Empires of Ashes

"Smart man"

*Ket is riding a little ways behind, with the remains of his men*

"I've been doing this longer than you're alive" *chuckles*

"It doesn't hurt to make sure"

OOC: Glad to see this lives again.

IC:

*Meanwhile, the expedition is huddled around a camp fire. Even in the warm climes of Voldamia, the Brigardi stick to it as though not doing so means certain death.*

Trajan: fair enough

Mako: so....

*Joachim looks in her direction, an eyebrow arched.*

Mako:....well...any campfire stories? pass the time?

Joachim: I doubt you'd want to hear any Brigardi camp fire stories. They tend to be depressing.

Mako:...shall I tell one then?

Joachim: If you'd like.

Mako: how about...hm...well, there's THAT legend. the one that pretty much everyone in voldamia knows.

Joachim: Well, we're not Voldamian so go ahead.

Mako: well....long ago. long, long ago. The land was inhabited not by men. But by the foxes, and the wolves. The Foxes were cunning, but no fighters. The wolves were smart, and truly ferocious warriors. Rather than warring with one another, like they had long before, the wolves and foxes came to rely upon eachother. Individual wolfpacks would take in groups of the foxes, give them their protection, in exchange for the cunning of the fox. And each pack did prosper through this. At first.

"Let us set off then"

"Hmm....we need to establish a camp before we reach the city. let supplies reach us, allow scouts time to assess the enemy defences, before we plan a siege."

*The Brigardi remain silent.*

Mako: but, as is the wolf's nature, a peaceful co-existence is unlikely. The wolf packs soon turned upon eachother, fighting first over things like hunting grounds, mates, but soon over other reasons, more personal reasons. Soon nearly every wolfpack did turn upon eachother.

Joachim: All allegorical. The story of the nature of petty men.

"We need to find the city first"

"However, finally things began to change. Two wolfpacks did ally. Two alpha males, born of the same mother, did unite their packs, and embarked upon a quest, a quest given to them by the ancient spirits themselves. To bring peace to the land. And unite the packs under them."

Trajan: true enough

"I'm surprised the Kelthrovi haven't challenged us"

Trajan: they know me by now. My reputation at this point means they know they can't beat me in the field. In a defensive Siege they at least have the fortification advantage.

Joachim: And then?

Mako: their packs at their side, they battled the other wolves. They fought many a tough battle, and the tale is far far too long to tell in detail. One wolf was almost killed in his sleep by a foe. One was betrayed by one of his own pack, and almost killed then. Both almost died in battle many many times. But years later, many many years later, they succeeded. All packs were united. All packs were one pack. Their destiny had been fulfilled. But they soon hit a problem, for when all is one pack, there can only be one alpha. And soon, tragically, the two wolves came to blows.

Joachim: Let me guess...this is the story of how your people came to be united.

"I hope you're right"

Mako: *nods but continuing for now* the alphas fought eachother from dusk till dawn, beating eachother bloody, biting, slashing, clawing. But in the end, only one would live. only one would rule. With his brother dead, they say the survivor did weep. But at that moment, before all onlookers, a great light did descend upon him, as his body began to fill with the power of the ancient spirits. His body changed, no longer a wolf, but a mighty dragon, wise and strong. The great beast did roar, and wolf and fox alike knelt. To this day, has the dragon and his sons ruled the land. 

Trajan: it's likely, but not definite. Need to keep eyes on all directions, keep them from sneaking up on us if that's their plan.

"Indeed, hopefully my scouts will either find something or give us the all clear"

Joachim: I see....and the dragon is the Shogun's clan.

Mako: *sighs* and the other wolf was my ancestor.

Trajan: agreed. My auxilia are doing the same

Joachim: I see....

Mako: sorry, not supposed to tell depressing stories.

Joachim: I get the irony...

she chuckles
"Sorry. It's always the first that comes to mind, since it's the one everyone knows"

Joachim: It's fine.

"So...question. You guys hating it outside your homeland or is it not so bad?"

"Let us rude forward then, I can see my scouts trotting back to us now"

Joachim: It is...different, I'll give it that. I can appreciate the warmer climate.

Trajan nods and does so

Mako: well get used to it. It's only gonna get colder from here.

Joachim: Ah, something familiar then.

Mako: and, for us at least, uncharted territory once we hit the border.

*He follows, as do his men*

*cue them meeting said riders*

"All clear sirs, it seems the cowards have fallen back to their city"

Trajan: how far to the city?

Joachim: Why? What's across the border?

Mako: wildlands. Forests, tribals, no one knows much, except neither we nor Dracia have been able to even make some form of foothold.

Joachim: Hm....may be best to turn back then.

Mako: maybe. I dunno to be honest. I've never been there myself, and we haven't sent an army there in decades.

Joachim: Then I say we turn back. Head south maybe.