Chapter 1: The Tactical Mistake

The Fall of Arias

King Shamus went over the battleplan again. He looked over his territory on the map. He tried to keep a brave face in public or in front of his generals, but the loss of his mentor and most trusted advisor, the Wizard, Lucian Starborn weighed heavily. After their last defeat at the Battle of the Twin Keeps his Kingdom’s chances of winning this war seemed tenuous at best. The Two Keeps were the gate keeper fortification into his kingdom. When they fell, there was nothing King Shamus could do to stop the orcs from invading into the Hinterlands of his kingdom. King Shamus knew he was going to have to fight them on his own soil to defeat them if he waited for the ice to thaw. Allowing the battle to be fought in the interior of his country meant that a great many of his subjects would not make it into the next year. It was a miracle they even had this option still available to them.

The defeat at the Twin Keeps should have been catastrophic, Shamus’s army was dead to rights. When the mage fell, his army looked as if it were about to be routed. King Shamus, saw the death of his friend and decided to attempt a desperate drastic maneuver that surprised the orcs. King Shamus decided to suddenly stop his retreat from the field and attack with the full might of his army contingent. The pursuing orcs were in the midst of an intense bloodlust brought on by the belief they were about to finish what was left of the King’s forces. In the process they lost their discipline and extended themselves too far and were out of position. The counter charge could not have been more successful if it was planned. Shamus’s charge killed eight of War Chief Brun’s battle masters including his son and his daughter. The daughter was the biggest kill, she was perhaps one of the most cunning war chiefs the alliance has ever faced. The son was a brute like the father, Brun.

Brun was by far the most driven and charismatic leader the Orcs ever had in their history. The sheer size of the Orcish horde meant that Brun managed to rally all of the Orcish Clans. Including, those strange sorcerers. They were new to the order of battle, and although the orcs throughout history would occasionally have a rogue wizard or two to aid them, nothing was on this level. The new orcish sorcerers wreaked havoc on his battleplans, from destroying fortifications, to constantly launching fireballs, to casting disorienting spells on his army. At the battle of the Two Keeps an entire regiment charged to meet the orcs at the entrance of the keep before they could get a foothold. The unit ended up charging out the wrong end of the castle and took themselves completely out of the main battle without killing so much as an Orc cook.

Lucien, informed the King in one of the war room sessions that the sorcerers where in fact the fabled Circle of Slothen. An ancient evil order that practiced many forbidden magics. Their order was founded on sheer power acquisition and sadism.

Most thought the order a myth or at the very least lying in the dustbin of history.

Originally comprised of various evil covens and sorcerers it grew to basically include anyone with the magical wherewithal to fight against enemies of the Circle. Unlike The Tower, where the alliance gathered their mages, the Circle has been to meet just about anywhere. Most of the evil mages possessed the power to teleport to various destinations. The last time they were spotted, the legendary Arch-mage of old Devos Auron led a crusade of wizards and sorcerers of the light into purging them from existence.

The leader of the Circle back then was a man who was only known as Dominus the Deranged, a mage of great infamy for bringing forth the second great plague. He was vanquished by the legendary arch mage. The current tower was Devos’s creation, and his influence is seen in almost every magical tome in the modern era.

Conversely Dominus legacy was one that was purposefully erased. In fact, his grimoire was more sought after than the knowledge of what happened to the actual sorcerer himself. His Grimoire had been sought out by enemies of the Tower since the time he was vanquished. Various older tomes mention the Grimoire, but it was accepted common knowledge that it was lost to history and more of a scary ghost story than any conceivable reality.

Before the re-emergence of the current Circle. The Tower thought the order destroyed. The members vanquished by the organized might of the Tower and their allies. Lucien went on to explain that the Circle bears an undying hatred of the Tower, and by extension King Shamus, as being the leader and Chief patron of the Tower. The one place where any mage on Cronus could come and learn his craft.

Without the wise counsel of his mentor, he had to rely on memories of lessons, one he learned, was a holiday that were among the few the Orcs actually celebrate, simply known to outsiders as “The Fertility Ritual”. Orcs referred to it as the Birthing ritual. One of the reasons was obvious, Orcs took a full year to come to term unlike human babies. Elves only take six months to come to term. To Orcs the ritual was as sacred as any human holiday. Because Orcs took a year to come to term, the only good time to give birth was right before the ice broke on the various ice passes in the realm. The Orcs since time memorial have been at war with someone. So obviously the possibility of giving birth before then was not ideal.

It would not do to give birth in the peak of winter when the snow could cause very hazardous condition for a newborn mother and her pups. Their culture would provide the weak point where he would turn the tide the King told himself.

King Shamus lowered his helm with its plume of straight horsehair sticking out the top to be laid down as a table ornament.

“But my lord that pass is a death trap, no army has ever survived. It is too narrow.”, Dorian thundered. Dorian was a cautious one and did not favor going on the offensive at all.

“And what would you have us do, scatter our forces all over the kingdom and hope that we stall the massive onslaught that is coming at us.” King Shamus yelled back.

“No, my Lords let’s build defenses here, at Crows Marsh, the mist will allow us cover and we will have built defenses by the time War Chief Brun returns.” Dorian said less emphatic.

“Yes, and if he does not take the main way to our capital, he will have us surrounded within the week, cutoff from our capital. The battle of the Two Keeps was very costly. Many of you have yet to see the true danger of the plight we now face. “King Shamus said with a better tone of empathy.

“Well, if our defenses are so untenable why even bother M’Lord, let us arrange a meeting and set up terms, it would save lives, and we might be able to live to fight another day.” Lord Palvos countered, standing in his black armor with his son by his side.

“Untenable! Untenable!!!!! How dare you!!!” The King said as he suddenly withdrew and thrusted his sword through the stomach of the noble who suggested surrendering to the orcs.

“Father!!!!!” Screamed Sir Hector Palvos. He was immediately subdued by the King’s Personal guard. The guards whisked the son away to the dungeon as a precaution against retaliation.

“Sire.Lord Palvos.” Dorian tried to interject.

“Was suggesting a course of action not available to anyone here. I will hear none of it. Our wives would be sport for the horde if we fall, the rest of Cronos even the Empire across the ocean would be threatened with ruin. Is that what you want?

Human sacrifices? Cannibalism? Or other such perversions? Is that what you want for your children?” The king barked.

“Never!!! Your grace, death to Orcish swine!!!! Long live King Shamus!!! Long Live the King!” The war room erupted with calls to get behind the king.

The King knew if they were allowed to make it into his kingdom the war would be over in a little over a month. Any experienced commander would circumvent any army formed in defense of his kingdom. Meaning he would have to ready for a siege of the capital at Arias, which was not best for handling sieges, and it would also mean that the rest of his kingdom would be exposed. Countless lives would be lost under the harsh rule of the Orcs who would be crazy with bloodlust, especially after the surprise counterattack at the Two Keeps. The battle was the only reason he still has a force to mount a defense at all. No, he would need to launch a surprise attack, cripple the Orcish army before it can invade Arias.

The plan had been laid out; in a fortnights time a combined Alliance force would launch a daring raid on the Hallow grounds inside of Orcish territory. The primitive festival grounds and a simple fort were the only major centerpiece of the Hallows. It was a festive place, it was the one place that an outsider might get a true gauge of Orcish culture, unfortunately it was a rare privilege ever given to anyone. In fact, they were so protective of their fertility ritual, the only fact known to the outside world was the ritual was the one holiday that all Orcs found sacred.

The Narrows Day of the Ritual.

King Shamus plan was working perfectly. King Shamus’s army decided to travel at night and without torches as to not draw attention. They made it past the border forces of the Orcs. They were close to coming within striking distance. Just a little further and the contingent of men he had with him would have carte blanche to surprise attack Brun’s entire army. Hopefully, while they were in the throes of sex or at the very least with their guard down. Victory was so near. If we are successful here, we can send the remainder of his forces to the Twin Keeps to recapture the gateway to his kingdom.

A part of King Shamus felt relief as he was nearing his goal. King Shamus was a brilliant tactician, while most knights of the realm especially royal ones were schooled in traditional battle, Shamus learned from the Arch-mage of the Tower himself. Lucien taught him to take in all facts before going forward, including cultural, religious, and artistic aspects of his enemy and use it to his advantage. The Fertility Ritual was one of these cultural and religious aspects that will grant him his greatest victory, after the next pass, the force he brought could charge towards the makeshift fort that housed the Horde and protected the Hallows. He was so close. It was at this moment that the sound of shifting rocks were heard from the cliffs. Boulders started to loosen. It was a deliberate landslide.

“Trap! Full Speed, we need to get out of here now!” The King yelled before spurring his horse forward. He did not have time to look back or even check on his forces as the boulders were starting to roll down the hill with greater frequency he had to stay ahead of the boulders or he would be trapped. Which unfortunately was the fate for the lion share of his army. Most of his army was trapped behind the landslide as they did not have the keen awareness of their King and his personal guard.

The King and his personal guard however, stayed ahead of the trap and by luck approached the outdoor stadium on the near side of the fort. The Fort appeared to be only manned by a skeleton crew.

The King did not stop to try and sneak through the wooden fort that protected the Stadium, he charged forward. Arrows started to whoosh by the Monarch, his Eagle sigil that adorned the flag man behind him got hit right between his eyes. The King’s horse was fast, as it possessed magically augmented stamina. A normal horse would be spent by now but the King knew he would not be able to sprint to much further than the arena.

He turned back to give the orders to his personal guard, when he realized he was the last one left. The attack had failed. King Shamus, was about to turn away and try to escape back to his Kingdom, but as luck would have it he caught sight of War Chief Brun himself. He was adorned in very formal attire, well formal for an Orc. He even wore the bone crown instead of his normal battle helmet. He was with another orc, female, her body was oiled from head to toe.

He might die, but at least know he would take his enemy with him. Cut the head off the beast and the body will follow the King thought to himself. It was the only hope his kingdom had. He thought about drawing his sword as he charged but again the King realized he would have a better chance if he used his bow. The King reached back and assumed the riding position of his horse archers, not his strong suit, but he was very proficient in this method of battle thanks to his mentor Lucien. The man made the young King learn as many different weapon proficiencies as he could, never know when that would be the only weapon available, he would say to Shamus.

The King appeared to catch all the Orcs completely by surprise. Just like the guards at the fort. King Shamus barreled past the guards in the arena. That is when he saw it. He had his shot; Brun was in his sights with no one to stop him. He quickly drew his bow and let loose his arrow. The arrow was true his heart stopped as he thought that despite the disaster that occurred with this plan, that he could pull victory from defeat with one shot.

The King was not the only one who saw Brun’s vulnerability to Shamus’s bow.

The prize concubine saw the King and jumped with all her might in between War Chief and King Shamus. The shot pierced her heart killing her instantly as she fell into the arms of the War Chief. The War Chief’s guards quickly caught up to the King’s horse and successfully hurled spears that were attached to a net trapped the steed inside the hunting net. The King’s poor horse broke his legs, throwing the King securely into the self-tightening net. The King hit the ground hard. He had failed. It was ok, he tried his best he would join Lucien and his father soon enough.

Death was a certainty. The King thought before out all went black.

Some Time later.

“Ahhh” King Shamus exhaled as the water woke him from his slumber.

“Wake up King Pink Skin, I have tolerated the last insult from you and your kind.

From this day forth the Nether Realms of Charon shall hold sway over all of Cronos. You and The Kingdom of Arias will be no more!!! Tonight, on the first night of blessed birthing festival I will be made whole.” Brun declared. The War Chief had his men remove the King’s armor while he laid unconscious and secure him between two post in the center of the main gathering place. He stood in front of his fallen nemesis. The King was relegated to wearing pillowy white undergarments.

“Just kill me quick cur, like I did your son and daughter.” The King croaked out as a smirked formed upon his face. The orcs face immediately became awash with anger.

Brun closed the distance and shot his hand under the King’s chin and forced Shamus to look up into the War Chief’s eyes.

“And Wife!!! You murdered three of my personal brood” Brun declared.

“Kill him Brun! Let’s start this sacred night with his blood to anoint this ground!

Tradition demands his head!” One of the orcs battle masters yelled out to War Chief Brun.

The King’s eyes grew wide in surprise then smug in accomplishment. He struggled out another taunt towards his captor.

“Ah I see.. well, it is fair then but know this foul beast, I killed your wife, your daughter and your son, all you can do is kill me, and although the next in line will rule, know that you will never get the same satisfaction as I have right now. “ The King said as he laughed mockingly at the War Chief, as the captured King was trying to goad the Orc into granting him a quick death.

“Kill him Brun! He desecrated the Hallowed Ground! Kill Him!!! The old ways demand blood!” The Crowd began shouting at their leader.

Brun lost his grip of the King’s face as if in contemplation. The Pink Skin was right he would never get satisfaction if he killed this horrid young upstart pink skin king. He stopped in his tracks as if the thunderbolt of an epiphany struck him. He turned around and looked at King Shamus as a calculating smile was starting to form. He then turned his attention to his horde gathered demanding the execution of this King. If he let them continue, he would have to fight his own kind as they were becoming very close of going into the Blood Lust.

“The Old Ways!! Nay!!! There are no more old ways, only Brun!!!!! And Brun demands to be made whole!!!!” Brun chortled back at his orcish brethren who now gathered en masse. A grumble washed over the crowd as they instinctively did not like to hear those words. Brun was not taken aback by this response and continued.

“Listen brothers!!!! This man has killed our beloved Battlemaster, Naz, who was my wife, Morguz, perhaps our most cunning general and my beloved daughter, and my son, Bogrub the next in line to be war chief! You all know that in the past months I longed for the day for the snows clear so I can pay this blood debt in full, which would have occurred within two fortnights, and shortly after we would have brought our most hated enemy to heel. You all know my bloodlust!!!!” Brun screamed at the crowd, so they could know the sincerity of his desire to kill this man. “Yet, as we in our own sacred lands try to undo the damage done by the pink skins. The gods have brought the scum before us. During our most sacred ritual fate brings the pink skin King to us!!!!!” “He tried and attack us on our most sacred of days, and you are correct we normally would demand blood. The penalty for desecration is death. But my demand is greater, no, my demand will send shockwaves to our enemy. My demand started when his father killed my father and today will see will an end to our suffering for all time! This action today is final insult. When he attacked us on the most sacred of days the leader of the enemy showed us who he really is. Here he arrives, his plans in ruins, a plan that was to come at us not in battle like a respected foe. But in surprise like a coward! The mark of soft ones.”, Brun explained.

“Then after his pathetic invasion failed. He charged not with a sword but a bow, like a welp hunting game! He then let fly one of his one of his arrows at me!! Did he challenge me to one and one combat, no, he shot from afar as if I was some stag to take home for dinner. Through this cowardly act he murdered the woman that was groomed to be my new wife and battle master on the most holy of days a day where she was to become our newest matriarch, “Brun continued the crowd hanging on his every word. Making sure to keep reiterating that this occurred on the holiest of Days. He had them now. The detailing of long slights placated the crowd, no matter what tradition demanded, they knew their leader had the final say on how his justice is meted.

“Make it right Brun!” A warrior called out among the throng gathered.

“Make it Right!” The Orcs started chortling towards their War Chief.

“Oh I intend to!.” Brun said looking back with a sadistic grin upon his face.

King Shamus listened silently as he hung between the two post. As Brun detailed the slights against him, King Shamus eyes widen in surprise when he was informed, he just killed Brun’s new bride on their wedding day.

“Well, my little Brun I hope you like my wedding gift.” The King said before he broke into a sadistic glee letting loose an evil sounding laugh. The King appeared to enjoy the description of his successes against Brun. The list of slights sounded to King Shamus as a list of victories.

Brun furious, decided to hurry away from the King to composed himself. After a couple of moments, he finally turned around extremely calm, as if he knows his way forward now.

“Tell me, King Shamus, do you fear death?” Brun said looking at the King as if was a piece of meat.

“We all die Brun. Best be done with it so we can continue this battle in the great beyond.” The king cynically replied.

“Ah that simple then, just swing my axe through your neck and put your head on a pike.” Brun responded as he stood perfectly upright with his hands clenched behind his back.

“Spare me your threats I am not scared of what you will do, there is nothing you can do that scares me pig-man, you waste time, toying with your food will not bring your wife back, excuse me, wives back, nor your offspring. There is nothing you can do to me that will bring you satisfaction War Chief in that, our personal scorecard I have won.” The King croaked out as he thought his point was beyond reproach.

Brun listened to the King boast of the murders he inflicted upon Brun’s household.

He did not get angry this time however, instead he countered the King’s words with a revelation the King was not aware of.

“You know it is funny, your mentor, Lucien made the same claim when we captured him. “Brun said with a smile, a collective cacophony of mild laughter overtook the crowd.

“Lucien was a better man than anyone here.!!! He died in the service of the Just, you heathen!!!!!” King Shamus yelled out angrily at Brun at the mention of his beloved mentor.

The entire crowd erupted in raucous laughter. Almost if they knew something the King did not.

The King felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He was missing something. He saw Lucien die with his own eyes; Brun was trying to get to him King Shamus thought.

Brun smiled brightly savoring the ignorance of his captive. He waited for the laughter to die down. He then slowly posited a question to the King.

“What makes you think he died?” Brun inquired to the King.

A couple of random laughter broke out around the throng orcs that surrounded them.

“I saw him fall in battle. He was hit by a magical bolt from one your hell spawned cursed mages you brought to the battle. The King Called out.

“To counter the allies you always bring, from the elves, dwarves, the magical kin your kind stockpile like superweapons. Our shaman magics are no match for your Tower. I simply evened the odds.” Brun declared unapologetically. Before the King could respond, the crowd began to mummer as there was a slight commotion in the crowd behind Brun. The Orcs then parted to make way for a group of men and women dressed in black and red robes. Emissive red eyes stared out from the shadows of the hood of the one leading them.

King Shamus suddenly felt his body grow chilled as if hit by a northern wind in the middle of winter. Something truly evil was walking nearby.

“I, I, did not kill, did not kill, did not kill, him him King King. The lead warlock spoke out towards King Shamus his words echoing through the air almost as if another being was with him. A man whose every word uttered carried a phantasmal and macabre quality to it. It was the type of speech that was unholy, unnatural, most certainly inspired foreboding to any who had the misfortune to hear it. The kind of words that made one feel afflicted with a terrible burden.

King Shamus was shaking in fear now as the proximity to the Shadow Mage became smaller. He finally steeled himself the same way he would if he was charging into battle for the first time, and said, “But I saw him. He was forcibly bolted from his steed, blood splattered I saw it clear across the battle field!” “Yes, his steed’s blood”, The word “steed’s blood” echoed around them as if another person was there to emphasize his point “Do you want to see your old friend old King?” Brun asked with a faÁade drenched in mirth upon his face.

“He is alive. Yes, let me see my friend, Lucien!!!” King Shamus called out hopeful to see his friend and mentor one more time before he is executed.

“I tell you what, you have suffered enough, I believe instead of killing you here all alone surrounded by your enemies. You should not be alone at this time. Brun declared to the crowd who immediately erupted in laughter, they were starting to grasp what Brun was about to do.

The King’s eyes went wide with impending dread. He did not like where this conversation was going. what did they do to Lucien? King Shamus’s mouth opened with revelation. He did not die, that meant he abandoned him here to be subject to the whims of the horde. What had these monsters done with him, cut out his eyes? Did they leave him limbless? What?? King Shamus felt a deep pang of regret when he thought of his fallen mentor. A large part of him did not want to see what sacrilege they performed on his visage.

“Yes, Grand War Chief I think that is an excellent idea.” The leader of the warlocks in front of him uttered as he lowered his hood to reveal, the man under its cloak of shadow.

“Eldon Aura!” King Shamus cried out in astonishment.

The apprentice of Lucien who attended many a war council meeting in Shamus’s very palace.

“Hello you pathetic welp. Yes, I lead the Circle of Slothen, and the will of Dominus will be obeyed.” The King remembered Eldon as an obsequious mousy little nobody when he was Lucien’s assistant. His appearance now was much more pronounced and menacing than what he looked like in the Arias War Room. He sounded so unnatural now, the echoing haunting whisper that followed everything he said was affront to all that existed on this plane. Perhaps he was possessed? The King thought to himself.

The King was utterly confused, “I do not understand. How did you best Lucien?

You could not even power the wards for battle, Lucien told me. Who did you sell yourself to, to become, this, this, abomination” The King spat out in disgust.

“You ignorant fool! The Eldon you knew, never existed. My Circle has hidden in plain sight for centuries. I pretended to be the hapless fool. Lucien’s weakness was that he has always had a problem with people who might be a threat to him within the Tower. His insecurity allowed me to infiltrate the tower and become his assistant quite easily. I tolerated his abuse, knowing the Circle’s time would soon come. All of us are finally out of the shadow now, through Lord Brun’s will, our reach will finally fell our enemies. In return we will fell his enemies. His clan’s word unlike your house never falters.” Eldon referring to the betrayal of Dominus by Shamus’s ancestor that set up the ambush of Tower mages that finally fell Dominus.

“Why? We hath shown nothing but love for you, Eldon!” The King yelled in a hurt voice to the man.

“Fool! I am not Eldon! Do you not get it, I was never that version of Eldon, that was a persona I used to fool you and your pathetic mentor and fulfill our long plan of revenge on all who hunted us. Bring me the Dominus Grimoire!!!! I have a task to complete. Our war chief demands blood!!” The warlock uttered. The echoing phantasmic voice chilled the captured King to the bone.

“Your time on this plane is coming to an end, King, I have been summoned to give you the most painful death a person can experience.” Eldon announced.

The Crowd gasped with excitement awaiting to see such a sadistic spectacle. The War Chief let the cheers run their course before speaking.

“Change of plan Eldon. I think it is time for Shamus here to meet his old mentor.

Don’t you?” Brun declared before slowly walking over to the mage and placing his large hand on his shoulder as a brother in arms.

The crowd erupted in laughter once more at the mention of his mentor.

“Oh you mean my former Superior I believe that is a wonderful idea.” The evil warlock chuckled as the laugh and his raspy words eerily echoed.

Brun leaned forward and whispered something in the Warlock’s ear. The red emissive eyes narrow in the King’s direction.

“Very Well, War Chief I believe I might have something, but I have to check the Grimoire.” “Artania, bring me the Grimoire but also bring the King some entertainment while he waits for his old mentor.” Eldon called out to the gorgeous red headed woman behind him.

“Oh my Arch-Lord, shall I bring her with the new regalia?” Artania asked back.

Eldon looked at the king to gauge his reaction, “Yes, after all ceremony dictates, and this moment demands nothing less.” “It will be done M’Lord” Artania says with a smirk on her face. She then broke away from the magic users to walk towards the encampments off in the distance.

The King stared back at Artania with a stern look upon his face. Artania unlike Eldon was not hidden in plain sight. She and her kind openly defied Shamus and his father for years. She never aged, as with most mages, they either aged extremely slow or not at all. If he had to guess she was much older than her appearance. The gorgeous redhead had seduced several of the best nobles and patrons Arias had to offer, and her schemes were always dangerous. A few even managed to greatly weaken his kingdom for years at a time.

At the beginning of the current war with the orcish horde. The Tower had all its members and assets geared toward fighting Artania and her coven. The Foulwinter’s coven were a dangerous lot. The Tower could never seem to be able to capture her. Not even when King Shamus’s spymaster helping them. It was as if they were always two steps ahead, and now looking at Eldon, Shamus knew why.

“So, you are the reason that whore eluded our grasp all these years. Why our plans were always compromised.” The King said looking at Eldon with a judgmental glare.

“Fool, you have no respect for my kind, you think pink skins are the only one with spy networks. Who do you think Eldon was spying for?” War Chief Brun thundered over the king indignantly.