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[The Old Realms saga is published on RR for free. It is also re-posted on Scribblehub and that's it. It is in the author's plans to publish it on Amazon and other platforms at some point. If you see it offered anywhere else, or someone tries to charge you for it, please report him. It is illegal to sell, or take advantage of intellectual work without the author's permission.]
read it at Royalroad : https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/46739/touch-o-luck-the-old-realms
& https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/47919/lure-o-war-the-old-realms
Scribblehub https://www.scribblehub.com/series/542002/touch-o-luck-the-old-realms/
& https://www.scribblehub.com/series/547709/the-old-realms/
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> The crazy woman with the orange and white hair, her many thin braids sprouting out of her head like snakes, stilled her different color eyes on the old Legion officer, but he appeared unimpressed with her, she thought with an internal sigh.
>
> The Tribune waited patiently staring her with his old eyes. The Mayor being as he was an idiot that would kill himself drinking, or drink himself to death in a couple of years grunted and shook his head ready to toss the officer’s proposal away.
>
> Sanne sighed externally this time.
>
> After they did that the officer would park the army outside their gates and wait… ahm six months? Or thereabouts. People would eat corpses by then and die of fever. Sanne herself will opt for liver meat because you can’t tell it apart from a cow’s and is slower to spoil.
>
> But you know aye.
>
> Hmm.
>
> “We’ll accept yer offer decrepit old officer,” she said politely and put an arm on the Mayor’s elbow to calm him down.
>
> “I’m Tribune Galio Veturius!” The old man boomed affronted.
>
> “Lady Crull,” the Mayor of Eaglesnest protested, red in the face, his acute case of cirrhosis already well on its way. “You can’t be serious.”
>
> Uh?
>
> “Oh, but it doesn’t matter dear,” Sanne explained to him patiently and pointed a thin finger with a broken nail, she unfortunately had chewed a bit too much because it bothered her. “Because he is very serious. Why, the good officer wants to kill us all given the opportunity.”
>
> “I have orders not to milady,” Galio Veturius grunted with a grimace, his patience running thin.
>
> “Liar-liar, I’ve seen you do it, should I set yer pants on fire?” she sang, her voice a little dissonant, but pleasant under a certain mood, she thought and ogled the frowning officer. “You want Northwatch Castle. To hell with it!” She yelled scaring them all.
>
> “Lady Crull!” The Mayor protested.
>
> “Shush drunkard!” She stopped him. “You will give me that cunt Eams yes?” Sanne asked the scowling old bag of bones.
>
>
> Galio frowned. “I’ll have to check with the Legatus—”
>
> “He’ll accept,” Sanne cut him off rudely. “Let’s speed this along, I have to shave my right leg. Didn’t have the time to do it earlier. Do you want to see?”
>
> “Lady Sanne!”
>
> “Very well,” the old officer grunted and stared at his men. “I have yer father’s weapon—”
>
> “Fuck do I do with it? Unless… is it sharp enough I wonder? I told the fool, don’t attack if the Legion is gone because it won’t be away for long, but he didn’t listen. Your dear Legatus will win his war and wear a crown mister Veturius. He'll love the army and three women, but one more he’ll marry. One that’s long dead. One that will never leave him and Regia that will have his life ruined. Heavy his legend will be, unbearable and lethal. It will all be you ever-marching boys fault. Don’t let him look to the west, it will break your heart.”
>
> “Is that yer plaguin’ prediction?” Galio rustled crooking his wrinkled mouth.
>
> “Pfft, I don’t make predictions old sad man. You’ll stare at tall walls, read the names of ghosts and weep in yer final days, hahaha! See if I care?”
>
> Galio smacked his lips and eyed his aide, a sturdy Lorian with big blue eyes. Oh, you handsome fool, you’ll step on your motherland’s soil again, but never see yer home.
>
> “You are in agreement Lady Crull,” he grunted. “You did the sensible thing.”
>
> Sensible my arse, Sanne thought angrily, showing him her teeth to not ruin the deal, the young officer recoiling horrified. See yer rotting self, getting eaten by rats and then come talk to me about it. I had no fucking choice ye old crettin!
>
> Goddess, I can’t believe you’ll live to be a hundred!
-
Greater Kas
circa 192 NC
[https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZwJKQGDWx-rrasnol8jQxgNagceS69cD_VqgRobQoGLUKpoteVtGcqhm9p5_BfKcw6UMrvJx0yPOD6mQg1Cl4dva3lnBldYZ7QHlUtkuecTWucjRvv782jp76TpZ5Ai4k1CjqoyrwT_pm_WKwo06ddS6qEZI2paFO5uOaX2Ybjk1q-nVTiD4bKcD/s1585/Greater%20Kas.jpg]
-Right click on map to open fully-
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Legatus Lucius Alden
The Legion Accords
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There was a special darkish red in her hair, much like blood when you reflected light on it. Two summers later the strong southern sun of Regia’s coast had turned that red much brighter, the rubicund curls turning to a special rosé alike Cartagen’s light wine, but some of that strong dark red remained. Faye’s color came close to it, Zofia’s even more so, but Martha had her sister’s hair. The departing northern summer sun had even lighten up a few of her own strands. She also had her face, more mature with even some wrinkles added around her mouth.
That tigress’ green and gold eyes that kept you on edge. Same fierceness in her stare, but no hatred, or fear and that worry responsible for her guarded expression, had probably a completely mundane reason for it.
“Ramirus,” Lucius groused, his mouth dry. “Find chairs for Lady Redmond and our guests.”
“I’ll stand,” Prefect Trupo said and got up while Ramirus rushed to fulfill his order. Sula who had the third extra chair didn’t even bother offering, a pained expression on his face and the cane clasped in his hands all the leverage he needed.
Duke Redmond collapsed on his seat with a snort, forcing Lucius to stop staring at the open necked, heavily beaded and otherwise typical Sovya dark-blue klappenrock dress, showing the comfortable leather riding pants underneath it. Martha had a hooded sheer white cardigan over her shoulders, the item not usually worn in the North. Perhaps she had worn it to disguise herself for the trip, as if that would have concealed, she is a woman of high station.
Even if it had, he thought, traveling with a heavy escort would have blown the whistle on her scheme at the first check point.
Why come here?
You feared I would cut down your father?
Lucius was looking again. Martha moved her brows cutely, the Duke turned red in the face and Trupo frowned down to his prominent mustache, afore clearing his throat on purpose.
Gods darn it.
“Sir Lucius,” Baron Palma said in his thick Lesia accent. A stout, square jawed man, clad in expensive scaled armour. “I want assurances my men would be allowed to return to Lesia.”
Lucius breathed once deeply, kept his eyes on the Baron and then sat down, prompting everyone inside his packed commander’s tent to do the same, but for Trupo and Ramirus that is.
“Baron I would allow your men to return unharmed to Kadrek, after I march to Halfostad tomorrow.”
“You’ll attack the city?” Duke Redmond grunted. “After your men burned it?”
“No such thing occurred,” Lucius replied keeping his voice steady. “As you’ve witnessed, the culprits responsible for the attack on the civilians escorting your supply train, have been punished harshly.”
“I would worry about us Duke Redmond,” Palma said looking at Lucius. “There’s word Lord Bart Crull is dead. All his sons as well. Just like the Vanzons.”
Lucius stilled his eyes on the Baron. “I had nothing to do with Lord Bart’s fate, but I hold the man responsible for the crime, Baron Eams. His own men turned on him. As for the Vanzons, they had bathed in innocent blood for years. Sometimes your actions decide your fate Baron.”
“Indeed it can,” the Baron agreed readily. “Better remember that Sir Lucius.”
“That absolves you?” The Duke asked, less bothered by Lord Bart’s demise. They had been enemies before he started hating on Lucius.
“I don’t ask for absolution,” Lucius replied. “I don’t have to. I won the battle.”
The Duke scowled at the jab.
Baron Palma shook his head. “You’re waging war on Lesia’s vassal Sir Lucius, this won’t end well for you. Lord Lennox is dead by your men already, now this.”
“Lesia could have allowed me to move through. I only wished to return to Regia. I would have done it peacefully, but you all forced my hand,” Lucius said looking at both of them. “It is my duty to return whatever the cost. Even I have to fight the King’s armies.”
“Ah, you’re delusional. All this talk about fighting,” Palma snapped. “There’s no way King Davenport would ever talk with you. You’re holding Kas for all gods sake!”
“And Halfostad,” Lucius corrected him and Duke Redmond hissed.
“Sir Lucius,” Palma rumbled trying to keep it civil but failing. “Lesia has a professional army and has raised a full Legion out of thin air. The King can field five times the troops you have and support them. He can pay for mercenaries, grind you down until you have nothing.”
“The King could do all that,” Lucius agreed. “And I could march to Kadrek next, take the port and cut off his sea trade route. Burn the ships I catch in port. No iron, timber for this winter. Maybe the next as well who knows? I wouldn’t even have to fight for it,” he eyed the seething Duke. “I have the Duke of Sovya as my hostage.”
The Baron tried to speak but Lucius stopped him raising a hand.
“Then Lesia would need to come around the mountain paths on foot, cross through Regia with a full army, or settle for a naval invasion with winter coming.”
“You know they will,” the Baron hissed. “King Jeremy is a plaguin’ weakling! He doesn’t even control his own lords!”
“Even so. I’m saying it can turn too expensive to palate,” Lucius replied. “My mother was from Lesia, gods bless her sweet soul. She hated spending coin for no reason.”
“There’s reason enough!” The Baron growled, afore catching himself seeing Sula’s icy expression.
“You have a proposition?” Duke Redmond asked, he had dark circles under his eyes and Lucius realized the man was still in mourning.
“I just told you,” Lucius replied with a grimace.
“I won’t turn Halfostad over to the Nords,” the Duke contended. “You better take me out and kill me right now.”
“Father!” Martha admonished him furious. “We had enough deaths already!”
“I didn’t give Kas to the Jarl and I won’t offer Halfostad to the Juters,” Lucius replied.
“It’s not yours to give! Who are you? You don’t even have Regia backing you!” Palma argued furious and turned to the Duke. “Lesia won’t agree to any deals.”
“You know of the King’s will then?” Lucius asked.
Palma glared at him. “Don’t fool yerself Sir Lucius. You kicked that door down the moment Lord Lennox’s breathed his last.”
“What is your proposal?” The Duke asked tiredly.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Kas and Halfostad shall become a province,” Lucius started and Palma snorted not believing his ears. Ramirus handed him an unfurled scroll and he placed it in front of him. “They will have a governor, subject to the authority of the Praetor Maximus controlling the legions per the ancient Manual of Army Governance and the First Rule of the Legion Accords.”
“What?” The Duke asked confused.
Baron Palma who knew what Lucius was talking about having studied at the Military Academy in Armium stood back stunned.
“You can’t be serious,” he rustled shaking his head. “You don’t have even one Legion here. Half of the men aren’t even Lorians! You’ve copied the arms and armour I give ye that, but where are the Legions backing you Sir Lucius?”
“The Third Legion is marching towards Eaglesnest,” Lucius explained to him and turned to the injured Prefect. “Sula stand up.”
Sula frowned and stood up pushing on his cane. Martha stared at him curious for a moment.
“The Fourth Legion has proved itself in battle I would say,” Lucius continued. “Prefect Nonus Sula who is the commander of the Fourth?”
Sula cleared his throat not expecting the sudden scrutiny.
“That would be me Legatus.”
“Are you now? Prefect Trupo what does the manual say about the leader of a Legion?” Lucius asked casually.
“An officer of sufficient rank must lead it sire,” Trupo readily replied.
“Would you say the Prefect is of sufficient rank?”
“Negative sir, he’s not.”
“Can I remedy that Prefect?”
“Of course sir, you certainly can,” Trupo added glancing at the worrying Sula. “Thou should if I’m allowed to add.”
“What is the minimum rank we must elevate Prefect Sula for that Trupo?”
“That would be a Legatus sire.”
“You have the medal carved?” Lucius asked patiently.
“I have.”
“Go on then,” Lucius probed with a smile. “Hand it to him.”
“Legatus,” Sula asked while a solemn faced Trupo hanged the gold laurel-type pendant from his neck.
“Legatus Sula,” Lucius stopped him with a grimace. “I believe you answer to me still, are you not? I’d like to be addressed properly.”
“Legatus Augustus,” Sula mumbled at a loss for words for a brief moment, but recovered quickly and saluted raising his fist to his chest. “You word is my command sir.”
Lucius nodded and turned to the lords silently watching the small theatrics he’d quickly thrown together under Ramirus and Trupo’s insistence.
Trupo taking his cue, retrieved the scroll and started reading aloud.
“When the army is in a state of conquest, a Legatus Augustus, or Praetor Maximus shall command the Legions when the king is incapacitated, or dead and designate the provinces -create them if he has to. Similarly in the absence of a legitimate king, or in the presence of one not recognized by the legions. The Governors are subject to his authority, as are the lands, peoples and livestock herein.”
“Are the conditions met Prefect?”
“Aye Maximus they are.”
“Prefect I declare the conquest of the greater Province of Kas,” Lucius announced. “The army will move to Halfostad on the morrow to see to the needs of the city.”
“Aye Maximus,” Trupo saluted and returned to his post.
“You are insane,” Palma murmured. “You’ll never pull this off. Had King Lucius wanted the army to rule Regia, he wouldn’t have gotten Lesia involved. “
“That wasn’t King Lucius idea Baron, but of the Regia Kings that came after his passing,” Lucius scolded him. “He did write the Book though fearing such an event. Read your histories!”
“A cultured man wouldn’t throw the Realm into war!”
“Yet other ‘cultured’ men did, breaking treaties and behaving like thugs. I shan’t condone it sir!” Lucius retorted. “I didn’t start the war. I found it, or it found me, but I shall finish it. The right man will sit on the throne Baron. King Davenport should do well to back down.”
“Are you going to attack Regia as well? You’ll unite all the kingdoms against you.”
Well, not Krakenhall, or the Jarl’s domain.
Or Kas.
Though Lucius hoped it wouldn’t come down to that.
“Baron Palma, you will message Lesia to cease hostilities,” Lucius told him sternly. “And I will not take Kadrek in return.”
The Baron snorted in disgust.
“Lucius you’re going too far,” the Duke said gravely. “I’ve known you for years, what happened to you?”
Kings and lords killed my father and put my brother on the throne.
“Let me speak with him father,” Martha stopped him placing a small hand on his left arm.
Duke Redmond stared at her alarmed. “I’m not leaving you with him,” he admonished her. “I understand why you came, but it was a mistake. I’ve lost two children already to this man. I shan’t lose another.”
Lucius grimaced and had to clasp his right hand to stop a tremor that had started there.
“I didn’t kill William,” he rustled. “His hatred did him in, when he attacked my men and I didn’t kill Macia also. I couldn’t. I’ve loved your daughter Duke Redmond.”
“Ah, damn you,” the Duke grimaced and rubbed his face with both hands, his eyes feverish. “You expect me to believe this? Your father’s old man gave up gold and Gudgurth Fort as an apology, admitted to the murder. I wanted to kill him and that sly groveling Lesia snake he dragged wit him with my bare hands!”
Eh, fuck’s sake Nattas, you always make the worst impression friend, Lucius thought, a little rattled as he didn’t know about Roderick making such a payment. He glanced at his silent officers and Martha, the woman staring him sternly, but with her interest piqued.
She wants to know.
Lucius scrunched his face this way and that, not wanting to open up about the past in front of everyone, but knowing that the truth had to come out at some point. Trying to save his honor, he had created a ton of other problems.
You think it’s over husband?
Curse you.
“Macia killed herself,” Lucius said with difficulty, his mouth drying up and his vision blurring as the memories started leaking out. “She was pregnant with Rolo’s child.”
The Duke recoiled, raising his left hand not wanting to hear it. “You’ll smear her memory even in death?” He asked him hurt. “What manner of man are you?”
“I wouldn’t. My father lied, in his mind it was better to be a killer than a fool. She had an affair,” Lucius continued pushing on and Martha narrowed her eyes. “I found out. Threatened to take the baby away and she killed herself with an old dagger. I had it melted and turned into a…” Martha raised her hand on her bosom and pulled an iron pendant out. Carved into the figure of the black Great Wolf of Yepehir. The Duchy’s emblem. Ah, Lucius thought rattled. There you are. “… a medal and wrapped it in her funeral garbs,” he finished with a grimace.
“Deeds not words,” Martha recited her house’s motto thoughtfully, whilst playing with her sister’s blackened pendant. “I will talk with Sir Lucius father.”
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“Give us the room,” Lucius said, after her father and a dejected Baron Palma walked outside.
Trupo frowned a tick on his left eye.
“Legatus, I shall send Gripa in,” he muttered, but Lucius stopped him with an angry gesture.
“She won’t attack me in my tent Prefect!” He blasted him, feeling his blood boiling. “If I’m to be cut down by a woman, then I better rid this realm from my presence!”
Sula stared at him. “A woman can kill the best warrior Maximus, if she puts her mind to it.”
“Why thank you officer,” Martha taunted him. “I was curious how ye got yer injuries.”
“Sula wait outside,” Lucius intervened before the affronted Legatus of the Fourth could reply. A seething Sula hobbled out of the tent and Ramirus being the last one present nodded once, before leaving them alone.
The silence following extremely awkward.
“Ahm,” Lucius started. “I won’t be swayed to release your father… my Lady.”
Martha got up and approached his desk.
“I had my hair cut very short,” she said out of the blue surprising him. Lucius frowned and stared at his swordman’s hands. “I used a knife to do it, made a mess uhm. Father was shocked.”
“Why?” He asked, although he knew, sort of.
“I didn’t want to marry you,” Martha replied with a smile. “I was too scared,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Macia was way braver than me. She had a thing for knights.”
Lucius got up and walked to a chest, opened it and found a bottle of wine and a goblet. He returned to his desk and filled it to the brim, before realizing he hadn’t brought one for her. Old instincts had kicked in. Macia hated wine. Martha smiled and pointed at the bottle.
“Can I?”
“Have mine,” Lucius replied and pushed the goblet carefully towards her.
“I love wine,” she whispered and drunk greedily. “Despite how I look, I’m not Macia.”
“I know,” Lucius murmured, although he had trouble controlling himself. “Apologies. I should have handled it better.”
“Rolo loved us,” Martha said having another sip from his goblet. “Since he was a kid. We used to fool with him and with each other. We used to pretend one of us was the other all the time. Promising something as Martha, but setting him up with Macia. She hated it is the truth. It was more my thing. Have you ever done that?”
“Not really,” Lucius admitted, not really wanting to talk about Rolo, or her childhood. His instinct was telling him this conversation wouldn’t be pleasant.
“I thought about bedding him, when he grew up,” Martha continued and Lucius shifted on his feet, not wanting to hear it, “but Macia whisked him away to spite me, for ducking out of the marriage. It might seem strange to you, but we didn’t like the same men.”
“Lady Martha I don’t want to hear it,” Lucius said.
“I think you do,” Martha replied. “My brother hated you and it ruined him. I felt guilty growing up, thinking I sent my twin sister to her death, but in reality…” she paused and placed the goblet down, then pushed her luscious -now long- hair out of her face with a sigh. “…I don’t believe she would have ever slept with Rolo Lucius,” she added and Lucius blinked feeling his heart racing. No. Stop talking. “She wouldn’t do it. Not Macia, but she would hurt herself to make a point, or if she felt insulted. Betrayed.”
You think it’s over? Macia whispered and Lucius gasped his face turning white. He was physically hurting.
“A servant caught them…” he croaked. “Rolo admitted it and attempted to cut me down. She confessed it herself! What…?”
Martha pouted her lips and glanced at the exit of his tent. “I must speak to my father.”
“We haven’t finished talking!” Lucius growled furious.
“I’m sorry Lucius, I shouldn’t have said anything,” Martha said. “I didn’t know you still cared.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“What do you mean milady?” Lucius had walked towards her without realizing it. “You better speak now!” He warned her.
Martha stood back and crossed her arms on her chest not particularly intimidated. “You’ve bedded my sister Lucius. You’re not stupid. I’m sorry, but I think you know whether she wanted you or not. It’s why you’re still hurting. Macia couldn’t fake shit, but if you got her mad enough she turned into a mindless beast.”
Ah, curse ye, Lucius thought and turned his head not to see Martha’s face, because it reminded him of her so much.
“I came to offer myself in exchange for my father,” Martha said standing at the exit of his commander’s tent.
Lucius gulped down, not wanting to see her go so soon.
“I can’t allow the Duke to go free, without assurances,” he grunted, his voice coming out strangled.
“I’m the only child he has left, Sofia is swimming in gold in Flauegran,” Martha argued calmly. “He doesn’t want to lose me.”
“Will he give up Halfostad?” Lucius asked thinking it through.
“Have you seen it? Not much left there,” Martha replied and sighed. “I understand you don’t want me near you.”
“I’m married,” Lucius said abruptly. “I have a son…”
Martha nodded as if it made sense.
“I’m happy for you, but hey, I wasn’t offering myself Sir Lucius,” Martha rejoined and added raising a red brow. “Let me talk to my father yes?”
“Why help me?” Lucius asked and this time emotion clouded her eyes. He realized much to his dismay that under a certain light, or mood, you could mistake it for anger, or even hatred. When it was simply her being depressed and deeply wounded at his harsh words.
“I’m not doing it for you,” Martha replied. “But for my family and Macia. Because life can be stupid, because we make mistakes when we’re young, we can’t take back. Because gods suck and I’m tired of mourning. Because you, my good knight, were just her type.”
> On the first month of Fall, the year of the New Calendar 190, Legatus Augustus (the Illustrious in ancient Lorian) Lucius Alden entered the ruined city of Halfostad and declared the creation of the Greater Province of Kas. A sprawling area that was to incorporate the small port city of Halfostad, Northwatch Castle and three forts on the roads leading south.
>
> Tribune Galio Veturius would secure Northwatch Castle two months later after reaching an agreement with the sieged city of Eaglesnest. Lady Sanne Crull, was to keep her city intact and in exchange the Legion allowed supplies to flow back in and caravans to cross the Legion controlled roads and mountain paths.
>
> The Duke of Sovya agreed to a truce after a catastrophic war for him that had cost him land, men, a son and his daughter Lady Martha Redmond that the Legatus Augustus kept as leverage. He returned an injured Baron Eams to Eaglesnest as part of Galio Veturius’ deal and Lady Sanne had him swiftly beheaded for betraying her father the next day.
>
> Baron Palma’s troops returned to Lesia during the winter of 191 NC, but the Baron remained Lucius prisoner for a while. King Davenport had ordered the Duke not to sign any deals with Lucius, but given the Duke’s weakened position, it was a mute order.
>
> Lucius left the Fourth in Halfostad to guard the city, but also to oversee repairs and the building of the East Fort near the Stad River and returned to Kas for the coming northern winter. Being on campaign for almost two years a worn out Lucius opted to rest and enjoy the company of his wife and son during the harsh winter months. Of course being the man that he was, he also pored over plans and maps preparing to campaign South.
>
> While the growing officer core of the Legions wanted a campaign in the coming summer, Lucius preached patience. He needed to consolidate his power, train new troops, develop the mines and finish the public works done in Kas and Halfostad. He wrote to the Duchess of Krakenhall and learned Zofia was pregnant again but was also working hard to rebuild her domain. Lucius tried to learn as much about what had happened to the realm while he’d been stranded in the North and probably waited for Lesia’s reaction.
>
> Another reason for his long pause must have been the volatile political situation in Regia and Kaltha. Having secured the roads, the general faced another more practical dilemma. He could take the newly built path near Northwatch Castle and follow the busy big road down Nor Maze Heights towards Picker’s River and Brownfort at the banks of the Canlita Sea, or avoid the Lakerlords altogether and take the more difficult Screaming Road back again towards Gudgurth Fort.
>
> Thus returning to Regia the way he’d left by traveling towards Anorum.
>
> A matter this writer would examine in depth in the following chapter, being a witness to the events that followed.
>
>
>
> Lord Sirio Veturius
>
> The Fall of Heroes
>
> Chapter II
>
> (Legatus Lucius Alden,
>
> -also addressed-
>
> Legatus Augustus, Praetor Maximus
>
> Southern campaigns,
>
> Third Year
>
> Volume V
>
> Tigers on the Plains
>
> Summer 191 NC)