Chapter 143: Prelude to the Crusade

 

Count Uxtaul sat at his desk as he gazed at the medallion in his hand. He ran his thumb over the bronze metallic surface and looked at the draconic visage of the Goddess of War stamped on the coin. Zariman deities were quite different from the gods of the other races. It is tradition that only those that have created a powerful house may be granted the title of deity.

In Zarima each person had a spiritual house and a blood house. For Count Uxtaul his blood house would be House Uxtaul but his spiritual house would be the House of War. There were many of these spiritual houses. There was the House of Law, House of Healing, House of Shadows, House of Gold, House of Sands and the most prominent of them all the House of War.

Children are born into the houses but they can change their spiritual house if they commit themselves to a trial. The House of War however was different. Children who are born to the House of War must go through a trial regardless if they were born to the house. The House of War does not accept weaklings and all within the house must be capable warriors or tacticians.

It is for that reason that the House of War is the most respected house in Zarima and the priests of the House of War have great sway in the desert. The current Emperor of Varakrima was not even part of the House of War, he failed the trials and so now he was part of the House of Law. This fact has brought no shortage of problems to his rule. These problems were greatly contributed by the actions and stance of the four great noble houses of which Count Uxtaul was one of them. Though he was only a Count he possessed a considerable private army with highly skilled soldiers. Count Uxtual knew the Emperor would like nothing more than to defang the four great noble houses. However, tradition demanded that members of the House of War were permitted private armies. Furthermore, with the Emperor failing the trials for the House of War his relationship was always shaky with the national army. The entire leadership within the army were members of the House of War. Needless to say they chafed under the orders from what in their minds was a pencil pusher of the House of Law. 

But now with this…

Count Uxtual flipped the medallion and it showed the emblem of the Goddess Mahaila’s chosen weapons. On the metal surface was stamped the shape of two rapiers crossed over a large black sword. These were her chosen arms, the weapons by which she struck down her foes. Her edge finds throats and her blade cleaved bone. Even the mighty dragons fell before the might of the Goddess of War. Her twin rapiers showed her precision and discipline as a warrior. Though she was mighty in strength she still favoured weapons that required hawkish precision. Her strikes were true and her targets will find cold steel buried in their throats. As for the sword it is said she only unsheathes that blade for a truly heinous foe. It was a gift from her master, the blade was legendary. It had many names, God Killer, Sun Striker, The One Blade and to the Zarimans it was named the Zlazmen Sevr Bi which translated to the Sword of War. A blade once wielded by the legendary Blade himself, the old master of the Goddess Mahaila. A weapon with a twin known as the Yatr Soxta Bi, the Axe of Peace. It is said the Goddess uses the fighting style of her old master when she draws his old blade, showing the world a glimpse of the Blade’s past power. 

Legend has it that the Blade uses a sword as a handicap. For you see the Sword is named after War implying a struggle. But the Axe is where the Blade no longer wishes to play games, so he drops the act and draws the Axe of Peace, for peace is what the axe will bring. Afterall, peace comes after the war is won.

But regardless of old legends Count Uxtual suspected the House of War has decided to no longer suffer the rule of a weak Emperor. Count Uxtual would bet his right hand his three other compatriots in the four great nobles now have a medallion just like this in their possession.

Well no matter, if the House of War wills it then it shall be done. If anything can save Zarima it is the House of War. Emperors bend to the adherents of the Goddess of War Mahaila. If the Warrior Priests decide to join the fray the forces of Zarima will find themselves greatly bolstered. This must be why the Warrior Priests never declared support until now. They simply have no intention of fighting under that mewling weakling they call an Emperor. 

If that was the case then the coup would be mostly bloodless. The Emperor will lose his throne and the House of War will take control of Zarima. 

 

Glory to the House of War

Hallowed are its Halls…

 

◦◦,`°.✽✦✽.♚.✽✦✽.°`,◦◦

 

Arias sat by the fire as he poked the flame, embers and sparks danced from the crackling flame. It was night and Arias was trying his best to keep the fire alive as he waited for dinner. Once again he found himself in armour and a sword at his waist. He didn’t want to march to war again, the last time he was on the battlefield it wasn’t exactly that pleasant. He watched monsters slaughter everyone he knew in the army. 

In the end he found out everyone in his squad died and he was left with the grim duty of sending letters to families of the deceased. Arias thought the worst part would be the tears from the families but the worse was actually what happened when he reached the door of his senior’s daughter. His senior Conte was a crude man that partially resembled a common bandit but Arias felt deep down he was a good man. 

Long story short when he showed up at his daughter's door, she gave him a dirty look, snatched the letter out of his hand, gave it a quick look and then tore it up before slamming the door in his face. To say that really stung would be an understatement but regardless all he could do was leave. He even picked up the shredded remains of the letter, he couldn’t just leave the letter to drift away in the wind. Arias knew that little gesture meant nothing but at least to him it felt important to keep the letter. He still doesn’t know what to do with it so the pieces of the letter are in his drawer back home.

As to why he was even here in an army camp in the first place…

“Looks like we are resting another week or so.” a familiar feminine voice said from behind him.

Arias turned to see his wife smiling at him as she sat down next to him on the log he was using as a seat. They were currently just outside the border of Vororia. Apparently the final diplomatic talks were underway before the Averlonian Empire launched their invasion.

If the talks failed they would be marching right over the border and conquering the whole place. Arias signed up because his wife Junie was still part of the church and she was assigned to the army. Arias couldn’t just let her go off by herself so he ended up signing up as well. But he couldn’t help but feel mixed feelings about this whole situation. The last time he was in an army was an invasion force and this time he was back to being the invader. However, at least this time they were invading Veroria to make sure they didn't get wiped out by the Black Crusade. 

“Well diplomacy does take awhile.” Junie said as she leaned against Arias’s shoulder.

“Hopefully all this talking means we don’t actually have to invade. I’m sick of being the invader…” Arias muttered in response.

“Yeah… personally I’m more tired of fighting monsters. Almost makes me wish for a normal war…” Junie said softly with a sigh.   

“If the only thing we end up facing are the vampires then the only thing they two of us have ever faced would be monsters. Maybe we should sign up for the Beast Corps. They like taking ex-adventurers right?” Arias said with a small chuckle.

“Well we would certainly have the experience.” Junie replied with a small laugh of her own.

“Come on you two you are making me miss my wife.” a gruff voice said from the opposite side of the fire.

Arias looked up to see the brown bearded and grizzled face of his new friend Dwongrim Fireforge. He was a Rune Smith tasked to the army’s Artillery Brigade.

“Sorry Dwongrim.” Junie replied with a small bashful smile as she sat back up to get off Arias’s shoulder.

“So have you gotten used to the outside world yet?” Arias said as he looked up at Dwongrim who just grimaced as he looked up at the moon.

“Nah, not having a ceiling over my head just feels… wrong.” Dwongrim replied gruffly.

“Feel like a Moon Gazer? I mean you are literally looking at the moon right now.” Arias asked with mirth in his voice, for his words he got rewarded by Junie’s elbow being jabbed into his ribs.

“Yeah, no idea why those nuts like the outdoors so much. Can’t wait for this war to end and I can go back underground.” Dwongrim muttered in response.

“Did you just have no idea what it was like outside?” Junie asked.

“I had an idea I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my beautiful artillery pieces in action. My family have been working those ballista for six generations, how can I pass up the chance to see them used in open battle.” Dwongrim said as he pointed a stubby finger at Arias.

“You dwarves are weird.” another voice said from the side. Arias turned to see a man wearing the ranger armour of the Beast Corps. The Beast Corps was the military unit made from the remains of the adventurer guild and they specialised in fighting side by side with the Hives. 

The man who spoke was named Varon Grit, a commoner by birth that eventually became a silver ranker adventurer. Right now he was serving as a mounted ranger in the Beast Corps. The company around the campfire was colourful to say the least. This was mostly due to the months-long wait. When an entire army was just camped on the border people tended to talk to each other. Especially with an army as diverse as this. 

There were your average human soldiers, knights from both Voleria and Elysia including the ancient knight orders of Voleria, Dwarves, ex-adventurers that became the Beast Corps, mage academics, the Wardens, the Knight Enchanters and the Priesthood. All of this formed an extremely flexible, powerful and most of all effective army. Many are saying this was probably the most powerful humanoid army on the continent right now and Arias was inclined to agree. 

Then you had to add in the six Hive Broods that are nesting under their feet. The six included the infamous Hivebrood Prime led by one of the Great Beast’s top lieutenants, the Broodmother Nafas. Hivebrood Prime was the brood that broke the Tralis military in a single battle. With most of the army killed and the rest captured, Hivebrood Prime essentially deleted most of the Tralis military in under an hour.

The soldiers have started calling the Hivebroods the White Terror Below. The broods of the Great Beast’s were legendary in reputation. This wasn’t surprising considering there were many in this army that have faced the Hives in direct combat. Most of their experiences were quite similar, they tried to fight, then they tried to flee, then they surrendered. Many described it to be like fighting a force of nature, like trying to fight a typhoon or flood with swords and spears. 

Then as if reality knew what had crossed Arias’s mind he felt the ground begin to shake. Arias looked around in fear and he saw the people around him were split into two groups. Those who looked around in concern and those who looked around in fear. This was a rather easy way to tell who has faced the hives in direct combat. Arias then heard a rumbling crash from behind him in the distance, he turned to see a large white worm emerge from the ground. The worm looked like it was big enough to wrap itself around a castle spire and crush it. Even from here and at night Arias could see the tell tale symbol of Hivebrood Prime plastered on the side of the worm. 

The worm let out a roar then it opened its maw as wide it could and face it to the sky. Then a swarm of flying beasts emerged from its maw and flew into the sky. Arias looked on mute fascination as the creatures all began flying away in the direction of Zarima.

“What the hell are they doing?” Dwongrim said as he watched the worm give a final roar before burrowing itself back into the ground.

“No idea but look at that.” Varon the ranger said as he pointed off into the distance. Arias looked in the direction and he saw a glow in the distant skies. He looked around and saw other soldiers had noticed as well and many were pointing at the rapidly approaching glow.

As it got closer Arias felt his blood go cold when he realised what he was looking at. He felt Junie grab his arm in fear as they watched it approach. Arias saw the golden feathered frame of the Great Beast hurtle through the sky at speeds he thought impossible for a body so large. The Great Beast was flanked by the white Phoenix Azatherine and two other blue fire phoenixes. Arais could only watch in mute fear as the four tore across the skies above their heads. 

As the phoenixes went over the camp, night became day as the glowing bodies bathed those below in heat. Many shouted in fear as the scorching heat washed over the camp. Then in a moment it was over and all Arisa could see was the glowing forms of these ancient creatures disappearing into the distance. In moments like these it really made Arias realise how insignificant he was. With just their simple passage over this so-called strongest army these creatures managed to strike fear into every soldier in the camp. It felt like a star was passing overhead and that was just the phoenixes. Those phoenixes answered to a greater power, the Great Beast. Arias couldn’t help but wonder what could have made these great creatures bow. The Phoenixes were worshipped by the Elysians and now the phoenixes bowed like common servants.

“Terrifying isn’t it?” a grim voice said from behind him. Arias turned and nearly jumped out of his skin when he realised he was standing next to Grand General Montis. He didn’t even hear him approach…

“Apologies, I may be a general but I do know how to fight. Because of that I tend to unintentionally sneak up on people.” General Montis said with a small smile.

“Its.. its fine.” Arias replied as he gave Montis a hasty salute.

“At ease. It is good to see you alive and well.” General Montis said with a nod referencing how he ordered Arias into the prince’s tent at the end of that fateful first battle with the hive.

“Thank you for our kindness back then.” Junie said as she approached and gave Montis a small bow. Montis for his part returned the bow as per social etiquette towards a member of the priesthood.

“May I join you? I have yet to take my dinner.” General Montis said and Arias did a double take at those words. The Grand General wanted to eat with him? Here?

“We ain’t got much good food here general.” Dwongrim said in his typical no nonsense tone and Arias internally winced at those words.

“The food you receive is actually quite good as compared to some of the other campaigns I have been on. I think I will manage.” General Montis replied with a laugh.

Arias could only watch as Junie welcomed the Grand General to sit down and it was then that he noticed the General didn’t have a single guard with him. Which means he was just walking around the camp alone. Wouldn’t that be a security issue?

“General may I ask what are you doing here alone?” Arias asked as he sat down next to Junie.

“I like to walk the camp every now and then. Especially when I have much to think about.” Montis said.

“Much to think about?” Arias asked as he tilted his head.

“This war will end with us swallowing the west into the Empire. I suspect I may become the Grand General of the East soon.” Montis replied.

“What do you mean…” Arias began but he was interrupted by the sounds of a cart behind him. Arias turned his head to see the dinner cart arriving.

“Good evening General. Would you like an officer’s wine as usual?” the server said and Montis just calmly nodded. The meals in the army were served in carts that would give the designated rations to the appropriate ranked personnel. 

Arias took his food and took the standard cup of ale. He watched as Junie took the full ration as well including the ale. It was always a strange sight to see Junie, a priestess being handed a mug of alcohol. It was for a good reason however. You see Arias didn’t like ale much either and normally he wouldn’t take the ale ration. 

Arias handed his cup to Dwongrim and Junie did the same. Arias couldn’t help but smile as he saw Dwongrim sit happily with his food and three cups of ale next to him.

“You know general you run a good show, I never thought I would get booze out here.” Dwongrim said before taking a deep drink from his mug.

“The food is better than I thought too.” Arias admitted as he thought back to his meals back in the Tralis army. He looked down at his plate to see an apple, bread, a bowl of hearty stew, cheese and some boiled vegetables.

“An army marches on its stomach and supply lines are easy to manage at this location.” Montis said as he took a bite of his apple. Arias knew high ranking officers could get served in their tents and they got special meals. So it was surprising that the Grand General would decide to just eat the normal ration.

“Is the food that is supposed to be served for you going to be wasted?” Junie asked.

“No, my attendants know to just give it to the other soldiers if I can’t make it for the meal. You miss a lot of meals when you command an army.” Montis replied with a calm shake of his head.

“So why did you decide to eat with us General?” Dwongrim asked as he put down his empty mug. Arias internally winced at those words, right to the point as usual…

“The directness of the dwarves is refreshing. It is a welcome departure from the veiled words of the courts.” Montis replied as he poured himself a glass of wine before handing it to Dwongrim.

“Thanks, but you still haven’t answered my question.” Dwongrim said after taking the glass of wine.

“The truth is actually very simple. I would like to know the state of my army before I march.” Montis said and everyone sitting around the fire stiffened.

“So we are marching soon?” Arias asked as he felt the familiar trill of anxiety go up his spine.

“Soon, I am still waiting for another Focii Rifle Regiment to arrive. After that we march for Vororia.” Montis replied as he finished pouring himself a glass of wine.

“Will there be a battle for Vororia?” Junie asked softly.

“Doubt so, if the Empress was not confident in taking Vororia peacefully we would already be marching over the border. Her spies and informants are everywhere, she knows she can talk them down.” Montis replied before taking a sip of wine.

“The real question is if we will fight the Lizardkin.” Montis said as he swirled the blood red wine in the glass.

“Surely the Lizardkin won’t just submit. I thought we were going to dig in around Vororia and wait for the vampires to hit us.” Varon said as he locked eyes with Montis.

“Spoken like a veteran. That is what would normally happen but these are not normal times.” Montis said.

“What do you mean?” Arias asked.

“Strategically speaking it makes little sense to fight the Lizardkin. Zarima would be too difficult to control even if we conquered it and we would spend too much resources in the conquest. Furthermore with a Black Crusade on the way it would be best for the Lizardkin to bleed the vampires and weaken them. The children of Zarima are adepts of fire magic which are extremely effective against the undead. Though they will lose, they will exact a terrible toll on the vampires.” Montis said and Arias noted everyone was listening to General with rapt attention.

“However, an untainted and whole Zarima would be easier to maintain supply lines.” Montis said and Arias saw Varon sit up in surprise.

“Wait, you aren’t saying…” Varon began his eyes wide.

“Yes, we are not just going to defend, we are not going to just repel the Black Crusade. It is best for all of you to know this now, if I told you this earlier when all of you are stuck waiting it would only breed paranoia. But with the march almost upon us it is time for all of you to steel yourselves.” Montis said with a weary sigh.

“The Empress and the Great Beast are greedy. With the blessing of the angels to address the Black Crusade however they see fit they now have the opening to begin their own crusade. 

In a single stroke the Empress will take it all, the remaining Volerian states, Zarima and even Necoronas. The Averlonian Empire will soon almost double in territory.” Montis said and for the first time Arias saw Varon at a lost of words. 

Arias’s mind wandered to the map…

 

If the Averlonian Empire devours Zarima and Necoronas they would share a border with Elves in the Wood of Ancients, the Terran Daemons of Umbara and the Naga which now controlled the Ostayan Woods. 

“This is going to be the final Black Crusade…” Arias muttered and Montis nodded in response.

“In a single stroke the Empress and the Great Beast will create an Empire larger than any in history. They will control Elysia, Old Voleria, Zarima and Necoronas. They will control half of the continent.” General Montis said.

“We now fly the banner of a white phoenix, the Great Beast’s hives are white. Sometimes I wonder if all of this is poetically planned…” General Montis began.

 

We are not repelling a Black Crusade

We are about to wage a White Crusade…