Ashes of Empires

The Rusty red of the river gave it an ominous appearance. It flowed like calm blood pouring from the distant Stravkar Peaks where the dwarves of the 'Amber Hall' make their homes Deep within the mountain.

Despite its appearance, the river was safe and calm during most every time of the year. The red color was a result of the high-quality iron, bronze, and amber, whose taint dyed the river. 

The caravan of river barges and pole boats a decade strong moved swiftly across the water. The journey had started smoothly, with only the occasional need to graze the horses to save on grain slowing them. 

Three of his order manned each boat, with horses and supplies distributed evenly to avoid overburdening the expensive crafts. The more experienced and trained battle mages took positions at the front and rear, with the most important supplies being in between. Woe befall any who dare assault them. 

"Further ahead, the river becomes too dangerous, with one boat, maybe we could make it but with ten it would be suicide." Hrothgar paused to take a drink from a wineskin.

Willam had learned that the trapper seemed to have an unquenchable thirst for drink of any kind.

"If we disembark here," Willam indicated on a parchment map, "We are little less than a day ride from this city there. If we keep to the borders of the Princedom, we should avoid most of the conflict." 

"Ay, it would be better if we went around this country if we wish to avoid any threats though. A few more days added to the trip won't hurt." 

"To him perhaps," thought Willam

The order had entrusted him with a mission of great importance. The Grandmaster was not a man to present with failure, nor was he a man of patience.

"My people will keep us safe; have no fear on that account, Hrothgar"

By evenfall, they had crossed an unending expanse of overgrown forests rich with thickets that snagged and tore at the edges of their long cloaks. The next day on the road, they had made good progress around the princedom. Soon, signs of war could be seen everywhere: Unmaintained roads bereft of travelers or traders, trampled fields that should have been planted, and the occasional burnt long hall or farmstead. 

Willam spurred his horse to the front of the column, falling into pace with their guide. Hrothgar's face looked grim in the wake of the devastation they had already seen.

"To think we planned to avoid the war." Remarked Hrothgar

"If the Nobles on different parts of the river fighting the devastation should be contained to that area." 

"Ha. It's war, I've never known one to follow any rules," Japed Hrothgar.

"You have been to war?" Many mages hire themselves out as sellspells from time to time. Fighting in wars or serving in a lord's retinue was a good way to hone one's skills. However, as of late the council has been very selective about which commissions they approve.

The guide seemed fond of the question, a smile creased his weather-scared face. "Yes, I have found myself fighting here or there. Those were good days, back when money wasn't so hard to make." 

"What wars did you fight?" Asked Willam

"I fought my first one when I was just a boy, some feud or another caused my lord and another to attack each other. I was levied and made to fight in a modest army. Nothing much came of that, although I did blood my blade on my first man and had my first woman." He pulled up his sleeve, showing a nasty burn that covered it from elbow to shoulder. "I got this during the second one. That was a proper war; Good King Rolf declared war on First Prince Olaf of Ibin after Olaf raped and killed Rolf's daughter. I was in the employ of the good king at the time and joined his host as we marched across the Sosna Plains. We caught Olaf unawares and shattered his forces. That when we..."

"Riders!" A thick accented voice shouted from further up. 

Willam motioned for the column to halt. The battle mages would already be preparing spells as a precaution. John, the outrider who had spotted the newcomers sprinted, then slowed to a stop.

"I counted six riders. My spells detected no more but they can only sense a mile or two away. From what I saw they were all armed, one feared a flag but I couldn't see the crest."

"Spread out! Don't attack unless attacked." 

They did not have to wait long until the riders materialized into view after rounding a particularly fierce-looking bush. The horseman at the vanguard, the one bearing a flag with the image of a Roaring Brown bear on a white field, strode forward outpacing his comrades.

"We are the men of Prince Ulric Higardsson Rurik of the Princedom of Rurik!" The flag bearer shouted. "Who are you and what are your intentions?" 

Suddenly, half the eyes in the area fell upon Willam, half waiting for an order to attack, the other half looking for a sign of hostility.

"We are travelers, my friends. Our attention was to avoid the war and skirt the edges of Costovo, we must have misread the map and entered into Rurik territory." A chuckle came from the riders at his reply.

"By order of Lord Ulric, The territories of Costovo from the town of Pirm to Red Eye Lake have been annexed and absorbed into the Princedom of Rurik" 

Willam shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. Soldiers playing at war could get rowdy at times.

"That is of no consequence to us. We are simply trying to pass through; we are heading to the sun elf city of Goldenleaf in the east."

 "Why are there so many of you then eh?"

"These are dangerous times ser, War, disease, and monsters aplenty."

The flag bearer looked to another man in his squad with a questioning gaze. From the gleaming suit of expensive steel armor and powerful weapons on his person, it was easy to see that this was the leader of them.

"Very well. We shall escort you as far as Pantmawr from there you may make your way as you please. This is agreeable yes?" 

"It would be best if they just let us be on our way," Thought a suddenly annoyed Willam. Pantmawr was only about a day's ride away so it was manageable. However, if they started digging more into who they were or somehow learned they were a group of mages thirty strong. "Well, it's best to leave it at that." 

"Very well, let us be on our way then."