[The Docks] The flotilla arrives (Isil)

[Eyvind Redbeard]

46th Brightening of the Fifth Cycle of the Month of Imperos in the season of Autumn; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

It had been more than twenty Brightenings since Eyvind had sent a letter to Commander Jonathan De'Bali asking him for reinforcements and military equipment. The need to get some extra weapons and armor to equip the newly formed Provincial Army was great. There were many recruits to train and equip and the Factory couldn't provide weapons at the required rate. External means had been used, external help had been called and now the answer came.

Someone knocked at the door of the Cencoris' office and a Legionnaire entered. He looked weary as if he had been running to get to the office.

"Yes, Legionnaire?"

"Sir. You have ordered me to report if any fleet arrived coming from Prime. Five caravels are now docking near the river."

The Vagaran nodded and stood up, picking his black cloak and following the soldier.

"Five caravels you say?"

"Yes, Sir. Bearing the flag of the Jade Legion, the watcher told me he saw armored figures aboard. Are these the reinforcements, is this all Prime sends to us, Sir?"

The red-haired man shook his head and shrugged.

"I don't know, I hope it's only the beginning."

The soldier seemed pleased and smiled to his commander.

"Let's hope."

The journey to the docks wasn't long but it took more time than Eyvind would have liked. By the time he got there the caravels had already docked and the soldiers within each was coming ashore. Looking for the highest ranking Officer in the unit Björsson saw a Daekin ordering his men to form up. When he saw Eyvind approaching saluted and stood at attention.

"At ease. Are you the one in charge here?"

"Aye aye, Sir."

"They promoted you to Daekin, Dougan?"

The man looked surprised that Eyvind would recognize him and nodded.

"What's the status? How many men do you bring? Unit breakdown, equipment."

"Yes, Sir. Two hundred and fifty men. One hundred heavy archers, one hundred heavy infantry and fifty engineers. I don't have the list of equipment here with me but we brought many weapons and armor from the armories in the Military District."

Redbeard nodded and looked to the group of soldiers gathered nearby. Yes, this would be their baptism of fire.

"I need men to perform a mission, Daekin Dougan."

"What kind of mission, Sir?"

"A scouting mission. I need a Manus ready to departed in one Candlemark, the details will be given on their way out of the city. Do you know anyone good enough for the task?"

"I think I do, Sir. Legionnaires Isil, Cormack, Tornai, Otar and Boriam! These five will do whatever you want, Sir."

The Vagaran nodded and waited for the lot to gather. Of the five names one called his attention: Isil. He remembered a young elf who he had helped back in the Pegasi Woods some time ago.

[Isil Telperion]

Finally, the docks were closing. The journey went smoothly and without problems but it was going to be good to step on firm ground.

As we made landfall we immediately began to form in small groups. Suddenly war seemed much closer than on board of the ship and a strange sensation took me by surprise. It was not fear; it was more like a feeling of emptiness of meaning. At that moment all the violence that was to come seemed empty and purposeless. Then I remembered my parents’ death at dark hands, and the stories of death, violence and despair seemed to fill me with an unbeatable resolve to avenge them and make sure they would never repeat themselves. So, the empty sensation was gone, the resolve remained and I turned my attention to my surroundings.

As I browsed through the port I saw Daekin Dougan talking with a tall high rank officer, a Cencoris. The man seemed at least as tall as me if not taller and strangely familiar. I took a closer look and, to my surprise, I recognised my friend Eyvind. It had been some time since he had helped me to face a large group of outlaws and revenge my adoptive family’s death.

I didn’t know how he would react to seeing me after so long and being a high rank officer and me a freshly trained legionnaire. But, I went to him and waited a few steps away for my superiors to end their conversation before introducing myself. I couldn’t break discipline and wouldn’t be rude to the point of interrupting, so I waited.

[Maylu]

*they hear humming in such a tune, they turn and see in a distance a girl thats very attractive with a fox tail and fox ears as she walks with a brigt orb following her*

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The colossal Vagaran watched as the five Legionnaires approached and formed a line behind Daekin Dougan. The band looked well fed and resolute of mind, they would be enough, they had to be.

"Here they are, Sir."

"Very well."

Eyvind nodded to him and walked back and forth in front of the soldiers while scratching his chin.

"You are probably wondering why I called you here, separating you from your companions, am I correct?"

It was a rethorical question and quickly he moved on to what really mattered.

"I asked Daekin Dougan to choose the most abled men in these two Centurii to perform a special mission. You are to depart this very Brightening to Draelmar Hold and from there scout the region that stretches through the Hills to the ruined city of Daittern. You must discover if there is any activity of the Horde or any defensive structure. I want this mission to go as smothly as possible and therefore you must avoid all contact with hostile forces. You must also check if the village of Auster is prepared to receive the Engineer Corps so they can start building a line of defensive fortifications."

He paused for a moment and looked to Dougan.

"Who's fit to leading?"

"All, Sir."

The red-haired man looked randomly to Isil.

"Consider yourself promoted to Senior Legionnaire of the Nineth Imperial Legion of the Empire, take your men to Darkblade Fortress get whatever you need for this mission and depart with due haste. You're dismissed."

Saluting the four Legionnaires and the Senior Legionnaire, Redbeard walked away accompanied by Daekin Dougan. Looking back slightly while talking with the other Officer he winked to the young Elf.

[Isil Telperion]

I almost didn’t notice the young atractive girl that passed humming in the distance.

When Daekin Dungan called us out I was already there. As Eyvind talked to us I kept inexpressive as not to show we knew eachother. Some of my companions had just caught up and it might not be the best moment to break hierarchic distance.

After he gave his others I knew where we had to do:
We had to go to Draelmar Hold, scout the region that stretches through the Hills to the ruined city of Daittern to unfold any possible Horde activity and any defensive structure, without being noticed.
We also had to go to the village of Auster to find out if it was prepared to receive the Engineer Corps so they could start building a line of defensive fortifications.

Once he finished talking he chose me, apparently randomly, to lead the group, promoting me to Senior Legionnaire of the Ninth Imperial Legion of the Empire. I was honoured and meant to speak but he turned away, and I thought he didn’t recognise me.

As he walked away, he furtively looked back and winked at me. I replied with an accomplice smile. My friend had given me his orders and I wasn’t going to let him down.