Chapter 11

The Southern Wars

Eighteen years had passed since the founding of Nulor, Naleur and his mother dwelt in the kingdom of Nulor to the north of Mia hidden from the enemy's sight. Leor and Dagious had ridden south to war with a great host of men to challenge Caira and her great army which fought the mountain tribe to the south but where pushing up toward Nulor.

Leor and Dagious stood with there four hundred remaining men as they looked down the slope from which the horns could be heard as they redied their lines. Out of the fog beneath the slope rode forth a older looking man with grey beard his clothes seemed to be that of royality but his clothes where old and tattered. The man fell from his horse as Leor's men ran to help him as he yelled aloud and wept.

"I am a servant of Pailor the mighty" the man kept repeating the verse over and over as Leor and Dagious strode beside the man.

"Who are you?" Leor knelt beside the man who smiled to him.

"You are a kind man I can see it in your eyes" he stood to his feet holding his arm which was bleeding "I am Hamler son of Unor and heir to the throne of Lurinien" Hamler had aged beyond regonition he was much weaker and seemed to be scared.

Leor gasped as he looked to Dagious who was also shocked to here this for the last they heard was seventeen years ago when Hamler, Luin, Balier, Pailor and many other knights rode south but they where never heard of again.

"You are one of the riders which rode with Pailor to challenge Mailock many years ago and you are the rightful king of Lurinien" Leor smiled as Hamler sighed.

"I have not been deemed worthy to return for a great evil now hunts me and my other kinsmen who disappeared long ago" Hamler whispered into Leor's ear and he was shaking "Aulor now rides with Caira he seeks me out and he also seeks the decendants of the moon tribe from whence he came" Hamler stood back and pointed down the valley where more horns could be heard.

"Aulor" Leor looked to the ground and sighed he knew Aulor well only as a young boy "How many men ride with Caira and Aulor?" Leor grabbed Hamler's arm who shrieked like a child he was indeed torment.

"Three thousand strong, it is the entire force of the south and Caira's last attempt to break the mountain tribe who fight farther south" Hamler looked to the men.

"We must hurry Leor!" Dagious quickly looked to Leor for his kin where fighting in the lands below.

"Yes in due time Dagious we haven't the men to counter Caira's force but we can try" Leor mounted his horse and looked to Hamler.

"Be weary of the evil which you are facing for they have cunning weapons and can turn even the purist of men to evil" Hamler wiped his mouth as he looked up at Leor.

"Thank you Hamler, will you ride with us?" Leor smiled down to Hamler.

"I have run for far too long I will fight for Pailor and seek revenge for I am the only one who knows what truly happened at the tower of Malor" the men gasped at Hamler.

"You have travelled to the tower" Dagious eyes flared as he looked to Hamler.

"Yes and Pailor defeated Mailock but Ruven now rules the lands in his place he has covered Mailock's demise well" Hamler mounted his horse and drew his sword.

Leor frowned and was shocked as he felt hope again as did his men who laughed and cheered.

"Mailock is defeated only a man now rules the Malorians!" the men yelled and cheered.

"Yes a man but a powerful and cunning man he had inherited many powers from Mailock and has created an army that the world has never seen" Hamler felt his arm as his eyes widened and he suddenly rode down the slope yelling and cursing.

Leor followed with his force as Dagious also followed as the men decended into the foggy lands below. The men rode fast now galloping through the foggy plains which where surrounded by forests and hill as they could hear the sounds of swords clashing and a mighty stream which flowed in front of them. The men halted at the river and glanced across as they noticed a lone mountain which stood high in the middle of the plain with many Malorians encircling it firing arrows.

"The outpost to the south my father must be there" Dagious yelled and charged his column as Leor followed.

The Malorians where many, their army where filled with footmen who climbed the mountain fighting Adageo and his men who held firm holding various key positions around the mountain which was shaped almost like a castle. Aulor was sat to the right of the mountain with Tuvete who sat on a smaller horse beside Aulor's mighty horse as they watched the battle. Aulor was dressed in a black robe but had battle armour attached to it as he had his arms crossed almost staring a hole right through Hamler who rode beside Leor who felt Aulor's gaze. The horns were being blown by Adageo who stood near the summit of the mountain. Dagious noticed Caira who was dressed in a chain mail skirt with a black helmet and black garments she held a ball and chain as she smashed her way up the slope of the mountain.

"I will take my column and attempt to make an exit for my father and his men" Dagious rode forth to the foot of the mountain as he battled his way through a sea of Malorian footmen.

Leor knew Dagious was being rash as he ordered his men to form a square with his remaning archers in the centre as they released many arrows at the footmen who where slow and bulky. Hamler held his part of the square with Leor who was impressed by Hamler's fighting ability as he struck down many Malorian soldiers.

Aulor motioned slowly as he rode his horse very slowly looking directly at Hamler and the battle which ensued. Hamler felt an urge as he glanced to Aulor he suddenly charged away from the battle to meet Aulor who laughed. Leor yelled as he could see Hamler being drawn away from the battle as Aulor sat looking directly at him seeing Hamler riding toward him screaming.

"You have eluded me long enough king of Lurinien last of a weak people" Aulor smiled as his face could be seen under his hood as he drew his mighty sword.

Hamler lifted his sword and felt a sudden pain as he fell from his horse to the ground and noticed his own sword was stuck in his leg as he cryed in pain. Aulor dismounted his horse and walked slowly toward Hamler who struggled to remove his sword.

"How has this happened?" Hamler spoke to himself as he began to panic.

"Perhaps you are foolish or perhaps I made you do this, you have a weak mind Hamler too weak for this world" Aulor placed his fist around Hamler's kneck as he squeezed "I will tell Luin and Balier how much you screamed like a child" Aulor laughed as he twisted Hamlers sword about his leg tormenting Hamler.

Suddenly Hamler began to laugh looking deep into Aulor's eyes who looked surprised.

"It is ironic Pailor and his father where right to have faith in you I can still see the goodness in you" Hamler coughed up blood "I may be finished but look around you, the Malorian empire is finished the people of Mia are rising up against you and your kind" with that Aulor removed Hamlers head as he panted struggling with his mind.

"You speak foul words old man" Aulor threw the severed head to the ground as he mounted his horse and road off with Tuvete through the forest to the north of the mountain.

Leor saw everything as he sighed feeling helpless as he road beside the fallen Hamler then looked to where Aulor had ridden. Leor could hear his men crying for his help for the square had fallen apart leaving his men vunerable to attack. Leor rode forth rallying his men as he attempted to assess the situation as he looked about the battlefield which began to fill with fog. Dagious had managed to create an open for his father and his kin to escape through but they where stubborn and would not heed Dagious' guidence. Leor noticed this and quickly rallied his men into a moving formation which protectedt Dagious' flank as they moved toward Dagious and his men who quickly joined the formation and created a square using all of their men. The positing of Leor and his army was perfect for they where protected from archers because of the mountain protected them. The Malorians surrounded the northern army as Leor noticed that Caira commanded them from the mountain as they yelled menacing crys down to the men. Dagious noticed his father was near Caira as she followed him into a cave atop the mountain as Dagious gasped and dismounted his horse.

"I must reach the summit and relieve my father and his men Leor" Dagious looked to Leor who nodded as Dagious retreated from the front of the square into the middle where many wounded men lay.

Dagious was followed by four of his loyal knights as they quickly began to climb the mountain and follow the secret routes which led around the mountain. After a while Leor noticed the square was holding well and he decided to follow Dagious for he was concerned that if Caira and her followers managed to conquer the mountain that they would attack Leor and his men from behind. Leor began to climb as he struggled through the mountain with two of his men. The three men came across many bodies of fallen Malorians and Adageos men. Leor could hear battling as he reached the summit and could see in the cave that Caira was battling both Adageo and Dagious. Dagious' men had fallen battling Caira who was menacing and gave great crys out which startled the men. Adageo was an old man but he was sturdy and very wide he was similar to his son and wore a crown of gold. Adageo wielded a great mace as he swung it toward Caira who seemed to read every move. Leor noticed Malorian soldiers coming from around the mountain and climbing up toward Caira. Leor ordered his two men to go around the mountain and report when the Malorians reach the summit. Leor entered the cave and noticed Dagious was full of anger and his face had changed he was filled with fury and rage. Caira struck Adageo on his shoulder with her chain and ball as he fell to the ground. Dagious struck caria slicing her arm as she dropped her weapon only to reveal a very thick bladed sword with spikes coming out of it.

"Caira you are outnumbered lower your weapon and surrender to the men from the north" Leor spoke bravely.

"And who is this man who interupts me" Caira turned to Leor her face was hidden from view, she had firey red hair and laughed at Leor "I sense something in you something you and your friend have but you seem to master it well" Caira began to tempt both men who halted and looked at her.

"No my son fight on" Adageo shouted to his son for he could see past her trickery.

"Silence old fool your time is over let your son decide the future of your people. Can you not see you are heavily outnumbered" she looked to Dagious.

"Yes but you have become weak for many years you have battled but to no avail" Dagious lifted his word ready to strike Caira.

"Indeed I fear my time is coming to an end but my work here is done it is time for men to now decide the fate of this world I am the last of the gods among men" Caira laughed as she was struck by Dagious and Leor who suddenly delivered the final blow to her.

A great wave of energy blew past the men who fell to the ground and felt a surge of power as they stood to their feet. Adageo sat silent as he looked into the mens eyes seeing something he dreaded.

"She has tainted you" Adageo stood holding his sword tight.

For a second the cave became cold and both Dagious and Leor looked at each other but there eye contact was firey as both mens faces seemed to change and they became hostile. Dagious looked to his father suddenly waking from a dream as his shoulders slumped and he became relaxed.

"What are you talking about father?" Dagious smiled to his father.

Adageo shook his head and lowered his sword he seemed a broken man who had lost everything to him and was weary of everyone even his own son.

"My son what are you doing here I told you to defend our home to the north" Adageo gave a half hearted smile to his son then looked to Leor who was looking down at Caira's body.

"Yes father but an invasion force captured our border tower so we had to reclaim it with the help from Leor and the peoples of Nulor to the north" Dagious placed his hand out to introduce his friend.

"Yes I am Leor captain of Nulor, I have began trade rights between our peoples and all is well to the north but we don't know for how long" Leor quickly remembered his men "Forgive me Adageo I must get back to my men they are battling at the foot of the mountain" Leor quickly left the cave.

"He seems a good man my son but he has tasted the power from Caira I fear your victorys will be your demise" Adageo glanced to his son then left the cave as Dagious followed.

"What do you mean father" Dagious ran beside his father as they looked down to the battle which ensued at the foot of the mountain.

"You know of what I speak you also have felt it" Adageo turned to his son "I am probably paranoid for I have seen strange things these many years we have battled Caira but recently strange creatures have entered the frey. They appeared when two dark general's from the west appeared I think one was called Ruven and the other Aulor they had turned the battle to the Malorians. We where holding off well against Caira who seemed to be weaker since her partner Pertepolis was destroyed at the battle of Lurinien but when those two dark figures entered the frey we stood no chance because they brought powerful weapons and creatures with them" Adageo sighed "We drew the main force of Caira's army away from our home and used this outpost as our defence against them" Adageo sighed "But enough talk let us join the battle below" with that said father and son joined the battle.

The battle raged on for a short time until finally the enemy where routed and fled through the wooded forests as Leor and Dagious had defeated the Malorians again. Three hundred and ten men survived the battle and a hundred of Adageos men also survived as many where injured inside the mountain. After the battle the men celebrated inside the mountain as Leor plotted his next move alone and without Dagious' council. Leor sat in a small cave alone as he began to look through a map he was given by Dagious showing the known world they had explored. Leor began to add to the map as they began to create a map of Mia as he began to draw the locations he had seen on his travels across the northern realms. All through the night he created the map and began to write journals which was not common and forbidden by the Malorians only the wise guardians where able to write. Leor wrote about his journeys and the battles he had fought, when he finished writing he planned his next move on the map he had created as he looked south.

Dagious sat with his father and fellow kin about a round stone table which sat in the centre of a cavern deep inside the mountain. The men where laughing and eating as was custom with the mountain tribe for they enjoyed life. Dagious noticed Leor walking into the cavern his face was different he seemed tired but a smile was on his face and he walked with haste.

"Leor are you ok?" Dagious stood to great his friend.

"Yes all is good, friend" Leor grabbed Dagious' arms in a sign of friendship as he smiled.

Dagious nodded looking back to his father who was looking at Leor his eyes focusing on Leor's.

"The reason I have disturbed you is that all through the night I been thinking of ways to attack the Malorians in their own lands but it seems impossible" Leor looked to the men as Dagious stood back.

"Yes it is impossible are numbers are too few we need more men" Adageo stood looking at Leor who looked like a mad man.

"Exaclty I will march farther south you can join if you will but we must act now for the Malorians will be regrouping" Leor placed his map on the table, the map was fairly small but very detailed.

Leor pointed to the border to the south which crossed into the Malorians home land and he smiled.

"I sent scouts during the night to look from a high point to the south and they say it's a three day march to the border" he smiled "My men report that the border is protected by small mountains but there is only one gap into the realm and it is protected by a great gate with two watch towers either side" the men where frowning.

"Leor this is madness we know of this place we managed to avoid it by marching around the mountains which took a week but what you speak of is madness it is heavily defended" Adageo turned his back to the map.

Suddenly Leor became enraged he then calmed down and looked to his friend Dagious who seemed confused by Leor's actions.

"You need rest my friend but why did you not council me on this matter?" Dagious walked toward his friend.

"Get away from me" Leor began to laugh "I didn't tell you because you would have said the same as your father I see now what must be done I will march alone" Leor gave the men a glare which was menacing as he took his map and left the mountain with his hundred men.

Leor began his march south with his loyal men who feared their captain now who seemed to have changed he was obsessed. The company led by Leor marched for a day south and stumbled across equipment which was left by the fleeing army of the Malorians. The men also saw many signs of battle long ago as they marched through open plains filled with death. As they marched farther south they came across various signs, the men also noticed among the wooded areas many spikes dug into the ground with heads of the fallen mountain tribe upon them.

"Do not show fear for that is weakness" Leor spoke to his men for he was a good leader but the men feared him now.

Leor began to teach the men how to draw and write as he began to create an elite unit of soldiers unlike any other. The men decided to camp for a couple of days just north of the gate into Malorian territory as they began to train in the woods and nearby mountain range using unusual tactics. Nothing is ever said of what happened during these days but Leor and his men did not enter the lands of Malor they halted on the borderings mountain range and where not seen by many for many months.

Dagious began to ready his men for the march back north for they had spent many months with Adageo and his men in the lonely mountain for they gave up hope of hearing news from Leor who had vanished with his men.

"Father I must ride back north and inform both my kingdom and Bethol's Nulor about the battles and tidings which have taken place" he smiled to his father "But I will leave my best men to stay and defend with you incase of another attack" Dagious embraced his father and headed north with his men for Adageo was too proud to abandon his last remaining outpost in the south.

Dagious returned to Madonia a hero as was his men but many wondered where Leor was and his men. Dagious never answered that question as he stayed in Madonia for only three days as he then headed north to Nulor to inform queen Bethol and prince Naleur. Great horns and trumpets where blown as Dagious smiled entering the city of Nulor followed by his loyal guard. Dagious met with the captains of Nulor who where left to watch the west border.

"All is well on the western border we have watched the enemy and they seemed to have disappeared for now" one of the captains spoke hastly to Dagious who nodded.

"Very well but do not under estimate the Malorians and or even the wind tribe for they are hostile as well" Dagious smiled to queen Bethol was greated Dagious with a kiss on his forehead.

The hall was filled with many captains and soldiers as queen Bethol sat upon her throne with prince Naleur sat beside her, he seemed to have grown into a strong young man and seemed eager for battle.

"My lady the battles in the south have gone well but we have halted at my fathers outpost to the south" he sighed "We haven't the man power to attack the Malorian gate into their land but the path north is defended by my father and his loyal men at the mountain outpost to the south" Dagious smiled to the queen "I wish to tell you that Leor followed by a hundred of his men marched south to attack the gate against my will and have not returned for some time" Dagious sighed.

"Thank you Dagious you are a loyal warrior and friend to the peoples of Nulor, as for Leor it is not your fault and I do not condem you againt not marching with him south it is indeed foolish and not like Leor" Bethol frowned and sighed.

"Thank you my lady I will march south tomorrow and meet with my father again" Dagious bowed.

"Take a company of Nulorian soldiers with you they are young but eager" Bethol pointed to a lone captain who smiled.

"My men are ready my lady I will gather them at the gate" the young captain smiled and left.

"Thank you my lady" Dagious smiled.

"Fifty there is prince Dagious, may the blessings of my father and mother be with you" she stood and smiled to the men.

"Mother I wish to march with them I am ready" Naleur stood and looked to Dagious who heard him.

"No young prince it is a dangerous place to the south" Dagious looked to the young prince then to the queen.

Bethol looked to her beloved son and could see that he was ready but she was scared for him.

"Lord Dagious my son is capable and willing and he will not be a burden to you and your men he will be in command with the young captain" Bethol smiled to Dagious who didn't seem pleased.

"Very well my lady but we march to eventual war, farewell" Dagious nodded as his men left and headed for the gate of Nulor.

Dagious spoke with the young captain and his men as they laughed and he told them of his travels and battles to the south. After a time Naleur rode down to the gate on his beautiful white horse attire with the royal armour as was his horse. Two other brown horses rode next to the king they where his advisors, one was dressed in brown robe and had no hair or eyebrows he had a pleasant face and seemed to be a scribe as he held a journal writing down what he saw. The other advisor seemed to be the princes body guard for he was big and sturdy and had long black hair and green eyes his face was stern and he seemed strong.

"This is Jolse he is my scribe and very intelligent man of Nulor, the other is my bodyguard Tuskal he is the strongest of my people and very loyal" Prince Naleur smiled as Dagious nodded and did not seem pleased as the company marched out.

The company marched for two days as they passed Madonia and headed farther south passing across the green land. Prince Naleur and his men where amazed by the mountain city of Madonia as they passed and headed toward the broken tower watching the borders. They passed the tower as Dagious met with his main army who joined with Naleur's men as they camped a night at the broken tower then headed out the next day south. Naleur rode beside Dagious often listening to his tales and was amazed by his laugh and his take on life as he began to learn from Dagious who had changed into a mighty prince now. Dagious noticed Naleur watching him and smiled he then turned his attention to the young prince of Nulor.

"Tell me Nulor where is your father?" Dagious spoke softly to the prince who sighed.

"They say he died long ago after the battle of the moon tribe, my mother says he became mad and left our people across the ocean only to be destroyed by the creatures which roam the sea" Naleur sighed.

"I am sorry young prince" Dagious looked forward as he rode slowly on his horse.

"I didn't know him but it still hurts that I didn't meet him" the young prince stroked his horse.

"Perhaps you will some die when all turns to white and you find yourself alone" Dagious laughed.

"Perhaps" Naleur smiled and it gave him comfort.

Dagious frowned as he looked south and could see a black cloud of smoke rising from his father's outpost and quickly hastened the march. The men reached the mountain two days later and where horrified for many of the men where hung on spikes and many heads where placed on spikes around the mountains foot.

"Father!" Dagious dismounted his horse and ran through the mountain as he searched all the chambers and found only more bodies of his fellow kin.

Naleur sat on his and cried he had never seen anything like this he was comforted by Tuskal. Dagious emerged from the mountain and his face was grey as tears began to show he fell to his knees and wept.

"What happened there are no Malorian body's" one of Dagious' men spoke to their prince who looked up.

"Their all dead my fathers body is mutilated" Dagious spoke with wrath and his eyes had changed.

Naleur and his men entered the mountain to secure the chambers as Dagious sat on the grass looking south as his men became disheartened. Naleur and his men came across Adageo he didn't have his sword he was sat on his throne and his head was missing. Jolse began to write in his journal as Naleur knelt in front of the king and closed his eyes and began to speak to himself. Jolse noticed that the king did not struggle it seemed his head was sliced right off but there where no other marks. The kings men where scattered about the chamber they seemed to be armed and had many markings on their bodies.

"This is strange my lord" Jolse looked at the bodies and could see bite marks on their bodies.

"Perhaps they had wolves with them?" Tuskal looked to Jolse.

"No these are not wolf marks they are bigger markings" Jolse wrote what he saw as Tuskal stood beside his prince.

Naleur stood and bowed to the dead king as he turned and left the mountain with his men. Dagious stood he seemed a changed man now hate seemed to control his emotions.

"We found no enemy's King Dagious" Naleur nodded to the new king.

"King?" Dagious smiled to himself something had taken control the same thing that took control of Leor.

Dagious turned to Naleur and looked to his men then looked to the south and smiled but it wasn't a smile of comfort.

"We march south we will seek revenge" Dagious mounted his horse and looked to his men "Whoever does not ride south will be exiled" his words where powerful as he spoke.

"I will ride with you King of the mountain tribe, Alopier and Madonia" Naluer mounted his horse as he men marched behind him.

"Very well let us ride south" Dagious led the company south.

The company marched south for many days as they destroyed small patrol companies of the Malorians who didn't seem prepared. Dagious captured a small company of Malorian scouts as he set up camp a day away from the gate into Malor.

"Your going to tell me who led the attack against my fathers stronghold to the north and how did you penetrate its defences while my father sat on his throne" Dagious punched the men and spat at them "Tell me!" the men laughed.

"Are you blind? A company of hundred men march through these lands killing everyone and everything they have been for the past couple of days" he man coughed up blood "They say the company are led by Leor a captain from the north and a friend to you" the man laughed "They are camped by the coast many say but they are hardened warriors and none dare challenge them. It would seem many factions are battling against each other for control of Mia but lord Ruven and Aulor will crush these small factions" he laughed as Dagious cut his head off.

Dagious stood and looked about at his men he then gritted his teeth and walked to his horse.

"The coast, Leor?" Dagious spoke to himself and frowned "I will rip your heart out Leor!" Dagious yelled aloud and mounted his horse.

"King Dagious you ride alone?" Naleur stood beside his horse.

"Yes young prince you have command" Dagious never looked at Naleur or the men as he rode off across the plains and vanished out of sight.

Dagious rode for days without eating or resting but his body carried on but he features began to change. His hair became darker and his skin became grey he was changing but he did not realise it he was being consumed by his hatred. Dagious could see an abandoned fortress on the coast as he rode through the dense wooded area which led to it. Dagious was struck from his horse as he fell to the ground and grabbed his sword he looked up and could see many men looking down at him laughing.

"My master said you would return to him" one of the men spoke viciously, his eyes where black and his face grey as where all of the men who seemed possessed and hardened warriors.

Dagious was taken through the wood and to the beach where many men where training and building equipment and ships. The fortress was crumbled and badly damaged as Leor walked down from the entrance he wore a black cape which was attatched to his battle armour. Leor's face was pale and his hair had tints of grey in it and his eyes where menacing.

"Hail King Dagious" Leor laughed as he strode and stood in front of Dagious.

"Why did you kill my father and my people" Dagious strode forward but was held by two guards.

"Why not?" Leor scratched his face as he spoke "You see Dagious ever since we destroyed Caira I have felt more powerful and something that has been eating away at me" he smiled "You see I have channelled my anger and power I have created an elite unit of fierce warriors. We reached the gate but someone came to us during the night his name was Ruven he is the leader of the Malorians and a great man. He told me many secerets as we spoke during the night he also showed me the truth. He left in the morning and we marched over the mountains I pondered what he said but never took heed as we attacked every Malorian in the area killing at will. As we marched back north we visited your father and where welcome only to attack them from the inside" Leor laughed and pointed to the ships "Ruven told me of a secret island near the old moon castle many miles away it is believed the Ocean tribe dwell their. As you can see we are building are ships and equipment for an invasion, it is said they are great warriors and hold many treasures and wonderful things" Leor looked Dagious in the eye "You have also felt this power I have spoke of I can see it in your eyes" Leor smiled.

"Yes I can feel it in my blood its bubbling ready to burst out but I can't" Dagious fell to his knee struggling with his anger and pain.

"Give in to it" Leor smiled and looked to his men knowing that it would consume Dagious unlike Leor who channelled the power and used to his will.

"I will follow you my master" Dagious stood smiling he seemed stronger somehow and Leor hesitated but then smiled.

"Good this is one more thing I ask of you" Leor stood beside Dagious "Show your men your knew power and bring them here for we will need more men to invade the Ocean tribes land and make it our own, once this is done we will march on Nulor and claim it for our own" Leor's voice was poision as Dagious nodded not telling him of Naleur.

Dagious left and returned to his men many days later telling them of his travels and what there new mission was. Naleur and his men where worried but never questioned Dagious about it they only agreed.

"Naleur take your men and reinforce the tower bordering the south" Dagious smiled to Naleur who knew something was wrong.

Naleur left with his men as Dagious smiled leading his men to the coast and to Leor who would train them in the ways of hatred.