SPRING SEASON OF 485 - UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, THE ISLE
In a shallow ravine unknown to all but a group of men, heavily armored, weathered faces with vigor of younger men in them, and experience radiating off of them, gathered around a young man, standing on a hastily built platform made of wood.
"Good day, commanders. We convene on this fine day to tackle and discuss an issue I assume some of you know of."
The man's voice echoed throughout, the attention of the small crowd put squarely to him. Some even knowing what it is to be about, but still eager to listen.
"For so long, our fathers, our father's fathers, and beyond, have served the Imperials with loyalty and excellence."
At this, some of the younger men puffed their chests in pride, with some even hollering at the man's words.
"Yet, they treat our loyalty as if they are worth their weight in their bronze coins."
Some of the men sneered in disdain at this comment, murmuring getting louder, but the man continued forth.
"They have given us land to settle down, to house our families, yes. They have allowed us great freedom to do as we please in this beautiful island we now call home. But we cannot develop this land, without coin."
The crowd murmured in agreement as the speaker spoke.
"Our fellow commanders in the mainland have tried to get the payroll for our faithful service, but they continue to delay, and delay. Empty promises of us getting our well-deserved pay soon. Yet, this gold they speak of, has not been given to us."
Tensions increased as righteous fury started simmering in the crowd, but the man continued, more impassioned as he continued.
"For years, we have tolerated this maltreatment. For years, we have fought with them against the Vraekkir¹ menace in both the coasts of the Isle and the Nordland², freezing in those cold tundras! We have fought with them against the Khraks³ in the Far East⁴, toiling in the heat of those damned plains, yet we receive nothing!"
The man spoke louder and louder, increasing in intensity.
"We will have none of this! Commanders, it is time to remind the Carrians⁵ why they pay us to do their dirty work for them. To remind the Emperor back in his palace at Carra⁶, what it means to wrong us."
"We, descendants of the Maerkenien⁷, the finest warriors from the islands we once called home to here, where we made new beginnings, will do what we have always done, and that is to fight!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, and the man soaked in the applause, but continued on.
"My fellows, this time would soon become that of war. Ready up your swords, for we will have a long road ahead of us. We shall light the embers of war that the Imperials have so carelessly left, and for Kregnorr's⁸ sake, we shall come out victorious!"
With this, the man walked down from the stadium, as the crowd cheered louder.
The gathering soon started dispersing with each person mingling to one another. The speaker did so to, speaking to one of the listeners in the crowd.
"A damn good speech you made there, Mathius."
The man laughed as he patted Mathius on the back with his gloved hand.
"Many thanks, Haedrickt. I suppose I had gone a bit overboard."
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Mathius responded as he chuckled, moving Haedrickt's hand away from his back.
"Nonsense! You did good. You even had some of the old commanders there getting their blood pumped up like they were still youngsters!" Haedrickt laughed even more as he talked, eventually getting Mathius to laugh along.
"Ah, I guess you're right, friend."
Both men soon ceased laughing, with Haedrickt taking on a more serious tone.
"But, are you really sure this is the right thing to do? The Carrians, decadent and fat they have gotten, but they are still considered the greatest power from the Nordland to the Southern Wastes⁹." Haedrickt asked, still wary of Mathius' plans
"I believe so, Haedrickt. The Carrians have gotten complacent, thinking their empty promises have pulled the wool over our eyes. We cannot let them push us around, lest we become their vassals, wholly dependent on them. We need to show them that we will not be so easy to deceive, and we need a show of strength to prove so." Mathius answered Haedrickt's question, as the latter soon had a thoughtful expression as he sighed.
"Ah, yes. We have time on our side, at the very least. Those paper pushers in Carra are slow to respond to anything, and equally slow to respond to whatever we are gonna do here right now." Mathius and Haedrickt snorted as the former responded.
"Damn right, you are. But we need to play the long game, gain the allegiance of all the other mercenary bands and settlements in the Isle¹⁰. We need to prepare thoroughly, if we can have the chance of making out of this alive." Haedrickt nodded along, listening to Mathius' words, but shot back.
"Wouldn't all this preparation take years? I doubt all those other commanders would immediately go on our side the moment we rebel. The towns, too. If they had to pick between a band of mercenaries, or the most powerful empire in the world that they know, I scarcely believe that they will pick us."
Mathius countered his friend's question easily.
"Oh, but remember, these mercenaries are right at their steps, and the Imperials are bankrupting themselves, fighting wars on multiple sides. As I have said, they are busy, and they will care naught for events happening in a backwater in the middle of nowhere, they will have a difficult time even getting to here, as their navy is all but non-existent with their battles against the Vraekkir going horribly.
We have time, Haedrickt. As long as our treachery is not so obvious even a blind man can see it, the Carrians will know no better." Mathius reassured Haedrickt with a smile.
"I hope so, friend. I hope so."
The men continued to converse, but daylight was going down, and the men started to head back to the towns they live in.
"Ah, the sun is going down. I may have to go back to Pestiom¹¹. Gonna be a long time, with how far this place you picked is. Be well, Mathius. May Kaera's¹² blessings be with you." Haedrickt said, with sadness in his voice.
"You too, Haedrickt. I will have to ride to Flomanpelas¹³ to rest and plan, and make sure my dear lady does not worry to much about me. See you soon, friend." With that, both men went their separate ways, and the threat of war loomed over the seemingly peaceful Isle.
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Hi, readers! This is my first story, (and will probably be my only one), and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter.
Updates may be irregular, as I am busy with other things like school, but I will try to provide.