Tame Ware Ronin!! Ronin assaulted by the Warguard of Rage

[Yoshimutsu Watanabe]

Yoshimutsu paused, his hand on the shoji screen to the bath-house where the sounds of someone bathing could be heard from within. He smiled to himself, envisioning Lia's pleasant surprise when he stole in to see her. Just as he was about to open the screen, a retainer rounded the corner of the passage, speeding up as he spied the Jo-nin.

Watashi no Jo-nin, you are required urgently, the Warguard of Rage assail the outermost regions and encroach upon the main holdings, the fortresses on the border have fallen and they march closer as we speak.

Yoshimutsu simply nodded and followed the retainer back to the council room where Sohei and WuJen stood impassively. In moments, the harriers of the Ronin had departed, and foul lights and Lighting Lances arced into the sky, impacting to good effect on the Warguard's realms.

Dainichi's carrier pigeon arrived detailed his fellow Jo-nin's situation, along with a note, it's glee clearly perceptible in it's tone, detailing the near-destruction of one of the Warguard's scout realms.

It was going to be another long war, it would appear...

[Attero]

-he sat, as he always did in times of war, locked deep within his keep. Since the incident, there would be no more mishaps with his getting found. In the one hand, held reports of what was occuring, what had occured, and what is going to occur. In the other hand, a cup of hot coacoa. The long cold nights had deemed it necessary for him to stay warm and cozy. btu something deep inside told him things would no longer be cozy. A gut feeling perhaps. Their strike had gone well. Or so it seemed. But he doubted it would look as well within the next day or so. He could forsee the retal, and he could see the realms of Ronin riding to take back what was taken from them. He jotted down what needed to be done, scribbling them onto a peice of paper.-

Put out the fires ASAP.
Rebuild whatever needs to be.
Get anybody who can walk and get them to help in some manner.
Get me more hot coacoa.
Prepare for the worst in whatever way you see fit.
We are nowhere near out of the storm yet.

-This he handed to his next man in charge. A mister Octavious. The man knew what to do. Octavious turned and headed off, out the room, and up the stairs. Attero set down all of his papers and raised the warm mug to his lips. Tipping it up, he took a sip, only to find the warm liquid dripping down the corners of his mouth in splashes and onto his finest white shirt. quickly tilting the cup back to an upright and locked position. DARDEN! not again. He'd just gotten this shirt.-

[Lia MoonFlower]

Her body had long since healed internally from the poison of the Foretian blade, but the elfwoman's skin was still mottled with fading bruises.

Lia reclined in the bath as the water drifted about her, her eyes closed and her breathing even as she focused on the way the warm water was draining away all of her pain and illness. She was tired.... very tired. Sometimes it seemed like it was a bother to get up out of bed even, and then there was this near constant pain in her hip and ankle that just wouldn't go away.

No doubt leftovers from her jumping in the way of the assassin's blade. Those scars and pains would never completely fade, and the elf made a face as she stood in the water, gathering the towel to her and drying off. Wrapping the towel about her body, she opened the screen to go in seach of Yoshimutsu and a massage when a messenger approached her.

"Watashi no Chu-nin!" The guard reported. Lia nodded and frowned, taking the parchement from him.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she perused it. Apparently the Warguard were interested in bringing down the Ronin, going so far as to decimate Lia's own lands. Sighing softly, she padded down the halls to Yoshimutsu's chambers, and her clothes. It was time to fight again, and all thoughts of massages and relaxation vanished.

[Narissa]

Dawn was approaching as the stream of elves disappeared back over the hills of the last kingdom her tired men had harried. A look of pride at their resourcefulness crossed her elven features as Karzyn loped beside her.

"Make sure all wounds are tended and prepare for retaliation. We worked much damage this night and I feel a combined attack coming our way."

The first light of dawn shown over the hill as the troups topped it. The light of the fires behind creating a false dawn behind them. The scene below was one that she had seen many times in war, destruction and burning. Sometimes her men the one spitted upon poles to feed the crows come dawn. All in all, she preferred it this way. Most of her men escaping into the night and not the ones impaled. But she had been spotted by many, harrying their borders. They would come.

"Fall back to the keep."The grizzled, snow-maned elf's voice rung out clearly across the assembled men. Like the shadows of the night, the forms blended into the surrounding forest.

[Dainichi]

The shouting and loud clanging from the tower came at the same time that I felt tremors from the ground. Tremors caused by one thing that I knew well, armies were close and coming full on and strong! My men lay in wait as the men bearing the banners of Warguard Of Rage hit the first ambush. Sorcerers rose thousands of Wicked Ingins again and again as the Sergeant's orders rang through the air commanding the ambushes to be quickly reset. Orders were quickly given to alert all of Ronin by messengers and carrier pigeons, should one fail surly the other would reach them. My stable hand, being quick to his duty, sent the Great Black running from the stables along with the other horses before the building was consumed by the heathen sorceror's flames.

I grabbed the mane of the great horse and threw myself upon his back. We rode quickly into the madness fighting with all of our might. I looked towards my left and commanded fields to be destroyed, then again to my right and did the same. Isonia would be more pleased by the destruction of land at my hand than to be allowed to be taken by one of the follower's of either of her brothers.

The night was long and I fought in strong counter. Many of the lands of the heathens now sat marked by my own hand. It was still a time of holiday, festivities were being held and many lives of innocents perished that would not have in ordinary times ... smiles and laughter turned to screams and sorrow. I thought of those that trusted me in this moment and set my jaw biting back the pain of the horrors of their demise.

There was no question that Ronin would rise to the destruction of these that rode under the banner of Warguard Of Rage ... the question was, in what way could I match it most fittingly to my own rage, I thought, as my eyes stared coldly in the pale moonlight.

[Eisheth]

Dawn found her standing before the flickering flames of war. Hair caught by the winds and tossed wildly. Behind her the minions milled..all of them coated in ichor and gore. The tip of her sword buried in the bloody mud. Hand curled around the hilt. There, like an unholy statue. The winds whispered destruction to her. The earth wept of despair and pain. The elements curling through her very matrix.

At last her gaze turned from what had been left behind, to her sphere mates, they had fought well. Like demons. Narissa, in her silent confidence. She was one who was not given to fraternization, but capable with her sword in the art of war. Calix, the silver tongued bard. Given to striking like a viper, merciless in action..and beautiful in the songs crafted of such events. Her other had been away..out killing heathens. He who she looked up to. Wondering now what he would think of the strike. Head dipped a moment before she turned and gazed across the fields to Judas.

A murderous smile broke across her lips. He, her dark mate, was well coated in the oils of the war machine. That machine ran on blood and the screams of the broken. The sword drawn from the mud as she turned full circle, gazing at the others of the guild. There was a feeling of accomplishment. Then her face darkened.

Turning to the lands of the Ronin, the sword lifted high. Blood running down the hellish blade. Salute to the worthy enemy. May the wine of despair grease your war ravaged throats. To war, to Darden..to you.

And then, oh then, she marched forward..and hell came with her.

[Judäs.]

Knowing that this war was far from over, he kept pushing his troops on throughout the night. The men held no resentment or complained of this, for the glory that comes from war is worth it. Hailed by villagers as heros, the men proudly walked to the field of battle, quite possibly to their own deaths. But death they feared not. Many of them came from generations of warriors whose fathers before them had fought under the same banner...Many of them meeting their demise as well.
As the battle ensued, Judäs' lust for blood comsumed him. Running through the defenses of these heathens was hard work. They had prepared for this well. They were far from pushovers. Swords swinging, screams slicing the night air like a knife, blood flowing like a river that had to be waded through. Many would fall this eve, this he knew.
Looking across the battlefeild their eyes met, only for a second, but they met. A warrior in the truest sense, this feeling was new to him, and he questioned it. This unholy union forged by evil in its purest sense, was what fueled his bloodlust. Bloodlust that would not be satisfied until none of the heathens remained.

[Paramors]

[size=18][/size Kain had left the fortress, he and his Lady, for she wished to spend some time with those of her family. As always, when it was possible, Kain obliged her. The time spent was a splendid respite for her, though truthfully speaking, Kain could have done without it. "Another hen party thou hast dragged me into", he grumbled. "Nothing but women and children, with myself the appointed enforcement arm. Next time I should just send a couple of armsmen to beat the children, and put the fear of authority in them!". "And then what would thou do for entertainment", she laughed. "Attend the shopping bazaar's with us?" Seeing how his face paled, she laughed harder. And then one of the small retinue rode up and stopped. "My Lord, riders coming. A large force, and they fly our colors!". Kain's eyes narrowed, and he told off the small contingent of Household Guard with him to fall back and protect the Queen at ALL cost. He took his scout and two Kings'men with him, and rode to meet the arriving force, knowing the news would involve him to one degree or another. The force was still a ways off, and Kain, after putting some distance between himself an the retinue behind him, stopped to await them............

[Eisheth]

She stood before her gathered officers in the tent which she used on the road. It was a large tent with a table for charts and reports and a comfortable chair as well as a cot for her to sleep on. A fire burned in an iron ring. It was not a large thing, a controled fire so that the cold was kept back and there was enough warmth to keep the company from having to wear cloaks. Those gathered knew she was about to espounse on a subject of importance, they waited quietly as she paced before them, still in her armor

Wars .. 'discordant harmony' or 'harmonious conflict' clear the air like thunderstorms. They steel the nerves and restore heroic virtues, upon which realms were originally founded, in place of intolerance, double-dealing cowardice. The quote: "Fresh and cheerful war, which shall sweep away the scrofulus mob", comes to mind for lasting peace only leads to enervation; it permits the rise of a mass of precarious, fear ridden, distressed lives which would never have survived without it and which nevertheless clamour for their "rights", cling somehow to existence, bar the way to genuine ability, thicken the air and as a whole degrade the Nation's blood.War restores real ability to honour. As for those wretched lives, war may at least reduce them to silence. Turning hawk-like golden eyes upon those gathered. Meeting theirs eyes in turn. The message was clear here, and it was important this was all considered before action was taken

Further, war, which is simply the subjection of all life and property to one momentary aim, is morally vastly superior to the mere violent egoism of the individual; it developes power in the service of a supreme general idea and under a discipline nevertheless permits supreme heroic virtue to unfold. A pause, yes, she considered the Ronins to be violent individuals who banded together for their own selfish ideals without forethought of what actions might be left in their wake. These types of actions the Ronins engaged in often left the people in great debt, often left them to suffer with a future crisis as a result of that debt.The full forces of despair had not come into play for the Ronins and they had not bothered to consider what would become of the people as the sheer brevity of their actions often failed to remove the old order and, worse, failed to instill a new better one. Indeed, war alone grants to mankind the magnificent spectacle of a general submission to a general aim. And since only real power can guarantee a peace and security of any duration, while war reveals where real power lies, the peace of the future lies in such a war. War was neccessary, it always would be. Peace must be bought with the blood of His Nation's warriors and upon the graves of His hero's. It was the hero's and their measures taken to ensure the freedom's and peace of the Nation's people that gave them a sense of pride in their choice of Realm.

Yet it should, if possible, be a just and honourable war. Perhaps a war of strengh..such as the one which recently was brought against Spectrals and developed the power of Wargaurd of Rage in all ways. It must be a genuine war, with existence at stake. A permanent smouldering of small fueds, for instance, may replace war but is without value as a crisis. Again pausing and gauging those gathered. There was understanding in their eyes. This conflict which most of the Ronins looked at as mere overthrowing if Evil Powers, was, in a sense, an act of war upon the whole of the Nation. For one cannot seperate out one fief as a soverign unto itself..one must recognize that a fief is merely a part of the whole..and therefore..any act of war upon a fief..was, indeed, an act of war upon the Nation and must be answered for. We cannot imagine, in great tracts of denuded country, that new forests will ever arise to replace those which have been destroyed. And so peoples may be destroyed, and not even survive as component elements of other races. The only lesson to be drawn from an evil deed successfully perpetrated by the stronger party.. is not to set a higher value on earthly life than it deserves.

Then eased into her seat and gazed down at her gauntletted hands as they clasped atop the table before her, brow furrowed. It was important that she inspired her officers so that they, in turn, would inspire those who looked to them for inspiration. It was assured there would be war here with the Ronins, perhaps they would see some reason and not instigate it to the full ferocity of barbarianism. One could hope. However, there was another threat to the South which would be joined in bloody battle and now in the depths of Winter must she keep their morale up. So now we come to the discourse on Great Men..Then glanced to those female officers and chuckled softly. and Women. The world's mortals shape themselves on the work of Heroes..on their reception and performance. They are the leaders of men, these great ones; the modellers, patterns, and in a wide sense..creators, of whatever the general mass of men contrive to do or attain at all.; all things that we see standing accomplished in the world are properly the outer material result, the practical realization and embodiment, of Thoughts that dwelt in the great men and women sent into the world. The soul of the worlds history, it may be considered, are the history of these.

Great Men and Women taken up in any way, are profitable company. We cannot look imperious upon these great ones without gaining something from them. They are the living light-fountain, which it is good and pleasant to be near. The light which enlightens, which has enlightened the darkness of the world; and we are no kindled lamp.. my good Officers, but rather a natural luminary shining by the gift of our Soverign. Rising and placing taloned hands flat on the table top as they lifted their heads high unconsciously in response to her words. A flowing light-fountain..I say, of native original insight, of manhood and womanhood and heroic nobleness, in whose radiance all souls feel that it is well with them. Pacing about from behind the desk, standing proudly before them. They stood at attention. On and terms whatsoever, you will not grudge to wander in such neighborhood for a while.You Heroes, chosen out of widely distant countries and epochs, and in mere external figure differing altogether, should, if we look faithfully at one another should illistrate several things for us all. We are the very marrow of the world's history.. Then nodded heads to them. Do not despair the coming battles my friends gathered..for history nor heart shall ever forget your valor.. They saluted and filed out as she turned, stripping off the gauntlets and warmed hands over the fire. Waiting for any who sought her ear..or if none stepped forward she would dwell in thought and planning quietly.

The gauntles were placed on the table to be donned come morning. Eyes gazed into the flames for a moment before she returned to her chair. Sitting a bit sideways and leaning against the arm and back. Hands folded into the semblence of prayer, eyes distant as she considered thoughts. A soft sigh issued. Momentarily glancing to the doorway the officers had left through. It is well that they were lifted by my words. She thought, head bowed, brow furrowed once again. But mind, Eisheth you do not sin in these words. That you do not forget your place in this world. For you are not a creator as the Shining Powers are. Only in your acts and sacrifices do you create hope and trust. Only in your willingness to die for the weak and helpless are you able to effect change. Do not fall to think yourself of moral ineptitude. You are as fallable as all others; moreso in all honesty. For you have the eyes of those upon you and any mistep or wrongful pride shall cast you from grace to the mud of shame. A glance up as a young man brought in an armful of firewood and fed it into the fire before leaving her to her thoughts once more. Eyes drifted to the flames as they licked up and ate the new fuel.

Looking after the young man who had come in so quietly and left just as quietly. It is these young bloods which shall learn from you, Eisheth. It should not be forgotten that you must teach them the right path. For there are sinful virtues if you turn away from the light and begin to covot your abilities gifted to you by the Powers. Pride goest before the fall. Honor can be the double edged sword which cuts down proud men..and leaves them as skeletons in the cold grave of un-noteworthy disdain. Be not a light unto yourself; instead be a light unto those who look to you for guidance. You above all others must be without reproach.. The tent was comfortably warm, it soothed her. She had warred much of her life..from one battlefield to another. She knew war was neccessary, just as she knew death was also neccessary. For it was the death of heroes which gave bards their songs, and which inspired men to greatness. Though she issued a gentle sigh and closed eyes. Such a world that war is a business. That men and women are drawn to offer their lives in order to protect freedom and rights. It is a savage lot; this war business. Savage and bloody. I often wonder if the world itself does not weep at the red fuilds which have, inveritably, watered its every inch over the centuries. Surely it must shudder at times with blood clogging it's throat and weep at the fields sewn with the fruits of mothers around the world. A shake of her head as eyes opened and she rose, pacing slowly to the fire.

Yet this much was certain: That all men must know angst and struggle in order to be apprecative of that which is afforded to them. It fell to some men and women not to lift the tools of the farmer caste..nor the instruments of the entertainers caste..it fell upon them to lift tools and instruments of war. That they march grimly into battle with jaws set and chests thrust forward without fear..and sewd the seeds of freedom. She had known this since she was a demonling. Listening to her father as they sparred and trained. Knowing the sad gleam in her fathers eyes meant he knew which caste his daughter had been concieved in hopes of. Yet, too, she rejoiced, for it was a caste into which Eisheth eccelled. Yes, the chances of her being killed were there, but slim. Death was the only certainty in birth. All things die. She knew her father was no mere human, not of mortal caste. Knew what she would be the moment she was capable of making conscious thought. She had no regretts. Head canted a bit, eyeing the flap of the tent..she strode to it and gently drew back and edge just a bit to gaze over the tents which littered the landscape. The fires, around which sat men laughing and conversing, the men who sat and tended their affairs. These men and women were the lifeblood of Tonin. A smile played lightly about the corners of her lips. These seeds of the business of war did not lament the unknown; and unforeseeable, future. But shared a commeraderie of those who lived each moment as if it were his or her last.

She could only hope that she did not fail them, that her strength and confidence kept them bouyant, in the times when the odds seemed stacked against them: And when the grip of a long entrenched battle was tight upon them for months without end. As war had a tendacy to do. For it followed no schedual and it certainly did not pause so that either side might catch breaths and steel their resolve. It was this job which she held most sacred. That she teach her men and women not to give up. Not to falter in the face of overwhelming odds. To fight the good fight and tarry onwards through the slush red with blood and the freezing weather which first numbed the flesh..then seemed to sink icy teeth into the bones and gnash mercilessly so that it seemed a chore to do the simplest thing; such as curl fingers about sword hilt and stagger into the fray. It was, in a sense, which kept them going..and which kept her in the position she held..for they must have confidence in their General. She turned and paced back to the table.. soon she would get word from Archangel, soon she would seek his audience and discuss the state of the Nation's affairs. Most importantly, and most promenent, being the actions of the Ronins. For they had acted in a warlike counterstrike against part of the Nation's lands. Their sheer audacity at expecting to remove the stain of their blood from the mannels of time was almost laughable; had it not been so completely obtuse in nature, that was.

There was no desire to go rushing into battle, yet, even now, she was aware how history might reflect a mere escusing of such act. For it would set up later crisis to confront. Any violent individual might gather a force and take that which was not theirs with their excuses over a barely veneered greed and self serving desires. It would create a form of padded havoc which might later come back to batter them with the pads removed. History must reflect the Soverign of Tonin as a just and noble Power who did not bend to the excuses of the masses, but stood by His beliefs and ideals..even if it meant that to impress those upon others he must send his men and women into battle to ensure the continued rights and freedoms of his people from the greed and averace of the mob. As, indeed, the Ronins must be veiwed as a mob rule. For it held to no discipline military code. Instead was chaotic and without direction. Boldly rushing in one direction while eyes cast beyond the present target to the next juicy morsel. Soon they might claim great tracts of land and could cast gaze in the direction of the Wargaurd itself. It was a nasty business, and one which must carry some form of punishment. To simply make a nod to them would be a nod towards an executioners block. For it was the unseen evils and evil minds which watched from the shadows plotting and planning. It was the actions taken against this threat visable which would decide the minds of the unseen and set into motion which direction the Nation would go..be it into the hands of a tyrant; as yet unseen, or remain in the hands of the current Soverign.

So she would seek audience with Archangel and speak plainly to him, knowing well the result might be the death of her men and women..and many of the Ronins forces as well. However, that was what he had hired her to do. To offer her opinion..and to cast forth the order to march into the face of death to batter at the forces of evil..and, with hopes, to prevail. To bury his Nation's heroes and to lift head with pride as the people remained free to exercise their rights to a good and peaceable life. She passed the table and stopped before the cot, removing armor carefully before she lay on the cot and closed her eyes. Now was the time for rest, tomarrow might bring news of war. Ears caught the sounds of bards singing songs around the fires..caught the sounds of laughter and good humored talk. She slept.

[Rev. Ragnarok]

The Reverend prepaired for this war the same way he had many times before. He supported many a local business by visiting ALL the tavers in the kingdom and getting drunk to the point of insanity. Some question his ways but htis is why he is such an efficitive warrior, deal with stuff as it happens

[center]Outside the kingdoms of Ronin[/center]

Hey Oderus, where the hell are ya?

I'm right here, what do you want?

Hmmmm, well, I would like a few more skins of cactus juice and--- ohh yes, the head of every fallen heathen on a stick. mabey even set ablaze if you can manage to keep them lit.

I shall see what I can do. Are you sure you want EVERY head on a stick.

Hell yea, ohh and get ready to attack

The battles raged through the night. The kingdoms of Ronin seemed to be a much better challenge than his previous victims. When all was said and done he had gained sone new lands while incuring the wrath of a few heathens him self. Over a thousand acers lay in ruin from their sorcerers. And new forests sprang up everywhere. Countless hours had been spent by the reverends warriors trying to find enough sticks for all the heathen heads. And then a second problem sprang up, their swords where dulling from all the cutting but, they did manage to finish their task.

Oderus, im heading back to the keep. Be ready to march again when i awake

[Yoshimutsu Watanabe]

Yoshimutsu surveyed the remnants of his lands, the women and children already pulled back to the keep near Imhabia. With a nod of his head he issued the command to WuJen, and with a sound akin to a divine hammer on a celestial anvil the lands before him erupted, becoming unusable to any for many a summer.

His destructive task completed, the shukenja turned to the Jo-nin Yoshimutsu and spoke briefly.
Watashi no Jo-nin. We cannot hold the field with the WarGuard, they caught us while most of our men were with their families. I bring to you instead a legion of summoned elementals, their strength and puissance is legend. We can bring down their realms by means of their sorcery, instead of by direct force.

I mislike this, WuJen-san. We have never before needed other than your own apprentices and yourself.

Hai, but I fear our resources alone are insufficient.

Yoshimutsu frowned and merely nodded his head, turning his back on the shukenja rallying the remaining troops to form on him and ride to where the elementals had been marshalled.

[center]~-~[/center]

Kiyomeru, korede, jouka! WuJen chanted the words of power, indigo death streaking into the sky from where the elementals marshalled, augmented by hastily built shrines to Isonia. Simultaneously Yoshimutsu saw similar arcs leaping from the encampments of Xyen and Leto-san.

He saw WuJen stumble as the backlash of many thousands of souls sent to the hereafter in Isonia's name coursed through him.

They grow weaker, and have nearly fallen, watashi no Jo-aaaugh!!

Sparks flew into the sky as hundreds of the shrines disintegrated, the power overloading and flowing back into WuJen, throwing him to the ground. Furious, Yoshimutsu rounded upon the elementals, his eyes flashing in the glow of destroyed temples.

Complete your tasks here, then you are discharged. I have no use for power when it almost destroys those who wield it so.

A hurrah went up from the apprentices still wielding Isonia's holy fire still.

Watashi no Jo-nin, their highest realm has fallen. All the peoples in it have been purged in Isonia's name, the lands returned to Maxim.

Yoshimutsu nodded and returned the bow of the apprentice, lifting his master, the shukenja WuJen and taking him to the healer's huts.

The largest of the Warguard had fallen this night, and many more to follow, but he could only hope that Isonia would grant him the strength to continue on as such......

[Go Seigen]

Ah war.

Go Seigen looked on the tattered remnants of what had once been a mighty realm, and rejoiced for what he had left. They had left his treasury intact, a mistake for sure... though his troops were depleted, many mercenaries were to be had for an appropriate price. Round after round he threw at the enemies, doing what damage he could.

The war would continue.

[Faille]

Vermin, attempting to feast at the remains of their betters, thought Faile...
They could not destroy me honorably, upon the field face to face...
Yet they had the temerity to gut my realm, assault those who were not of the warrior class, fit to stand in opposition to the so-called "Ronin".

Although I wouldst fight upon the physical realm, they leave me no choice...
A true and good mistress serves her people as well as she herself is served, it is time...

Calling upon her radiant energies, Faile unleashes a spell known as chaotic termination, obliterating 2/3rd's of her realm, but resettling the remainder of her populace within a protective boundary...

Calling Saavedra to her side, Faile prepares the troops to be led by her second whilst Faile herself, in a rather irksome mood prepares to shower the Ronin with some "blessings"...

"I hope that you Ronin are true believers, because quite a few of you are about to meet your mistress."
"This is not a threat, this is not a promise, this is a statement of fact."
"Try me if you will!"

[Judäs.]

Skulls crushed, Bodies hanging from pikes, smoke filling the air. "War..Isn't she beautiful?", he asked his General as he looked across the battlefeild. His troops had fought hard, and soon it would be the time to reap the rewards of all the sorrow they have dealt to the heathens. Thousands of them lay before him in twisted piles, bodies contorted, terror still fresh in their eyes. They were worthy opponents, but they were no match for the men under Judäs' command. His men were all battlehardened, forged in the fires of battle with those of the Spectrals, their skills honed to perfection. The world was their canvas, and blood their paint. Their art..was calledWAR...
"Send word to the Captain that all of our assigned realms have been decimated. We will pound them to total destruction if that is his wish. Also send word to Lady Eisheth telling her the same. We fought for the pride of the WarGuard and Darden today men. You should feel proud for the job you have done here. Assemble the troops to rest and to eat. They are hungry and tired I am sure. For tomorrow we ride again to beat these heathens back even further. That is all."

[Faille]

Promise made, promise kept, so to speak, thought Faile to herself...

It seemed that the enemy were not as represented, honorable warriors adhering to a code, but rather, self-serving mercenaries who did not even have the decency to stay and fight, earning their coin...
Perhaps it was best to have dispatched the group in its entirety, but as all bad things do, it will likely re-emerge in another virulent form once it emerges from the shadows...

"Therefore, let there be light!"
Raising her arms, Faile invokes a Cleansing Rainbow, allowing certain vermin to be exposed to the world at large...

[Go Seigen]

Time after time the lands got taken around Go Seigen. Time after time, he just barely preserverd, just barely survived, sometimes to take back some land, never to hold it for long. Finally it was too much, his rock people were tired, they could do no more. That land, those people, were released to rest, to find what work they could -- pensioned as best Seigen could with his remaining funds. For the next periods time, he needed other resources -- not the strength of the rock people, but the sorcerous power of an undead or elven realm. The enemy would feel the fury of Isonia though his mages and priests, if they no longer could through the strength of his troops.

[Paramors]

The force Kain awaited had drawn near, stopped, and one figure rode uot and up to him. "Lord Kain, greetings",he said. "Da'Rial sent us to see to your, And the Queen's safety. War is upon our borders once again". Kain sat silent a moment, the asked,"How goes the Realm?". The rider replied,"The realm stands firm, my Lord. Da'Rial said to inform you we have added some lands to ours, and there is no protest from the people we have taken. He said to come on with care, but our roads seem to be safe and inviolate". Kain smiled coldly, sent a company and a half to add further protection to the Queen, and rode swiftly off with the remaining half company and the ones who had rode out with him. War was a trickey business, and he would feel better when he could see for himself how things stood.

[Attero]

-Attero sat silently. Things had gone wrong. Very wrong. He swallowed heavily looking over the reports. A single finger tapping upon the wooden desk. Tick. Tick. Tick. Slow breathing. How could this have happened? Angrily he crumpled the paper and threw it across the room. He saw eveyrhting begin to fall. He could see his own demise coming. WHY? What had gone wrong? Everything had been planned so perfectly. Yet he knew, he knew. Those little things. The ones that stick in the back of your head and wait. Wait until something like this happens, then you realize where you went wrong. This is what happened. He scribbled on a peice of paper. Small notes. Prepare yourselves. The storm is growing. We have only done so much. We need to do more. He stood up and carreid the paper out and handed it to a guard. Whispering something. The guard trotted off down the hall. Someone's fate had jsut been sealed-