A dull pounding from the north...

[Kilkenne]

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For many seasons had the citadel of Kilkenne, true Emperor of the Northlands lie dormant. For too many had it been falling into neglect. But in the last week, masses have been on the move, all going North. All bearing the black Cross, set against the deep Crimson of the flags. Kilkenne was returning to his ancestral grounds. He was back.

Millions flocked to him, from all through mossflower, bearing well-kept armour, looking as it did the day that the Militia was disbanded. Now was to be a new order in the North. A strong one. Looking towards the mountains, any beast in Mossflower can hear the dull pounding of drums, and sometimes they may see the well-ordered drill marching of the rats and stoats, all in the lorica segmentata of the Imperial Forces of the North. All in synchronization. All with one thing on their minds.

And so the rumour grew, reaching even the lowest parts of Southsward...Kilkenne had returned...But he was dead?


The rumours grew.

[General Austin]

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The now sparkling Castle Galathrad, the new palace of Emperor Aubres, was abrim with activity. After having gained the emperorship, Aubres had become sluggish and content, not at all like what he should have been for the horrible events to come. This new Castle, built for comfort and gaudiness, was placed in the Southlands so that the Emperor's guests could avoid being frozen in the cold winds of the North. As such, Aubres' influence dwindled in what was once his most powerful province. Also, news traveled slowly between the two lands, for the distance was great. By the time the news of the strange gatherings and the mysterious and powerful followers bearing the arms of "The Black Cross", the movement was already in full swing. The Emperor, always a keen politician, wanted to know what this strange army was, and if it would serve Him as a protector of his vast realms. He soon sent a large caravan straight to what once was, and still may be, the Citadel of Kilkenne. This huge castle, which could almost be termed as a city with walls because of it's size, was one of the most formidable castles in all of RWL. Long assumed to be taken as a possession by either bandits or a petty warlord in the North, it was most surprising to see Kilkenne's flag waving a new within it's walls. Kilkenne and Aubres had once been allies, long ago, the friendship now shrouded by the mists of time. It was for this same reason Aubres was so eager to send his best followers on this dangerous mission. The Emperor waited many days for the caravan to return, and as always, was impatient. When the caravan finally arrived, most of the caravan were gone, and the few followers that were left were barely alive. Only one wildcat, half-starved and near to Dark Gates survived the night after the caravan was in view of Castle Galathrad, and he made little or no sense at all. The only words they could get out of his pitiful delirious being before he died were "Kilkenne...Black Cross...Allied...Death." the one word that made that poor soul jump with fear was Kilkenne. His very being shook when the name was uttered near him. Death was the word he spoke most, and with the most fervency. Aubres took this as a good omen, thinking that Kilkenne had agreed to ally with him, but many were afraid. One thing was for sure...


Something was brewing in the Northlands.

[Ashyra Nightwing]

 There was silence throughout the floating raft-citadel of the Pentephraxis Legion.  The entire population, mainly composed of sailors, had gathered round the main building to hear what the Lady Ashyra Nightwing had to say.
There was a squeaking of rusty hinges as the large wooden door opened.
Out stepped a wildcat. A small wildcat. Thinner, more tired-looking than the Ashyra of old, but definitely the same wildcat. She cleared her throat and began to speak.
"Ahem. Er.. well... It seems that there have been some very strange rumours flying about. Beasts saying that Kilkenne has returned from the dead? Well... it is true."
A shocked muttering ran through the crowd. Creatures returning from the dead? And our Great Commander believes it? Is she insane?
"No, I am not insane," said Ashyra, as if reading their minds. "Look. We should be passing the castle now."
She pointed to her left. Above the ramshackle buildings and market squares, far off into the distance, somewhere on land, a flag could be seen.
The Black Cross.

[The Lady Shael]

 (Whoo, back from school)

At the Warlords' Headquarters, Shael sat at the bar, wearily sipping her morning tea, staring into the polished mixing bowl behind the counter, her mind elsewhere. Quite suddenly, the door of the bar crashed open, and a female ferret breathlessly and carelessly made her way over to Shael's area, knocking over several chairs.
The younger weasel twisted on her bar stool, still holding her tea cup, stared up into her second-in-command's anxious eyes, a little annoyed.
"Rayla, this must be important. For your sake." Rayla nodded quickly, and spoke.
"Milady...it's Kilk. There are rumors circulating around the wood that...he's back." Crash! Shael dropped the teacup, and the steaming liquid swirled across the polished wooden floor as Shael grabbed Rayla's shoulders.
At first she just stared, her heart pounding and threatening to explode, processing the information. Then she said weakly, "Kilk? When? Where? How?"
Rayla shook her head, not surprised by her mistress's reaction. "The messengers informed me only this early morning. Most assume he's coming from the Northlands."
Shael mentally berated herself for not being able to know he was coming from the Northlands, but still in shock, she sank to the floor in the puddle of tea.
"Kilk, you can't do that. You're dead. That's not possible. Everyone heard...how you died...Rayla, what proof do the messengers have of this? Surely they're not taking some crippled fox's word for this? It wasn't..."
"Yes, Milady. They saw the-"
"Black Cross." Shael finished, her doubts confirmed as her heart gave a leap. "Rayla, rouse my Guard Legion. We leave now."
"Yes, Milady. Right away." And the obedient ferret raced to do her bidding. Shael stood, squeezing the tea from her dress, muttering under her breath. "What a way to start off the day...learning an old clanmate returned from the dead...almost gave me a heart attack. I swear I'll choke you till you turn blue when I catch up to you Kilk, for all this...worrying me to death..."

[Dead Eye]

 A black mist ran through Southward. Dead Eye, The Dark warrior of Southward, sat at the top of his huge castle. A figure was running through his hall. A rat, a messanger.

"Sir! Your forces have been hit by an army all wearing the black cross!" the rat yelled.

" The black cross...but he was killed by Ereptor. How, it makes no sense! The Dark Lord killed him!"

Dead Eye screamed. He remembered the day when he had taken up Blades with Kilk and saw Kilk fall at ereptor's sword. HE himself had been the Leader of the Free People, only under command by the Freedom Fighters. Kilk had fallen, and Dead Eye and the rest lost all hope of ereptor falling.

"So he is alive. The dog. Lived past Ereptor even. The days coming shall be interesting."

[Kilkenne]

 ----------------------------------------------------
The North Emperor strolled leisurely about his mountain stronghold, laughing at the reports he was getting as the envoys from various warlords roll in. His attacks had surprised all, and the retaliations had come, but he was through attacking. His course was but to regain his former domain in the North, no more, no less.

To DeadEye, he sent this;

"Dearest Ally,

Though you are still a strong warlord, I did not expect that the Horde bearing that name was yours. I extend my apologies for the onslaught, but with such a horde name, I did not know it was you. There will soon be a summit in the North, and I will reveal all intentions. Be there if you want to know.

~Kilkenne, The Emperor of the North Returned
"

As he looked over the short message and handed it to his messenger, a hooded, caped ferret drew into the room, and whispered something in his one good ear.

"You've done well." And the Emperor drew off to his officer's quarters to rouse the Honour Guard.

*         *          *

"It has come to my attention that the Lady Shael is coming. I want the Guard out in full arms. You are to escort her here. For the rest of you, ready the stronghold for anything...War...even a celebration. I want everybeast and the citadel in their finery in two days' time." He withdrew back to his keep, where he awaited the time that they would all come...

[Dead Eye]

 "Ah good." Dead Eye finished reading the message. Then he strolled to his captain.

"Gather the men. We leave these lands to go to the cold north! Kilk is returning!"

[The Lady Shael]

 ooc: *pokes Tania* You don't have to be high up or anything, just add something for the fun of it.
And I have a strong urge to move this to the role-play forum, but no one will ever catch it there, so here it stays.

bic:

Shael was dressed in her traveling clothes, a tunic and long cape, as she shouted out orders to her private Guard as they moved swiftly over the plains, towards Kilk's mountain stronghold. "Quickly now! Watch the ledge! With luck on our side, we can be there within a couple days." She ran on ahead, spurred on by the thought of meeting an old friend she thought gone forever.
Rayla started jogging next to her. "Milady, I think we should make camp soon."
Shael nodded. "Soon, not now. Wait till the sun is hidden behind the trees. We'll waste no time." She called to her running comrades. "Faster, now, come on, you remember his castle! Think of the beds and food you can have, don't tire! Aye, that's the spirit!"

[Dead Eye]

 "Sir, we are now in the northlands. You can see Kilk's army over there!" Captain Urav pointed west.

"Kilk...Tell the army to stay here and set camp. Leave captain Koran here with them, then gather my officers and my personal guard and we will move North in an hour." Dead Eye pulled Urav over to him "Tell them to be well armed. I am not quite sure how Kilk will act to me, since after he "died" I started serving Ereptor during the dark ages"

[~>John<~]

 The Duke John of Northern Allegiance, formerly of the Hexans, motioned to the messenger. "Bring me the scroll." The messenger was half dead, one of several John had had on the edge of Duke Aubres land. John took the scroll and looked through it. "Ahh, so Aubres has fallen. It saddens me much." He looked through it more carefully. "The.....Black Cross......flies again? But.....how can this.....I saw him fall......*looks around* "You see my flag?" he asked. "The new new one with the red and black?" "Yes,lord." The stoat asked. " We have 20 in the back room like it. Get 20 stoats like yourself to carry that. But also, find 20 Wildcats, of my own race, and go down to the bottom layer of my castle. Bring out the flag of the Hexans. The Blue Sphere shall fly with the Black Cross again."

[The Lady Shael]

 ooc: Heh. But it's nice to see how many people here can be role-players when they feel like it...

bic:

Barely dawn, Shael roused her drowsy Guard, ready to be on the move. They continued to move across the plains, at a fast pace, the mountains becoming more visible.
The young female weasel continued to lead the party, a couple steps ahead of them, with Rayla jogging to keep up with her at intervals to relay their status.
"Milady, Lirah wished me to tell you something."
Shael continued walking briskly. "Speak, then."
"She has the sharpest eyes, you know, and she says she can see some figures in the distance."
"Figures? Vermin or woodlander?"
"She is certain they are vermin."
"What are they doing? Just standing there, or what?"
"She wasn't exactly clear on this, milady, but she claims they're heading towards us."
Shael's eyes brightened, and she quickened her pace, beckoning the others to do the same. "I've never known Lirah to be wrong before, and we're already on the border of Kilk's domain. If they're coming straight for us, it can only mean Kilk knows we're coming and he's sent an escort."
And the twenty female warriors went racing across the plain, and before long, they were within talking distance of the escort party.
Rayla announced breathlessly, "Hail...the Lady Shael Varonne, Empress of Mossflower, to meet Kilkenne, Emperor of the Northlands! We venture here in peace."
Shael walked the last few steps, breathing as normally as she could, not from running, but from seeing and recognizing Kilk's soldiers bearing the Black Cross. She stood there, patiently, almost defiantly, waiting for an answer, not minding the fact she was a head shorter than he was.

[Kilkenne]

 --------------------------------
The Captain stopped, his cohort of 200 stopping behind him, still in marching rank, all looking straight ahead, no noise coming from them. THe lone ferret, dressed in his finest lorica segmentata vest and red cloak bearing the Black Cross strode across the open grounds, followed by none as he approached the Lady Shael.

"His honour extends his best to thee." He says cordially, then breaks into a grin. "He sends word that in one day's time, you will be at the Citadel, enjoying yourself among other leaders of the World. We are here to make sure you get there."

The captain lifts his short sword from it's scabbard and holds it straight aloft over his head as the 200 march forward, synchronized, forming walls on each side of Shael's band, not speaking, carrying either their spears or standards bearing a short, familiar red and black flag. The cross.

Before they begin the march, the Captain has one last envoy to extend, "The Emperor says he has something that you lost a long time ago, and also has decided that I am to not leave your side throughout your stay, save when you are in your quarters. Do you agree on his judgement?" His crimson helmet-crest ruffled in the cool Northern breeze as his dark blue eyes remained locked on Shael, perfectly disiplined, awaiting response.

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye halted his 300 as a lone ferret ran up the hill from the west. The ferret ran up to him, coughing a little.

"Sir...a large group of vermain make their way from that way.." the ferret pointed "I could not tell what flag they hold, but they are well armed. We believe that they are Shael and some of Kilks What should we do?"

"Urav! Tell them to get in formation. Send out a patrol of 20 rats to march ahead of us. Get the archers in back" Dead Eye drew his famous rapiers, Saboth and Ravor. "We move now!"

[Agglan Muirscant]

 The day had been dark. Hopeless. The Rebel Usr had taken his mighty fleet of galleons, precursor-class frigates, and battleships, all highly advanced in their design, and swarmed the waterways of Aubres' land. Every major city was taken in the ensuing battles, and there was no-one who could stand up to the mighty fleet that Usr had fielded. Aubres had fallen into the inevitable trap that all must fall into someday. Defeat. He and his followers made a last stand in his hometown of Galathrad. The Marines, coming onshore from the River Nahala, overpowered the tiny and poorly-equipped Militia from the town. Aubres was captured. And Executed. The entire village was burned to the ground, and no-one escaped. Not even the babies, nor the old ones. Everything, and everyone in that small country village, was no more after that evil day.

        But there was one who managed to escape the horrible destruction that day. Agglan Muirscant. After the first few major territories fell, Aubres knew he would not survive anothe fornight against Usr. He commanded his Royal Guard, and his only son, Agglan, to flee and take the road to Mossflower. HE flew, and Agglan's Spearhead was made. A small band of highly-decorated officers and veteran troops, they fled as if they were civilian refugees. Agglan was afraid for his life, that the supporters of Usr would find him. So he made a Lizard, Gygar, the leader of his band in name. Now he roamed the fields and valleys, ever wandering....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Gygar, get your stinking armour on! An Envoy is coming! Archers, take positions! this could be Usr himself coming into our midst!" Agglan roared.

An envoy was coming from the southern part of Mossflower straight towards him. Judging by the size of it compared to his own army, he was afraid the caravan would try to take over the entire horde if it saw the number of his forces in the open fields.

"Ugh, I should have picked a Marten. Lizards can't say a single word without hissing..." He thought as he watched Gygar yell out more orders to the frightened former Royal Guard.

"Here they come! Watch out, all of you! Archersss, notch arrowss!" Gygar said as the envoy came closer.

Gygar strode out, decked in bright blue just as Agglan's father would have done. He worde a shield embroidered with Agglan's own arms, and wore a beautiful curved scimitar on his side.

There was a terrible amount of suspense in the air. Gygar, with his scaly paw on the ivory handle of his scimitar, his shield, polished brightly, shining in the afternoon sun; and the hundreds of troops standing right in front of him, all bearing spears and shields bearing a picture of a Golden Tree. Minutes passed.

"What do you want, O messengers of the Golden Tree?" Gygar asked, his coal black eyes as hard as steel.

[Dead Eye]

 A large ferret in golden armor came forth. On each side of him were two rats holding flags with a giant golden tree on them. "You are in Mossflower, and the relm that now belongs to the master of the tree! We do not speak his name yet, for he has not claimed this land his. But we are a group of fighters he has left in charge of this land. And we saw glint from your armor. We could have slaine very one of you before you took three breathes. Throw down your weapons now!" The ferret motioned for his fighters to lift their bows.

"you are now are prisoners!"