Barracks (private Alexis/Talinnar)

[Talinnar Skybreak]

After the conversation with the Imperial Minister of War, Talinnar was completely exhausted. Mainly mentally, he was battered and bruised. The conversation had brought up many memories, old and more new. But all of them had in common they were painful. Almost as if they were not memories, but situations occurring right here and now.

Malice had left him more scars then he previously had accepted. Writing a report on it, like he was just ordered, might work two ways. On the one hand, it might 'cure' him from his nightmares and help him forget his recent past. On the other hand, the writing might be the most difficult task he had ever been given, leaving him scarred for life.

Nevertheless, he was willing to take up the quill and start writing in the book he had just purchased downtown Prime. He wasn't a great writer and would keep things rather short, though the Half-Elf was sure he would need to buy another book. This 'story' would not be completed after just one volume. So, it would be better to start as soon as possible.

Thinking these thoughts, he released a deep sigh. Thoughtlessly he wrote down: "Military Report: Talinnar Skybreak, Kestor Imperatis. He turned the page and stared at the blanc sheet in front of him. Slowly but certainly stimuli in his brain evoked vivid flashes of the events gone by. Flags waving above the Enamorian military encampment ... He needed to start at the beginning.

Since long the shadow of Malice crawled over the Enamorian lands, like a dark flood seeking to devour the colour and peace which was once common here. Incidents were reported. People dissappeared. Rumours came and spoke of ghosts in the night. The alarmed cities raised the level of the guards. This in turn led to encounters, which learned us it were not ghosts. For although they never left bodies they did bleed, as swords coloured red overnight.

There lingered a mist of tension and fear over the lands. Something was looming in the expanding darkness. Winter came and more people dissappeared, houses were burned down and even snow came off scorched black. Everybody knew something was brewing, something was coming. Something evil, trying to disturb the once colourful and peaceful lands. The tension made people became wary and harsh. Distrust was in the air. The uncertainty started to cost lifes as well.

As we would later learn, this was all part of the strategy of the dark. Cities were kept busy with hundreds of incidents within and around cities, caused by the fear which infected the people with a opportunistic, distrustful behaviour. This provided a window of oppurtunity to increase the influence of the darkness under the cover of chaos."

The new Kestor Imperatis put down his quill and rubbed his eyes. He could well remember the intial fear and chaos the night strikes led to among the common people. If had known then, what he knew now ... He could not determine whether it would have affected his decisions.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Timestamp: Immanis of Immanis, Spring of Era XIV

A knock was heard and when the door was opened, a soldier would present the following orders with a salute:

"Serale. The Inspector Imperatis require you attention, Sir. He said it is to discuss about the Legions in Enamoria."

If Talinnar followed the soldier, he would lead him to Sheng's office.

[Talinnar Skybreak]

Mixed up in deep thought the Half-Elf was leaning his head on his right wrist. His eyes were closed and images flashed from battles and fights fought in and around Malice. It was disturbing to him how vivid the memories of the events were. It was therefore a thundering appearance the soldier made, who almost burst into the room after a hurried knock on the door, which Talinnar seemed to have missed. He opened his eyes with such haste, he still lingered in thoughts about his whereabouts. Before the soldier had opened his mouth the Half-Elf was half standing with his sword almost unsheated. Only then, he thoroughly scanned the somewhat surprised soldier.

Afterwards, he resheated his sword with a ringing cling. However, the soldier was not too much set aback, because soon after he did open his mouth. What he said did not provide the Half-Elf with much information, but the tone in which it was said made clear he'd better follow him on the double. He quickly grabbed the hat, that belonged to his new uniform, and put it on. Next, he used two of his fingers to unlit the burning candle on the desk and stepped from behind his desk.

"Ok, lead the way."

[Talinnar Skybreak]

After returning from his conversations, he sat down. Somehow, he managed to pick up the quill and start writing immediately. Perhaps his short intermezzo was good to give him some air and get things on paper better.

Riots were reported. Many riots. The fear that kept the land in its grasp started to arouse negative emotions in the darkening cities. When it was light, city guards were occupied with keeping the cities from starting a war from within. During the dark, the same guards where defending the walls of the city from the unknown danger. Alertness failed often in these times, costing precious lives. Town councils called for measures, military leaders called for arms and men and the people cried in general. It was in these times I came to the Enamorian lands.

I was asked by certain individuals from the nobility city of Daltina, to come and strengthen the military top, together with my friends Malkaer Andares and Arkahn Th'alashar. The three of us came from the rigid training camps of the Midpoint Alyssan Guard, well respected among the world. The lack of action and experience in the Midpoint area drove us to Daltina. Here, all three of us were instated as Generals of the Daltina Armed Forces. This was the point in time, where it all just was about to start.

A body was found. One of the city guards' squads which was surveying the city area at night fell upon a unexpected enemy in the dark. Many of that squad died. All would have, would it not have been for the exact time of turning watch. The second squad managed to overtake the enemy and come out victorious. Still, the enemy managed to drag away their own. Less one. The body which was found, was Orc. The dressing and clothingstyle was that of Malice. Malice, the dark stain on the carpet which is called Enamoria.

Rumours of Malice being the source of the growing darkness and evil at night, were heard long since. However, many scouts and other reports seemed to prove otherwise. There seemed to be no activity at all near Malice. During these days I also took a look at the city from a distance. It looked enormous and dark, yet calm and deserted. I had not seen it ever before, so much judgement was off. But one of the sergeants who had been there before said he had never came this close and it looked different than before. Everyone in that party afterwards told they felt watched. Like eyes were prying from the trees. But it was not the trees that had eyes, we would learn later. It was something closer by.

Confusion was present. An orc was found, dressed in the Malice-uniform, if you could speak of them. Slow, careful meetings with Malice led to nothing. They denied all involvement. They claimed a fraction of their forces split off and started fights on their one Some believed this answer, others didn't. I? It is always easy to state afterwards. But my thoughts told me, the representatives of Malice were not speaking the whole truth. The half truth is better than none, but not even close to what I wanted to hear.

On initiative of the city councils a general meeting was organised, with the purpose to share opinions and decide what to do next. This initially was a big failure. Emotions got high and all parties seemed to disagree on the subject. The stakes seemed to be equally as high as the lives it cost the individual cities. That appeared their mean subject of discussion: the comparison of the number of lives it had cost each city. It was only at the end of the day convention, that Nashkel, thane of Daltina crashed his massive giant's fist through the main meeting table. "Enough" he thundered.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Right after Talinnar had entered his room and had began his account of the events that lead to his imprisionment, a group of four soldiers approached Talinnar's room and knocked on Talinnar's door.

When Talinnar opened his door, he would be arrested by the soldiers.

One would recite to Talinnar, "Sorry, Sir. You're now under arrest for insubordination by the orders of Provost Imperatis Sheng Kaldres. You may remain in your room as Provost Imperatis Kaldres had given the orders for house arrest. Your meals will be served to you in your room. However, all communication and movement out of your room will be restricted."

With another salute, the soldiers placed themselves outside Talinnar's room. Now, all that was for Talinnar to do was perhaps to wait for the court martial.