I apologize for all of my historical narrations in the footnotes. Any announcements will be done up here, and if you don't care about my influences, feel free to skip my bolded endnotes. Thanks!
This is the first chapter worthy of an M rating, because I've had a few requests for it. If it's too much, please let me know but don't be a jerk about it, thanks. Readers that don't like my sexy time may want to skip the last scene. Things get a little intense.
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Jack sat on a throne of carved stone with eight slightly smaller matching thrones flanking him, four on each side. A crown sat upon his head and Kim's hand was held securely in his. The matching gold wedding bands on their ring fingers didn't escape his attention. Neither did the people in his company: Two men he didn't recognize, followed by Est and Edgil on his left. Directly on his right was Kim, then Jerry, Milton and lastly Fedelmid. Each wore fine clothes and furs, none dressed better than the other.
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Jack's eyes flew open at the feeling of being shaken. He was pleased he kept his nerves in check, because it was Kim. "Morning," he smiled lazily.
"Good morning." Kim's eyes shifted from Jack's to his lips. She had remembered last night vividly, but how was Jack's memory?
Jack cautiously raised his hand and cupped Kim's cheek. She nuzzled unto his gentle touch and he knew that last night had indeed happened. The intimate and tentative touch told Kim he had remembered and harbored no regrets.
"Are we okay, Kim? Last night didn't make things..." Jack trailed off and Kim cut off his thoughts at the neck with a searing kiss.
"Last night made things the best they've been since we got here, Jack. Hell, Jerry and Est kissed last night," Kim laughed.
Jack sighed and put his hands behind his head. Kim's eyes left his face and traced the contours of his powerful arms, down his sides and up his sculpted chest that still looked rounded even when stretched.
Jack breathed in deeply and exhaled through his nose. He looked down at his own body when he finally felt Kim's heated gaze. Jack reached for his comb that lived on the bedside table, but Kim had produced a beautiful brush of horse hair bristles and a wooden handle.
"We can take turns with this?" Kim asked with that lip biting smile that made Jack want to jump her bones.
Jack smiled and she took it at as a yes. She hopped up on the bed and enjoyed her favorite morning ritual.
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After a quick breakfast, the four Americans were ready to hit the road. Edgil and Est decided it was in everyone's interest to accompany the four wanderers.
Road exited the great woods they were so used to and brought them to beautiful rolling grasslands with the occasional high hill and rocky valley. The scenery was a nice change of pace.
It left Jack with mixed feelings, however. This rolling hill country had pros and cons. On the one side, no one can sneak up on you when you can see miles in every direction. On the opposite side, that means you can't hide, either.
The road followed a pretty little river. This was a godsend because it meant drinking water and bathing.
The journey was quiet and peaceful, no sign of anyone for miles and miles until they came upon rich farmland. Massive people with long braided or flowing hair commanded plow teams or walked through crops with large wicker baskets. They were dressed similarly to Jerry, kilts with wool undershirts of varying color.
They looked to be peasantry, but held themselves with pride and dignity. Some of the hulking men looked like great pieces of art, blue and green tattoos expertly placed on bulging muscle and on stern but sharp featured faces.*
"Welcome to Magnon country, my friends," Edgil said with a pleased expression. "We have entered Tuathanas*," home of Warden Magnus."
"It's not very densely populated, is it?" Milton asked, seeing how far spread out the small rounded stone huts with thatched roofs were.
"It is not, wise Milton," Edgil answered. "Each house owns acres and acres of the best growing land in Vakker. They are the primary food provider of our nation."
The walk continued until they came to a fortified city in the shape of a 'D', the curve lying on the road. The back of the city was also walled, but the great river Duoroden ran directly behind it. An iron gate acted as the entrance for river fare. Over the wall or through the gates were the only way into the city.
Three brass bells sounded, marking the arrival and admittance of honorable guests. The iron gate rose up, heavy chains pulled through great pulleys by strong men in the twin gate houses of stone. Directly behind the gate stood their good friend Fedelmid.
"Gods, is it good to see you all well!" the beast of a man says gleefully. "Lord Jerry, I anticipated your coming, and have prepared a gift for you." Fedelmid hands him a wool bundle.
"Gee Fed, a blanket," Jerry said, none too impressed.
Kim angrily elbows Jerry and growls, "Jerry, say thank you!"
"No fool, unwrap it!" Fedelmid laughs. Jerry is indeed a fool, and that is why he's Fedelmid's favorite.
Jerry did as asked, and his eyes bugged out. In the blanket laid a beautiful greatsword with brass pommel shaped like bishop chess piece. The handle was a beautiful hardwood with a spiral grain. The brass hilt was flat and ran out to form small matching crosses on each end.
"Fedelmid, this is the most swag thing anyone has ever given me. I'm gonna kill so many people with this, yo!" Jerry exclaimed, dropping his old greatsword and scabbard to be forgotten on the ground as he replaced it.
"Come, let us all go meet the Warden."
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The small company entered the keep and approached Warden Magnus's throne.
"You are the Wandering Company I've heard so many whispers about?" the gruff, graying man asked with a haughty chuckle.
Jack's voice caught in his throat. Warden Magnus was one of the men from his dream! He was one of the men that sat by his side.
"Listen here, you big old dude," Jerry said with raised finger, but was stopped by Fedelmid.
"This is, sir. They may not appear to be much, but they are very capable young folk," Fedelmid stood up for his friends. "They saved my life that day we met the Thoseans in the Void."
"While in the Void, the six of us defeated a small pack of Thoseans, as well as slain a pack of Stalkers," Edgil said, stepping forward. "We have added to their training ourselves."
"Warden Edgil, it was not brought to my knowledge that you too stand with the Wandering Company," Magnus said with surprise. "And you, Est?"
"I currently hold Lord Jerry's hand, do I not?" Est asked, raising their joined hands. "Not only do I care for Jerry, Lord of Swag, but I have fought a pack of bandits twice our number and not once did one of the Company flinch. Captain Brewer is a respectable fighter and commander. Lady Kim is quite a fine shot, and Milton the Wise has the most impressive map making skill I have seen." The four could not be happier with the reviews of the two Wardens and Fedelmid, great lieutenant of the Magnons.
"Well, the stories of the Company are true. Welcome to Tuathanas, esteemed guests," Magnus said with warm welcome and a booming voice. "Tell me though, what brings all of you to Tuathanas?"
Jack stepped forward and said, "We are on our way to Epineio to ask permission of King Brody to visit the Elder Tree. We have questions we need answered."
"A noble quest that is, friends!" Magnus laughed with all his strength. "You would require nearly an army to reach the Elder Tree."*
"I told them the journey is indeed perilous, but they still insist. It took a lot of self deliberation, but I have decided to accompany them," Edgil declared, clapping a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Wait, really?" Jack asked, more than elated.
"Indeed," he nodded.
"Warden Magnus, I wish to request your blessing and permission to go as well," Fedelmid stepped up and dropped to one knee, pounding his fist against his chest.*
"Guards, leave us!" Magnus called, and the tattooed, monsters of soldiers around them went into movement. This sudden burst of activity scared the Company into taking defensive stances, hands on their weapons.
Magnus let out a full belly laugh. "Settle, friends. There is no danger here. I have word that is for your ears and not my guards'."
The four relaxed and felt foolish, especially when Fedelmid and Edgil chuckled at their jumpiness. "Go on then..." Milton urged, very nervous about news that seemed so serious.
"King Brody will deny your request, I am afraid," the tone of upset did not match the deep, natural timbre of Magnus. "The Sacred Glen is closed to all, even to the king, during times of war."
"Of war?!" They all shouted, even Fedelmid and Edgil.
"Indeed, friends. King Brody is preparing us all slowly, cautiously for war," Magnus informed them.
"Against the Thoseans? Vakker has never invaded Thosea," Edgil scratched his thick beard.
"Thosea has been increasing it's raid attempts. The Void is more awake than ever, Est commented, scratching her head with both her and Jerry's hands. She didn't even think about letting his hand go. "My Rangers have been pushing back more and more incursion forces all along our border with the Void."
"It sounds like we have a fight ahead of us, guys," Jack said, looking between his people.
"Jack, I know that you want to help, but this isn't our fight," Milton tried to argue with him.
"Like hell it isn't, Milton!" Kim said, a little pissed. "We'd have been dead in the first few days we've been here without Edgil and Fedelmid. They fed and clothed us, literally," Kim pointed out.
"Jack and Kim are right, dude," Jerry weighed in. "And above all of that, they are our friends."
"Fuck it, to war it is," Milton threw up his arms in defeat. "What else can you tell us, Warden?" Milton asked.
"Warden Philip's cavalry, heavy and light, has been called to the Void increasingly in the last month to quickly put down Thosean movements. King Brody himself has requested that my people be prepared to increase food production."
"The coming war would explain the increased business to my forges from Epineio..." Edgil scratched his beard again.
"Why would King Brody keep this from even his Wardens?" Jerry asked, now scratching his head with his and Est's joined hands like she had earlier.*
"I don't know why he would keep it from us. He would keep it from the people as not to cause panic, but he should have told you Wardens," Milton answered.
"So are we not going to Epineio, then?" Kim asked. Kim wanted to see it. The other two realms of Vakker had blown her away with their different culture and unique beauty. She couldn't imagine what the capital looked like.
"Wait, how come we never saw your place, babe?" Jerry asked Est.
"He's already using pet names?" Jack whispered into Kim's ear. Kim just shrugged.
"You did see my realm. That's where we met. You didn't see our infrastructure because we live in tree houses," Est explained.
" Tree top swag. Nice. If the tree's a rockin', don't come a knockin'," Jerry said with a stupid grin.
"What?" the three Wardens and Fedelmid asked at once.
"Ignore the nut burger. What about Epineio?" Kim asked again, getting a little impatient.
"We will get you to Epineio, and we will inquire to King Brody to as what we are to do," Edgil decided then. "Warden Magnus, will you join us?"
"Three Wardens and the Wandering Company traveling to the legendary city of Epineio to plan for war. What else would they have to write songs about?" Magnus laughed. "I shall join you," Magnus nodded. "We shall eat well and rest tonight. Tomorrow we will make for Epineio."
"What of Warden Philip?" Fedelmid inquired, seeing that Philip was the only Warden not currently gathered. Brody was technically Warden of Epineio, but as king, king was to be his addressed title first, so he wasn't generally counted among the Wardens.
"Warden Philip has been spending egregious amounts of time at King Brody's court. I would not be surprised if we should see him there."
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The road turned from pebbled to cobbled as Epineio loomed in the distance. It's great walls of solid stone, one great behemoth of rock rose up seamlessly from the ground. Towers dotted the wall that stretched literally for miles.
Two great wooden doors with iron grates in the center of the wall opened and allowed entrance to the little but mighty Company.
Every street and back alley in sight were paved with the finest cobbled stone. Luxurious houses and storefronts lined the streets in perfect symmetry throughout the whole of Epineio. Children ran around unchecked while adults wandered about doing their this and thats while wearing the finest of garments. This was truly the Jewel of Vakker.
Guards stood by busy intersections and patrolled here and there in squads, keeping the streets safe and orderly. The Company watched in a nearly hypnotized state at the efficiency and perfected cadence of the Epineian guards that looked like bronze encased bipedal tanks. Bronze helmets, vambraces, greaves and chest plate left little flesh exposed. Each one held a great round shield of hardwood cased again in bronze with a nine foot spear in the right hand, a short sword at their hips.*
Epineio was by no means a short city and took a full day to walk from one end to the other, wall to wall. The city center sat directly in the center at the top of a hill that the city was built around.
After a very long but all together enjoyable walk, the Company reached a flight of marble steps out into the side of the hill that lead up to the Palace of the King. At the top was a great fortress of stone, a statue of an Epineian infantryman and statue of an Epineian horseman,* both rendered in gold.*
Edgil pushed open the solid bronze double doors and the Company entered the great hall. They looked upon the vaulted ceiling supported by marble pillars and took in the intoxicating scent of incense being burned from massive brass bowls standing in basins.
Kim, who had wanted to see the capital more than the others was beyond blown away. Her jaw hadn't been able to shut since they reached the city wall. "This place is gorgeous," Kim breathed as she held onto Jack's arm.
"This place is ridiculous. I've only read about places like this." Jack kissed the top of Kim's head. She looked up and smiled. She hadn't had time to digest that her and Jack were a couple. Things were moving fast.
Kim stood up on her toes and properly kissed him, her smile widening. Kim came back to earth when she felt a piercing stare. She turned to see a young man dressed in the uniform of an Epineian cavalryman, but he wore a crown.
"You must be the Wandering Company that has been gaining fame throughout my kingdom. Your reputations proceed you." The brunette king rose from his throne, the throne Jack had seen in his dream, but there was only one throne.
"Your majesty," the Wardens said and bowed, the four younger warriors doing the same. They straightened and waited to be addressed.
"What brings the Wandering Company and three of my Wardens? It has to be more than paying simple respects."
"We didn't just come to pay homage," Jack begins, "we're also here to discuss the Elder Tree."
"The Elder Tree?" Brody asked. "What could the Wandering Company want with the Elder Tree?" Brody scratched his hairless chin.
"We're not from Weite, your grace," Kim said, letting go of Jack's arm. "We don't know how we got here, and we hope the Elder Tree can tell us how to get back."
"Is there something wrong with my kingdom, Lady Kim?" Brody asked, standing toe to toe with the blonde.
"Not at all, your highness," Kim awkwardly backpedaled.
"We need to know why we're here, how to get back where we came from. Imagine going to sleep in your own bed and then waking up alone list in the Void, and a completely new world with dangers you never thought you would ever face. We don't know a thing about where we are, and we don't want to lose who we are," Jack explained their whole situation.
"I'm afraid you cannot reach the Elder Tree at this time. The Tree is not to be touched or seen in times of conflict," Brody said sadly.
"That was another matter we wished to discuss, my king," Warden Magnus explained. "Why have you not summoned a council, my king? Why would the Wardens not be informed of coming war?"
Brody sighed and walked back to the throne. "I am a young king, an inexperienced king. I have never fought a war let alone shed blood. I wished to resolve these Thosean raids without summoning the Council of Wardens. It has become obvious to me that I cannot."
"We will stand with you, my king. We are to fight your battles and aid you in rule as your Wardens," Edgil said, stepping up to the feet before the throne.
The others joined him, and from behind the pillar came Warden Philip to complete the Council of Wardens. "We swear by the light of the Dragon's eye to honest, and loyal, and never say die," the Wardens stated their code together.
"What of you four?" Brody asked the Company. "What will the Wandering Company do while Vakker goes to war?"
"We planned to fight with you, King Brody. This is the closest thing we have to a home until we can reach the Elder Tree. Edgil, Fedelmid, and Est are our friends. We can't sit around while our friends fight a war that affects us," Jack said sincerely, matching the stance the Wardens had taken during their code. Kim, Milton and Jerry followed suit.
"All of you will have the best of my chambers while the Council of the Warden meets. Wanderers, before we set out to war, I will instruct my master blacksmith to prepare you armor fit for our Wardens," Brody announced with happiness. He only knew what he had heard in rumors about the 'Wandering Company', but his people seemed to be entranced by these newcomers, and Brody would use this new mythical party for his own uses.
"We must meet quickly in the morning. I have spent far too much time from my watch as it is. With the recent Thosean activity, I do not like leaving my Rangers for long. I will ride back tomorrow," Est said in a tone that left no room even for Brody to go against her. "I could use your help, if you are willing to ride back with me," she addressed the Wanderers.
"We'll be ready to ride as soon as you call us, Est," Kim spoke for the small group with an assuring smile.
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Night came quickly after a dinner with King Brody in the Great Hall. The finest meats, cheeses and wine had covered the long stone table. King Brody was a laid back and friendly king. He laughed and joked as well as any at the table and insisted his title be forgotten during that restful time.
It was time to retire and the Wanderers were left to pick their dwellings. Milton and Jerry's rooms were adjacent, while Jack and Kim's rooms were directly across from each other.
The rooms were fit for visiting royalty, and Kim could not have been happier than to have a bath in her own room. The balcony overlooking the torch illuminated streets was more than breathtaking. If it wasn't for the idea of impending war, Kim would feel like she was in a fairytale.
That feeling multiplied when she felt strong arms wrap around her slender waist. "Hi, Jack," Kim exhaled contentedly, leaning back into his firm chest. "Can you believe this view?" she asked, her eyes focused on the stars. The night sky was never this beautiful back home. With all the artificial lights, the sky wasn't able to be bright on it's own.
"As scary as this place can be, it is beautiful." Jack kissed Kim's head and rested his chin. "How are you doing?"
Kim turned in his arms and buried her face in his chest. "I'm kinda tired. As for the whole scheme of things, I'm nervous. I've never been to war," she chuckled humorlessly.
"I haven't either, but I've spent more than enough time studying it. It's going to be dangerous and scary, nerve wracking even. But I promise that as long as I live, I will protect you." Jack pulled Kim flush against him and squeezed her.
Kim squeezed back and began peppering his neck with kisses. "For what it's worth, Jack, I'm here for you, too." Kim wasn't quite the warrior that Jack was, but she was disturbingly lethal with her bow. She also knew that a combative sense was far from the only way she would care for him.
Jack let her go so he had room to capture her lips. He didn't wait more than a second before he demanded entrance to her warm, wet, sweet tasting mouth. Kim gave no hesitation before letting him in.
Kim pushed Jack all the way back against the wall and jumped into his arms. He caught her, his hands holding her up by her perfect ass. "You make me feel so good when everything else feels so far gone," Kim said when they finally separated for air.
Jack continued to hold her and buried his face in her lavender scented neck. She had spent as much time in the bath as she could without pruning. She knew Jack wouldn't go the night without seeing her. "Kim, as much as I love this, we should probably get you to bed. We don't know what's in store for us tomorrow."
"That's why I don't want you to leave tonight," Kim whispered into his ear. She let go of him as he put her down.
"Kim, are you sure?" Jack asked not out of shaky nerves, but out of respect for what Kim needed.
"Yes I'm sure," Kim took a hold of Jack's grey long sleeve shirt and ripped it straight down the middle. She pushed the two pieces down his shoulders and peppered his carved chest and abs with wet kisses.
Jack's hands went into Kim's silk blonde strands and moaned from what her lips and tongue was doing to him. He pulled her gently back up and attacked her open mouth with his own. Jack undid the brass buckle over her right shoulder that kept her white flowing dress up. It slipped down her lithe frame and pooled at her feet, leaving her completely exposed to Jack's hungry gaze and roving hands.
Kim gasped when Jack's strong and calloused hands grabbed the soft, bare flesh of her ass. He pulled her flush against him again and loved the feeling of her hot skin on his. Jack groaned again as Kim suckled his neck and rubbed his hardening cock through his grey silk pants. She could tell from palming him that he wore nothing below the smooth garment.
Feeling emboldened by that fact, Kim pulled down his pants that felt almost like pajamas. Jack was rock hard by this point, and put up no fight when Kim took him in her hand and lead him to the bed like he was her slave. Tonight, he might as well have been.
Kim pushed Jack down onto the bed once he had felt the mattress hit the back of his knees. He could only look up at her in her glorious nakedness.
Kim cupped her own breasts and tweaked her perking nipples before tantalizingly running her hands down her fit body and cupping her sex. This display alone had Jack nearly struggling for air. "Kim, get over here. I need to touch you."
"You don't like watching me pleasure myself?" she asked innocently as her fingers circled her clit at a torturously slow pace.
In response, Jack took his cock in his own hand and slid up and down his shaft. Kim bit her lip as she watched Jack work himself. "I see your point," Kim gave in and sank down so Jack's erection stood defiantly before her.
She took Jack in her much smaller, softer hand and worked him like she had seen him just do. She smiled when Jack exhaled heavily, his eyes on what she was doing.
Her thumb swept over the tip of his dick to gather the precum that had gathered there before slickening his shaft with it. Her hand worked with much less resistance now and Jack groaned in pleasure. He did again when he felt Kim's open mouthed kiss on his tip.
Jack's eyes bugged when he felt the hot tip of her tongue run across the slit of his near quivering cock. He threw his head back when Kim started her moist decent down.
Slow and experimental she began, but picked up a respectable speed and rhythm before long. She twisted and sucked for a few short minutes before Jack was pulling her up by the arms. "Anymore of that and I would have had all the fun," Jack said as he smiled at Kim's cocky smirk.
Kim wiped the traces of saliva from her lips and asked, "Who said I wasn't having a good time?"
Jack grabbed her by the shoulders and flipped her so she was on her back. Kim watched him attentively as he hovered over her body. She needn't have worried when Jack lowered his head and suctioned a pebbled nipple into his mouth with enthusiasm as he massaged the other.
It was Kim's turn to sigh, whimper and moan as Jack flicked her nipples over and over with his skilled tongue. Jack didn't stay for long as he kissed a slow trail down her torso, only stopping long enough to flick his tongue into her belly button.
Jack continued south and lovingly kissed her quivering, anticipating mound. "I won't hurt you, I promise," Jack's lips tickled Kim's sensitive skin.
"I know," Kim whispered her consent as she speared her hands through Jack's hair and guided his mouth to her waiting entrance. She was long and her hips bucked at Jack's hot breath alone. Her body squirming and shallow breathing were beyond control when Jack licked her slick slit from one end to the other, and repeated it again and again.
"You're absolutely delectable, Kim," Jack marveled and the movement of his lips on her nether lips made her jump. "So damn responsive," Jack whispered and went back to his lapping of her folds and the tongue flicking of her clit.
Kim's eyes screwed shut and her back left the bed when Jack's tongue peeked inside of her velvet, muscular walls. "Oh fuck, Jack! Oh fuck!" Kim praised as her hands trapped the young warrior's face between her legs. "Don't stop, don't stop, don't stop!" Kim begged and Jack obeyed until a rush of Kim's arousal graced Jack's waiting mouth and she shuddered and cried out at the force of her tremendous climax. "Oh fuck!" Kim groaned again as Jack slowly lapped ber clean if her juices as she came down.
Jack didn't give her any more time than that to recover before he rolled her over so her chest was pressed into the authentic silk sheets.
She wondered what Jack was up to until she felt wet lips on her plump and firm ass cheeks. He left not a centimeter if skin untouched as he walked a hot trail over her smooth ass and up her back with his lips and tongue.
Jack's kisses and licks had reached her earlobe before she felt Jack's chest press against her back.
Jack took himself in his hand and guided himself to Kim's waiting entrance, nuzzling the tip against her lips and hearing her beg, "Please Jack, just fucking give it to me!"
"Give you what, Kim?" Jack growled into her ear and nibbled on the hot skin of her neck.
"Give me your cock, all of it. Don't hold back. Drive me through this fucking bed!" Kim rocked back so the tip slid inside her and that pushed Jack over the edge.
Jack thrust the rest of the way in with one powerful roll of his hips and Kim cried out at the force and fulness of it all. "Fuck Kim, are you tight!" Jack groaned into the girl beneath him.
"Shut up and take me before I take you," Kim warned with a fire only she had.
Jack grabbed braced his hands on each side of her shoulders and did just that, pounding into her with vicious thrust after savage thrust. There was nothing gentle about this. Pure lust and giving up completely, one to another because they don't know when their last chance to will be.
Kim tried to roll her hips into the bed in an attempt to meet Jack's plunging, but it did little. Jack felt her willingness to help and pulled her up so she was in front of him on hands and knees. He grabbed her hips and rocked forward into her as she launched herself forward and backward to send Jack as deep inside of her as they could get him, earning the sound of slapping flesh to flesh.
"Oh shit, Kim!" Jack leaned back and continued to rock as Kim dropped her face to the bed and bit the sheet.
Her walls began to tremor and convince, before long she lost control and came again, fluttering around Jack's straining cock before he too, burst and collapsed on top of her.
Jack and Kim both laid together for some time as one sweaty body before Jack rolled over and kissed her lips slowly and softly.
"We May Die Tomorrow Sex. That stuff really works," Kim said with a giggle as she rested her head on Jack's still manically beating heart.
Jack laughed and kissed her hair. "I'm really glad you asked me to stay the night. I will gladly spend every last night I have with you, many or few."
With those words in the air, Jack subconsciously played with perfect blonde locks until his love fell into peaceful sleep.
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*The Magnon people are based on the Medieval Scottish in dress and economy, but are influenced by the ancient Celts in body appearance. The Magnon culture and combat is a mix of the two people.
*Tuathanas is the Scotch Gaelic word for farm.
*How foolish of me. When I first mentioned the Elder Tree in earlier, I forgot to mention that it's roots(ha!) go back to Celtic mythology. *Fedelmid's gesture of dropping to one knee and pounding his chest is a combination of a Roman salute and Catholic tradition.
*I should mention that I chose "Wardens" to be the title of King Brody's commanders because of Tolkien.
*The Epineian soldiers are based off the legendary Spartans. Not the movie 300 Spartans. That was a joke in the way of armoring, though the combat wasn't terribly portrayed for the most part.
*The Epineian cavalry had been described in chapter one when the Thoseans had first been ambushed
*Epineio is based off of descriptions of the city of Troy In Homer's The Iliad