Empires of Ashes

"We have more than enough men to cover all potential attack routes while still having a reserve force"

"It is our response time that will matter. How long he can mask the advance... if a strong force strikes our beleaguered warriors, it may be enough to break them."

"If we hold out long enough, Agrippa will simply end the siege by force."

Ket: "My cousin is not a fool. A brat, but not a fool. He knows that."

"And what can he do about it? Agrippa knows the score. If we hold out, he relieves us. If we fall before he gets here, he takes his army and attacks valuable kelthrovi assets and targets behind enemy lines, and cuts off their supply lines."

"I would rather keep my head where it is."

"Not always an option"

"I've managed so far, and i am not so keen to die for your empire as you may be."

"Don't forget our other advantages. Don't think I haven't noticed how your men have been acting. Your people fear this place don't they?"

Ket: "It is the capitol of the old empire. Scoured by the gods."

"By dragons, not the gods." *grins* "and incase you didn't notice, we don't find dragons as scary as you do."

"Dragons are the messengers of the gods. What power could create such creatures besides the almighty?"

"Oh I wasn't questioning their power or their origin. Just the fear you have in them. *chuckles* After all, they're not invincible. Anyway, that's besides the point. My point is, they will be afraid of the very ground we defend, let alone we defenders. My men do not have to worry about such."

"Allow my men to take the first assault. Knowledge that they face immortals will shake them more."

"Good thinking. Add a few Clavae in amongst you and they'll probably shit themselves the moment they can see us."

*ket shakes his head* "No, your clavae will disrupt a phalanx. Keep them in reserve."

"Fair enough point"

"How many clavae do you have?"

"Five maniples, one per legion, fifty men each."

"Pardon...? You have how many?!"

"The standard amount for the number of legions I have."

*Ket scratches his beard.* "I've never faced that number. By the gods i was foolish... Two Hundred demons..."

*chuckles* "you don't say."

"I didn't realise..."

"You have now."

"I would have needed every immortal just to fight the clavae."

"The might of the legions, Ket. Not something to underestimate. We're an empire for a reason."

"By black pacts of devious kind."

".... *sighs*"

"Tell me your clavae are natural creatures. Say it and i shall laugh."

he pauses before answering. "It's not a question I like to think about the answer for"

"Deals with darkness do not leave the soul untouched trajan."

"I rather doubt this is the time for such a discussion. Perhaps once the enemy lie scattered before us we can speak of it properly."

"Perhaps not, but such a time will come. Or we will be hung upon crosses for the crows."

"Not while I still have a say in the matter."

"So. What is our plan? We stand, twenty one thousand, against sixty thousand. In a crumbling city."

"I've had worse odds."

"I do not think so friend. The coming weeks will be our greatest moments as men."

"Don't sell yourself short" *chuckles* "Neither of us are old and decrepit quite yet."

"Defeating the grand army of kelthro, then marching to face some new threat which rode down the horse masters of the east? You have high ambitions to go beyond that."

"In dracia, it usually expected you have to outshine the deeds of your ancestors. I have very grand ancestors."

"The monarchy is hereditary. I rather think i will not be outshining Yelami Aebba in this life or the next."

"Always good to have aspirations"

"I believe that saving the isle from these foreigners, and taking my kingdom will suffice."

"Good enough" *chuckles* "Anyway I have to speak to my commanders. Farewell for now, Ket." *turns and walks off*

"I will have my men prepared..." *he rests his open palms on the stone of the crenellations and looks out into the arid lands around.*

*and he walks off*

*and things occur with other peeps?*

*depends, does ket go n run into anyone?*

*Is Li about?*

*aye she's somewhere nearby*