[Everdark Keep] The cursed asks for redemption

[Eyvind Redbeard]

26th Brightening of the Third Cycle of the Month of Kalendryas in the season of Winter; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

It had been a Cycle since Eyvind had ordered a full scale retreat from Hiems and all the other advancing forces. The armies had hastily marched back with Eyvind himself leading the rear guard while the forward units followed the give orders. Scorch Sheria, leave nothing useful behind. Evacuate the civilians, burn the forests, salt the fields and poison the water wells. Nothing would be left untouched and unspoiled, it would seem Aeternia had fell on Sheria and the man responsible for the orders was now arriving in Everdark with the rear guard. The hardened Black Shields were all covered in ashes from the fires set by the forward units of the marching army. It had been a tiring journey and the men were also tired of seeing destruction, ten Brightenings with the Suns covered by smoke clouds were more than anyone could endure.

The first thing to do now was to get someone important's patronage and protection during this massive enterprise of evacuating the ten million inhabitants of Sheria, or at least those that were still loyal to the Empire. Their relocation in the remaining Provinces of the Empire would be a titanic task but it was the only viable option in this cursed war.

The ArchPrelate of the Church of Faith seemed to be both the closest person geographically and the person who would understand him the best, therefore the rear guard of the retreating army halted in Everdark Keep.

"Inform His High Excellency that Cencoris Eyvind Redbeard wants to see him as soon as possible. Things have been put in motion that His Excellency needs to know."

Were his words to the men that came running to see what this was all about.

[Llanwyn Siannodel]

It was good timing because Llanwyn just happened to be in camp that brightening. He had been splitting time between Sheria and Prime after the Airship had landed and it became apparent that the Empire was no more, now a Kingdom under Milo's leadership. The message was delivered quickly and directly to the Archprelate himself. Sir Dimitri saw to it that Paladins lined the path all the way to the Cencoris and Llanwyn walked outside. The sun seemed more dim these days as the brightenings got darker and darker from the burning throughout Sheria. He had heard the order through the grapevine and now it seemed that the Cencoris was there to discuss it personally with him. It had been a week and while patient, Llanwyn had started to worry that he was being left out of the current state of affairs. After all, this was a holy war, was it not? The very credibility of the Church rested on this war in many ways.

"Cecoris Redbeard, what news?" he asked as he walked toward the tall man.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The Vagaran seemed worn in the edges, ash covered him as much as it did his men. And he drank the last water in his waterbag before addressing the ArchPrelate. The voice came tired and broken as if the man was desperate.

"There is no victory achievable here, sire. If we face the Orcs in battle we are damned to destruction. It seems as if Aeternia blessed them with their unholy power. Arrows don't kill them, siege engines can't touch their defenses. I ordered a retreat to avoid a massacre like the one that befell the Manjet's cavalry. They move like shadows and appear wherever they want. Only distance can save us, m'lord. I have told my men to scorch Sheria. If we can't win by the force of arms we will win with guile and mind. Behind us everything is shadow and dust. The fields were salted and the wells poisoned, the forests were burnt and the civilians evacuated. The only way to save this people is to take them out of here as soon as possible. Forgive me m'lord, for I've committed the greatest sin."

The mighty Eyvind Redbeard knelt before the fragile fae and bowed his head humbly.

[Llanwyn Siannodel]

Llanwyn placed his hands on the soldier's shoulders. "Not the greatest sin, brave Redbeard." He begged him to stand with a tug and continued to speak, "The greater sin would have been to join the orc's side in this frey, you have not sinned against the gods, only let yourself down. If the odds are against us this sharply, there was no more you could have done."

He thought over the situation. It seemed dire if what he was saying was true. As he mulled it over, the pain in his eyes grew. This was a holy war, one they were desperately losing, but why? Had they lost favor with the gods? He did not believe they had. If anything, they had not asked the assistance of the gods... this he would remedy.

"There are times in our lives, Cencoris Redbeard, when we forget who really turns the tides of war." He grinned the best he could considering the situation, "We must remember that it is the gods who give us our strength." He lost his smile and looked to Eyvind very seriously.

"This war I myself declared as a holy war, though the rest of the land does not know this. I suggest we keep it that way. Understood?" After confirmation from Eyvind he would continue. "Sir Dimitri and the Paladins will be assisting you in any way you need until I call for them to return to Prime. Please have them help where they would most be needed."

Then he looked back to Sir Dimitri and the Paladins in attendance. "Sir Dimitri is in command. I have Church business that must be taken care of, but I will have constant communication with my captain."