Rise of the Horde

Far into the borders between Alberna and Ereia, Commander Nassor began diving back in the lands of Alberna, even deeper than what they have initially done. They have already vanquished two of the enemy armies that came to face them but it also came with a price as their casualties was more than a third of their initial army.

The old commander watched as the remnants of the enemy army scatter and try to flee from their pursuers who weren't keen on letting them off the hook that easily. His gaze was on the dispersed enemies but one heavy tired sigh to his left forced him to turn his head, to his left stood the mighty paladin who was in all his glory bathed in blood both of their enemies and allies.

The old man was very thankful of Commander Karim's presence in their army since with him, all soldiers of theirs had an assurance that for as long as they draw breath even after suffering fatal wounds, their powerful paladin would snatch them away from the claws of death. Commander Nassor never gave up on trying to figure out the real identity and history of Commander Karim years ago since it was futile.

If he was not mistaken, it was three years ago when the previous king introduced him to them as a new commander of the kingdom. He could still remember the mumbling of some of his peers during that time and other officials of the army as they doubt his ability both to command and to battle. Commander Nassor also had to admit that he too doubted the huge guy before like the others and was going to let his thoughts be heard by the king. But months passed which turned into years, the new commander was never given soldiers to lead, not even a single one which suppressed the complains of many about the new commander as they were pacified by the fact that the newcomer was just given a title but no authority.

"This is too tiring…sigh… You better not renege on our deal, I want all my fine ale to be delivered to my tent, tonight." The paladin complained as he walks away and headed towards where their wounded were gathered at. He was thirsty for some alcohol but he still had a job to do.

Commander Nassor just shook his head as a smile crept up to his lips, he was already used to the antics of Commander Karim and he knew or all of those in their camp knew that for us long as there is some liquor to drink, he would do all that he can.

"We've won yet again, sir" Garr came up beside the old commander and saluted.

"What do we do with those who surrendered, sir?' he continued as he turned his gaze towards their captives who were being guarded tightly by their allies.

"Just bring them along, for now. We can't just abandon them behind us and be done with it because they might rally together again and be an annoyance in our rear. And we can't just outright kill them off either… since I don't want to be labelled as a slaughterer and merciless especially that of captives, that would just make our conquest harder." Commander Nassor commanded as he focused his gaze on their riders that were returning from their pursuit.

The prisoners might slow down the advance of the Ereians but what else can the old commander do but bring them along. If they kill off all the captives and their enemies learn about it, those who were suppose to surrender after learning that fighting is futile would just steel their hearts to fight to the last man knowing that their enemies take no prisoners.

*****

"Do you think they will try to sneak pass here." Baron Daho questioned he turned his sights on the muscular man who was standing above the battlements of the walls. They have been staring into the distance where their enemies were probably at. The muscular man jumped down from the battlements and stood in front of the baron, easily towering over him by more than a foot and the baron himself is considered to be a tall person, easily stranding more than 6 feet.

"The enemy commander has no choice but to march his army towards us or else they risk being surrounded in all sides if they try to bypass Tortuga Fortress and I will not let this fortress fall in their hands, not a chance…" he replied as his emerald green eyes became apparent as darkness settled in.

"Count, preparations are almost complete." The captain of the soldiers came to report to which the count just nodded his head in reply as he continued to stare at the distance with his emerald eyes. Along the walls of the fort, roofs made of wood were being constructed. The sound of construction continued until morning.

Further east, inside the city of Desa, the soldiers of the city were also doing their own preparations. Supplies were being piled up in the warehouses of the city coming from the different corners of the kingdom.

"If I am not mistaken, the one in charge right now of the Tortuga Fortress is that old fool, right?" the Marquess of the extreme west of Alberna questioned his companions who were with him as they had their meal. The huge luxurious table inlaid with some gold was surrounded by wealthy merchants and allied nobles of the Marquess.

"You're are correct, my Lord. The king pulled him out of the northern front and sent him to Tortuga Fortress to assume command of its defenses while Baron Daho who was the resident noble of the fort will serve under him for the meantime." A merchant from the north said as he gobbles up the food that was in front of him. His looks were more of that of a mercenary than that of a merchant but that was one of his advantages as his looks worked wonders for him as almost no one dared to try and robbed his caravan in all his years of being a merchant. Aside from his thuggish looking appearance, he was also well connected to the people in power of the kingdom and there was a rumor going around that he was some distant relative of the king, albeit it was yet to be proven to be true, the possibility of attacking a family member of the royalty and its consequences kept many at bay.

"If it's that old fool, there's no telling when that fortress will be broken through. When that happens, my territory will be left vulnerable to those invaders." The Marquess brought his silver goblet unto his lips as he slowly savored the fine wine that originated from the north.

The Marquess of Desa was worried as he had no experience in leading armies into battle since his expertise lies within administration and that was a proven fact as he turned the City of Desa into one of the rising cities of the kingdom. But after giving it some thought, Count Mero was a specialist when it comes to defense and this is a widely known fact as he held the barbarians that plagued the northern side of the kingdom at bay, always denying them entry into the lands of Alberna.

After having their meal, the Marquess of Desa, along with his companions appeared in the city with their guards. They were out to inspect and make sure that the old turtle at the Tortuga Fortress gets his supplies and while they were at it, the merchants were also looking around for some opportunities that they could make use of to profit.

While they were touring around the city, a lone rider who was covered in blood arrived at the gate, but instead of the sound of the gate opening, he shouted in the loudest voice that he could muster.

"Urgent report! The enemies bypassed the Tortuga Fortress and are already nearby! There's no time, so prepare to defend immediately!"

The rider screamed as if his life depended on it, the Marquess upon learning of the news was shocked as he headed straight for his castle.

"They bypassed the fortress? No way… What am I going to do…?" he kept mumbling things to himself as he headed for his abode.

"Don't worry, my lord. They are risking themselves to be surrounded since they dared to bypass the fortress and the walls of the city and its gates are not that easy to be broken through. As long as we managed to hold them off for some time, the soldiers of the fortress will come to our aid and attack them from the rear." The advisor of the marquess tried to calm down his lord who was now a nervous wreck.

The old advisor finally managed to calm his lord down a bit but the sudden ringing of the bells upon the walls of the city spooked the cowardly marquess as he began mumbling some incoherent words as he squatted down and held his hands above his head.