Micky rode on at an uneasy pace, blinking a bit disoriented. With his buffs he was able to keep ahead of his pursuers but not outrun them. Insult to injury, his own army could be heard on occasion chasing down the bandits themselves. And they were in much the same situation as himself, only with larger numbers. No, they chased him down to use him as a hostage against their own pursuers. Ironic that, by military code they were to execute him if he should become a hostage instead. Centurions were too valuable to be used as a hostage, they knew too much. So the military guards were to execute them to keep silence of such matters. More laughable is that most guards were assigned by the close house family and would blatantly turn in the face of such an order, using their own lives to send their young masters away. After all, most guards held their entire clans, everyone they ever knew and loved, or even had a small relation to were under the young master’s sway.

Micky could only think back on these matters with chagrin. He should have been assigned elite guards to prevent such a situation from happening. He should have had scouts that were well trained professionals that could spot this bullshit a mile away. He should not be in this situation. But of course, the legate did not make these arrangements, and Micky himself didn’t think much about them. He supposed it was just one more way for the legate to screw him over, though he doubted that the ‘tactical genius’ that he was, was capable of thinking that far ahead. Likely if anything it was a simple snub, and a technical oversight the more likely reason.

Now Micky was able to keep ahead of his pursuers over these two days. It was more of a long hall and a battle of attrition. A battle that he was winning. Unfortunately his pursuers were too many for him to circumvent. So any attempt to get around them and to the cavalry was an impossible task. Why were the cavalry so late? It was astounding and infuriating. But Micky’s own buffs were able to keep him ahead of said pursuers and prevent them from catching up or catching him unawares. Similarly, his pursuers held lighter equipment, and were mounted on pursuit stallions. These light and fast mounts were able to win out in the attrition battle against the heavy mounted knights on warhorses. While it was true that a warhorse was able to carry a knight in full armor almost as fast as a normal horse without, almost was not was.

Micky made quick work of his field ration. He was running low on jerky, and he only had half a skin of water. He quickly realised that this pursuit was going to round down to supplies. He would likely run out first. Then as he is taken by exhaustion the bandits supplies would run out shortly after. Then finally the cavalry from his own army would overtake the bandits as they would be well supplied and provisioned, even if their own supplies were stretched thin from the chase. Had Micky been there and in command he could have simply ordered the messenger division delivering supplies to hold the bandits long enough for the heavy cavalry to arrive, Or even his useless scouts on fast mounts. Instead, the useless commander has ordered the heavy cavalry to do it. A sensible choice as they are best to deal with enemy cavalry, if not for the fact that the whole pursuit was in order to rescue Micky himself, and not to capture some puny bandits nobody cared about.

Micky finished his quick rest and continued his escape. His two new spells were more than able to assist with keeping pace…

Rejuvenation: A helping hand in times of need. Adds [Regeneration] status to those applicable.

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A HOT healing spell that assisted with many inflictions. Although not very potent it was enough to help those already helped, or in need of slow healing. While not powerful, or capable of restoring wounds, as a HOT spell it was gentler than direct healing and was capable of working on almost anything, even the undead… Well, anything capable of healing itself as regeneration worked, mostly, on the entities own healing properties, with some limited magical assistance.

Morale: Glory in the fight, and no glory in death! A spell to affect the morale of those afflicted. This spell will cause allies to fight a losing battle, or enemies to fear the cost of victory.

This spell had the added hidden effect of increasing ones stamina, at the possible cost of decreased effectiveness. Or should it be said, that it was the main purpose, and the counter to fear effects was only a mild bonus. With these he was able to maintain his lead on his pursuers.

Micky continued on his journey, far enough ahead to not hear his pursuers but knowing he had most definitely not lost them. He suddenly came upon a thinning of the forest. It was almost magical in a way. Up ahead was a city wall amongst the thinning trees. Micky was both ecstatic and perplexed by the sight. Afterall, there should be no city here. This was deep in the forest, and aside from the occasional monsters there was nothing. Not that this wouldn’t be the optimal place for adventurers. Not needing to travel for long to find high leveled prey would be a wonderful place for many of the most powerful of adventurer.

Micky quickly made for the gates. The guards at the gate are somehow looming and shadowy. “I am a centurion of his majesties army, Micky Anderson! I demand you open the gate for me!” Micky yelled as ran charged towards them. He of course, didn’t expect them to do just that based on his word, but it would prevent them from detaining him, and instead the guards should help him in the interim from his pursuers.

The guards stayed where they were with bored expressions, continuing to guard the gate like he was a crazy person ranting about Y2K. That year was still living in infamy years later, though would not be the most infamous year of the 2000s…

Micky charged towards them. The guards didn’t flinch. Micky continued. The guards unmoving. Micky slowed to a stop just before the spears punctured him or his horse. His horse itself was glad for the rest, even if aware it was only momentary. The buffs were like a drug through its system, but like any drug, it’s effects had limited results with the prolonged use.

“I am a centurion, why do you block me?” Stated Micky.

“Well centurion, welcome to the free monster city of Fear Sweat. Or *Roar* as we monsters like to call it. You are free to enter and exit as you please, but we don’t answer to your king here. However, you will need to pay the entrance fee.” Stated the guard on the right.

Micky looked at them questioningly… then it dawned on him. These were human form monsters. And that was when Micky acknowledged the name of the city in a completely different language. One even more natural than the monsters.

Micky considered returning to the bandits, at least they were human, how bad could they be when compared to literal monsters and their city?... But he knew what that end would be. So he turned back to the monsters. He pulled out his bag, he still had plenty of gold and even platinum if need be. But the guard held up his hand and had a crooked smile. “No friend, that will be useless here. Well, at least among monsters, you can probably find merchants or humans interested inside.” The guard on the right said.

Micky looked at them quizzically, but was increasingly nervous about his pursuers. These guards didn’t seem to be about to let him in so easily. And Micky had his doubts they would even stop the bandits from tearing him limb from limb right in front of the gate. “We only except flesh as currency here. Pain and misery, ecstasy and lust. Should you wish to enter, we could give you a hundred lashes, and that’ll be enough. You’ll even receive medical treatment afterward for no charge.” The guard said gleefully. Micky paled.

But then he had an idea...