General Thomas Blackwood stood proudly in front of the mirror in his family home, making the finishing touches on his uniform for the celebration in his name that day. After all, how often did it happen that the royal palace organized a celebration in your name? Yes, he was quite proud of that fact.
The Blackwood family rose up in history names only in recent times, starting with Thomas' grandfather serving as the royal executioner. Only with Thomas did it rose up in prominence, first as the commander of the capital's City Guard and now as the Royal General. For the man who was only in his 30s, that looked like quite a feat and so he didn't want to disappoint. He dressed up in his finest uniform, slicked up his brown hair as much as could without looking tacky, picked up the family sword Cleft and, after it was all done, stood in front of the mirror smiling.
With the incident with Alleria dismissed as mistake in communication, even if it still portrayed him in poor light, he couldn't help but feel like he was at the top of world. Of course, it would feed to that feeling more if he weren't late to the celebration, so once he was sure he was presenting his best, he left his home and made his way to the palace. Guards quickly led him to the throne room.
As soon as his name was announced, the noise inside quickly quieted down, allowing Thomas to take the walk towards the throne with everyone's eyes pointed at him. The royal court, the city nobles and even his trusted officers, everyone was there to celebrate the moment.
As soon as Thomas approached the throne, Denas spoke up. "My friends, I am grateful that all of you are here today to celebrate our dear hero. I am sure you are all well aware that this war is far from being over. There are others fighting for our cause as we speak, but that doesn't mean we should ignore the hero who did the most so far. With six major victories so far, including against the mechanical giant that they call Juggernaut, he alongside his troops has done quite the service to this kingdom. I am truly grateful, my dear General."
After the round of applause by everyone in the room, Denas continued. "Which brings me to the reason for the today's celebration. After several meetings of the royal court, we believe that the lands of the fallen kingdom of Valadrul serve as the enemy's main base of operations. And so I hereby ask the commander of the newly formed Linirean Royal Legion. Shall the Legion take up arms once more and march to Valadrul to destroy the enemy once and for all?"
As he smiled, Thomas exclaimed: "Your Majesty, we would go to the deepest reaches of hell if it meant we would treat them with the taste of our fury and Linirean steel!" As the room erupted in cheers and applause, Thomas enjoyed the attention. That was, until he spotted a strange man standing behind the throne that was also clapping. His face, other than the ominous glowing crimson eyes, was obscured by magic. His dark purple cape was connected with a skull clip to the cape that was even darker shade of purple.
His immediate reaction was to grab the hilt of the sword to prepare for a surprise. As soon as others saw that, they looked in the same direction and had similar reaction. While everyone quieted down from shock, Gerald immediately took command, ordering the knights to surround the intruder while 4 soldiers picked up the throne and carried Denas out of danger.
After everything got settled down, the only sound heard across the throne room was the sound of the mage's laugh. It was Alleria who spoke up first. "Damn it, Vez'nan! It was you!"
The mage finally stopped laughing but kept the grin on face. "Yes, it was me. My machinations lied undetected for years. I must be a master of deception by now. Either that or everyone must have buried their heads in the sand." Afterwards, he spoke to the hostile guards. "Oh, relax. I am a merely spooky ghoooooooost." He then tried touching the wall with his hand, but instead just passed through it. "See? I am just projection. In reality I am still at my home in the Rift of Cinders."
Instead of inquiring about his projection, Alleria went straight to the point. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"Why indeed. Ask our dear friend over there. After all, wasn't he who forced me to abdicate my post as the royal mage? Wasn't he the one who disagreed on the current level of threats that are currently posed against us? Wasn't he the one who hoarded the gold of the kingdom to, and I quote "improve the citizen's lives?" That's a difficult proposition to achieve considering your own military is stretched thin currently."
Denas finally spoke up. "And who do you think is responsible for that?"
"Me, of course. I won't turn away from my actions nor what will be the cost in the end." He then pointed at Denas." But I also won't pretend I hadn't successfully proven my point. Look at this. I merely gathered the outsiders and those wronged by your own actions and already did a considerable damage. Your own capital was besieged, something not recorded in the kingdom's history. That alone proves it."
"Haven't you used the rebels for that?" Gerald chimed in.
"Spare the thought, Sir Gerald. Or should we ignore the fact that the strongest knight order defected to the rebels?" That remark pained Gerald greatly as it struck directly to his heart. Vez'nan merely continued. "Yes, despite what you claimed, Denas, the fickle nature of humanity showed itself. The knights meant to guard the kingdom turned against you."
He then raised his hand next to his face, teaching all those present. "Or should we talk about the soldiers you yourself have spurned? You had taken their budget away for your pets the Musketeers. No wonder they all defected to the other side. They lost trust in you after getting screwed over."
He then lowered his hand. "Humans, goblins, orcs, trolls and others like them. You have all spurned or ignored them which allowed me to gather them under my banner. Now they march under the command of my subordinates for one single goal. The conquest of Linirea."
Denas was finally starting to get angry. "And do what? Destroy the kingdom because you have been removed from your post due to desires of warmongering? Don't you just prove my damn point?"
Vez'nan shook his head. "Destroy it? No, no, my dear old friend. That's not my goal. No, what I desire is still the same. To protect it, to protect the kingdom I hold so dear. But I realize I cannot do that while you are around. Not while you rule. I do admit you are fair and just ruler, but one without planning for every possibility. Lest, you are going to tell me that it's according to your plan that all your forces have been scattered around, forced to deal with the threats alone?"
The silence was palpable as no one could muster even a word of defiance. It was true. Vez'nan had outplayed everyone. The Royal Army was stretched to the breaking point. With a clear smirk on his face, Vez'nan then turned to Thomas. "Well then, General. I hope you are ready to tangle with this mess." He then spotted the sword Thomas was hovering over. "Oh-ho-ho, I do think you are."
Not realizing what Vez'nan was talking about, many turned their gaze to the blade Thomas was wielding. Had there not have been a threat already present in the room, it would have caused quite a stir. Still, many became wary at the mere sight of the blade. "It can't be! What is that doing here?! I thought it was destroyed!" Those were just some of the whispers around the room. Still, before anyone could react, there was more pressing issue.
"And so, the Butcher's grandson marches to war with his grandpappy's old blade. Gotta say, that is poetic in its own. If only the blade wasn't cursed and dangerous to use."
Vez'nan laughed as Thomas tensed up. "The blade has been exorcised and reforged to serve the kingdom once more and I shall use it to guard the home I hold so dear in my heart. Besides, this blade is a promise."
"A promise, you say? How so?" Vez'nan asked, clearly curious. Thomas continued.
"Ever since my grandfather became the executioner, Cleft had one purpose and one purpose alone. To cleave. To remove any threat to Linirea by removing the head from its body. One I shall gladly demonstrate when we meet face to face."
"So be it, then." Vez'nan then turned to face Denas. "To think you have let yourself go so much in the years since I left you. How many would believe the stories of our war to save the elves?" Sadly, Vez'nan's words rang true. During his prince days, Denas was considered one of the mightiest knights in the realm and now there were days when he couldn't even make a step. In fact, on many occasions, the king was seen being carried by royal servant in a carriage that they held over their head.
Yet, Denas refused to be put down. "Yes, it was my indulgence that created who I am today, I won't lie, but if you think that means I lost my will to fight, you have another thing coming. Insult me all you want, but don't you dare insult my soldiers, the same ones that are keeping your forces at bay. We shall see who will be right in the end, won't we?"
Vez'nan nodded in approval. "I am glad to see some fire left in you. Well then, you better not replace our dear General until the end. I wanna see if he truly deserves the title of the General, no, the Defender of Linirea."
Then he turned to the guests. "Apologies for the disruption. You may return to your festivities. In the meantime, I hope we will get another chance to speak to one another, Denas, Alleria. Until next time." And then, his apparition disappeared, making a lot of people sigh a breath of relief. Not often anyone had the chance to meet the enemy leader, especially when it wasn't on their terms.
Meanwhile, Thomas and his officers ran to the king to hear his instructions. After a deep sigh, Denas started speaking. "I really hoped this wasn't the case. I hoped it was demonic influence or something of that nature. But no. That is clearly him."
Alleria nodded. "At most, he is being empowered by the crystal. Even then, that doesn't change the truth that he is the one in control."
Denas: "Exactly. General, when can you march?"
Thomas: "Assuming we do follow your orders, in 3 days since we still need to collect. But Your Majesty-"
Denas raised his hand. "Save your objection. We need to make a gamble if we are to end this early. Stormcloud Temple provides the opportunity."
Thomas: "But is that even a guarantee? How do we know it will work?"
Alleria chimed in. "If Vez'nan of all people believes it could work, then we should try it. Besides, you saw the report. He wants to remove that possibility at any cost."
Denas: "Exactly, that's why I order you to march there. Now then, what do you need to make the supply gathering faster?"
Thomas: "Winter clothes. We planned for direct march to the Rift, not march up high through the snow-covered mountains. I am not ordering the march without enough winter gear for everyone. I need everyone I can get. I don't want a field hospital full of frostbites."
Denas nodded in approval. "Great to see concern for your men, especially for the expedition ahead. Go to the market and get as many as you can. I shall use the royal treasury to pay for the expenses. Anything else?" They all shook their heads. "Then you are dismissed."
With their next orders given, the officers went straight into the final preparations for the expedition ahead. The warm clothes, food supplies, appropriate gear etc. They were doing all they could do for what could be seen as a suicide mission by the cynics. Thankfully, the crown provided the resources. The treasury paid for the expenses, reserves and volunteers reinforced the mainline units and most importantly of all, finally granted to the mages their commanding officer alongside 80 wizards.
Arcane Sage Galea Kencury served as the member of Arcane Circle of Magic and its school for the last 10 years. While lacking the experience on large-scale battlefields, she was chosen for her knowledge, experience in party-based combat and the ability to remain calm and collected under stress. With other officers able to overcome her lack of battlefield experience with cooperation until she caught up, it wasn't seen as real weakness.
Of course, once the wizards joined up, a strategy meeting was held to see what was to be the army's next move would be. That was, however, somewhat misleading as their next move was decided for them. Even without Vez'nan's appearance at the celebration, it was clear from the reports that direct march to the enemy's headquarters at the Rift of Cinders in Varandul was out of question. The rest of the Kingdom's military was either fighting Vez'nan's allies or were forced to recover after heavy fighting. And it was agreed that only the combined power of the whole military would be enough to actually reach the place while constantly fighting.
With the direct march out of the question, the Royal Legion only had one other alternative. High up in the mountains, there existed the seat of the High Sorcerers, the Stormcloud Temple. That location could allow the Legion to teleport as close to the Rift as it could, avoiding the worst of fighting. Unfortunately, judging from the reports from the northern barbarians, Vez'nan was already trying to prevent that from happening.
And so, once the rushed preparations were complete, seeing as it was clear the enemy knew their next move, the Royal Legion had set off, eager to see their risky gambit pay off.