It has been a while, a long while I might add since I have posted anything, sorry for that. Been quite hectic these last few months, after all with this pandemic going on it is almost understandable why some would be away.

I was caught up in a few things myself, while I still have my job and am currently healthy things definitely have changed. I actually did get sick a few weeks ago, not corona mind you, but I was laid out for two weeks because of it.

Also since I work in a job that is an essential service and also supplies to hospitals I have been busier than before. So I have been stuck doing that, dealing with my job. Not a good excuse but it is all I have.

Anyway I will try to get to work on more of my stories.


The Hand of Suffering

Chapter 21: The Delusion

Margaret felt sore, as everything came back to her she struggled, the pain and the dread that rose in her heart. With a shout she shot up from her cot, every muscle ached, but she fought through it. Squinting her eyes shut she powered through the pain and looked around, she was in a small tent, nothing but the cot she was sleeping on and a small table where her armour and weapon lay.

"You're awake."

Margaret reacted, leaping for the sword and drawing it quickly, but before she could bring it up a hand caught her wrist and held it down. Looking into the eyes of the person holding her she saw the impassive gaze of a hooded warrior, the man's look was full of intent and if she did something stupid she was as good as dead.

"Calm down, you are in no danger." He said, releasing her and stepping back.

Margaret took in a deep breath and hissed as she felt her body ache from the sudden movement. Taking a moment she composed herself and tried to shake off the weariness and pain, once she did the hooded man turned and exited the tent. She followed after him, moving with purpose and to her surprise discovered they were in an abandoned village.

All around were other tents and more of those hooded soldiers, the Hand of Suffering, all milling about and moving supplies. She noticed that a good number of them were Dark Elves, considering that Valeska seemed to have a few in her ranks it shouldn't be so surprising. But it still was a surprise that the former ruler of Ansur and the Rose Company was now working with Dark Elves and Wildlings.

"Come, the Captains will want a report." He said, jerking his head towards a dilapidated structure just down the street.

Following him into the building they came climbed the steps and moved for the top floor. Inside they found two individuals standing before a crystal ball, it was a communication crystal. She had heard about those things, they were magical items that were created back in Ansur reign as the premier mage nation. It was said that every household had one of these orbs and that you could talk to someone from any distance.

"The camp has been set up, we are outside of the Ansur city limits, we can hold here until we get more information on the state of the city and the surrounding terrain." Fayanna said, the Dark Elf looking directly at the orb.

Within one would see the face of Valeska, staring back impassively. Even in a situation like this these people were calm, how they can act like that she had no idea, the city was under enemy control and there was a massive army here. They were probably outnumbered ten to one, with no way of entering the city, or having a hope of beating Vault and the Black Dogs.

"On our march to Ansur however our scouts reported that the enemy between the Greenway Pass has moved from the blockade. But reports say that only orcs have been sighted, not mercenaries, the Black Dogs did not come from the west." Fayanna said.

"It is unlikely that the Black Dogs were able to get by us undetected." Valeska's voice came out from the orb.

"It is just as unlikely they were able to get by you in the north. Even through the Black Wood or Beast Swamps it is impossible for them to go unnoticed." Fayanna stated.

"That only leave the sea." Valeska mused, going quiet for a few moment. "Seaside Hamlet, it is a small fishing village off the coast of the Ansur Peninsula, they got in through there."

Margaret was surprised, she did not expect them to figure that out on their own. She had come running to them to tell them the news and all she had been able to get out was that the enemy had taken over Ansur. They had deduced where they had come from, that was impressive, but what she had heard about Valeska it showed she was intelligent and wise. She had only heard stories about this woman, although in hushed whispers, Maia apparently had it in for the older girl.

"You are right, they came from the north on ships, hit the village and took everyone hostage. Vault was leading them too." Margaret said, stepping into the conversation.

Fayanna and Khalid turned to her, giving her a blank stare before the Dark Elf gave a nod to her escort so that he could return to his duties. After that they turned back to the orb.

"Then they were ferrying their soldiers from the north to invade the city." Valeska mused. "We haven't been actually engaging the Black Dogs then."

"Explains why resistance has been so light and why none of the enemy have combat experience." Khalid stated.

"The only village I am aware of that has access to a shipyard is Tortlewaters." Valeska said.

Again she was correct. The Untouched Valley once supplied all the food and provisions that Ansur needed, but the issue was that not all of it could get to the city so they had to transport it another way. The quickest and easiest way was by ship from Tortlewaters, which supplied both Ansur and Rad – the latter being so far north and in hilly terrain that made it difficult to transported food and supplies over by land.

That was how it had worked until a few months ago when the Valley went belly up. Now Ansur got in huge shipments of food from the south and had it transported up to the north. They couldn't send it along the highway between the Black Timber Woods and the Beast Swamps, the risk of losing it was always too great.

By ship was the safest option.

"I will gather my forces and launch an assault on the village, capture it and prevent further enemy reinforcements from reaching you." Valeska stated.

"We will see about cutting off reinforcements to the city and then start thinning the numbers around it." Fayanna said.

"Wait! We need help, I saw how many soldiers you brought and they are nowhere near enough to stop the orc and Black Dogs! We need more soldiers." Margaret shouted, rushing forward and looking at the crystal ball.

There couldn't be more than a few hundred people here, a sizeable force but the orcs and Black Dogs had thousands in the city by now. They would need some serious support if they thought that they could defeat them. Were they taking this seriously? Ansur was in the hands of the enemy and they now had a way to get south.

"Current numbers as of now are suitable, at least until reinforcements arrive." Valeska responded, short and curt with her response. "You can expect three groups from the elite corp to be joining you in a few days, set the stage for them before they arrive."

"Why can't you come back here? You have like ten thousand soldiers or something right? Come back here!" Margaret said.

"I am five days march from Ansur, while only four from Tortlewaters. Not only is the latter closer but capturing and destroying it also ensures that you do not get bottlenecked between two armies." Valeska replied. "You have enough soldiers with you, get to work."

The communication crystal went dark after that, the meeting was over and the order had been given. But how can they expect to do anything with so few numbers, there was no way they could retake the city and then hold it. What was the plan here?

"Does she really expect us to take over Ansur with only a few hundred troops?" Margaret asked, looking to the two Captains who only responded with a glance.

Fayanna looked to Khalid and gave a jerk of the head. He nodded and then she departed, walking down the steps, while Khalid remained with her.

"We have just over a thousand soldiers, most of them are light infantry, with a few hundred cavalry." Khalid said, gesturing for her to follow. "We have enough soldiers to quell the orc numbers that are roaming around the perimeter of the city. But our main goal is to reach Seaside Hamlet and secure it. From there we move to wipe out resistance near the city and then infiltrate Ansur."

He was so calm saying that, as if it was nothing to do. She had to imagine where that confidence came from, although maybe calling it confidence was the wrong word for it. They were soldiers, they had a job to do and they would do it, there wasn't any point in complaining or getting worried. If they had a mission there wasn't anything stopping them, it would be done regardless of what happened.

"What about Maia, she is still trapped in the city. The Black Dogs likely have her in a cell right now, or worse." Margaret said, she dreaded to think what kind fo torment the Black Dogs and Vault were putting her through.

"I don't think that is the case, and neither does Valeska." Khalid replied, turning to her as they stepped from the building. "There wasn't any signs of conflict when we approached, the orcs are also far from the walls and well out of sight of the city limits. Next is the fact is that our scouts have noticed Black Dogs Mercenaries and Rose Company soldiers patrolling the walls."

Margaret looked at him, for a moment a dreadful thought passed through through her mind.

"Maia joined him."

She received a nod.

In a way she knew that this was going to be the case, she had heard it along the way here how angry she was with Celestine for ordering her to fight against Vault. Maia had defended him for months, going to extraordinary lengths to try and keep his name from being slandered. It was no small leap to think she would side with him if the chance came, she had even said she would at one of their meetings.

Most didn't think she would, not after seeing the kind of man he was, how wrong they were.

"How can she side with him? He rapes and pillages wherever he goes. He is allied with orcs, they are all around the city, he fucking took us hostage and left us to be raped over and over again! Why the hell would she join a monster like that?" Margaret yelled, how could she turn on them without a second thought.

"We aren't completely certain she has joined him, but it is a likely possibility. Until we get inside the city we cannot be sure. So until then we act under the assumption that the Rose Company is working with the Black Dogs." Khalid replied.

Margaret didn't want to believe the possibility that Maia would turn on the Alliance, but that woman was in love with Vault. The idea of betraying everyone for him wasn't that much of a crazy idea, she would do it in a heartbeat.

"So what now?" Margaret asked.

"We start thinning the enemy numbers, and make our way to the fishing hamlet. You wanted reinforcements, that is where we have to go."


For the first time in months she felt relief.

Even being in this shit hole of a city there wasn't anything that could dampen her mood. The Rose Company and Black Dogs were working together once again, this time just as close as they had been when they had been a single unit several years ago. The Bitches they were called, and they were some of the meanest girls she had ever known.

Maia felt some nostalgia, to be part of the Black Dog's family all over again. So did a few of the girls, on several occasions she saw a few of her people luring off some of the Black Dogs, she knew what they were up to. In some instances she heard it, on a few she even saw a few in an alleyway or just behind a corner going at it, everyone was starting to enjoy themselves.

But all good things couldn't last, as much as they would have loved to keep up the revelry they had to work on this cities defence. The Hand of Suffering was still out there, had thousands of troops and monsters as their command, even that werewolf. They needed to be ready, Vault had a plan, all they needed to do was follow through with it.

"How are the fortifications going?" Maia asked, turning to a Black Dog mercenary, Alton, he was in charge of the forces to fortify the walls and get them ready for an attack.

"We have stocked up on ammunition along the walls and we got men digging out near the base of the wall. They ain't gonna be climbing up here." He said.

Maia had come to learn he was the son of an architect and builder, his father and family had helped rebuild Ansur after the collapse. The man knew his shit when it come to fortifying walls and keeping a city protected, word was that he was Vault's go to man for keeping a city defended. He would be crucial in keeping this city from being assaulted by the Hand of Suffering.

"The gates?" Maia asked, and another mercenary came along, another sergeant.

"We have been reinforcing it, also we cleared out some of the nearby buildings and streets. If they get through they are going to be dealing with archers and a blockage that will trap them just inside the wall."

Maia had been informed that the Gates were the easiest and quickest way of getting into a city, if that was breached an enemy could take the city with minimal casualties. In fact, when you assault the walls over a cities gates you lost close to three times as many men and there was no guarantee that you would actually get inside. Taking out the gates was the better alternative, and one that the enemy would likely capitalise on.

All that they had to do was hold out for a little while and they could wipe them out. This Hand of Suffering was no joke, Vault had said so himself they were dangerous and she was not going to let herself get caught unprepared for them.

"Maia!"

Turning she looked down from the walls and into the streets, Veronica had come charging down the road.

"Sentries had sighted orcs out in the area around the city!" Veronica called out. "They are to the north and west!"

Maia was going over in her head what to do, if there were orcs out there she had to do something. They had people out in the field, there were a few villages outside the walls and even a fishing hamlet to the north along the precipice of the plateau this city rested upon. They had close to a hundred of her Company there, and hundred more people.

"Get the Company together, we are not letting those bastards run wild." Maia ordered, she turned from Veronica and towards the sergeant. "Contact Vault and see about getting some men here, we need all the help we can get to put these bastards down fast."

"Wouldn't it be better if we just leave them out there?" The sergeant said, crossing his arms and looking unwilling to lift a finger to go and fight the orcs. "Better have them there, when the Hand gets here those orcs can stall them for a bit, maybe even kill a few of them off."

Maia knew that would be a good plan but the problem was that involved a lot of people dying, hundreds were outside these walls. Not just normal civilians but vagrants and homeless that use the ruined villages for shelter. If she did nothing they were all dead, the last thing she wanted was to leave them at the mercy of the orcs.

She did it once already with the crime families, she wasn't going to make another mistake like that. These people deserved better, the least she could do now was actually look out for their safety and make sure they were perfect.

"I cannot risk the lives of the people out there and inside this city thinking the orcs will stay put, we take them out now and don't run the risk of them coming for us." Maia said, but her words didn't seem to move the man, he looked even more reluctant.

She was about to call him out on it before someone interrupted her.

"Now Maia, no need to get all rattled because of a few orcs."

Turning sharply she saw Vault strolling down the street on his horse, calm and even looking a little chipper. Dismounting he walked forward with a lazy gait and then looked up at her, smirking as he usually does, that alone dashed away most of her worries.

"You don't have to worry about the orcs, me and my men can deal with it. In fact I know of a way to use them to our advantage." Vault said. "My men and I can push the orcs out and towards the Hand, I know those bastards are coming. I plan to welcome them with those orcs."

Maia didn't wish to question him, a part of her couldn't bring herself to doubt Vault and his resolve to do what he spoke. The man never boasted what he couldn't do, he was strong and charming, but to do something like that sounded impossible. Pushing the orcs back was one thing, but there was never a single case she heard of where they had been able to route the orcs.

Those ugly bastards never retreated, they never fled from battle, they stayed till they died. How was he going to push them back without having to fight them to the last man?

"If that's your plan then what do we need to do?" Maia asked, she wouldn't doubt him now, he was always one that surprised you.

"Keep to the task at hand, me and my boys will deal with this ourselves, we know how to handle orcs. They are not so difficult to push around." Vault said, he mounted his steed and raised his hand, signalling his forces to march forward.

The gates opened and they moved out into the darkness, Maia watched them go, they moved so calmly and without fear. A part of her worried about them, going off into the night to fight the orcs? It was risky, something no wise man would consider, but Vault was beyond wise in her books, he wasn't going to put himself in danger like that unless he knew he would come back.

"This isn't right." Veronica said, having climbed the ramparts and stood beside her. "I don't like this, something isn't right."

"I don't want to hear it." Maia said, she knew where this was going, and she had heard enough of it.

"We cannot trust him." Veronica said, not even beating around the bush anymore.

Maia scowled, glaring at her second in command, what the hell was she saying? How could they not trust Vault, they had been by his side for years and now she was doubting him? Over what? A few baseless rumours that didn't hold a single grain of truth to them.

"You best shut your mouth right now." Maia warned.

"Come on, even you cannot deny what you have heard." Veronica said. "We have all heard about Feoh, what happened there, you cannot deny that Vault was there, that he was allied with the orcs."

"That is going too far." Maia said, keeping her words down, last thing she wanted was to let this get out. "There is no way in hell that Vault would ally with those monsters, he has been fighting them for years. Those beasts have no concept of reason or negotiation, there is no way Vault would ally with them even if there was a way he could."

"Your not denying he attacked Feoh though." Veronica said.

"That bitch Alicia attacked first, he simply beat her back, and then the Hand came and swooped in like vultures. She probably made up the orc story because of that werewolf, it tried to sell that same story." Maia said.

"It had been right about a few things from what I heard." Veronica said, she wasn't backing down this time, and Maia actually felt torn.

She was an age old friend and her second in command, the last thing she wanted was for Veronica to be put in chains. This was a position she did not want to be in, debating whether or not she could trust her friend. But looking back on it she had come to realise that she was considering the loyalty of almost all her soldiers.

"He isn't right about this. Not about the Black Dogs." Maia hissed.

"We have all heard the stories, allying with orcs is one thing, but that is just the latest rumour to reach our ears. Even before Zelindo and the Untouched Valley we have all heard some of the nasty rumours that have been spread around Eostia over the years. The Black Dogs are far from noble." Veronica said. "In fact, when we were part of the company we saw some bad things, a lot of bad things actually."

Maia bit her lip, she wanted to deny that it was the case but she knew that it would not win her argument. The Black Dogs were never the nicest bunch, they were tough as nails and if you wanted to be part of their group you needed to be just as tough. They looked down on weakness, hence why there had never been any female mercs in their company before she came along.

Being part of the Bitches has not been a walk in the park, they had been tough in their own right and just as ballsy as the boys. But at times even she could see that they had gotten ahead of themselves and done some questionable things. Taking more supplies than what was needed, stripping entire towns of their food stores, in some instances she had heard accusations of rapes directed against some of them.

She shook her head, what the hell was she doing? These were her brothers in arms and she was meant to protect them from this, why else has she become a damn Shield for? The only reason she took up this job and fought so hard to get it was to help elevate the Black Dogs and give them the recognition they deserved. To stop all the insults and silence those naysayers who were too fat and lazy to pick up a sword and fight.

"That was then, besides I never heard anything come from it. I am not going to doubt my comrades, and neither should you." Maia said, giving her second a pointed look.

Veronica huffed in irritation and turned to leave, skulking away angrily like a child that didn't get her way. Or at least, that was how she viewed it, because she was angry, angry at the fact that so many were doubting the Black Dogs. Labelling them as traitors and monsters, it wouldn't be the first time this had happened, so many had tried to slander the Black Dogs.

Zelindo was just the latest attempt to put them down, throwing up some trump charges alongside those nobles just to tarnish their reputation. Vault wouldn't have stood for it, he was gone, suspected to have been dead at the time, and unable to defend himself. People were cowards, Celestine was the worst kind, she had sent him off to die and when the opportunity presented itself she tried to bury him and the hard work he had done.

She had done it before. Elevating others in the wake of others success or failure.

But this was going to be different, those people that Celestine betrayed were going to come back and haunt her. She was going to regret the day she turned on the Black Dogs, because they were going to show all of Eostia who they really are. With that resolve burning in her chest she prepared the defences of the city, she needed to have this place ready for when the Hand arrives.


Khalid leaped over the half crumbed wall, vaulting over the stone and kicked in the face of an orc while simultaneously slashing open another's throat. Both fell to the ground, the first growling in pain for a few moments before it was silenced with a thrust to the heart.

They had been making steady progress through the night, securing village after village as they advanced closer to Ansur. The orcs had been moving against them in large numbers, but his Covering Force had been able to bypass them entirely as Fayanna took on the brunt of the enemy numbers.

He had only two hundred men with him, for his company was a Covering Force. Front line combat was not their forte, it was subterfuge and harassing an enemies supply lines and forces, the perfect job for someone like him. With two hundred men at his command he could tear down an entire armies means of supplying their soldiers and destroy their morale.

Five years ago he was nothing more than a eighth generation Horse-breeder, making a living selling horses to other villages and the occasional Noble that wanted a stallion. Now here he was, running point on military operations that could see to the collapse of an entire armies ability to function.

His mission was simple, he had to destroy the orcs holdings across the region and then move for the Hamlet to see if he could take it out. The quicker he did this the faster they could return and start harassing the Black Dogs rear guard and force them to withdraw from their attacks against Fayanna.

There was even a report that Vault was leading the assault, that was good, if it drew him away from Ansur that left those in the city without a proper leader. His forces were tearing down camps and destroying supplies, the less able the orcs were to maintain themselves the more likely they were to try and scrounge for supplies. If their theory that Vault was keeping the orcs away from Ansur was to not alert Maia of his treason than if they forced the orcs towards the city in a mad bid for survival they would force the Black Dogs to act.

Or the Black Dogs would drop the duplicity and turn on the Rose Company, given that most of the woman likely left under Maia's command are of like mind it wouldn't be a major loss to them.

"We have more survivors." Natalie said, his second in command, looking to the side they found a dozen woman being herded from their pens.

That was just a fraction of the numbers they had rescued from the orc camps, right now they had too many people to protect. It was time they moved for the Hamlet, they secure it and they could drop these people off and then see about setting up proper defences.

"Have them follow along, we are moving for the Hamlet." Khalid said.

They moved quickly, getting the distraught and traumatised woman to follow after them, they reached the cliffs overlooking the Hamlet. Another group of ships had arrived, more Black Dogs had come to reinforce the village, unloading supplies and loading up woman.

"They are bringing in soldiers and sending out their prisoners." Khalid said.

"Not surprising, they were doing the same in Ashencombe." Natalie replied.

"Luckily for us we know which port they are being taken to." Khalid muttered. "We can't do anything about the ships, not yet, so we move to secure as many Rose Company soldiers as possible and see if they can help us fight off the Black Dogs."

Taking the Hamlet was a priority, even if they couldn't save the people they could at least prevent the Black Dogs from having a foothold that could bring in reinforcements. Given how long it took for the Black Dogs to get here it seems they were being lax with their movements between the ports. It seemed they took two or three days to move between Seaside Hamlet and Tortlewaters before coming back, they could expect at least another shipment to come in before Valeska takes Tortlewaters.

"Get me Margaret, I need to know the layout down there." Khalid ordered.

They didn't attack quickly, instead they waited until the ships sailed and the Black Dog reinforcements departed towards Ansur. With them out of the way they could deal with the skeleton crew, from what they could see it was not heavily guarded.

Sneaking in wasn't so difficult, his people were trained for this kind of work. Sentries were taken out with well aimed bowmen, and patrols were silently killed by his men as they neared a dark corner. They moved through the helmet, searching for survivors and points of interest.

Usually he would have sent in people to give him a layout but luckily with Margaret here he didn't need to waste his time. In her escape she had taken note of the Black Dogs operational procedures, which were abysmal.

They kept their prisoners in the magistrate building, often using it as a makeshift whorehouse now for the men. While their supplies remained near the docks, they unloaded it from the ships and only moved the supplies they needed at the moment. They were lazy, when there were women around they could fool about, because of that they did the least amount of work possible. So all they had to do was sabotage the docks and then take over the magistrate building.

Khalid led the operation on the docks, slitting the throats of the few men that were patrolling and taking over their posts. With them out of the way they began the work of sabotaging most of the Black Dogs supplies.

His men changed into the enemies gear, took the places of the dead guards and dock workers, and began their operation. Luckily for them the mercenaries didn't have a clue about the duplicity, or they didn't care to ask or even consider it possible that they were not comrades. These men were too lax, no wonder these bastards were easy to kill.

They moved all the supplies and gear onto the docks, specifically the wooden docks that sat above the waters.

Seaside Hamlet was situated on a series of cliffs, it was actually located on a series of shelf's that were connected by man made stairs and cranes. But given that it was honestly a fishing village, with no need for heavy equipment, the Black Dogs had difficulty transporting their imported cargo onto the higher shelves. Because of that difficulty the Black Dogs had decided to forgo transporting it up by hand and were busy building a crane to do it.

The crane was large, crudely made as well, it could do the job he supposed, although it would be a better heavy weight than what it was originally built for. If it was to fall it would see the entire dock crashing into the ocean, along with all of the supplies sitting upon it. A shame for all that equipment to go to waste, but it was better that the Black Dogs didn't have anything to recover.

"Everyone is in position." Natalie said.

"Tear down the crane, send it falling, and then we wait for the crowd." Khalid said, turning away and taking up a vantage point.

He watched as his people overloaded the crane, putting too much on the lift, it was already starting to creak under the strain. One by one the bolts began to break, the metal being if not outright tearing apart, and soon the crane was teetering over the edge. Then it fell, crashing down into the docks and destroying the every man made foundation along the way. Weapons, provisions and basic supplies were now gone, and with the port destroyed they were not going to be getting a resupply from the sea again.

"The fuck happened!?" Someone yelled, rushing forward, behind him dozens more followed.

The sudden boom as the crane fell along with the docks being destroyed had lured every single Black Dog to this spot. Or what was left of them, if all was going well the majority of the Black Dogs in the Magistrate building would be dead now. Meaning that the few dozen that had turned up here were the last of the Black Dogs skeletal crew, easy pickings.

"Hey! What happened!"

"The crane broke, fell down and took the dock out, with everything else." Khalid said, pointing off the side of the precipice, looking down at the shattered and broken remains of the dock. Beneath those black waters there was no hope of salvaging what had disappeared beneath the waves.

"Shit, Vault is going to fucking murder us."

"Don't worry about it, there is no way that will happen." Khalid said, looking towards Natalie who nodded.

She and a few others initiated the second phase of the plan, and with a single gesture his warriors began cutting ropes. There was a whirl and thunk, several in fact, before it was followed by the groaning of wood and eventually cracking.

Seaside Hamlet had a series of makeshift bridges and stairs leading down to the sea, they were old and rotten but held out well. Yet it was still a fragile structure, one that would crumble as soon as the first beam cracked. Which it did, soon the entire side of the cliff began to collapse, the wood shattering as the beams that were held in place by rope gave way.

"What the…!"

The few Black Dogs that were on the edge looking over were caught in the collapse, falling with the wooden over crops that looked over the sea. What was once a few dozen men was now whittled down to about eight, the lucky few that had been just far enough away to not fall with their friends into the ocean.

"Oh god… this is bad…"

They didn't seem to have clued on to what was going on yet, but that didn't matter, dead men didn't need to know the details. Khalid moved forward, his soldiers by his side, and cut down the survivors, they barely made a whimper as they were skewered and cut apart. This had been an easy operation, one that didn't see to the death of any of his men, he was proud of that.

"Secure the Hamlet and bring in the people." Khalid said, he turned and moved for the Magistrate building, he wanted to see how things were going there.

To his expectations it was a bloodbath, the bodies of many naked Black Dog Mercenaries littered the floor. He looked around to see equally naked women, blades in hand, standing above the dead men. The victims had taken their revenge against their tormentors, but it didn't seem like it was enough.

"Huron, has the building been secured?" Khalid asked, stepping up towards one of his squad leaders.

"Yeah boss, all dead." Huron replied, his words course and gravelly.

"Good, get these woman some cloths and treatment, they certainly need it." Khalid ordered.

He turned away and moved off, he needed to see about getting this place back into order and then seeing about relieving Fayanna. Even she couldn't fight a prolonged battle against Vault and the orcs, he needed to force them back to Ansur for a short time. That way they could continue picking off the orcs at their leisure.

As he stepped from the building he heard someone rushing up behind him, glancing back he noticed that Margaret is his pursuer.

"Can I help you miss?" Khalid asked, not breaking his stride.

"What's next?" Margaret inquired.

"Secure this place from further attack and then meet up with Fayanna." Khalid replied, turning to one of his soldier, a young man from Drownholme if he was not mistaken. "Report."

"We have removed the bodies, taken their armour and weapons, we can infiltrate if need be."

"Good, take York and Rick, I want them intermingled in the Black Dogs ranks. Send them now." Khalid ordered, it would be good to get some men into their ranks and finally start seeing what is going on through Vault's head.

But more than that they would be able to get into the city, they needed a way in. But there was only so much his forces could do, although that was the point of the Covering Company. They go in ahead of the main army and secure and dog the enemy, destroy supplies and launch hit and runs against their forces.

Perhaps he can use this to his advantage, set up something for others down the track.

"What about Ansur? We need to get in there and help." Margaret said.

"In time." Khalid responded, before he turned to another one of his soldier. "What supplies do we have left?"

"Minor provisions and weapons, nothing substantial or worth keeping."

"Dump it, we aren't taking it with us." Khalid said.

"In time? Are you kidding? You know what kind of monster Vault is. And why the hell did you even get rid of that stuff, we could have taken it after we killed all the dogs. We need it to fight back." Margaret shouted.

Khalid stopped, turn to her and looked her dead in the eye.

"No we don't." Khalid said. "We cannot secure this place, the Hamlet is not highly defensible and we don't have the numbers or means to fight back if we are attacked. Given that Vault has received reinforcements we can assume that he now has twice as many men as when he first arrived. We are now outnumbered, massively, and in a position we cannot easily defend."

Basic tenants of fighting a powerful enemy is to weaken him until he was at your level, the Black Dogs may not be as organised as the Hand but they are just as tough. The Hand won their engagements because they were more organised and took to fight the Dogs and Orcs on terms that favoured their forces. Quality means everything, that is what made it easy for them to overwhelm the orcs and Black Dogs so easily, because they didn't rely on complex tactics.

Seaside Hamlet was a major strategic asset to the Black Dogs, holding it would be impossible. They didn't have the manpower to make use of all the equipment and provisions, they had only two hundred men. If Fayanna came here with her forces they would still be fighting a downhill battle against an enemy that had higher ground and greater numbers. Their forces trapped with a sea at their back, and with an enemy that was coming with a thousand more soldiers.

Two thousand from one direction and then a thousand in the other. Their best option now was to bunker the people here for a time, help them recover and then see about transporting them out of the area. If they could get them off the plateau they might be able to get them to one of the outlying villages.

"More than that the important thing now is hindering their means of bringing in reinforcements and supplying those soldiers with weapons and provisions. If Vault cannot feed his men or receive fresh soldiers we can ware him down, long enough for reinforcements of our own to arrive." Khalid stated. "Besides we are in no position to launch any form of an attack against the fortress, because it has been reinforced and we do not have the numbers to take it. Not when our main force is putting themselves in harms way to actually keep Vault's attention on them than on us."

Margaret looked contrite, the dressing down he gave her served the point, she didn't know how they operated and their methodology. That wasn't his problem, all that it served was simply to enlighten her that she was clearly inept in the area of tactical command. From the way her face curled it was obvious she was not pleased with her own lack of foresight.

"But we have to do something, if Maia is really working with the Black Dogs we need to get to them and warn her." Margaret said.

Khalid could understand her reasoning, loyalty and clear concern for her comrades. But honestly there was no way he was…

"Hmm. You know, I might be able to help you." Khalid said, stroking his chin as he thought of something, it would need a little thought but he was certain it could work. He would need to run it by Fayanna first, but he was certain he could get her approval. "Alright, I want you to gather all your people, civilians and all. We have an important mission for you."

Maybe they didn't need to get the people out of here, perhaps they could take them somewhere else.


It was business as usual in Ansur, at least that is what most people thought.

But Veronica could feel the stench of fear hanging over the city, the people were terrified. Everywhere she went she could see them huddling close to buildings waiting for something to happen so they could leap through the closest door to escape.

People whispered and muttered curses under their breaths, directed to the Black Dogs and the Rose Company. Veronica had gone to a bar and hidden herself amongst the people, just to see what they thought about them, it wasn't good.

The opinion of the Rose Company was anything but good, they hated them with a passion. The Black Dogs were no different, in fact it seems that since they started working with them the people's opinion of Maia and her company had dropped off the proverbial cliff. They were not popular, and now they were being found guilty by association.

"Fuck, things are getting worse." Veronica thought aloud, walking down the street, she could hear the mutterings of those around her.

In a way she was worried walking these streets, a part of her believed that these people would actually attack her if she gave them a chance. That feeling had been growing stronger with each passing day, mostly because there were reports of several incidents between the civilian population and the Black Dogs.

Accusations were flying around, rapes and beatings, people being dragged off to god knows where and never being seen again. Usually all of them women. The Black Dogs report that they were supporters of Valeska and the Hand of Suffering, but honestly, who wasn't in this city. Veronica had been by Maia's side since the day she became a soldier in the Black Dogs, been her second ever since the Bitch Brigade was formed.

Veronica was loyal to her superior and friend. But even she had to doubt that woman's sanity in not being able to see what was clearly wrong.

Valeska was someone who she could respect, if she was part of the Bitch Brigade Veronica knew that old hag would have been Maia's right hand woman. Simply because of how ruthless and good she was at her job. When they first heard about her and how she had put Ansur's entire criminal empire in its place that had been an achievement that even earned the Goddesses attention.

Normal people cannot do that, they cannot build support and fight for thirty years to take down several major and power criminal groups from literally nothing. But she had, become the most powerful woman in Ansur and she did it for the right reasons. Then they fucked it all up by taking away her company and using it to fight orcs, leaving that city she saved to rot.

Veronica knew that now, but Valeska and the people of Ansur likely have been stewing in that bitter pot for years knowing who it was that pissed in their soup. She felt ashamed, rightfully so, Maia and her came in here tearing up the place wanting to get the glory and they got it, at the expense of all the people in this city. Who wouldn't be pissed at them?

If only Maia could have an epiphany like that in regards to Vault they would be golden.

"Can't walk the streets anymore." Veronica muttered, making a quick turn and moving for the walls.

She scaled the towers and moved along the ramparts. Looking over the fields she couldn't see much other than the torches to the north. Vault and his forces have been fighting nearly nonstop out there, reportedly driving the orcs back and into the Hand of Suffering. She didn't buy it, more than likely that son of a bitch was fighting alongside the orcs to take out the Hand.

He hadn't come back yet, only a small group of soldiers returned to ask for reinforcements and extra supplies. That was two days ago, not a word had reached them of his efforts, but from what the men had reported he was not pleased with their lack of results. From what they could gather Vault was pushing further out, trying to actually force the orcs and hand off the plateau. Lofty goal, his own ego and anger was getting the best of him, a part of her wished he would fail and died out there.

"That bastard cannot be trusted, how the fuck do I make her see?" Veronica muttered.

"Hey."

Veronica nearly jumped, turning she saw a Black Dog soldier standing there, looking at her impassively.

"We need you at the Seaside Gate, we got people coming in from Seaside Hamlet." He said, gesturing off towards the eastern side of the city.

She raised a brow, why the hell were they coming to her?

"Get some Black Dog officer, I am busy." Veronica said, likely this was just another group of Black Dog reinforcements. Nothing she needed to be concerned about, although she was worried about the numbers that were starting to fill this city.

"They're not Black Dogs, they are Rose Company soldiers, I think you should be there to greet them." He said.

That was a surprise, she had not heard from Margaret in nearly a week. Although when she heard that the Black Dogs were coming from Seaside Hamlet she had feared something might have happened to her fellow soldiers. Something she dare not bring up in front of Maia while the Black Dogs were within earshot, which was always.

"Then lets go." Veronica said, turning and moving along the wall.

The guard trailed behind her, quiet as the grave, that worried her more than she would care to admit. A part of her thought that maybe her defiance was finally going to get her done in, she thought that he was luring her to the gate where they intended to dump her body over the walls and into those trenches they were digging.

For the next few minutes she pondered if she should try to make a break for it or not, but then she noticed she wasn't the only one here. As she passed an intersection she found a fellow officer, Jaida, being led in the same direction, another Black Dog behind her. Alarm bells started to ring, especially when she noticed Nancy and Tiffany were there as well.

Every single one of them had misgivings about the Black Dogs, she had talked with each and every one of them and knew how they felt about allying with these rapists. They hated them, despised them, standing side by side with Vault and his cohorts was bad enough. Now it looks like they were all going to be done in.

They arrived at the gate, to her fears she recognised every face, all of them had some misgivings about the Black Dogs.

"Fuck sake! Why are you bringing them here!?"

It was the gate sergeant, he was a Black Dog, and he didn't seem to know what the hell was going on with this gathering. She believed his name was Travis.

"Orders." Her guide said, looking back at the sergeant and giving a shrug.

"From fucking who? Why are you all here for?" Travis yelled, looking ready to punch someone if they didn't give him an answer.

"Hey sarge! We got people coming from Seacliffe!" One of the sentries called out. "They ain't ours!"

"Then don't open the gate! Shoot them if they get close!" He shouted back.

"Hold it! Those are from the Rose Company!" Hestia yelled, along with a few others, it seems that they had been told as well.

The sergeant look worried, as if he was being caught not sharing a very important secret. But he scowled and just glared at everyone. But the thing was he didn't even deny that they were from the Rose Company, he didn't even ask how they knew that or even if it was true.

"You don't know that, could be fucking Hand soldiers dressed up!" Travis yelled. "If they get close we… what the hell are you doing?!"

Veronica turned to see several Black Dog soldiers opening the gates, pulling them open and allowing the small force to pass through. The Black Dogs, most of them, looked worried, muttering to one another and grabbing their weapons tightly.

"Who the hell ordered you to open the gate!" Travis yelled.

They didn't respond. But Veronica didn't care, she focused on the Rose Company soldiers and knew they were their own, at their head was Meredith.

"Stand down Sergeant, these guys are ours. I know them." Veronica said, but that didn't seem to convince the man, he looked even more worried now.

"No! I am not risking it! Sound the horn! Get some help down here!" Travis yelled.

"Why the hell are you acting like this?" Veronica demanded, looking at the man, he only continued to freak out.

"Likely because he doesn't want word to get out what happened at Seaside Hamlet, about how you fucking put us in cages and raped up to your fucking hearts content!" Meredith yelled, drawing her sword and glaring at the man.

Travis had done the same, most of the Black Dogs had followed suite, they were ready for a fight. Veronica knew it, she reached for her blade and got ready to cut these bastards down. She didn't need an explanation or proof, she knew these bastards were capable of this and suspected it from the beginning.

"Why haven't you signalled for help! Blow the fucking…!"

A body fell from the walls, his corpse crashing into a barricade, but it looked like he had been killed before the fall. The long cut along his throat made it clear as to the cause of death. Looking up on the walls were six Black Dogs soldiers, all of them looking down, their weapons bloody and recently used.

"What… what the hell…" Travis said, before a sword rammed itself through his chest.

Veronica looked to the Black Dog that had led her here, he had just impaled the sergeant through the back. Pushing the dead man off his blade he looked right at her, raising his free hand and tapping something on his left breast. It was a a coin tied to the armour, silver in colour, and looking around she noted that several of the Black Dogs had these coins tied onto their armour in the same positions.

"Kill any of them that don't have a coin!" Veronica yelled, charging the closest Black Dog and locking blades with him.

Her follow officers and warriors followed, attacking the Black Dogs who were now outnumbered and clearly at a disadvantage. Some tried to run, but several arrows from on high saw to the end of them, and within minutes the entire area was littered with the bodies of dead Black Dogs. Veronica sucked in a breath, all the bastards were dead.

"Any wounded?" Veronica asked.

A series of negative reached her ear, that was good to know, but now things were about to get bad. If anyone found out about this there would be hell, likely Maia would turn this on her to defend Vault, and whatever game he was playing with her would be over. If that happened, this city would be doomed, there was no way they could hold back the Black Dogs.

"Take the bodies, put them in the sewers, we can't have Vault suspecting we are here." Turning she saw her guide giving orders.

"Okay, who the hell are you? You are obvious not a Black Dog." Veronica said.

"He isn't, he's part of the Hand." Meredith said, gesturing to her guide. "Nice work, Khalid."

"Compliment me later, we need to get rid of the bodies." Khalid said, his men already getting rid of dead and dragging them to the closest sewage drain.

They continued to work. Dragging the carcasses and dropping them into the sewers, while that was happening the three of them had a little chat.

Veronica listened as Meredith told her about the Black Dogs and their attack on the Seaside Halmet, how they imprisoned everyone there. Most of the people being taken up north to Tortlewaters, while most of the Rose Company remained to be entertainment for the Dogs.

"I should have known, this bastards came that way, it only made sense that something happened there." Veronica muttered.

"Suppose Maia didn't have a bad word to say about Vault when he turned up?" Meredith asked.

"Literally jumped into his arms and then on his cock." Veronica said.

"Then let us hope this helps up wake her up from her fantasy." Khalid said. "Come with us, we can't have any of you on the streets, it will end badly if you are caught."

"Wait… we need to find Maia." Veronica said, as much as she knew it might be futile in the long run she had to warn her about this before it was too late.

"Not yet, we need to do this on our terms." Khalid said, before he turned and moved off. "Come, we have somewhere we can hide you all."

Veronica watched as he moved off, following him were his disguised soldiers and even Meredith. That alone was more than enough to convince her this guy was to be trusted, because right now whatever she might hold agains the Hand didn't hold a candle to what she felt about the Black Dogs.

If these guys could wipe out the Black Dogs, than she was going to help them.


Here you go, a new chapter and some more issues.

Here is something special for all of you. A list of all of Reginald's acolytes, or more correctly, the officers in his army and some details about them. On the list I included their names and who they are based off, specifically random anime characters that I thought work well for them. Enjoy.

The Thirty Apostles

Thirty sworn individuals that make up the command structure of the Hand of Suffering, meant to be the best there is in his order. Loyal and dedicated to his cause they are the executioners of his will.

Derrick Thatch (Simon the Digger – Gurren Lagann): Former resident of Ulfraden, having lost his family many friends when their village fell he was without purpose or drive. Seeing the power Reginald wielded and used against the orcs he made the decision to join him. He was the first to pledge himself to Reginald, becoming his second in command and Champion.

Age: 32 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: No Children Weapon: Swords Home: Hazelstor

August Ballantine (August – Fairy Tail): Former Noble of Ansur, was the head of the Ansur military before its fall forty years prior. He was ousted from the nation and one of the few survivors of the conflict that tore the region apart. After the deaths of most of his family over the years and the many attempts on his life by the Nobles of Zelindo he pledged himself to Reginald to save his only remaining child.

Age: 70 Marriage Status: Widowed Children: 4 (One Son (Deceased)/Three Daughters (Two Deceased)) Weapon: Halberd and Shield Home: Basalt Clearing

Valeska Notleigh (Porlyusica – Fairy Tail): Formally part of the Company of the Rose, was the former commander before being forced to hand the reigns over to Maia when she usurped the position. Would have been exiled to the Untouched Valley only a year before the troubles began. Would have started a new company up to fight the orcs and traitorous nobles over the next few years. Joined Reginald and became the second General in his army.

Age: 55 Marriage Status: Widowed Children: 2 (Two Sons (One Deceased)) Weapon: Duel Swords Home: Timberlot

Markus Holmes (Roy Mustang – Full Metal Alchemist): Survivor from the north, his village had been destroyed by orcs, having been taken in by another family he was only sixteen when he lost his parents and siblings. In that time he was a lost soul with nothing to do. Reginald took him in, trained him and put him through the trials to rekindle his spark and allow him to fight once more.

Age: 21 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Greatsword and Shield Home: Yertlealden

Kate Saladino (Revy – Black Lagoon): Was captured and raped by orcs multiple times after her village was lost, became deadened to it. Even as her family suffered she could do nothing but be trapped in her own world. Would be rescued by Valeska and taken to a mission down south, for several months she would stay there and relive her horrible memories. Until she took the Path of Shadows, from that point she regained herself and the drive to fight once more.

Age: 25 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Waraxe and Shield Home: Yertlealden

Kibral Mesk (Joseph Joestar – Jojo's Bizarre Adventure): Formally a soldier in Ur, having served as a squire under Grave Levantine. Retired to the Valley some time ago after the Knight's of Ur were disbanded and the Dawn Templar took over. Would join with his old ally Nathan Walsh in defending the valley until they were accused of treason and joined Reginald to survive.

Age: 52 Marriage Status: Married Children: Three (Two Sons/One Daughter) Weapon: Broadsword Home: Sturmholz

Lithi Sopvoft (Yoko Littner – Gurren Lagann): She was a survivor of an orc attack on her village, having escaped with only a handful of refugees. They fled to Ulfraden when she would later be saved by the efforts of Reginald, and after Derrick pledged himself to the cause so did she.

Age: 24 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Sword and Shield Home: Hazelstor

Glan Berorsk (Guts - Berserk): Formally from Diohart, having fled the city when he learned of the Black Dogs crimes and their unwillingness to help the Valley. He was formally part of the Black Dogs and departed after he grew disgusted with Vault's use of slaves.

Age: 20 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Broadsword Home: Diohart/Basalt Clearing

Mika Ramsay (Francis Midford – Black Butler): Wife of a village magistrate, would be unhappily married to the man who frequently took woman to his bed. When the orcs attacked she was left to fend for herself and was taken by the orcs. Rescued later by Reginald she would be a broken woman, who following her training in the Shadows would become a skilled warrior.

Age: 27 Marriage Status: Widowed Children: Two (Two Daughters) Weapon: Shortsword and Dagger Home: Pretoria

Amadeus Altham (Spike Spiegel – Cowboy Beebob): Former soldier of Zelindo, having left the Hunters after they started stealing provisions from the Valley. Would turn on the order when they begin killing people and attempted to silence a Shrine Priestess. Would have gone to the Valley to try and warn her, only to find Reginald and warn him instead.

Age: 32 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: One (Son) Weapon: Shortsword and Bow Home: Zelindo/Ulfraden

Orlan Kendall (Reiner Braun – Attack on Titan): Former Criminal from Ken, a highwayman that settled in they valley to escape the law. He would often steal to survive there and eventually he would have to deal with orcs, he formed a small band of fighters and used it to extort money from the people. But he would eventually be captured and tortured by the orcs. When he was saved he was given a choice, the Path of Shadows or Death, he chose the former and was changed.

Age: 38 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: none Weapon: Spear, Shortsword and Bow Home: Lunaalden

Selim Rowley (Ginji Matsuzaki – Black Lagoon): A former mercenary, having been forced out of business by the Black Dogs, he took up farming and living a simple life with his wife and kids. But when the orcs came he was hurt badly and his family killed, his wife was lost and never to be found again while he cradled the dead bodies of his two sons. Reginald gave him a path for revenge, and he took it up.

Age: 40 Marriage Status: Widowed Children: none Weapon: Spear and Shield Home: Sturmholz

Solaina Prescott (Kanami – Log Horizon): Formally from Ken, having moved from the city following financial troubles. Married and had some kids, but felt incomplete and bored. When the orcs attacked the valley and the militia formed to stop them she signed up. Sending her family off, but would eventually be captured and raped. Saved along with several others, tormented by the experience but would be put through the Path of Shadow, becoming a seasoned warrior.

Age: 45 Marriage Status: Married Children: Two (One Boy/One Girl) Weapon: Sword and Shield Home: Greyburge

Brayan Melling (Kraft Lawrence – Spice Wolf): Merchant who trades regularly with the Valley, would run the supply train between the Valley and Zelindo. But when the conflicts started to occur he was forced nearly out of business, his entire livelihood destroyed and himself nearly killed. Joins the Hand to save his family when he was nearly sold into slavery by Morgan and his group.

Age: 30 Marriage Status: Married Children: Three (Two Daughters/One Son) Weapon: Mace and Axe Home: None

Faruk Oakley (Hei – Darker than Black): Former Assassin from Ansur, worked for a crime lord before he was ousted by Valeska. He escaped the city where most of everyone else didn't, settling in they Valley and would work with Orlan Kendall when he started his brigand group in the Untouched Valley. Was tortured after his capture, but escaped and would raise word on a rescue. Would eventually be recruited by Valeska and later join the Hand.

Age: 34 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: none Weapon: Duel Shortswords Home: Lunaalden

Fayanna Smythe (Echidna – Queens Blade Ultimate): A Dark Elf soldier Formally from Lorain, having escaped after the cities fall. She would live in Northern Ansur with a small conclave of elves and attempt to get back to Garan. Would be captured by Morgan and his crew and nearly sold into slavery, but are rescued by Reginald and his forces.

Age: 634 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Longsword Home: Northern Ansur Region

Khalid Holton (Maes Hughes – Fullmetal Alchemist): Former Horsebreeder for the Valley, supplied most of the steeds and horses for the region. Would join Reginald after his farm came under scrutiny of the Nobles and they started taking his livelihood. He would fight back and actually form his own band to harass the Nobles Hunters. He would eventually join Reginald. Becoming one of his horse riders. Along with breeding horses for the entire valley.

Age: 45 Marriage Status: Married Children: Six (Two Sons/Four Daughters) Weapon: Lance and Shield Home: Mortarstor

Lacene Crowder (Aura Shurifon - Tenchi Muyo!): Archer from Lorain, skilled markswoman and also a close friend of Fayanna, they were both taken as slaves until they were rescued. She admires Reginald, thinking him some sort of dark beast from the spirit realm.

Age: 490 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Bow and Daggers Home: Northern Ansur Region

Carin Snowdon (Lassic David – Grancrest Senki): Former Knight of Feoh, forced from the city when he spoke against the Church. After being forced from the city he was hired as a guard for a magistrate in the Untouched Valley. Having been in the service of the village magistrates he attempted to reveal their crimes before he was assassinated. He was later revived and took his vengeance against those that killed him. But he was branded a traitor and forced to flee. He would go to Ulfraden where he found Reginald, having heard rumors of him. He pledge himself to his service and asked that he remain a Knight and do his service as he should.

Age: 39 Marriage Status: Divorced Children: Three Children (Three Daughters) Weapon: Greatsword and Shield Home: Feoh (Formally)/Temper Crossing

Abraham Whiteford (Shinomori Aoshi – Samurai X): Former Noble Heir to the Whiteford Family, was a spoiled youth who exploited his position. Eventually he would get involved with a conflict with another noble and end up killing him by mistake. He would be disinherited by his family and forced to leave the city. Going to Ansur he would work as a thug, but as he drew too much unwanted attention he would flee to the Untouched Valley and work as an enforcer for the Magistrates.

Age: 29 Marriage Status: Widows Children: 2 (Deceased) Weapon: Claymore Home: Saffronwall

Sonja Kadame (Michiko - Michiko & Hatchin): Half Eostian and Kadam, she is the child of Princess Surresh Kadame. The Princess and many of her people were slaves taken from the Marrad Islands after Ansur raided them. Herself and over a thousand others were taken as slaves. But they escaped captivity after the fall of Ansur. Retreating into the Untouched Valley where they remained. Sonja was the daughter of Surresh and a villager.

Age: 30 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Scimitars Home: Owlham

Nathan Walsh (King Bradley – Fullmetal Alchemist): Former Knight of Ur, having retired to the Valley. Took up the role of magistrate to keep himself busy, took to his duties seriously and was a fair man. Was a nemesis of the Wildlings for many years, having personally led several raids against their forces during his time in the Untouched Valley.

Age: 65 Marriage Status: Married Children: One (Son) Weapon: Greatsword and Shield Home: Basecliffe

Shufu Xuiang (Motoko Kusanagi - Ghost in the Shell): Guardian of Shrine Priestess Hinako, served at her side for many years. She would have accompanied Hinako to the Untouched Valley to learn the truth of the Cult of the Wolf. After learning of the truth from Reginald himself they attempted to return to Rad but were ambushed by the Hunters of Zelindo. With Shifu being the only survivor.

Age: 25 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Kitana Home: Rad

Jocasta (Akame – Akame la Kill): A former prostitute of the Redlight District in Feoh she was a young girl when she took up the profession. But was eventually bought by a Noble to be his mistress, she would go from city to city. Eventually ending up in the Untouched Valley and then in the hands of the Zelindo Nobles who handed her off to orcs. She experienced great horror at their hands before she was rescued by Reginald and the Hand.

Age: 22 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Shortsword and Dagger Home: Feoh

Yvette Davison (Caterina Sforza – Trinity Blood): A nun of the church who has lived in the Untouched Valley since birth. She would be one of a dozen nuns within the Valley, who often travel between the different villages and offering services. When the orcs started attacking the valley and taking prisoners they would help the people they could rescue. The Church would become their staging ground to treat the people.

Age: 29 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: None Home: Basecliffe

Barnabas Hendricks (Jōichirō Yukihira – Food Wars): Barnabas was the founder of the Hunters Guild within Zelindo, they acted as the defenders of the city when it survived the collapse of the Ansur region. For years he was the leader and creator of the order, but after decades of service the order began to collapse. Corruption weeded its way into the order, the Black Dogs rise to prominence being the cause that eventually led to its inevitable fall.

Age: 60 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: One (Daughter) Weapon: Spear and Bow Home: Zelindo

Egnaden Tun (Monkey D. Garp - One Piece): Blacksmith formally from Isenburt, having retired to the Untouched Valley with his family. Brought in by Nathan to supply the region with decent equipment, he alongside a hundred other smiths spread out over the region.

Age: 78 Marriage Status: Married Children: Three (Sons) Weapon: All forms of weaponry. Home: Basecliffe

Anuschka Zelroth (Villetta Nu – Code Geass): Beastkin that was formally a slave in Ansur during the collapse, escaped the region and into the wilderness. Would go on to form bands of bandits and highwaymen, becoming known as the Wildlings. They would harass the countryside for decades, she was quite ruthless in her ways and often came into conflict with the Company of the Rose and the Hunters.

Age: 55 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Talons. Home: Southern Ansur Region

Uuveld Xellel (Merlin Wolford – Wise Man's Grandchild): A former mage of the Ansur republic, having been part of the mage guild. He would be part of the court and a colleague of Shamuhaza. Following the fall of Ansur and the collapse of the Mage guild the man lost most of his prestige. Was also the Master of Kin during his time in Zelindo, where he became a court magister, before he eventually found greater things within the Hand.

Age: 67 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: Staff Home: Zelindo

Amintore Giovanni (Shiro Fujimoto – Blue Exorcist): A Bishop from Ken, having served under Grissom for several years, but he came to distrust the Church as he saw the corruption that existed in it. Many times he tried to appeal to Celestine but Grissom would often rebuff such accusations, eventually he was forced out of Ken for his attempts to slander the Cardinal.

Age: 43 Marriage Status: Unmarried Children: None Weapon: None Home: Basecliffe