did.
"Why are you fighting with the orcs? How did you get into Feoh?" Alicia barked, pointing her sword at the downed man. "Speak!"
"Heh, you don't get it do you bitch? We lured you out, without you in that city, its all defenceless. We won!" He laughed.
This had been nothing more than a trap to lure them from the city, but there couldn't possibly be an army marching on her city this moment? Could there be? No, it was impossible. They couldn't breach her fortress in only a few hours, even with orcs, no this was something else. It had to be. She hoped it to be.
"My Lady." Ursula called, riding towards her with a few soldiers in tow. "There are too many, our forces are scattered, we must leave!"
"I know, get to your horses, we are going back to Feoh! Do not wait for anything!" Alicia ordered, her knights pulled themselves back onto their horses or mounted with another. "How did you get into Feoh? How did you get here?"
"Markward bitch!" He hissed. "They let us right through, even told us to have fun with the peasants."
Alicia felt a cold chill take hold, what he said couldn't be true. It had to be false, Markward allowed them through into Feoh? This was some trick, there is no way this could be possible.
"You have no idea what you are riding back towards. Vault's gonna fuck you over harder than all the other whores in that city!"
His last words, Alicia silenced him forever with a single thrust to the throat. Giving a sneer she turned and mounted her steed. Turning back to the hills overlooking the village she saw the orcs charging down them, hundreds of them, thousands. Whoever was left would be lost to them, she had to get back to Feoh, there was no other choice.
Turning her steed she rode after her warriors, it would be hours before they reached home again. She hoped that they were alright.
They could see the city in the distance.
Even in the dead of night with the moon barely there to illuminate the dark she could still see it kilometres away. It was a dreadful sight to behold, one that grew even more terrible as they came closer.
The red glow of the flames, hidden behind the high walls of the fortress, like a sunset that never disappeared. They were terrible, but it was the screaming that followed as they drew towards the gates that nearly saw her composure break. Hundreds were screaming out, some in glee and others in fear, it was heard and seen through the gates.
"The gates are open! How did they open the gates?" Alicia cried, watching as orcs and mercenaries butcher people in the streets and rape the woman before the corpses of their families.
"Get in there! Stop them!" Ursula called out, leading a charge into the fortress and at the monsters that had taken to her city.
Alicia followed them in, unable to find the resolve to give the order herself. Her city was in danger and she was gawking, shameful, she should be on the offensive. Raising her sword she swung down at the back of the head of an orc, leaving it to topple over the woman it was violating.
"Get to safety!" Alicia shouted, charging after her Knights and warriors.
"The entire city is under attack!" Ursula said.
Alicia could see the palace in the distance, even that was being licked by the flames, this entire city was being torn to pieces. What was to be done? How could they hope to reclaim their city if it was in utter chaos. Not a single guard could be found, likely all slain when the city was breached.
"What do we do?" Doretha asked.
"We secure defensive positions and retake the city section by section." Ursula said, taking charge. "If we can take back the Barracks, the Church, and the Palace we can bring in survivors and start fighting back."
"Good." Alicia spoke up. "The Church is closest, we can secure that first and then move onto the Palace."
"No, we need the Barracks, if anyone is left alive they will be there, with reinforcements we can march on the Palace with force and escape if we need to." Ursula said.
Alicia trusted her, she was a close friend and comrade to Claudia, both having joined the Dawn Templar at the same time. When the Knights of Iris was formed Ursula had joined to help her build this order, her wisdom and skill are what helped guide her to becoming the woman she was.
"Very well, but we must be quick about it." Alicia said, even if she felt the need to reach the palace more important.
They marched though the streets, fighting their way through the orcs and bringing anyone they could with them. Bodies littered the streets, most of them were the people of this city, it was harrowing to walk over and past so many dead subject. Alicia steeled herself, she would save this city and everyone here, she could not fail.
"The Church!" Doretha called.
Around it were a swarm of orcs, along with mercenaries. They dragged out anyone hiding within, the nuns and young woman were already stripped of their cloths. The men being cut down and slaughtered, children as well.
"Kill them! Do not hesitate! Stop them now!" Alicia yelled, charging past her soldiers and opening the back of a mercenary.
She cut three more down before she impaled an orc, its guttural roar of pain alerted the rest of their arrival. But she didn't stop, she had to keep moving otherwise those nuns and the people would be hurt, she couldn't stop. These people relied on her, she had to save them no matter the cost.
"For Feoh!" Alicia shouted, plunging her sword through the heart of a mercenary.
Beside her was Ursula, opening the throat of an orc and then swinging again to cut down another. She flowed like water, a master of the sword, having served alongside Claudia Levantine for years before she joined the Knight's of Iris.
"Push to the church! Get the people off the streets and inside!" Ursula commanded.
"Form two columns! Give the people room the run!" Alicia called out, lunging towards an orc and skewering it through the belly.
She could hear the heavy footsteps of the people running behind her. They had to hold the line, they had the numbers, it would not be difficult to hold the Church.
"Ursula! Go with them, keep the Church defended!" Alicia called out, waving over her forces, they needed to keep moving.
"You still need me! We need to regroup!" Ursula called back.
"No! I want the Church defended! Search for survivors around the district and bring them here! Take as many men as you need!" Alicia shouted. "Doretha! Tykus! With me!"
"Dammit girl!" Ursula called out to her. "Secure the Barracks along the way! I will send in reinforcements when I have the chance!"
Alicia cut through the enemy ranks, rescuing those that were left and moving for the streets once more. They had to get to the palace, make sure her family was protected and that Parliament was safe. From there they could either evacuate or protect the palace from attacks, along with bring in refugees.
"How many men do we have?" Alicia called out.
"Around three hundred!" Sergeant Tykus said, he was Captain Rupert's second in command.
They had lost nearly half their numbers after going after that orc warband, including a good number of officers. Alicia did not think on it any further, that was in the past, they had to focus on securing the palace and the retaking this entire fortress.
"That will have to be enough." Alicia muttered. "The Palace is ahead of us, keep moving! Do not slow down!"
"We are not heading for the Barracks? If we don't secure that won't we will be cut off from Ursula and the rest of our reinforcements?" Doretha said.
Alicia was aware, it had been Ursula's plan after all, if you secured the Barracks, Church and Palace you could effectively ferry the people from one point of control to the next. It was the most efficient way of moving soldiers and civilians from one safe point to the next without running the risk of being attacked. It was the perfect way to get reinforcements to the palace and civilians out of the city.
But they didn't have the time for a detour.
"We do not have time, we secure the Palace, after that we can see about taking the Barracks and then ferrying everyone out." Alicia shouted in response.
"There are still people out there! We haven't found a single damn guardsmen! If no one is fighting to protect them then we are the only ones!" Tykus shouted.
"We can save them once the heart of the city is secure!" Alicia shouted back. "If the Palace falls to the enemy than it is over! We must ensure that the voice of the people and the royal family are safe, if they fall this entire city is all but doomed!"
The Parliament and Royal Family were the guiding hands and voices of the people, if they were lost this entire city was done for. It was already on the brink, if anything happened to the last visages of control over this city then this battle was decided. The people would be lost and unable to rally, if they knew that their King and the Princess was still fighting they would not lose hope.
They came to the plaza surrounding the Palace, to her amazement she saw three entire companies of soldiers guarding it. All protecting the Main Streets leading to the palace entrance, hope was not lost them, they could win this.
"Guardsmen! Is the royal family safe?" Alicia barked, pushing past said man as she moved for the palace.
"Yeah, they're inside." He replied, he was calm, good, he had a good head on his shoulders.
"Why haven't you gone out into the city dammit! This is the entire force that relieved us when we left! You are meant to be defending this city, not letting it fucking burn!" Tykus yelled, grabbing the man by the collar of his armour. "Where is your commanding officer! I want a damn word with him!"
Alicia left the sergeant to complain, but she had to wonder why the entire guard had been brought to the palace. Was the fighting so bad that they had to retreat this far? She knew that these were not seasoned troops but they should at least be able to fight against the mercenaries.
"Lady Alicia, you have returned."
Looking up to the steps of the Palace she saw Prime Minister Beasley, hands behind his back and composed as usual. Perhaps not all was as terrible as it seemed, to be so calm in a crisis he must have things in hand.
"Prime Minister, the orcs and Black Dogs are united, they are fighting together against us." Alicia said.
"Of that I am aware, along with that the assault on Geoff had turned towards disaster." Beasley stated.
Alicia felt her blood run cold, the defence had failed? How? They had thousands of soldiers there, how could the Black Dogs breech their defences so quickly?
"They must have done something, some underhanded tactic that assured them victory. How did they enter the city? How did they break past out defences so quickly?" Alicia asked, rising up the stairs.
"Because they were allowed into the city." Beasley replied.
Before Alicia could take another step, question the man on what he meant, a group walked up beside him. Alicia's eyes widened, shocked at the sight of the man she had not thought to see within her own city.
"Vault…" Alicia hissed.
But he was not alone, dozens of Black Dog soldiers stood at the top of the stairway, leering down at her.
"Princess Alicia Arcturus, good to see you again, it has been too long." Vault said, that arrogant smirk on his face firmly in place.
"It will be the last. How dare you defile my city! I will have your head!"
Alicia tried to take a step but Beasley brought his hand up to halt her advance.
"I wouldn't if I were you, not unless you want them to get hurt." Vault said, giving a gesture.
To Alicia's horror she could watched as her father, mother, cousin, aunt and uncle were all brought before her and forced to their knees. Swords at their back, the threat was clear, she knew what would happen if she tried to do anything.
"Surrender, yourself and the city to me." Vault said, his smirk widening as he made the demand.
"I will never surrender to you!" Alicia hissed.
"Like you have much choice." Vault said, raising his sword into the air.
Immediately she turned, too her shock she saw the guardsmen turned their weapons upon her troops. None attacked, but they were outnumbered, three to one, even against inexperienced troops that was an unwinnable fight.
"I advise you give in, you cannot win this. The Palace, the Royal Family, the Guard and now you, are all at our mercy. This is over." Beasley said.
Alicia looked on, unable to think of anything to do, should she keep fighting? Risk her family? Could she win this fight? Was this the end of Feoh?
"Here's some extra incentive, a few nuns and woman from the church." Vault said.
Her dread rose, on the far side of the plaza she could see a dozen nuns tied to racks and stripped of their gowns. Crawling over them were demons, little imp like beasts that licked and prodded at the devout women's bodies. Yet they were not the only ones there, woman and young girls were also strapped down, and even several of her own Knights.
"My Lady! Keep fighting! Do not give in! Not all were…"
The Knight's words were silenced as a demon latched onto her face, she dared not think of what was used to silence her. The rest shouted, calling for her to fight and defend the nation, to save the city and everyone, to fight to free them all.
"Alicia!" Doretha called out. "Give the order! We can keep going! We can fight them off!"
Alicia could hear more shout the same, calling for her to give the command to fight. But she stood there, unable to take her eyes off the cruel torture that her Knights and the nuns were suffering through.
"Will they be spared?" Alicia asked.
"Hmmm?" Vault asked, giving a toothy grin as he beckoned her to speak up.
"Spare them! I will throw down my weapon! Spare those woman and we will talk terms!" Alicia said.
They couldn't win this, they were outnumbered and too many lives were at risk. Even if they retreated these woman would be tormented until they were dead. She had to stop it, make it end. That would be the only mercy, if the fighting stopped and the city was occupied, even by Vault, she could negotiate for the safety of the people and her family.
It was their only chance to end this before anyone else suffered. To stop those that were already suffering.
"Then do it. Throw down your weapon and order your soldiers to do the same." Beasley instructed.
"Do not do it girl!" Eros ordered. "Kill this traitor and that scum!"
"I cannot! The people, this has to stop. It is the only way to stop the killing. The raping. It is the only way." Alicia said, there had to be a way to end this on good terms, to make sure that it wasn't a total loss.
The entire city was in shambles, they were surrounded, outnumbered, and were at a disadvantage. The enemy had won, all that could be done now was surrender and try to mitigate the damage as best as she could. To protect whoever was left.
"Then do as we tell you." Beasley stated. "You surrender along with your soldiers and we can call off the orcs on those woman over there."
Alicia turned back to her soldiers. They all wanted to fight, the way they held their weapons and the hate in the eyes all but begged to be unleashed against the Black Dog turncoats. But she couldn't, they would not win here, they would fail and then the city would be annihilated.
"Throw down your weapons, the battle is over, we will parlay." Alicia said, unable to say the words she dare not allow to be associated with her name.
"Don't do this! We can fight! Don't let them win!" Tykus yelled.
"He is right, we are still able to carry the sword! We can fight, if we capitulate more will suffer!" Doretha cried out. "Don't you see that! They will never honour their word! You know what kind of man Vault is! He will never stop! Not until all of us are in chains! I am begging you! Look past your pride and personal feelings and to the people! If we do not fight for them they will have no one!"
Alicia knew that, she knew the horrible things he would do if he continued on this path. But if she surrendered, took their place, she could save them from this pain. That would be the penance for her… failure here. She would not let anyone else suffer because of what she failed to do. That was all she could do, shoulder this punishment as she had shouldered the expectations of her nation and people.
It is all she could do.
"I am ordering you, throw down your weapons and surrender!" Alicia barked.
Doretha and the rest could do nothing but stare up in disbelief, she thought she could understand their plight. For she was doing what she did not wish to do, she was giving up when the fight was still there to be had. Never had she given up on a battle, fighting with all her might to do what must be done to achieve victory.
But look at what her actions had wrought?
"No! Take them out and get to those prisoners!" Doretha yelled, swinging her blade forward and cutting down a man.
Alicia looked on, she would ruin everything!
"Doretha! Stop! You will only make this worse! Cease this! Now!" Alicia barked.
The battle was a chaotic mess, she would have charged in to aid her comrades but with the enemy behind her and their blades at the throats of her family she could do nothing. She was trapped, unable to do anything but stand there and watch as hundreds of guardsmen swarmed to her smaller force.
It was a short chaotic bout, before her forces were pushed from the Plaza. Most fleeing before they took to many casualties, for that she was glad they had run, if only to save her from watching them being cut down before her eyes.
"I suppose we will have to settle for you then." Vault said.
He reached forward and took the sword from her hand, tossing the family blade aside uncaringly and then guiding her up the stairs and into the palace. She didn't resist, she didn't have the strength to fight anymore, she felt numb to nearly all things.
"The women, the nuns…" Alicia said, seeing the demons continue to violate them.
"Don't worry, they will be done soon. You got yourself to worry about." Vault said, pushing her through the doors of the Palace, along with her family.
Alicia was forced to her knees, her family as well.
They had been brought to Prime Minister Beasley's office, they could see the smoke and flames even outside the large bay window. Hear the screams of the people on the wind, it was horrifying, even away from it she could still recall all the people she had passed by. Their images a perfect reminder of what kind of fate awaited those who were taken.
"I had expected a harder time doing this, honestly this last month I had truly thought it would be the end of our plans." Beasley said, looking out the window. "But even I had not expected you not to raise a fuss over what you found in Zelindo and Diohart. You latched onto every single crime there and misdeed and didn't let it go. Except when it came to Feoh."
Alicia didn't speak, couldn't speak, she knew what he was referring to. She did not wish to admit that, because it would only further shame her, her own pride demanded she not speak. The moment she heard the words from the Black Dog mercenary she began to have doubts, feared that all she had denied was true. That there were traitors in the city, people who were allies to the Black Dogs.
"I had wondered if all the evidence in Diohart had burned when you torched the city, if so then it is a miracle. If not… well, I am thankful you could place your faith in us so resolutely." Beasley said, he had not turned around, just continued to watch the chaos outside his window.
"It's still a sore spot for me losing Diohart, but I will settle for seeing Feoh burn and its people enslaved, call it revenge for burning down my city." Vault said, his smile was wide and cruel.
"A sore spot for many, with Zelindo under siege and Diohart turned to ashes, most of the network has gone and dried up. You wouldn't believe how infuriated everyone was that their favourite supplier of slaves was forced out of business." Beasley stated, finally turning around and levelling them a cool detached look.
"You were part of the slave market, the one that had connections to all the cities in Eostia." Alicia said, she wasn't surprised, it was a simple realisation knowing that what she had at first denied was true.
She had tried desperately to ignore the idea that her nation was consorting in such dark and illegal activities. That the noble caste would never commit such heinous crimes, they were the pillars of virtue and honour, to take slaves and consort with criminals was not the way of just men.
But how many had tried to tell her that was not the case, show her that she was wrong like so many times before. They had been ignored, and in some cases sent away as to stop pestering her, even her own Knights had voiced their concern and she didn't do anything to listen.
"I am not a customer, nor am I a close friend, I am the man that helped build it. I built a lot of things from the rubble of the old Ansur regime." Beasley stated. "I am the architect of many mechanisations in this nation, in Eostia, and now, after fifty years I am finally going to see it all come to fruition."
"You filth, I will gut you for this treason!" King Eros yelled. "I will not surrender this city to you! My people will fight to see it freed! And once I am out of these chains I will have you hanged and disembowelled!"
Beasley turned to her father, giving him a flat stare that showed more boredom than irritation.
"You will do nothing, as you always have. You are nothing more than a figurehead, an ornamentation on a throne that holds no power." Beasley stated, giving a dismissive wave. "I have served under you for thirty five years, and you never once questioned my authority or power within your own government."
"I am the King! None are above my rule!" Eros yelled.
"I am above you." Beasley rebuffed casually, giving an annoyed sigh. "To be honest a Parliament and Monarchy cannot work together, they are counter productive. Your daughter is very much like you, ignoring important details and facts, instead of asking questions you make up answers that suite you rather than help you understand the truth. You wouldn't know anything about this nation and how it works, you have never cared for anything other than holding onto that pointless title and sitting on that throne. Both of which mean nothing, I stole that authority long before you ever became King. I have been in control of this country for just as long as you have had that crown on your head, and the saddest part is that you never realised."
"We trusted you, we called you our friend, and you do this to us?" Corentin said.
"Friend? I came to this nation to rule it, and instead I am usurped by children under the sway of a false goddess." Beasley said.
"Blasphemy!" Aurora shouted. "You will suffer for your insolence and words! She will smite you for your crimes and what you have done to our city!"
Beasley looked at her, his eyes hardening as his jaw clenched. With a gesture Aurora was forced to her feet and pulled towards the nearby table. Pressed against it, face held against the hard wood, she was held in place.
"I could have ruled this nation over three decades ago, I had Eros in the palm of my hand, the only surviving child of Apollo Arcturus. But like all good things they eventually end up disappointing you." Beasley said, having not risen from his chair. "I brought down my entire nation to get where I am now, I was nothing but a clerk to those pricks in Ansur."
With another gesture to the mercenaries they tore and pulled up Aurora's dress.
"Stop!" Alicia cried. "You said none would be hurt! Leave her be!"
"Beasley! I will kill you!" Eros yelled.
"Princess, as much as I would love to tell you that the reason I am doing this is due to some convoluted logic, there isn't. It didn't matter if you surrendered or not, or if your soldiers surrendered or not. This was always going to happen." Beasley said.
He rose from his chair, moving in behind Aurora and running his hand against her bare thigh. Alicia turned her head away, she couldn't watch this. But she was not given a choice, a pair of hands forced her to look forward.
"You screwed me out of being a king, of ruling Feoh as my own, this has been a long time coming." Beasley said, and thrust forward.
Aurora let out a gasp, painful and full of despair. She was pushed down harder onto the desk, it rattled as Beasley rutted into her, hard and violent. Alicia watched it all, the tears escaping mother's eyes, pained and sorrowing gasps from her mouth. Her father shouted and screamed, before he was gagged and forced to watch as her mother was violated.
For the new few minutes she watched, forced to by the hands of Vault, and then Beasley let out a sigh and pulled himself from her. He fixed his dishevelled appearance, straightening his cloths and smoothing out his shirt.
"Would you bring up Delphine next." Beasley asked.
Prim was crying, begging along with her father for mercy. As she was pulled up and forced down onto the desk her dress was torn off, and without warning one of the men was on her. He was pulling on her hair as he forced himself upon her. Then another moved forward, stepping behind her mother and doing the same to her.
"I will leave them to you Vault, enjoy your spoils." Beasley stated, turning away and walking from the office.
"Oh, we will." Vault said, his hand still holding her head and forcing her to watch the depravity before her. "Don't worry you two, I'll save you for later. Just watch and enjoy the show, that will be you soon enough."
It had all fallen apart.
Outskirts of Geoff
Tabitha stopped and turned, only for a moment just to see, no enemies in sight and only a handful of her troops remaining. Even if she had no idea how many remained she knew that this was not even a tenth of the survivors from Jyr'oren Pass.
"Do we have a head count?" Tabitha asked, turning to her fellow sergeant, Christine.
"About fifty." She huffed, her face flush and covered in sweat even on this cold night.
"We have been running for days, we need to stop." Elise said, probably the worst of her troops, she had a broken arm and it had been hastily bound and slung.
"No, we are nearly to Geoff, we can rest when we are safe." Tabitha said, even if her body begged for rest she couldn't stop.
They had to get to Geoff and report what happened at Jyr'oren, if they didn't give them the news the entire nation would be in danger. The Black Dogs had been able to circumvent their defences, enter their borders and attacked from the north.
The forts along the pass into the mountains were meant to hold back any force that would come down the mountain, the same couldn't be said for coming up it. Of the three forts, there had been only survivors from the highest one, and there were not many. Some two thousand men and woman had lost their lives there, at least she hoped they had all died fighting. She knew what befell the woman that were captured.
The orc attack was unexpected, but an orc attack supported by Black Dog Mercenaries was even more surprising. They had lost the three forts within an hour, then they had to find a way out of the mountains, three days had passed. Since then it had been a battle to escape from their pursuers, along with staying ahead of them so they can raise the alarm.
It was a military disaster, one that could see to the end of this entire nation.
For all their planning, all their preparations, all the manpower and effort they had put into this defence and it meant nothing in the end. Alicia had been attentive to the most minute of details, thinking ahead and preparing for any possible avenue of attack. Tabitha had been awed by her precision, her plans, she had accounted for so many variables that she defeat seemed impossible.
But she overlooked something.
Actually, she overlooked a great deal.
First: there was corruption in Feoh that was working with the Black Dogs.
Second: the Black Dogs were working with the Orcs.
And third: Markward was under the command and rule of people who were suspected, highly she might add, of being collaborators.
Alicia had ignored so many warnings, even when voices were raised to correct her mistakes she doubled her efforts to silence them and the person pointing it out. Look what has come from it? There was proof that the Border Fortresses were aligned with Vault and the Black Dogs, that their leaders were corrupt had all but been disregarded. Despite overwhelming proof, evidence of transactions in gold and slaves, she denounced it as slander against the names of good houses.
Not only ignoring these crimes, not even deciding to investigate just to be certain they were wrong. Her belief was so strong she had done the one thing that had most certain been the cause for this catastrophe.
She had requested that the Nobles of Markward protect the northern mountain pass from the Black Dogs should they invade.
She had asked the men, who are suspected to be in league with the Black Dogs, to fight and protect a pass from those they were collaborating with.
The girl had no sense.
Tabitha had said as much, dozens of others as well, those not sent away under threat of imprisonments were shipped off to the forts to protect from invasion. She should have been the one to be shipped off somewhere to protect this nation, she was its biggest threat.
"I damn well hope she listens to me this time." Tabitha hissed.
But Tabitha hoped it was not too late.
They had to warn the blockade near Geoff, if it was attacked from the rear it would collapse and the enemy could lay siege to the city. Most of the troops there would be caught completely by surprise, and with how untrained they were it was likely they would be wiped out without much of a fight.
"Do you smell that?" Christine said.
Tabitha took in a deep breath, nearly choking on the foul stench.
Barely seen in the dark she could see flecks of dust rain down from the sky, only when she brushed it from her hair did she realise it was ash. Her fatigue disappeared as she pushed herself forward, calling for her troops to do the same. She feared what was up ahead, because she knew that something terrible must have happened for this much ash to be in the air.
They reached the edge of the forest, coming to the flat plains of Godafry. They could see for kilometres across flat empty planes, from the great walls of Geoff all the way westwards to the Burning Pass that led to Mayim Cho. In the darkness of this night they could see much, if only because of the towering flames that had swallowed the defences and fortifications along those fields.
"We didn't make it in time." Elise said.
"There are men down there!" Clarissa said, pointing towards the chaos.
A small group of soldiers remained, fighting for their lives behind a wall of debris. They were among dozens likely fighting for their lives as everything fell apart around them. They couldn't leave them to their fate, they couldn't turn away from this battle. They needed help, and to know what what happening.
"Get ready." Tabitha ordered, drawing her sword.
They marched there, going slow if only to save what energy they had left to put towards the fight. Falling upon the enemy they killed many before they even realised they were under attack, too late for them in the end though. For when the tide turned their besieged comrades exited their small fort and joined the fray.
"Recover!" Tabitha ordered, and watched as most of her troops slump to the ground.
"Iris Knights, I thought you had all been killed."
The man was young, lithe and had tanned skin, likely he was a farmer who had the unfortunate luck of being conscripted to fight.
"I'm Paul." He said, extending his hand, she took it and gave it a firm shake.
"Names Tabitha, we came from Jyr'oren Pass, we had hoped to warn you before the orcs and Black Dog attack, but it seems they reached here before us." Tabitha said.
"Orcs? There ain't no damn orcs here, just a bunch of traitors!" Paul said.
"The orcs aren't here?" Elise said, Tabitha quieted her down with a gesture.
"What do you mean traitors?"
Tabitha listened to the tale this man wove, and to her horror she realised the height of this calamity. The Black Dogs that had invaded from the west had assaulted their defences as expected, and had been held back. They had been making headway and were doing well. Until someone destroyed the battlements and sabotaged the defences.
What Paul knew was that their own troops turned on them, aiding the Black Dogs in overcoming the barricades and allowing them through. What Knights were here had all been killed before the Black Dogs had breeched the defences, with no one to command the army was split apart. Only small squads of soldiers kept together to fight off the Black Dogs. Untrained levies against mercenaries was not a fair fight, it had turned into a slaughter the moment the Black Dogs met them in melee
"There are traitors here as well." Tabitha breathed.
This was worse than they thought, this entire defence had been sabotaged from the beginning. There wasn't enough soldiers here to strike back against the enemy, rallying them would be just as impossible, they would have to fight off an army just to rescue them all.
"We need to get into the city!" Elise said.
The city looked to be under siege at that very moment, the gates were open and there appeared to be fired on the inside of the walls. But it was their only chance right now, if they stayed out here they would be dead.
"Look!" Paul shouted.
Tabitha turned, to her horror she saw a force of orcs charging over the hills and from the forests, they had finally caught up to them. From bad to worse.
"We go for the city!" Tabitha yelled, turning and running straight for the gates.
They cut down anything that got in their way, if one of their own fell they had no choice but to leave them there, be it they lived or not. Time was of the essence and staying back to rescue them would only end with them all dying. Their hopes were dashed however when a force of Black Dogs intercepted them, a large number of them that dwarfed their forces.
"I'll be damned, I thought our boys killed all you Knights. Well, good thing he didn't, you girls will fetch a pretty price. Even after were done with you all." The mercenary said, shouldering his sword and looking confident he could beat them.
He likely wasn't wrong, they were tired, outnumbered, and wounded to varying degrees.
"I'll bite my own tongue off before that happens." Tabitha said, raising her sword and prepared to meet her end.
"Then I'll fuck your corpse!" He said, stepped forward to make good on his threat before a spear impaled him.
He was thrown back and hit the ground hard, the sudden shock of his death took them all by surprise. Until they heard a fierce neigh and then saw a force of cavalry charge through the smoke. They smashed into the mercenaries and crushed them under the armoured hooves of their horses, but the icon and colours of these soldiers was unknown to her.
Pale blue, almost black, all of the soldiers had hoods and carried what appeared to be enchanted weapons. She could see the feigns glow of blue symbols upon their swords and spears. But there was something about their armour that was familiar, she did not pick it out until Elise spoke up.
"Those look like Samurai."
She was right! Could they be from Rad? Had Shrine Maiden Kaguya sent support? After the poor reception that had been given by Alicia she was surprised that anyone would come here. But they did not wear the traditional red and green of their soldiers. Another unit perhaps?
"Hail! Are you from Rad? Has Shrine Maiden Kaguya sent you to aid us?" Tabitha called out so some riders.
They did not stop, instead turning and riding off. Around them dozens of others rushed past, charging the enemy forces across the planes without fear.
"No."
The words came from behind her, she turned and saw the rider approach, she was about to speak before her words caught in her throat. This warrior was no man, not a human man, he was a Dark Elf. Tall with hair darker than his skin and eyes that were crimson, he rode upon a grey stallion with black armour.
"Who are you?" Tabitha asked, as her troops back away from the unknown rider.
"I am Ludo Harduin."
The name rung a bell, this was the famous Black Sword of Garan, Olga Discordia's general and one of the most dangerous swordsmen amongst the Dark Elves. He was a legend during the war, having slain hundreds alone. If this was the same man as those tales it didn't matter how many of them were standing there right now, he could kill them all in the blink of an eye.
"You can rest now, we will take care of this." Ludo stated.
Immediately behind him a force of warriors appeared, as if appearing through the dark smoke that choked the battlefield. Even as they marched they made not a sound, one had to strain their ears to even hear the faintest clink of their armour.
"I have been given clear instruction from my Queen. I am to stop these Dogs and the orcs, and save your city." Ludo stated. "If you wish to keep fighting than do so, but do not let your blades swing towards these warriors. For today, and till the day the Black Dogs are no more, we are allies."
Tabitha watched as he rode off, behind him charged what appeared to be hundreds of Knights in heavy black armour. All across the battlefield she could see similar scenes. This army, coloured black and ebony appeared, like shadows in the darkness of the night, facing down the orcs and Black Dogs, pushing them back. The tide had turned once more.
She tightened her hold on her blade.
"Elise, go back for the wounded." Tabitha said. "The rest of you, follow me! We are not sitting out this fight!"
There you have it, Feoh has been taken and Vault is now in charge. Things are getting bad for Alicia and Prim, what will happen next?
Geoff – The First Fortress
The Fortress City of Geoff is part of the Feoh nation, a sister city to Feoh and a crucial defensive fortification for their nation as well as the rest of Eostia. During the original foundation of the empire Geoff acted as a defensive fortification to prevent the Dark Elves of the Mayom Chi Desert from invading the region.
The city it situated between the Wídlastbeorg mountains, that cuts across central Eostia, and the Sable mountain ranges, that separate the entirety of Eostia and the Mayom Chi Desert. This two hundred kilometres long channel is the only path to the Breadbasket of the empire that is within Feoh's borders. Because of this the city of Geoff is a major strategic fortification that cannot be lost. Due to this the city is actually the most heavily guarded and protected city in all the Alliance, save only for Ken.
In the years that followed the Fortress grew in side and defensive capabilities. Acting as major military hub to defend the nation from invasion and attack. Although it was a major military defensive fortification the very nature of its impenetrable defence also caused it to become a hindrance in defending the nation.
As the war with the Dark Elves carried on the city was mostly avoided, the Dark Elves came from the north rather than the west, leaving the Fortress mostly unused. In fact it became clear not too long after this occurred that there were many glaring flaws in the fortresses capabilities as it was situated in a position that made it east for an enemy army to simply circumvent the fortress and enter Feoh with minimal resistance. The Godafry plains were large and barren, making it easy for an army to march over the fields and would force Geoff to have to leave the protection of the city to stop them from invading their nation.
Eventually the city became more of a security checkpoint to prevent unsavoury forces from entering the Breadbasket.
And another snippet, hope these help give some idea on the story and such.
