South of the Beliend Mountains, the mountain range splitting the continent of Asurya in two, a several mile-long barren lands now known as the western plains are located. Eight years ago these were fertile lands, covered in wheat fields where its name "Fields of gold" was named after. The destruction caused by unknown creatures caused these lands to wither away.

Across the western the king's road is located, the main road connecting the two regions together, separating into three roads called the spice route in the south, the stone road in the centre and the granite road in the north. Nowadays, following the calamity, these routes have been infested with bandits and thieves trying to steal from merchants fleeing the northern region from the destroyed kingdoms up north, the south relatively unscathed due to the mountain range keeping the creatures trapped up north.

Traveling along the road a band of soldiers are seen heading south with their caravan of wagons. Being led by prince Will Marlow, having survived in the northern kingdoms and picking up survivors, trying to rally a cause to avenge his fathers kingdom.

"Prince Will. the soldiers in the back are slowing behind the main group, should we rest for the night and begin early tomorrow?" Artír asked, prince Wills second in command.

"Alright, stop the front wagons and I will contact the riders in the back." Giving out orders the caravan slowly begins halting down, orienting the caravan in a circle, placing the injured inside the ring and the soldiers at bonfires all around the campsite.

"At ease soldiers, tomorrows journey be the last day we stay in the northern regions, soon we will arrive in the south were bountiful food and gold are available to you." Will proclaimed, getting a few shouts back in ackownlgedgment.

"Well said prince Will, the soldiers have been pushed pretty hard these past few days." Artír commented while holding two bowls of stew. Handing over one of the bowls to Will he thanks the dwarf and begins slowly eating the bland soup, mostly consisting of dry meat and a few vegetables.

"I know, but we have almost reached the Tash'mal gate and after we will reach the kingdom of Fehrelia, I have a loose connection with the third prince, Druin, they will hopefully offer food and lodging for a few days." Will explained while eating.

"But what is our plan after Fehrelia prince Will?" A young boy sitting a few meters away from Will and Artír. Looking over Will took notice of the young boy, his name is Eli and he was one of the stable boys at the castle in Almadas, the home of Will and most of the other soldiers in the caravan. Having short brown hair, with almond colored eyes and the typical soldier outfit, taken from a fallen soldier they passed a few weeks ago.

"We are headed for the sultanate of Salamish in the far south, the first goal is to convince the sultan to help them in their cause, if he doesn't assist us we have to hire mercenary companies to bolster out forces." Will explained to Eli.

"The obstacles we have to pass before the road is clear is the granite route and the Cymbal forest, if we can pass those two we are safe." Artír commented, gaining the attention from Eli and a few of the other soldiers.

"why is that Artír? We know the granite route have been filled with bandits these past few years, but isn't the Cymbal forest empty except for wildlife?" Another soldier asked, huddling closer to the group.

"Well, if we had been traveling twenty years ago that would be the case, but the last reports we got from our spies revealed that an unknown entity has been spotted in Cymbal forest, its origin and allegiance are unknown but it was classified as dangerous." Will explained, having seen the report before their home was destroyed.

"But prince Will, shouldn't we head along the stone route then to pass the forest?" One of the soldiers nervously asked.

"We can't. Artír has informed me that the kingdom of Sharlev have been completely isolated for the past few years and won't allow large groups of soldiers passing through their borders." Will explained to the soldier while looking over to Artír for confirmation, getting a simple nod in response the soldier kept quiet thereafter.

"People! The journey has been hard on body and mind, but soon we will be safe from these accursed lands. Rest early for tomorrows journey will be the last in these lands." Will stood up trying to rally his people and motivate them for the journey ahead.

The group disassembled as people headed back to their resting spots, only Artír and Will staying at their bonfire.

"You know prince Will, your father and mother would be proud to see you grown up to be a good and charismatic leader." Artír spoke, nostalgia of the princes parents left behind in Almadas.

"I know Artír, I wanted to help them, to get them away from the ruins and help in the search for prince Mathil." Will felt that it was his fault that his parents were left behind.

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"Prince Will, it was the choice of your parents to stay and lead the battle against those creatures. You were to young to do anything, but now you have soldiers and weapons to avenge the kingdom." Artír responded, trying to invigorate the young prince.

"You are right as always Artír. Thank you for the guidance you have given me over these years." Will said.

"You are the one who should be thanked. You are the one who have lead this group of survivors." Artír responded. Looking up into the darkened sky and the two bright moons shining down on their camp Artír stretched his arms and said good rest. Will responded and was left alone at the kindling campfire. Throwing two logs into the campfire to keep it alive he takes of his two sword resting on his hips to inspect and clean them. The first one was the ceremonial sword given to him by Sabine on his brothers coronation day. The blue sapphire hanging in a chain at the pommel still glistening in the moonlight. The other blade, the silver longsword originally belong to Mathil still looks like the day it was forged hundreds of years ago by the founder of House Marlow, Tíriel Cad Marlow. The silver blade shining brilliantly in the moonlight, with golden etchings around the handle. at the base of the blade near the cross guard a faded symbol of House Marlow could be seen, two swords crossing and a star in-between the tips of the blades.

"Mathil, I will find you and retake our kingdom." Will spoke to himself, a flash of hatred was visible on his face but he suppressed it.

Waking up early the next morning Will walked around the camp looking for any damages to the wagons and look at the inventory of food and medicine. Noticing that the group are low on bandages and herbs Will makes a mental note to get more as soon as possible.

"Good morning prince, had a good rest?" Artír walked towards Will, still a bit groggy from just waking up.

"I had Artír, was just checking the inventory. Did you know we had a shortage of bandages and medicinal herbs?" Will responded and asked his second in command.

"I did not. I assume its from the skirmish we had with those bandits a few days ago when we left the Fucha dukedom." Artír theorized.

"We have to replenish our inventory soon, hopefully we can sell some of our pelts we skinned to the markets in the south." Will thought to himself on how to fix their current issues.

Seeing most of the soldiers waking up with the morning light shining down on the camp Will and Artír began organizing breakfast for the troops, the stew from the night before and some stale bread along with jerky and cheese.

While eating a few of the soldiers walked over to Will and thanked him for leading the caravan all this time, most of them not being part of the survivors from Almadas and were picked up in the neighboring kingdoms and were taken in by Will to safety from the creatures plaguing the north. Finishing the breakfast the group quickly disassembled the camp and began their journey again towards the Tash'mal gate. Along the way the caught and skinned a few rabbits and deers, but all the larger creatures weren't seen, such as boars, bears and wolves.

"Artír, from your journeys across the Beliend Mountains, have you ever seen this lack of predatory wildlife missing, it seems like only the herbivores are left." Will asked Artír, being more knowledgable about the geography than the young prince.

"You are right prince Will, we haven't spotted a single predator in weeks. it is unusual for this part of the north, being so close to the woods and the mountain range. We have to be on our guard until we reach the gate." Artír responded, sensing an unknown threat. Agreeing with the dwarf the more experienced soldiers began riding alongside the sides of the caravan instead of the front and back, keeping a steady formation to look out for any monsters or bandits.

A few hours later, when they only had about three ours from the gate one of the riders alerted Will and the other soldiers of a smaller monster headed northbound close to them, Will sensing the danger if the creature spotted them called out a dozen soldiers to follow him on foot to slay it. Stopping the wagons the soldiers tied their horses to the posts located on the wagons and began heading towards the creature. Several minutes later the group spotted the creature, standing a little over three meters tall the creature looked similar to the ones that invaded their kingdom eight years ago. Will's wrath began bubbling in his heart, Artír noticing the princes reaction seeing the monster placed his hand on Will's shoulder and whispered, "your highness, you need to have a cool head, we can't lose more soldiers due to your hate towards these creatures. I know your hate towards these monsters but we can't lose our temper facing these creatures."

Understanding Artír's words Will took a deep breath and after gave out orders to his soldiers to flank the monster on its sides while Artír and Will faced its front. Brandishing his two blades Will began sneaking up towards the creature, Artír beside him carrying his war axe, covered in runes and details only found on weapons of dwarven craft. Blowing the signal, two short whistles the soldiers took their position, the creature surprised by seeing people in front of it.

The creature began attacking the soldiers on its left side, punching towards them but as soon as he got close the soldiers now behind him stabbed at it with their spears, impaling it but its hide was to tough to do extensive damage. Sensing danger Will called out to the soldiers to back away and he ran in hastily, trying to cut the tendons at the knees and ankles. The silver blade cut though the hide with ease, dropping the creature down on one knee, quickly escaping from the creatures range Will called out the soldiers wielding spears to continue stabbing at it. The attack continued for a moment but as the battle seemed to be finished Artír sensed something was wrong. With a terrified expression he noticed that black markings across the chest of the monster had began shining, sensing danger he called out to the soldiers and Will to run away but it was too late. Its eyes flared up and black smoke quickly began rising from its body as a large explosion erupted from its body, pushing the soldiers away. Will was pushed several meters, shocked by the expression it took a few seconds to stand up and what he saw before him horrified him. Two of his soldiers hadn't escaped in time, getting caught in the explosion their bodies were ripped in two as they lay dying beside the left over parts of the creature. Running over to try and help the soldiers Artír, battered by the explosion, limped over and stopped Wills hand to touch the soldiers.

"Your highness, they are already dead, you can't save them but at least most of us were unscathed in the explosion." Artír regretfully spoke, seeing that Will was saddened by the loss of two soldiers.

"These creatures, why do they have to cause so much suffering for the people of Terrum." Will asked rhetorically, knowing that there isn't an answer. "We have to bury their bodies at least, they have fought well these years and would be happy to know another one of these monsters are at least gone from this place." Will spoke as he issued the soldiers still alive to head back and grab shovels to bury the two soldiers.

A small ceremony was held where Artír gave a ceremonial speech to Sol, the god of light, to welcome these brave soldiers into his home. With the ceremony finished the two unmarked graves were left at the roadside as the group continued their journey. As the sun began setting on the horizon the group could see the Tash'mal gate in the horizon. A sense of joy filled the soldiers heart as they knew that across that gate an easier life would be given.

Arriving at the gate the patrol guard inspected the items and weapons of the group before allowing them to continue, the group shouting out in joy Will's mood brightened and he knew that the journey now only had one obstacle left before he could start their original mission, to amass an army and retake the city of Almadas and the kingdom of Ascalon in his rightful hands.