“You’re Highness!”

Emperor Krona Protharian spun on his heels as the doors to his throne room were thrown open. Two fully armored men rushed forward. The clanking and scrapes of metal made the ruler curl up one side of his lips.

“What news?!” The emperor nervously bit at his hand. His teeth began clearing a finger of one nail that he’d left unleveled since beginning his paced journey back and forth.

Both men marched, bowed to the emperor, and turned to face one another. Immediately, the ruler of these lands knew what this meant. His hand flung down, throwing the purple and red cape back, so he could prepare for what came next.

“Sir Griffon Nodure!” One of them called out before they both bowed again.

A man in fine blacks and silvery clothes entered the brightened gateway from the outside world. Entering the throne room, his figure blocked rays from the sun in just enough way that he resembled an undead shade creeping over the stretch of crimson carpet leading to the throne. He bowed down the distance, but he then continued to walk confidently down that sea of red. His stride was one of a man knowing he belongs on such splendor.

“Grand Emperor!” The man came to a swinging halt where his leg kicked forward just to carry back. The man fell forward in a flourished bow. It was a rather spectacular display; even his arms moved fluidly to swing his cape about in an elegant display. It was as if a personified peacock had come to revel in the presence of the land’s ruler.

“Nodure,” the emperor began before the man had finished his entrance. Leaving the title from his name, the bent man’s face twitched. “How was your celebration?”

Returning to a more relaxed position, the decorated war hero grinned pleasantly, “It was phenomenal, my liege. I am humbled by your generosity and support. Your chefs and tailors create that which boggles the mind and pleases the soul.”

“Indeed.” Krona Protharian looked to the two guards that were about just beyond Nodure. His eyes pinched and relaxed as he wished for things that couldn’t happen. “Rather fascinating, the whole experience.”

“In what way, Emperor?” The nobleman cocked his head gradually.

“I have no doubt of your talents, Griffon.” The emperor was now glancing over his hall. He bit his cheek to resist losing himself so quickly. “What I do doubt, however, are the exact details of your so-called victory.”

Giffon Nodure’s eyes didn’t budge. His lips didn’t quiver. He remained a wonderfully painted stone that would draw in all manner of tourism.

“I’m sure my reports were correct.” Sir Nodure looked up slightly to recall the events. “We were overrun on our outposts. After the flare scrolls were activated, we took a defensive stance on the hill of our main camp. Blockading the paths up the hill, we stood our ground against the savage hordes.

“We were holding them off for some time; however, the lack of quality soldiers resulted in a loss of ground. The boys, even with our strict training regiments, were unable to outlast the onslaught.” Nodure shook his head as if he could even fathom shame, “We did our best to contain their advancements; however, the barricades were overrun. So, it seemed our casters used some form of magic I hadn’t been aware of.” His eyes opened wide as he explained what he’d seen—leaving the truth’s entirety up to the imagination. “I’d never seen anything like it, Emperor.

“The darkness burned away as the casters formed burning balls over their heads. The stars vanished from sight, and I shielded my eyes. It was as if a molten inferno floated above them.” His hands reached out. A truly grand display. “It was incredible, I must say. The pressure of the savage hordes forced them to surpass their own limitations! I was awestruck! I took the opportunity to slay what enemies remained around me, but the casters launched their spells indiscriminately. I was spared by, what I believe to be no less than, the hands of the gods. Not in manner of boasting, but that such destructive power was unleashed. None could have survived this terrible might. Our casters have brought the greatest honor upon our empire and its glorious leader.”

Nodure bowed deeply; throwing his cape back again.

Krona Protharian sucked both lips in. His foot tapped softly. He couldn’t keep it all held in.

“Our casters broke the boundaries of mortal man’s might.” The emperor couldn’t keep his eyes on the nobleman. “That is rather interesting to me. To protect their homelands, they even cast the spell upon themselves—saving all those of our lands. Saintly actions of the martyr.” Krona nodded and waited for a response.

“Of course, you’re highness.”

“Then, tell me, how Carmoss has become a walled in graveyard?”

Still, the eyes of Nodure remained stony—a calm only immortalized in living rock.

“I know not, Emperor. I am unaware of any disturbance within our—”

“You know not for I have silenced the mouths that would speak out!” Krona Protharian shouted into the rather empty hall. Even the two guards stiffened in their armor. The metal scraping for a moment as they straightened, but they kept their eyes on one another. “It was I!” The emperor looked to the two that stood silent. “Leave us! I will speak to him alone!”

Normally, the guards and soldiers would hesitate to leave the emperor unprotected. There was obviously an issue to be handled with Lord Nodure, but the emperor had commanded with such ferocity that the two ran without question. Hurrying beyond the doors, the room was closed off to the two men within.

“Damn you Nodure.” The emperor hissed in a more controlled volume. “Your reports stated all had died. You said the savages were no longer a threat.”

Still staring evenly, the nobleman swallowed hard. “I’d checked the area as best I could by myself. I saw no sign of any caravans or traveling masses. Neither in forest or on the roads, I assure you.” His voice was steady, but his mind was moving through the routes and paths on his mental map.

“How strange that your entire regiment was destroyed, only you survive, and your enemy finds its way into another city of my empire.” Krona threw his own cape back as he spun in frustration. He continued to pace as his voice steadily rose, “They’ve all been killed. Every citizen in the walls. Only a travelling merchant and his son survived. All those dead, by the fur covered mongrels that broke through our encampments! You believe this to be coincidence?! You reported that they were dead, and yet they find their way into the very heart of a defensible settlement! Or were the scouts along the way incorrect in their reports?”

“Emperor, surely there were more that might have slipped through. I was tasked with the desolation of those heathens that had entered your lands, and I have returned to you a victor.” Nodure’s voice was like a thick cream poured over a dessert. Even being reprimanded, he retained his composure. “If there is another campaign you require of me, I shall return with as many heads as you command. It is your word that is law.”

Another bow to drive his point.

“Damn you,” the emperor muttered beneath his breath. “You won’t be going on any campaign!” His voice suddenly exploded.

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“You’re Highness?” The nobleman rose his head with an inquisitive gaze. He seemed almost pained by the decision.

“The threat has been neutralized.”

“That is grand news in light of such disturbing events; yet, I must ask which legion was dispatched in my stead.” Nodure stood with a more serious face. He’d prayed it wasn’t given to a Destined Blade. “I would have carried your banner anywhere with but your simple request.”

“I know not who killed the horde of savages, yet I would thank them a thousand times over.” Falling back into his throne, the emperor rubbed his temples and exhaled heavily. “An entire town, Nodure. They all fell beneath barbarian blades. I pray they found death quickly.” Another sigh escaped him. “I cannot keep this quiet forever. Obviously, the city will be repopulated. I have already signed the orders and reimbursement programs. Yet, I am struck dumbfounded by the timeframe of these events.”

“Who could have moved without us knowing? Surely, your majesty dispatched an elite force to slaughter these foes. How many could have remained?” Nodure grinned as if it would be simple.

“From the reports, they are still looking into the total numbers. It would seem, per our caster investigators, that there were more than fifty combatants and their ilk. Beyond that, they’re trying to piece the remains together for a more accurate number.” Nodure swallowed back his disbelief. “Many of the savages were not armed. It would seem our unknown ally had even slain the women and children.”

“Ally? Which nation could have operated without our knowing within our borders? How much of Carmoss still stands? Was it a siege?”

“There is almost no damage to the town. The walls are intact.” The emperor shook his head. “I know not which nation or traveling band could have infiltrated our lands, but divination spells show that it was only a handful of aggressors.”

“A handful?! There must be some mistake!” Nodure’s eyes opened slightly wider. “That many of those barbarians within a walled town!” He relaxed and straightened his posture. “Obviously finding a way over the wall under shroud of night. It would make strategic sense to pick off their forces gradually throughout the silence of a night’s watch.” He considered this the only option.

“Unless the victors used a number of magical enhancements, per the investigator’s report, then they entered during the day. They fought head on and killed every last barbarian. Damn that foolish oaf.” Krona leaned back with his waist forward in the chair; his mind recalling the tyrant of the Ungrown Kingdom. His hands were secured together, and he watched the nobleman carefully just over his knuckles. “The citizens of Carmoss were found in a mass grave. The barbarians were left strewn about the streets and buildings,” the emperor swallowed back the remaining information. He wanted to see Griffon Nodure’s response, yet he needed to refrain from losing his previous meal. “Some remains were found to be picked apart and eaten.”

“Ravens or scavangers?”

“Something ate them while they were either alive or freshly after killing them.” The emperor was glad to see the eyes of the nobleman drop. He could see how Griffon’s eyes darted back and forth as if he’d find an answer to this riddle on the floor. “Most were not eaten, but it would seem those that reclaimed my town have more disturbing secrets than we can discern from the information left behind. Most of the invaders were slaughtered on the main road. It would go to say that their forces collided. The same reports found no evidence that our supposed allies suffered any casualties.”

That broke all logic. There was no possible way. To enter a secured town, to slaughter a barbarian group without injury, and to leave behind only corpses and table scraps… it offered no relief.

“T-then what would you ask of me? I will do all that I can to correct this heinous attack on my Emperor’s great name!” Griffon Nodure tried to calm his voice, yet he shook slightly. Krona Protharian saw this shiver and waited for more. “Whatever you require, wherever you demand my going, I will follow your orders to the end.”

While the emperor sat with his eyes blankly bearing down on the nobleman, his mind was searching all possibilities. He’d been trying to find an answer all this time, and he’d come up with nothing. We need to search the northern regions of the empire for this powerful group. He’d had his mages perform what intelligence-gathering magic they knew. We couldn’t trace them; so little information was left behind. The ruler known as “The Sentry” peered into a phantasmal world of data and possible outcomes.

They must have used magic to cover their tracks, or the spells they used were incorrectly targeted. I can’t discern exactly, but the enemy covering their tracks seems more likely than the failure of a number of my men. He stared out without realizing the nobleman’s forehead had begun to sweat. They could only narrow it down to a few attackers, but who are they? They apparently entered and departed the same way—the west.

Having already sent more men in the direction of the unknown force, be it threat or ally, Krona decided it best to wait for more information. I’m playing cards with half a hand. Panicking until I’ve seen the rest of the cards won’t do me any favors. He straightened himself. Griffon Nodure did the same in response.

“Griffon Nodure,” Krona spoke with an extremely even voice considering the situation, “when I’ve received more information, I expect that your trained troops will be prepared at a moment’s notice. I do not pretend to know what we are dealing with.” His eyes narrowed on the nobleman. “With that shroud of uncertainty, I must hold all commands until more is discovered. Should I need you and your men, I will call for you.”

They had magic. They ate corpses—the investigators said no scavengers would leave marks like that. They were powerful physically and in the arcane arts. Krona considered more of the information. They entered, slaughtered all present, and they left without a trace. What sort of masters do they have in their ranks? Neither adventuring group nor Destined Blades have reported any activity, nor do they possess such might. What lands sent them?

The idea that monsters had occurred to him, but what beasts don’t finish the plentiful food? Why wouldn’t they have stayed? And they didn’t find any evidence of tracks from monsters or such…

It was a conundrum. A reality-shattering, lack of information that could only point to destructive forces beyond his grasp. What was an emperor to do? What could a man known as “The Sentry” claim as reasoning for this blunder before the masses? How could he refrain from a tarnished name and salvage the situation?

Then, in this tense moment, came a knock on a door to the right.

“Enter!” Krona called forward to permit the newcomer in.

Griffon Nodure stared with calmed eyes; though, his forehead betrayed him with gathering moisture.

“My Emperor!” A man rushed forward from a far-off door. His body was wrapped in a heavy cloak of blues and golds. His feet made only a hushed shuffling sound as he hurried over the stones of the emptied throne room.

Krona allowed the newcomer an audience—even moving directly to the emperor’s side. Though Krona was not often a force upon the field of battle, his confidence in the matter was obvious. No concern for his safety broke his stone face as he listened to the shrouded man’s whispers.

After a brief moment, there was something that cracked the face of the strategist. He’d been missing so many pieces to this puzzle, but a new piece was just found and placed onto the table.

“Are you sure?” The emperor replied. Once he saw the reporter of this news nod, he set a new plan into motion. “You’re dismissed!” The man turned and hurried from the room. “As for you, Griffon Nodure, you will prepare yourself and a troop for departure immediately.”

“Of course, Emperor.” The man bowed deeply, yet his thoughts were beginning to churn as a storm brews above an ocean. Please, no. “Where do you send my expertise?”

“To another village that was attacked by these barbarians. There seems to be several witnesses there; those that lived, it would seem.” Krona Protharian was standing in an instant. His fingers pointed toward the door and his voice shook the room with his soul’s absolute demand for submission. “You will go and investigate the aftermath of their attack. You will atone for your sins against me and this nation!” His eyes narrowed on the bowing nobleman as he shouted. “You will go back to Rothmire!”