Chapter IV: War

Taurus's journey continued throughout the looming cliffs and menacing lands of the southern peninsula of Albion. This being the first leg of their journey was alas, and easy one. No opposition in sight the soldiers traveled with ease. Tarus and his troops marched east towards the towns of Albion with malice in their hearts and thoughts of riches in their minds. Now, finally, they come to the first of the cities that are to be conquered, the ancient town of Oakvale. "Ready yourselves men!" Shouted Cyloncrius. The horrific sound of one hundred blades being drawn filled his ears. Tarus stood in the front of the company, yet his mind was far away from the impending doom. He remembered this place so well. The trees in spring, the frolicking of children in the pastures, and the sounds of screams, fire, and death. All aspects of this place ran in his blood like a thick poison. He remembered so well what had brought that horrific nightmare to Oakvale. He had promised himself to kill every last damned one of them, the bandits. There they were, under his command, repeating the hellish past and inflicting the same pestilence, brought down upon him so long ago. "We need your orders Tarus!" said the bandit king in a harsh whisper. Tarus closed his eyes and tried to bury the past deep, deep within. He reached to his side, and felt the power of his sword. It began its wave of power that he had grown to desire. He slowly drew the black blade that had slain so many. Tarus opened his eyes "Show no mercy!"

A deafening roar filled the air. The army of bandits stormed down the path leading to the city. The few townsmen on the road looked in panic stricken glances at their doom. They screamed. Not the kind of scream a child gives when he sees a serpent, but the scream given when you see the men who speared your forefathers and tore out the hearts of your past generations. They had no warning until now.

A squabbled army of twelve guards stood in front of the gate. They knew they would die, they knew that the town would fall but they would kill as many of those bastards as they could. "DEATH!" one of them screamed as he charged out into the fray. The guard only had enough time to lob his saber at the attacking force before he was impaled by a spear. Tarus charged ahead beheading the first guard he could see then delivering a hate driven slash across the next mans gut. The rest of the guards were eventually washed over by a literal wave of men. It was over before it began.

Men dashed out of houses with whatever they could fight with; spades, chairs, even bottles. It was a hopeless fight, the forty or so peasants were quickly obliterated by the chaotic force. "A simple victory." Cyloncrius said to Tarus over the roar of the bandits. Tarus looked around the town in dismay. "Yes. A victory." He said.

The townspeople who had fought back were dead now. Every few moments a wail from a woman or child would scratch the air, but soon all sounds of resistance were silenced.

The bandits made short work of looting the few items of worth from the town, and soon after, they proceeded with the final step of overthrow: fire. "BURN IT ALL" yelled a bandit. Tarus watched as the distant man threw a burning torch into a house. After a second glance Tarus saw what the structure was, his old home. Although it was a small thirteen years that were lived there, he cherished them. They were thirteen years of peace, thirteen years of love, thirteen years that were now being burnt away. Several torches looked mysteriously beautiful against the night sky. The flames twirled around in a dance of death, and chaos.

Oakvale had fallen. It had been a subtle yet appallingly ferocious massacre, the first step on the staircase towards the overthrow of Albion. Nothing had really been accomplished, thought Tarus, perhaps it raised moral of the men, or maybe just struck fear into others. Something must have been accomplished; there must have been some reason for our actions. Tarus felt somewhat convinced of himself, although deep down he didn't know why he was doing this.

"Tarus." Cried a voice, "Tarus my friend come. We must plan our next move." Tarus wheeled around and saw Cyloncrius standing behind him panting and covered in blood.

Both of them walked towards a shady area of the city where two elites sat examining a map. "Our next target isn't far m'lord," one of them said. "You see Tarus," the king spoke, "Our main target is Bowerstone. It is by far the largest city in the land probably making it the enemy's main outpost." Tarus looked disappointed, but maintained his menacing aura, "I would like it if you told me what we were doing first. It is after all my campaign." The king looked ashamed, "I just thought that there was no time but the present," he let a nervous smile leak out. Tarus sat down on a tree stump and grabbed Cyloncrius' map. He scrutinized its every turn through the winding countryside. The plans seemed somewhat straightforward. After Oakvale they would take the main road, which led through every major province. They would travel through Darkwood and then Greatwood, the two forests that made up the main countryside. Within these woods lay many small groups of people. They would not be any trouble at all. The main opposition was Bowerstone, but something troubled Tarus far more. To the west of Bowerstone lay two Islands who were loyal to the government of Bowerstone. The Cities of Hook coast and Knothole Glade had full access to Bowerstone because of the winding river ways of Albion. Combined, these three provinces would be a force to reckon with.

"Cyloncrius."

"Yes?"

Tarus shook his head in dismay, "We have a problem." He pointed out the dilemma ahead. The king observed this with disappointment but responded, "I have another ally, aside from these dogs. I mentioned them before," Cyloncrius motioned for Tarus to come closer, "Pirates," he said. Tarus looked confused. "Pirates, I say. If Bowerstone has allies from other lands so must we."

"Pirates are no better than your scoundrels." An elite grunted in response to Tarus but was stared down. "Very well," Tarus exclaimed as he began to walk off, "But this small battle has become much larger my friend. We're at war now."