Chapter one:
Operation: Deep Purple
"Congratulations to you and your warband's patrols on the Northern Ruins, Legionnaire Menlorr SwiftSlice" Centurion Mika Thickblood said looking up from her desk full of paperwork, files and random items scattered across her desk.
"Thank you Centurion. Carve Warband is always ready to fight for the Blood Legion" said Menlorr as he stood up straight and slammed a sideways fist against his crimson chest plate. He relaxed as the Centurion continued.
"Well that's always good to hear Menlorr. And with that, the Blood legion has another duty for your Warband to assist with."
Centurion Thickblood grabbed a rather thick leather bound case with the symbol of the Blood legion pressed on its front and unbuckled it. She reached her paw inside and pulled out the top layer of papers. She flipped a few pages and handed it to Menlorr.
"This is a dangerous and important operation that'll help out the boys on the front. Unfortunately due to the heavy amount of Branded in the area, and the possibility of some unidentified flying monster somewhere nearby, we were cut off from sending supplies and ammunition by sky to the Maw." Centurion Thickblood explained. Her expression full of seriousness as she always was when it came to dealing with her troops.
Menlorr scanned over the report, certain words struck odd and interesting to him, he was expecting another wall duty or possible guard station somewhere within the territory but found this to be much different. He liked different and after putting everything together his eyes raised to meet hers. Her green eyes always portrayed such seriousness and the scars around them had the stories to back them up.
"And you want us to run ammo and food to them through hostile territory, all the while not getting killed...on foot. And it looks like in the report, you haven't heard word from them in seven months."
"That's correct" She said without hesitation.
Menlorr shifted his stance as he thought it over, not that he had much of a choice. Well we have been looking for some more action. It'll give us a chance to really show the legion we're more capable than just patrolling borders. He thought to himself.
"I think we can manage that, but I ask that me and my Warband get alittle RNR before we head out. Gonna need some better gear for this trip as well." Stated the legionnaire. He and his Warband had suitable armor and weapons for fighting Ascalonian ghosts and the occasional bandit, but to take a long journey and fend off crystal beasts. That required better quality armor and better forged weapons.
The centurion pulled out a large pouch from under her desk and held it out to Menlorr "Good to hear, and of course. You'll have three days to relax and gather what you need. You'll report to Thegren Topjaw the morning of. He's located at the Tela Range in the Plains of Ashford."
Menlorr took the pouch in his big paws. He already knew what it was before he touched it.
Gold. And lots of it.
"Here's something for your Warband to replace, resupply and repair whatever is needed."
"Thank you. The others will really appreciate this." Menlorr said attaching the pouch to his waist band. He gave a salute and was dismissed from her office.
Menlorr stepped out and shut the metal hatch door behind him. He turned and faced his Warband that were all waiting outside to hear the news.
"Well flea bags I guess we did a good enough job to earn ourselves a new set of orders. Not just any orders, but apparently from up higher. We have three days of rest and recover, then we head out." The proud legionnaire announced to his fellow comrades.
"Three days?! That's all we get? We ran that ghost ridden wall for six months! The best we can get is three days?" Granger Growled in frustration.
They had only gotten back just yesterday to report in and barely had any time to themselves to recover from the long hike back. After fighting off the relentless human ghosts that only reappeared hours after being slain and having nothing but rations that were months old to eat, everyone was hoping to sit tight for a few weeks.
"Burn my fur. What orders did we get that requires us to leave so soon?" Kylaa asked. She was the only female in Carve Warband and was not one to toy around with, with her short temper and combat prowess the group not only respected her but also feared her.
"If I remember correctly, you all have been itching for a real fight. Not one that comes back over and over again, and not another guard post. So happens we are heading to a hostile area to resupply some fellow soldiers." Menlorr shot back with a growl. "Quit your belly aching, this is a chance to prove ourselves. We can finally stop being a patrol Warband and be a combat Warband."
"Resupply? In a hostile zone? Where? And what cargo are we hauling there?" Said the stocky Charr in heavy plate armor. Normally Kullra was quiet and calm. This time he seemed eager for this mission. As if this is what he's been waiting for. "Are we heading to Flame territory? Or maybe by the towering ogres?"
"Negative. We're supplying food and ammo to Brokentooth Maw. A fort that's been cut off from normal resupply due to heavy Branded in the area. We have been chosen to tactically make our way out there without being killed and see the conditions at the fort and it's guards." Menlorr informed them. He looked at them as they all stared at him. He knew that they could fight and defend themselves but even for him this will be a challenge. Not many wish to fight the crystallized beasts that the elder dragon created, but it was in Charr territory and Charr were gonna handle it, even if it meant certain death.
Kylaa broke the silence. "Branded?" Her eyebrows shot up. "You mean up north in Blazeridge? That's a four day journey just to get there! We don't have the money to fix our armor. Hell I haven't had time to even sharpen my axes! we're in no shape to face them."
Their legionnaire nodded "Kylaa you're right, but.." Menlorr removed the large money pouch from his waist band and held it up for everyone to see. "This is a sack full of gold. Enough to repair, replace and resupply everything. You think the Blood Legion wouldn't supply us? Now. I'm gonna split this up for everyone and we head to the citadel for whatever you think we need for Operation: Deep purple."