The sun rose over the horizon, just like it had done for as long as the world existed. It's light illuminated the sandy wasteland that was the valkurm dunes like it would do until the world ended. To some ancient beliefs the sun was a god, bringing life to the planet. However at this time T'lesta doubted it. No god could have let the scene before her happen.
The Elvaan healer peered over the rock that she was crouched behind. In the distance she saw the smoky remains of the outpost that once stood guard in the endless sands of the dunes. A tattered Bastokan flag still feebly fluttering in the wind. She could only just make out the movement as things moved on the inside. On the outside the bodies of numerous fallen adventurers hung silently. Some still dressed in the armour they died in. Most naked, their weapons having been scavenged for the invading horde.
Just past the outpost and further to the south T'lesta could just about see the gates of the Town of Selbina. The view was obscured by thick smoke coming up from the campfires that studded the night landscape. An army of Goblins roughly a thousand strong surrounded the small town. Stakes littered the landscape, a body on each of them.
"It should never of got this far out of hand." The deep voice of a Hume startled T'lesta. Standing beside her stood a powerfully built Hume. His armour glistening in the post-dawn light. A huge two-handed great katana resting against a rock next to him. He continued. "The Bastokan Army could have crushed this uprising without breaking a sweat. Or the Royal knights of San D'oria could have swept them away like the forces of the Great War." He paused for a second. "I can't believe they're letting it happen again."
"Letting what happen again." Questioned T'lesta.
As if noticing her for the first time the Hume turned to face the White mage sitting next to him. "Oh nothing. Just the ramblings of someone who hasn't seen home in a while." Extending a hand out to her he made his greeting. "I'm Hiraku currently in the employ of the mayor of Selbina. Although as you can see I haven't been paid in a while." A slight grin crossed his face as he helped T'lesta to her feet.
"In the employ? What do you mean?"
"Well just before they…." He flicked a glance over to the Goblins "got organised the mayor arranged for groups of adventurers to help keep the peace. In the end though it was too little too late. Hey we should head back to camp. The gobs stay together during the night because of the Ghouls. But they'll be out hunting again soon. Coming?"
The camp that he spoke of was a loose collection of parties that formed together for mutual defence. Around 230 people from all over Vana'diel were currently encamped just past the siren sands. Most of them were adventurers who were on their way to Selbina. Others were formed from parties like Hirakus. One's fighting the goblins already. This was where the remnants of their alliance had brought the unconscious form of Kimalla following the last fight.
As she got up to follow the Hume Samurai her thoughts were cast back to that struggle against the Goblins. The fight had been one of the worst they had been in. A Hume had died after a sword pierced his throat. T'lesta could not get to him quick enough. Takker had almost died as well and only a miracle saved him. Even in hindsight she can't say for sure what caused it. One moment the beastman was standing over the Galka monk, preparing to end his life. The next it was flying backwards through the air.
"Gil for your thoughts." Hiraku called to her.
"I'm not sure if I understand what I'm thinking myself." The Hume looked down at her expectantly. "Well before we came to the camp we got a real nasty fight from a couple of Goblins. My friend was unconscious and about to be killed when…….. well when something happened."
"Something like what?"
"I don't know. My Mithran friend Kimalla somehow stopped the final blow and killed the goblin. It was burnt inside its armour but it looked like it was burnt from the inside."
"Your friend a mage?"
"No. Just your standard Mithra, Last time I saw her she was still unconscious at the camp. No wounds or anything, just not awake." T'lesta shivered at this. As a white mage she was attuned to the lifeforce of others. However when she was trying to heal Kimalla she couldn't understand anything. It was like something else was in there with her. Something………big.
"Kimalla?………hmmmm I recognise the name." He paused for a second. " I think I know the one your talking about. I think one of my party is looking after her. Hold on a second." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small greenish pearl. Placing it into his ear. He put his hand to the side of his head and spoke aloud. "Hey Ine your patient called Kimalla?" He nodded a few times and then turned back to T'lesta. "Seems like your friends in good hands. Ine is the best. One time she…….." He stopped again and from the look on his face she could tell that he was listening to the pearl.
In the Distance the camp came into view. However it looked different this time. The people were gathered together in the centre. There seemed to be more of them, but it could just be that she'd never seen them all together like this.
"It seems that we've had some reinforcements. A couple of Iron Musketeers from Bastok arrived with about 40 more people last night." He stopped obviously listening to his pearl. "And a force of about 300 has just arrived with a Royal Knight." Again the silence. "They are planning to hit the goblins soon." With that he started to run. T'lesta took one final glance towards the smoke behind her and then started her own sprint to the camp.
Rowan was standing in the middle of a large group of people who were jostling for space in the centre of the camp. A small clearing had formed around 3 figures that were motioning for quiet. A burly Galka dwarfed his Hume partner on one side of the circle and a tall Elvaan in highly polished armour faced them.
Rowan felt a tug on his sleeve and he turned to see Mugal-Tugal trying to get his attention.
"What's going on with the importaru people? I can't see a Thing." Came his shrill voice.
"Well it appears that there is some discussion about who will lead the battle against the Goblins" came the reply. "The Royal knight claims that since his is the largest force then he should lead. The two Iron Musketeers are stating that this land belongs to Bastok so they should be in charge. This could take a while. Any news on Kimalla?"
"No she still all sleepy-weepy. The healer claims she's fine though. I just wish would wake up."
A roar from the assembled crowd interrupted the Taru mage. The sounds of blades being drawn could just about be heard over the sudden rush of noise. Followed by a sharp intake of breath from the assembled adventurers,
"If that is what you Bastokan dust mites truly feel then maybe me and my troops will just take the fight to the Goblins by ourselves." Yelled the irate Elvaan.
"That's just fine by us." Retorted the Hume Musketeer. "After they've captured you I'm sure you'll make a very good wife for the head goblin."
"WHY YOU!" in an instant a throwing knife was whistling it's way towards the Hume. With a look of surprise the Hume started to move but it would be too slow. A blur of movement from the crowd caught Rowan's eyes. There was a clang of metal on metal and then the arrow was on the floor. A Hume in dark armour stood motionless with his great katana outstretched an arrow impaled in the floor next to him.
"You are all fools. Separately you stand no chance against the beastman horde. Either you unite or you will die." The voice of the stranger was deep and powerful.
"That fiend just tried to kill me. San'dorian scum I'll…….." his voice cut quickly as there was another blur of movement and a lithe Mithra was beside the Musketeer with a knife to his throat.
"I apologise for this. I do not intend it as a threat. Merely a ways to get your attention. My name is Hiraku and I have a proposition for you." He glanced first at the Royal Knight. "Your force is the largest and we will need everyman for my plan to work." Turning back to the bastokans he said, "You have great heart and great skill. We will need both of these in great quantities." Finally he turned his back on both of them and walked towards a large tent. "I ask you to talk with me a while. After that whatever choice you make I will abide by." With his speech finished the samurai entered his tent the Mithra who held the knife to the musketeer silently followed.
For a long moment no one moved. The desert winds blew the long hair of the Royal Knight and ruffled the exposed fur of the Galka. With a slight chuckle the Hume started towards the tent. His partner followed shortly. With a contemptuous sneer on his face the Royal knight also moved into the tent.
An hour later and the crowd still sat around. A few mummers of conversation broke out but most people remained still and quiet. Finally the tent flaps opened and two Humes, an Elvaan and a Galka emerged. It was the latter that stepped forward and with a loud voice made his proclamation.
"EVERYONE PREPARE FOR BATTLE. WE MARCH AT SUNUP." The cheer that followed could be heard all the way in the walled town of selbina.
In a quieter part of the camp a lone healer worked over the unconscious form of a Mithra. Without warning the patient sat bolt upright a look of alarm on her face. Her lips moved as she stared into the distance.
"Praise Altana your awake. Can you hear me?" The healer asked. The patient turned her head to Ine, her lips still moving. She tried to understand what Kimalla was saying but could not make out the words. "I'm sorry I can't understand what your saying."
A roar from outside snapped her attention away from the Mithra. However when she turned back Kimalla had not moved but she could now be heard.
"It has begun."