The imposing presence of the Ethereal Wing was a sight to behold from afar. A massive disc-shaped vessel that dwarfed some of the Sector Cities on Titan, propelled by the amalgamated manipulation of gravity, anti-matter and spatial warping. Though, none of this was noted by the autonomous mind of the Habitat Constructor, the Foundation's latest Mobile Platform Mass Fabrication Module™. Its voyage across the silent darkness was quick and effortless, a simple direct course towards its new home, Gaius. The machine was no bigger than a small house, an egg-shaped contraption of metal, polymer and crystalline composite made from the finest materials the Federation could afford to spend. Its sensors constantly peered into the vast vacuum of space, ignoring the littered stars in favor of monitoring its descent upon the newfound planet.
Even without a shield generator, its metallic hull was more than enough to withstand atmospheric entry. The intense heat generated by air friction was but a mere gentle breeze for the Constructor. With its many mechanical eyes, the machine gazed at the lands below and performed a thousand calculations under microseconds, triangulating the most viable spot for its fleshy masters. Already, it had found several dozen and narrowed down the choice to one. Like its masters had inputted, the Habitat Constructor zeroed itself towards the northernmost position of the planet. The nature of the environment's harsh cold climate was noted in its program and a series of quick inspection done to its internal systems followed after with a query to its probability rate of survival later concluded that the Constructor was more than capable of surviving within the snowy plains of the north.
Thick clouds parted from the machine, the residual elements that briefly clung to its surface was scanned and the data was saved later for a more comprehensive analysis. In fifteen minutes, it had already reached down below the troposphere, which in turn initiated its synchronous gravitic propulsion system. Empowered by the preternatural psionic force, gravitational waveform flickered before the fabric of space around its propulsion system was twisted. In an instant, a fundamental force was denied, in its place was instead governed by the unnatural power of psionics. The machine gradually slowed down, no longer hurtling like a comet.
The Constructor was undeterred with the thick snowfall that would normally obscure visibility, its sensors were designed to pierce even the thickest layers of rock, let alone a mere gentle curtain of snowflakes. With no visible thrusters or any other loud mechanism, the machine gently descended in relative silence. Within an hour, the great metal beast found its footing upon an empty clearing of snow and dirt, surrounded by shrivelled trees. A few seconds of precursive scans to its surroundings, the Constructor unfolded itself like the petal of a flower and revealed complex machines accompanied by twelve modular robots, each having their bodies segregated into multiple small pieces that could be detached and reattached at a different point.
Its internal nanoforge churned to life as trillions of microscopic machines swirled within its matter fabrication chamber, awaiting for further order.
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[Deep Forest, Frostland, Nothun]
The thick snow that surrounded Agryn Felnaught did well to hide her form, the young Howler hunter was clad in simple white robe to conceal the darker hue of her garments and the light grey belt that held her pouches. Her dim amethyst eyes peered the endless hail of snow as her nose and ears sought that couldn't be seen. She knew these lands like it was carved at the back of her hands, she knew where to seek, to hunt and to avoid. Yet lately, there were many places to be avoided with the ever present bandits and raiders scattered about.
Hells, she had at least encountered three different groups for the last two days, one of them was generous enough to provide her with rations and arrows to survive the week, as well as their own blood and lives. It had been eight days since her stay in the forest, all the supplies that had dwindled were thankfully restocked. Agryn last heard that some barbaric tribe of Old North attacked Joy Town two weeks prior, but she doubted the women of the Mountain Tribes would even dare earn the ire of the infamous Bold Wolf.
As she laid low on the ground, ears perked, eyes narrowed. There was a sudden shift in the air. The young Howler blinked, her wolfish ears swivelled at the faint disturbance in the air, but it was the streak of light that caught her attention. Like a stray falling star, yet much smaller and dimmer and oddly slower in motion. Her gaze trailed the strange star as it came closer to the ground. It was then she realized the dim streak and the small star grew only brighter, and bigger.
"What in Deeps Hell?" Murmured the Howler as the fallen star finally found a resting place deeper within the wood. There was no sound, quake or light after the impact. Just utter silence, unlike the old tales of the Gorgon Star she heard when she was but a pup. For a moment, Agryn debated her course of action. If what she saw was real and not some hallucinatory illusion conjured by her delirious mind, she might have encountered something significant. The Howler had heard the saga of the coveted Star Metal, or the highborns had come to call them 'mithril' and 'orichalcum'.
Agryn stood, giving herself a few seconds to ponder before she strengthened her resolve. Even if her presumption proven false, it must be at least something of interest.
The trek from where she was and where the strange star fell was a long and arduous one. A half a day journey and she had still yet to arrive. Agryn was no weak elf but even a Howler had their limits, and for a moment, she considered abandoning her endeavor. The few brief respite was barely enough to conserve her strength, but the young Howler continued on regardless. She appraised her pouch, noting down the slabs of meat and packs of berries she had with her.
However, her journey wasn't for naught when she caught noise of the most queer sound. The Howler peered, both ears perked in alert and her hand was quick to draw her bow, the string pulled back, an arrow notched perfectly in its place. To her ears, it sounded like the skittering legs of large insects, like the Hill Spiders of Spear Mountain. There was also the faint noise of the strangest growl followed after with the familiar echoes of fallen trees. Was there a wild boar somewhere in here? A stray mammoth perhaps? She could deal with the former but not the latter.
The Howler was careful with her trek, tail lowered and her cowl pulled up. The bow in hand steadily kept a firm grip. Agryn kneeled behind a tree when she noticed the intensity of the noise grew evermore frequent. The young wolf hesitated for a moment, realizing the ominous situation in her hand. She knew for certain that whatever peculiarity behind her was no animal she heard nor seen. It was fast, that much she could discern with the way its legs skittered the ground. She could even make out faint whirring whispers that were unlike any beast known to mortals.
Apprehensively, the Snow Howler slowly peered beyond the tree trunk. Her eyes bulged, mouth agape as she finally caught sight of the walking terror. It was no beast she knew alright. It was a metallic monstrosity of the most curious form, with six legs not too dissimilar to that of ants. A body segregated by several small angular pieces and multiple, strange, protrusions on its carapace. The thing had no head, with no discernable front, side nor back. Multiple long, folded, arms stretched outward from its main body as it cut through another tree with oddly bright pincers, set ablaze like the glare of the sun.
Agryn paused, a cold chill not from the wind crawled up her spine. In that moment, she only gaped at the abominable monster that crawled before her, seeing as it quickly eviscerated the fallen tree with inhuman speed. She waited not long to unleash her arrow from its bowstring, seeing it flew through the wind and clattered against the hard carapace of the beast. A growing terror rose inside her as she saw the projectile did little against the unnatural creature. Yet, curiously, it paid her no heed, simply continuing its endeavor in devouring the tree.
The Howler did not wait to see what manner of activity from the beast and chose instead to quickly flee the scene, leaving behind the curious, yet otherwise indifferent, Utility Replicator Unit as it continued along its task in gathering natural resources and minerals for the continuation of the main base construction.
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[Ethereal Wing, Caesar System]
ETA: 1 Day Before Arrival
Preparations were made, several dropships readied as essential crews were given priority for early departure. It had been three days since the Habitat Constructor established the basic foundation of their new base. The intense cold was sure to be a cause of irritation to some of the colonists but now they had the basic fundamentals for survival, all that was left was to establish a foothold over the planet.
Elton Triske Sevielle, the Representative of Federation's Interest, stood amongst his fellow men and women, beaming with excitement. "Okay people, listen up! This is an entirely new world we're setting foot to, with an entirely alien environment and equally alien people. I gather that you all have read the manual and know what to expect, but in case some of you miss the memo. This is Gaius, one of two habitable worlds on this star system with a very dense psychic field that got the Federation (and its contending rivals) very excited. We also have with us an entire planet's worth of Tolkien's trilogy series. Now, I'm sure the xenobiologists are quite fascinated with the elves and the dwarves, but I'm here to remind you that we're here not for a vacation! Remember, this is a highly psioactive planet, with a higher density of esper population amongst its native."
"So are we expecting conflict with the elves?" One of the men, Private Nicholas Vini Ophelia, a merc agent, remarked. He was part of the Excalibur Mercenaries, a privately owned hired-gun under the Federation's employ, which exists to protect the organization's interest.
"Hopefully not, but if anything from Ferturia tells us, it's better we remain prepared for the worst. The Federation spared no expenses after all. Now, if you may," Elton gestured to his side where out walked a replicant clad in simple grey outfit.
"Thank you, Representative Sevielle. Hello ladies and gentlemen, my name is Prima Vita Nova. A genetically engineered replicant property of the Central Sol Federation. Created to excel in combat, engineering, subterfuge, diplomacy, management and various miscellaneous functions. The Federation-issued Watchdog-X9 drones had analyzed at least five different major species, however we expect more to come in the near future. Please place your attention to the holo-projection," Prima merely blinked and the semi-tangible hardlight construct materialized before them.
"This is the exoprima hominids, colloquial designation; elf." The projection displayed the creature in question, an image taken from orbit and reconstructed into three dimensional apparition via the work of their AI. "They are the closest in appearance, behavior and (potentially) cognitive function to that of homo sapien sapien. Though further examination is required, we can conclude that, biologically, they are similar to humans, requiring the same nutritional value expected for the average human. However, it seems, their muscle mass is lesser than the average, unaugmented, homo sapien. Although this is either due to their natural biology, dietary consumption, cultural impact or other external factor is unknown. The exoprima are also reported to possess the highest psionic activity amongst all the other natives of Gaius, and as such must be approached with utmost caution."
The projection then flickered, shifting into the image of a squat, humanoid, creature with a rather impressively rotund belly and thick pair of arms.
"Exosecundus hominids, colloquial designation; dwarves. Our satellite drones have the most difficulty capturing images of these sapients due to their natural habitats underground. Our scientists concluded that these lifeforms possessed all the necessary biological function to operate below the surface, as they are often most seen near caves and mountainous areas. It is possible that they are significantly more durable than humans, and could function well within low oxygen, low light and high temperature environments."
Elton noted that some of the mercenaries seemed more interested with the elves than the dwarves, though that was not much of a surprise seeing the rather inhuman beauty they possessed. He had even taken the liberty to send the image back to Earth, but alas, the Federation's censorship prevented such action.
"The next is, anima lupinus, under the family of bestia sapien, all of which are native lifeforms that possessed animal features in addition to their humanoid physiology. The lupinus, colloquial designation pending, is a bestia sapien with prominent canine features, such as lupine ears and tail. There is also anima panthera, anima cervida and anima ursa, to name only a few. Each, respectively, possessed the animal characteristics of feline, cervus and ursus species."
"Wait, you're saying there's an actual catgirl in this world?" Piped one of the mercenaries rather excitedly.
"We can get to that one later," Elton chided. "From what we can tell, these beastie sapien thingies have all the advantages (and disadvantages) of the animals they represent. The kittens have claws, the doggies could smell and the teddies could probably pounce your unaugmented ass. Which is why it is important that you treat this one seriously, lest the Federation cut my fundi– I mean, they cut our mission short and sent us back. You all didn't come all the way here, stuck in this giant disc of a ship, just to go back home now do you?"
"No sir!" Chorused them all.
"Enough with that crap, I'm not your sergeant," sighed Elton. He turned and faced Prima, "so is our drop ship ready?"
"It already has, Sir." Answered the synthetic organism.
The Representative smiled, "well then. I think it's time we set afoot on our new home."
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[Outskirts of Deep Forest, Frostland, Nothun]
"Remind me, why are we here again?" Grumbled the chief knight Laura Lumberton, a leading officer of the Snow Guard force and a self-proclaimed 'Master of the Seven Blades'. Her amber eyes sweeped the endless trees of the Deep Forest with mildest of interest.
"There has been concerning reports from the lowborns of a rather queer presence in the woods, I would rather if we see to it ourselves than be surprised if it was proven to be something substantial," said their liege lady, Vesna Clawtun, the Bold Wolf, and the Lady of Fort Blackshard.
Mystrene the Magus sighed exasperatedly. "I would caution against trusting the lowblood too much, Milady. They can barely differentiate between a boar and those lumberfolks. They're probably nothing more but wild beasts that made this land theirs."
"Well, I agree with Milady. I rather us be disappointed with lowborn rumors than be ambushed by an unexpected Tribes attack," Alastria Thaunar chimed in.
Laura perked, "you believed this to be the work of the Mountain Tribes?"
"Not all of them, nay, but with the rising power struggle between their clans, some are sure to do something drastic and foolish," said the other chief knight.
"An apt observation, but one based on dangerous assumptions, Syr Alastria. I don't endorse baseless accusations," chided their liege lady. "But nonetheless, if we are to face the forces of the Tribes, I fear the lieges of the other realms would view this as a declaration of war."
"Bah, those rotten bastards. They'll take every lil' thing as an insult to their piss cheap honor!" Laura exclaimed. "Sides, what's the problem with the Arctic Kingdoms pushing those barbarians back to their land? They've been making more of a mess as it is!"
"I know you are apprehensive about the Tribes, but they have proven again and again to be nothing but dishonorable cravens," Mystrene interjected. "They slaughtered the children, took the men and plundered our lands off its goods. For all of their worship of the Pact God, they acted like nothing more than wild animals."
"Even wild animals are better than those savages!" Proclaimed Alastria.
"Ladies," Vesna exhaled softly, her reprimanding tone was more than enough to silence their chatter. "I understand your… hostility against those of the Old North, but to paint an entire group under one light is foolish and detrimental. We are not the obnoxious elves, nor are we the detestable nightfolks. My ancestors have done their part in bloodshed, I don't want to be the one to continue their tradition."
"Dame!" Exclaimed the high-pitched voice of a newcomer, a young Snow Howler sported a chainmail mesh under her boiled leather armor. She was yet still a novice, with a helm slightly lopsided as she raced to meet their liege lady. The soldier of Frostland saluted her sovereign before she continued. "The scouts found something. They reported strange markings left on the ground."
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Laura hummed, "I guess that's our 'mysterious beast' eh?"
"Bring me to that place," Vesna quickly commanded. They were immediately led to a clearing in the forest, a wide opening that revealed several stumps of dead trees and odd treks scattered on the snow. Her instincts immediately alerted her of the alieness of these new paw prints, if it could be called as such. They were deep and sharp little protrusions, a manner of motion most queer for the liege lady of Frostland.
"This ain't no boar mark I can tell ya that much," Laura quipped, her previously casual tone dropping to seriousness, finally realizing that there might be an inkling of truth from the rumors after all.
"That's not all. Look here, the stumps," Mystrene piped, kneeling near one of the dead trees. "They're not cut nor broken apart, but incinerated by no manner of Blaze Magic I knew of."
"Shite," Laura cursed. "Are you saying that this is the work of sorcery?"
"Milady, I think it is safe to presume that our common born were not as mad as we thought them to be," Alastria remarked.
"I never said they were," Vesna shook her head. "You, soldier. Gather the rest of the scouting party and tell them to meet me here, it seems like we have a hunt to do."
"Dame, yes dame!" Saluted the soldier once more before she quickly hurried off to her task.
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The Utility Replicator Unit and its fellow siblings worked quickly and efficiently, using every trace of resource they could. The broken down carbon minerals from nearby organic matter were enough to construct various phlebotinum crystalline composite to reinforce the various basic installations and habitation hubs across the newly built residency. The Habitat Constructor Module had already become the base's impromptu power generator and would remain so until they could set up a proper thaumic fusion reactor. Several mice-sized, earth burrowing, robots had already done their part with establishing and connecting the underground cables, piping and wiring systems.
Whilst the Replicator Units performed its duty with fabricating the various infrastructural modules near the Habitat Constructor, the other, recently, fabricated machines completed their own tasks, including building roads, psionically reinforcing buildings, monitoring the process and minor terraforming of the lands around them. Despite its relatively humble upbringing, the newly created base colony was impressive nonetheless. The Constructor sealed itself in a giant dome, surrounded by other smaller buildings all neatly arranged to take advantage of the efficiently built road systems. After four days of continuous work, the machine declared its job satisfactory, and proceeded to summon its master.
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It all happened suddenly and without warning. As the women of Frostland gathered under the command of their liege, the soldiers of the north trembled at the sight that befell them. Even the stoic Bold Wolf and her Snow Guards stood in shock at the scene before them. A bright streak of light with the intensity to rival the twilight sun and the thunderous roar that could challenge the western dragons themselves. Vesna did not wait to chase after the large falling star, her bewilderment only grew ever more intense when the star slowed down its descent and changed its course mid-flight. She was no magus, but even she knew that there were no sorceries capable of such impossible feats.
If not for the shared claims of her soldiers, Vesna would've treated it as nothing more but the trick of her eyes. The roaring thunder of the star suddenly grew quiet, yet with no following quake that supposedly should happen once it touched the earth. The Bold Wolf knew of the tales regarding the Gorgon Star, one that supposedly be the blessings of the Sky Gods of the Dawn Elves that brought with it the magnificent mithril and precious orichalcum. Some had come to call it Star Metal or God's Metal, a divine blessing that graced those who were worthy. Not that Vesna herself believed such tales.
For a moment, the Howler's eyes flickered to her sheathed mithril blade, gifted to her by her foremother and of her mother too, dating all the way back during the ruling of the Ice Queen. There was a reason why mithril was deemed precious, especially by the magi and those proficient in the arcane arts. A metal naturally inclined to magic, one so easily molded and infused with enchantments no other materials could, alongside its added benefits of being greater than steel in most aspects.
"D- Dame, our scouts think that—that thing is most likely a league and a half away from us. I suggest it's best we rest first for the night. Though I do not doubt the skills of our women, our steed do not have the same mettle."
Vesna frowned, contemplating for a moment before she cast her gaze towards the rest of her entourage. A force of twenty seven women, including her two chief knights and an academia magi on her side.
"Very well," she sighed. "Set up the camps. Magi Mystrene, can you light up a fire for us?"
"I don't know any Blaze spells, Milady," murmured the magus.
"I have with me ye' good ol' reliable flint," Laura exclaimed, pulling out the item in question from her pouch. The large Howler cast the sorcerer a sideway glance and smirked. "I need no fancy magic with me."
"What is that thing anyway?" Alastria voiced the question that nagged in all their minds.
"A fallen star, duh," Laura answered easily.
"Falling stars don't slow down and change their direction, Laura. That is a work of something more than meets the eye," Mystrene stated seriously.
"I dunno. What, are ye suggesting it be the work of the knife-eared Sky Gods?"
"Or demon," Alastria replied casually.
Laura frowned, "that's not funny."
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[Unnamed Colony, Northern Continent, Gaius]
"Ah, sweet fresh air!" Proclaimed one of the Excaliburs, smiling widely as he took in the cold frosty air from within his filtered helmet. "God, this reminds me of home!"
"Igor! Get your ass here and help the bots haul the crate you lazy mukosho!" Yelled another, a dark-skinned man of Old African descent. With him, he held a rather large briefcase, surrounded by gravity-propelled auto-cargo.
"C'mon now Fred, we've been stuck in that giant disc for six standard months. Look at this, trees! Snow! Birds! And the ground, we have an actual ground!"
"Igor, go and help Fredrick there. We have a hundred colonists with us today and I don't want to be the one to babysit your ass," remarked a stern woman from the Democratic Lunae Planum of Martian Colony.
"Will do, Viranka!" Smiled the jovial Russian man. His augmented legs carried him towards the recently landed Loki-class dropship. The vessel was a magnificent piece of craftsmanship (courtesy of Martian technology), perfectly designed to be large, imposing yet elegant all the same. Far from the dull militaristic architecture of old starships back when trans-light engines was still a novel concept. It was a large thing, a hundred meters in length, thirty meters in width and twenty in height, all shaped to resemble a blunted sword if witnessed from afar.
The colony's first arrival were a hundred men and women all of whom from Sol, Proxima Centauri, Alpha Centauri and Sirius System. The one regarded as "essential" for the colony's establishment. The security force, maintenance, researchers, managers, diplomats, corporates and representatives of the Federation. They all poured out from the ship like spilt milk, slowly making their way to their designated area and immediately got to work. Auto-turrets were placed at the edges of the colony and defensive barricades quickly deployed for the colonists' safety. Drones were set up and ready to be deployed whilst several more cargoes were still in the process of departure.
Igor Korol Kuznetsov from the Freedom Republic of Russia grinned at the sight. He had spent half a year trapped in the suffocating air of the Ethereal Wing that the simplest thing like the sun, the wind and the snow was more than enough to elate him. He didn't regret signing up for this colonization mission, despite the protest of his friends and (lack of) family. The disconcerting news of the natives aside, this was the best planet to start a new life.
As he assisted Fredrick Vin Velstone, a man who hailed from Frontier of Proxima Centauri, he caught sight of a smartly dressed man, acting as the Federation's representative. Elton Triske Sevielle, accompanied by the replicant, Prima Vita Nova. The man was tall and lean, with pale complexion as if the sun had never touched his skin, pair of obviously cybernetic, chromatic eyes and neatly arranged black hair. His business outfit, an expensive darkish blue suit with greyish undercoat made him rather prominent amongst the cluster of colonists lurking about.
The replicant beside him was much paler than the man, clad in its white-grey bodysuit with several slightly thicker padding in the vital areas of its body if it were human. From what Igor knew, the replicant was the Newfront Model-6 of Federation's latest product which had only minor and superficial changes compared to the previous models. With a polytitanium endoskeletal structure supported by hyper durable synthetic musculature and bio-engineered semi-organic epidermal layer. For what reason the Federation would want to send a replicant of such caliber was lost to Igor, but at least, he supposed, the synthoid would be of great help against the (potential) threats of this world.
"Ah, you!" The man exclaimed, pointing towards Igor with great enthusiasm. "Where's the rest of the Excalibur mercs?"
"Ah, going around setting up basic defenses?" Igor answered with uncertainty. "Hey, Viranka, where's all of our druzya?"
"You want me to call them here?" Viranka Chen Lambert questioned.
"Ah no need, you three would be enough I suppose. Our drones detected a few of the natives coming over here, I just wanted to stretch my legs and say hi to them. You all familiar with the First Contact protocol?"
"We've been briefed before about it, yeah." Fredrick answered.
"Good good. From what we can tell, these guys are not some random travellers either, one of our anthropologists think they're local governors or something. Now, hopefully we don't end up like Ferturia, but at the off chance that they are the kind of people to shoot first and ask questions later…"
"This is an AMEBA (Ancile™ Mobile Exoskeletal Ballistic Armor) suit, Sir. Should be more than enough to stop all 21st Century firearms, let alone swords and arrows. And if that's not enough, we have an Icarus-model HPS (Hadronic Personal Shield) Generator, nothing short of a Tier-4 psionic attack could pierce it."
"Let's not jinx that, soldier. So you all have your laser toys with you, yeah? Good, let us hope we don't need them."
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[Deep Forest, Frostland, Nothun]
As the half-moon hung and the night air howled, the soldiers of Frostland huddled together in congregations of tents and fireplaces. The accumulating snow was quite a hassle to handle even with Mystrene's assistance. The sorcerer made a brief comment regarding the trivial usage of her 'sacred art' but it was otherwise relatively uneventful.
Laura Lumberton of the Lesser House of Lumberton sat idly near the fire, the billowing flames flickered and danced, struggling against the relentless chill of the air. The large musclebound woman of the north took stock of the entourage. A group of twenty seven women all clad in their dull brown leather armor over a simple chainmail mesh, there were even a few of whom granted with lamellar armor. The sight of them would put a pause to any bandits who dare venture deep into this part of the woods, especially seeing them armed with Crown-built crossbows and polished steel swords.
Though, the Tribes on the other hand…
"That look really doesn't suit your face. You are not a thinker, Laura," a voice broke the silence of the night. The chief knight swerved her eyes to see their resident magus sat beside her, doing well hiding her discomfort amongst the tall trees of the Deep Forest.
"Hey, I'm not some dumb brute you know," Laura argued lightly. "The lads also like a maiden who can use 'er brain."
"You are far from a maiden, Laura," Mystrene rolled her eyes as she rubbed her hands before the fire.
"Hah! True that!" The chief knight grinned. Laura then leered at her friend with a mischievous smirk, "and I assume you yourselves are quite experienced with the taste of men huh?"
Before the sorcerer could retort with a flurry of indignation, Alastria, the other chief knight, arrived with a bowl of broth in hand. The warm vapor of the food was enough of a distraction to both of them as the woman chose a seat the opposite of the two.
"You both bicker like a wedded couple," exhaled the knight.
The Lumberton only snickered at that as she leaned against the fallen log that they had made as their makeshift seat. "Sorry, Magi, not interested. Maybe if ya have a cock between yer legs then I can perhaps take up to that offer."
"How vulgar," grumbled Mystrene, making her displeasure known before she addressed the other knight who she deemed to be better suited for such a title. "Alastria, how are our women?"
"The soldiers are doing fine, though a few disgruntled grunts here and there. Nothing too concerning. The liege lady is attending to her steed at the moment and the watchmaiden had yet to report anything of interest. Honestly, it is a rather boring night."
"I will take this any other day than a Tribe attack. Savages as they are, those barbarians are formidable warriors," the magi shuddered as she recalled horror tales regarding the brutality and combat skills of their distant cousins deep in the Old North.
Laura snorted at that statement as she pulled out her blade and swung it with great enthusiasm. "Hah, what do those uncultured dogs know of true combat? The only skills they have is to pounce and flee like some cowardly Leapers."
"Hold your tongue there, Laura. My nan was a Leaper herself and she is damn brave if I say so myself," Alastria voiced.
"Yer grandma is a Snow Leaper of Frostland. Any of those born here would grow iron tits 'tween their mounts. It can make the most diminutive halfling into a strong warrior."
"You have a Leaper for a nan?" Perked the sorcerer.
Alastria smiled reminiscently, her eyes gazed into the flickering bonfire. "Aye, she was well damn tough bitch—pardon my orktongue—with the heaviest pair of iron tits of any rabbit-kin I've met. I heard from me mum she once fought against a minotaur with a battlehammer in hand. Imagine that, a tiny Leaper against a giant bull beast?"
"Damn, what a tale! I know that even some orcs couldn't boast the same!" Laura remarked loudly with a lopsided grin on her face.
Mystrene smiled at that, "sounds like quite the woman. How is she?"
At that, Alastria sighed dejectedly. "With the Covenant Spirits now I'm afraid. Leapers don't tend to live long lest they be the offspring of elves."
"Heh, nonetheless. She sounds like the true blood of the North," Laura quipped. "Hells, even some of the women we recruit don't have quite the tits as yer grandnanny. I know those bitches at Lakelinger don't share the same iron heart as we do."
"You sound quite opinionated of the Lakelingers," Mystrene inquired proddingly.
"It's nothin'," the chief knight waved her hand. "Just some history I had with 'em folks. Though the blood of the north runs in them, they sure don't act like one."
Mystrene quirked a brow at that comment but kept it to herself. She herself vaguely knew of the reputations of Lakelinger and their soldiers, being one of the most notorious kingdoms of the north to heavily discriminate against those not of wolf-kin breed. She herself, during her youthful travels had seen some of the distasteful society of Lakelinger and their treatments of the rabbit-kin Leapers, the fawn-kin Grazers and the panther-kin Prowlers.
"All that aside, what's yer thought of that fallen star?" Laura suddenly questioned, the topic was abruptly brought up without prompting. It was clear from her tone alone that the chief knight was eager to make a conversation out of the subject.
"Supernatural," Alastria succinctly answered.
"A subject of study," Mystrene followed after, before she paused and glanced at Alastria oddly. "What makes you say that?"
"Was that natural?"
"I suppose not…" Mystrene murmured. "Though I'm sure there must be an answer to it. Not all things in this Realm are the work of miracles and gods. Even sorcery, gifts from the divine as it is, follows a rule that can be learned and improved upon."
"I'm not sure how yer scholarly mind can explain' that, but I would love to see you give it a try," Laura said halfheartedly.
"Do you doubt my intellect?" The magus stated as she held herself high, both ears folded up in pride.
"I heard of a magi who claimed the world is round. While I admit you scholars had done great work with some of the stuff across the realms, you must concur that there be something loose in all ye head."
The sorcerer gape for a moment before she began her rant. "How dare you! The work of Lady Magus Ollistrias Numina is brilliant! You clearly don't understand the intricacies of her great mind. I implore you to look into her thesis of this strange 'force' that pulls everything together. It is a new kind of magic we have yet to understand!"
Laura rolled her eyes as she stretched herself. "I will be going to bed now before your face grows ever more red. G'night Syr Alastria, g'night to you too, Little Magi."
"Wha- hey! Come back here you dumb oaf! What do you mean by 'little'?"
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[The Next Day]
Vesna was troubled to say the least. The trails of destruction left by… whatever manner of beast or sorcery this be was a subject of great concern. It tore through the forest clearing and left nothing in its wake, like a terrible dragon had breathed flame onto the land yet left the snow and dirt uncharred. Even her women were disturbed by the sight of the sheer emptiness of this all. For a moment, the Lady Realm of Frostland thought back of the various malevolent creatures of folklore before banishing such thoughts from her conscience.
"The 'paw' prints continue up ahead, Dame. It seems to be directly where that… star landed," proclaimed one of the soldiers hesitantly.
"Then let us make haste, I doubt any of us would like to sleep out in this wood again," ordered Vesna, projecting her famed austerity that prompted her soldiers to follow.
"What do you think will be there?" Alastria, the ever loyal one, walked beside her liege lady, deftly motioning her steed to a steady pace.
"Hopefully nothing dangerous," answered Vesna coolly.
"Maybe it's a chuck of mithril ore. From the size of that star, I say it would be enough to forge you an entire set of armor, Milady!" Voiced the ever boisterous Laura.
Vesna droned them out as her knights continued to banter on idle things. Though she never admitted to such a thing, Vesna found their presence to be both comforting and entertaining. Their casual and lax manner brought some measure of peace and calm compared to the constant stress dealing with the other Ladies of the North. That thought alone was enough to dampen her mood ever so slightly.
"What the fuck?" Came the sudden and abrupt sentence of Laura Lumberton, both her ears perked upward and tail lowered in a tensed stance. The woman's sudden behavior was first met with confusion before the rest of them heard what Laura heard. The most peculiar humming drummed in the air, like the melodious tune of several songbirds acting in a choir. If it were any other place, such a symphony was to be appreciated, but in the thick woods of the Deep Forest. It was nothing but unnerving.
Vesna's eyes narrowed, her ears swivelled around cautiously. All the light chatter died down as the soldiers reached for their weapons. The Bold Wolf silently observed her surroundings, before her eyes caught sight of the faintest glimmer in front of them. The great distance and thick forest made it difficult to make out the shape of the newcomer, but it was no doubt large, and fast. In fact, it was alarming how fast the thing approached.
"Women, upfront!" She ordered as spears were quickly pulled out and a defensive formation was established. There was a palpable tension in the air, made worse with the ever growing humming that echoed the woods.
"What is that?" Murmured Alastria.
"Is this a bad time to tell you all the commonfolk's tales of monsters that lurked here in the woods?" Laura remarked, much to the displeasure of all who heard it. "No, well I'll keep it to myself then."
"Magi Mystrene," Vesna commanded.
The magus was quick to ready her spell, a magi-staff in hand. The woman focused gaze unwavering as she glared at the encroaching beast beyond the trees. She was anxious to unleash her magic, but years of training told her to hold her hands and wait for an opportune moment. This could very well be some weary traveler, as unlikely as that sounded and it was imperative she didn't jump to conclusions.
Their patience was later rewarded with the emergence of the most queer carriage ever seen. Even Mystrene, who had seen all things magical, gaped at the strange construct. It had no horse or any other beast to pull it. Its chassis was made of strong metal and glass, with spherical wheels made of the most alien materials. Furthermore, it was sleek in design, made to appear dynamic yet compact. For a moment, silence reigned, the soldiers of Frostland stood dumbly before the most peculiar metal beast.
Laura was first to break the silence with an urgent whisper. "S- should we attack, or…?"
The sudden hiss from the vehicle startled the women of Frostland, some soldiers had inadvertently dropped their weapons before they hurriedly picked them up, much to the concealed annoyance of Vesna. They continued to watched in rapt attention as the side of the carriage slid open and folded upward in the most peculiar way before out came a pair of feet clad within thick leather boots. When the person in question was fully out of their carriage, the Howlers stared at the stranger.
"Elf?" Alastria asserted in her confusion.
"T- that's not an elf, look at the ears," murmured Mystrene, strangely timid as her breath hitched.
"And that body, this is no lanky knife-ear," voiced Laura as her eyes trailed to the person's torso and the rest of their form. "Damn, quite the charmer too."
"Hush, Laura," chided Alastria as she nudged her liege lady.
Vesna was immediately dragged out of her stupor and asserted herself over the stranger. "Halt! Who goes there!"
The not-elf, a man it seemed, was tall. Clad in thick clothing that did little to hide the developed tone of his physique. He sported short black hair, strange silvered eyes and an ever present smile that admittedly stirred quite the reaction from some of the soldiers. "Greetings, my name is Elton Triske Sevielle, Chief Representative of the Esteemed Central Sol Federation. We have come to your land to parlay."