The band of warriors exited the West Gate of Stalsburg. A military band played the Stalsburg City anthem and young members of the Stalsburg artillery reserve cadets corps fired ceremonial blasts from small cannons. The procession marched towards the northwest, following the great River Reik, as it formed the border between the Black and Reikwald forests. At Grimwald, a group of infantry, some armed with large spears and some with handguns, stopped the cavalry column. The soldiers' uniforms looked similar in construction to those of the Stalsburg, but far lighter in color, most sporting a white and blue quartered scheme. Several minutes of discussions ensued, between the Reikland captain and Sir Hartmann. Paperwork was exchanged.
“The very existence of the world is in question, and the great armies of the Empire respond by exchanging certificates,” lamented Celeste. “I fear for us all,” she concluded. It had been miles since her last comment, and James was desperate to have the conversation continue.
He responded to her comment, “What is your greatest fear Celeste?”
“I am afraid that those that lead our nation will fill their time with pomp and circumstance and ceremony of the most lavish kind. Then they will meet in conferences, attended by Generals of the highest rank and rulers representing great cities and states from throughout this land. But when it comes time to act, I fear that they will be too late,” described Celeste in a grave manner. “Dear James, promise me one thing: When it comes time to act to save this fine land. Promise me you will not hesitate”. She stared directly at James as she said this. He felt for all the world, as if she was staring directly at his soul.
“I, I, I,...” he stammered, desperate not to disappoint his strong and lovely companion. “I promise…..” and then pondered just what it was that he had promised to do. What was it the Celeste expected of James? What could he actually do against the fearsome beasts and mutated humanity that opposed the Empire?
“I will hold you to that promise, Sir James,” responded Celeste, continuing. “I suppose that the ceremony and discussion is our way of convincing the common folk of our nation to take up arms and work together for our mutual defense. But sometimes I feel that the most effective form of governance might be that of a brutal, but fair dictator.”
“Oh,” responded James, not for the first time impressed by the impulsive aggressiveness of the beautiful Theodorite Sister. And then he added something that he immediately regretted, “But is not that the form of leadership that is common to those races that oppose the Empire?”
“I sometimes have no idea at all, why Sir Gilderwood sat fit to summon you, of all who populate your world,”, and then she completed her sentence with a bitter noise that sounded for all the world, like a snarling growl of a fearsome beast. She turned her gaze from James and steadfastly refused to look in his direction for the rest of the afternoon.
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It took two days to reach Wurzburg, and two more to approach the bridge over the River Stir, at the free city of Arnestat. For the previous two nights, while the travelers ate their evening meals around large campfires, stories of the unusually lawless nature of Arnestat had permeated the conversation. Apparently, all manner of goods and services could be had in this virtually unregulated city. Accounts of soldiers awakening on the banks of the Reik, after a bawdy night, missing everything including their armor and uniforms, frightened and entertained the members of the warband.
The actual city of Arnestat paled when compared to James’s expectations. The Empire Reikland soldiers waved their group through with scarcely a concern raised. Once across the bridge it became obvious to James that a status as a “free” city had not generated great wealth for the inhabitants of Arnestat. Harlots positioned themselves strategically in front of disheveled inns, bidding the Stalsburg soldiers and knights to join them for the night. Hawkers jumped in front of the horses, showing off carts full of wares. Religious zealots preached doom, some extreme enough to flail themselves with rusty chain weapons, while screaming out their allegiance to Theodor. Here and there, throughout the crowds appeared human-like figures with odd features. Short, powerful, and squat dwarfs. Smaller still beings, perhaps the “Halflings” referred to by Countess Viktoria. And odder folk, some enormous, some extremely thin, even a couple with what appeared to be green skin. Almost every building seemed in need of repair, and nothing like a soldier or police officer stood anywhere within the borders of this city. Celeste rode to the front of the procession, and immediately began to urge Gunther Hartmann to press on. Several hours of daylight remained, and Celeste urged the Stalsburg General to press on and recross the Reik via the west side bridge and set up a camp on the road to Dierdorf.
Several Arnestat innkeepers also joined this discussion, blocking traffic with carts, women of the night and themselves, urging the Stalsburg warriors to remain in their town for the night. They promised the best ales, loveliest women and finest food in the Empire. “Surely you will want to spend two nights!” said one particularly insistent innkeeper. This enraged Celeste.
“Sir Hartmann! I insist that we leave this ill gotten city immediately! This assortment of evil ne'er do wells should have no place in our Empire, much less be a host for professional Empire soldiers! If it looks this bad during the day, I can only imagine the ghastliness that would surround us during the nighttime hours!” and as surely as a Metal Wizard can turn lead into gold, Hartmann meekly agreed.
The campsite that night was a quiet one. No one spoke with Celeste, and yet, despite the quiet treatment, it was Celeste who seemed most content that evening, as the crickets began to chirp, and the fireflies flitted about the campfires.
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Gunther Hartmann led his troops for five more days. Dierdorf, Wurburg and Cloppenburg all proved far less adventurous than Arnestat. On the sixth day following their brief stint in the free city, the towers of Badendorf appeared on the horizon. Without question Badendorf would be an impressive destination. That much was clear. The population in the surrounding countryside also grew more dense as Oakleaf Gilderwood’s procession neared the capital city.
A checkpoint appeared, as usual staffed by Empire soldiers, but these soldiers' uniforms stood out from any James had yet seen. Blue, of the deepest, and most enchanting color, quartered with an equally rich blood red. The weapons and equipment sported by these men also appeared brighter and newer than those of most other soldiers. It was as if weapons and armor damaged or worn by use or battles were exported to the soldiers of the hinterlands, and replaced regularly by newly issued equipment. Or perhaps the lands surrounding Badendorf were more secure than those James had so far travelled and therefore battles and battle damage were rare? He knew not, but as the gates of Badendorf approached in the distance, it became obvious that the most spectacular wonders of this world had yet to be seen by young James.
The walls of Badendorf surpassed any of those yet seen by young James. Stalsburg’s fortress-like bulwarks compared but the Badendorf fortifications were clearly taller and more massive in structure. In addition, where Stalsburg sat bathed in permanent smoke haze from the innumerable low slung weapons factories, the Badendorf skyline soared toward the heavens with elegant spires, massive towers and colorful flags and banners, all clearly visible in the much cleaner air of the Empire capital city.