Open Chronicles The Sacking of Salitra

[Audun]

The Royal Family rushed down the tunnel, ragged and weary breaths leaving them. The sounds of conflict still rang in their minds, even as it left their castle. The mother held the youngest's hand in her own, quietly urging the young princes to quicken their pace. She turned her gaze back, a brief flash of relief as she saw no one chasing them. Good. These tunnels were secret to all but the royal family, the chance of Gerra's army finding them was slim.

"Mom."

She ran over the plan in her mind. Escape through the tunnels to the stables. There are horses present, use them to escape Salitra. Head towards the city of Elbion, it was the nearest thing that wasn't likely to succumb to that emperor's horde.

"Mom?"

Her mind went to her husband. Was Soleiman alright? The mercenaries - the damned traitors - would've protected him, but she knew the necromancer girl was still there. Maybe she helped him? Perhaps they were waiting for them right outside the tunnel, ready to leave.

"Mom!"

The oldest of the sons shook her shoulder as they walked, pulling her back a bit. "There's somebody in the tunnels, near the end." Hope dawned on the mother's face, only to be extinguished as she turned her gaze to him. That wasn't Soleiman, and he didn't look like any of her courtiers either. "Who are you, how did you find this tunnel?" She shouted to the man, the eldest of the sons, beckoning his brothers to come behind him as he pointed a sword forward.

Audun rose his hands, his swords remaining on his hip. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm here to get you out of this mess. The tunnels are compromised. If you don't follow me, your chances aren't good."

The first to speak up was the fifteen-year-old, disgruntled at his older brother's protectiveness. "And why's that?"

The Sand Elf grimaced, shaking his head. "That mercenary you hired, the necromancer?" The mother's face grew pale. "Not the trustworthy sort. Her horde's on the loose above ground, attacking anybody they come across. Odds are they're spreading throughout Salitra, hungry for more, regardless of whose side they're on." The best lies, he was told, were the ones that were true.

The family turned to each other, sharing a worried glance. The youngest looked back to the tunnel before burying his face in his mother's leg, fear apparent. They didn't have any weapons to defend themselves with, and a battlefield of the undead was no place for her family. She had no choice."Fine," the mother began, "take us with you."

The Abtati smiled. "Thank you, my Lady." He gave a bow, lowering his hands once more to beckon them to follow. "There should be enough horses for all of you if you share." He nodded to the eldest prince and the mother, walking them out the tunnel and to the horses tied outside.

"Don't worry, we'll get you to safety," he lied.

 

[Nak'Ehim Akanamar]

"Ah, but please feel free to... stretch your legs, as it were."

It was then Nak'Ehim drew eerily close, "you've found yourself within the jaws of a hungry beast, human. There are always eyes upon you, even when there are not."

He indicated in a few directions in particular, but whether he'd notice them now or not was an uncertainty to him. Natural humans did not have the most acute senses. But still, they were there.

...watching him...​

Ashuanar had those men of his on display for all to see. And Nak'Ehim has his, for those who were allowed to see. Shining eyes behind dark veils, and then in a blink they were gone - elsewhere. Always watching...

"The southern paths will be open in the night..." he said, and turned to make his way onward past Acteon.

Hopefully he would decide to meet with him after the sun had set.

 

[Medja]

It was foolish to speak out against the God-Emperor once he had made up his mind. A delightful decision, as well. Now Achates wouldn't even have to deal with the trouble of paying these fools. A pity that Gerra had decided to spare Acteon, though. At the very least he had left the man under her charge. The man fled the tent before Medja had even had a chance to apprehend him, however. That wouldn't do.

A single toe dipped onto the ground was all it took to identify Acteon's movements. Her senses shot out through the earth immediately and the vibrations caused by the sellsword's heavy footfalls. She'd see in in fetters before the day's end, she swore it.

Medja excused herself from the tent and quickly followed Acteon's trail. Making for the horses, it seemed. The courtier hovered her way through soldier and squire alike, moving swiftly. Then she saw the Abtati conversing with her quarry.

"Depart? No. I am just walking around to stretch my legs and thought I should check up on my horse."

"Yes, I would certainly hope that you aren't trying to depart, dear Acteon. Our Lord Gerra only asked that you leave his tent, not his camp." She hissed as she drifted towards the two men before her. Her patience was waning quickly. "You. I know you. Akanamar, was it? Shouldn't you be attending to your vizier's orders instead of engaging in idle chit-chat with the mercenaries?"

She had never liked Ashuanar's choice in lieutenant. The man's presence positively screamed "untrustworthy snake." She would not have been surprised if the sand elf had been attempting to make some sort of deal with Acteon, though she hadn't heard what he was saying prior to intercepting them.

 

[Nak'Ehim Akanamar]

​

Medja's arrival was timely. Just as he was about to leave did she appear. He turned, and smiled quite pleasantly toward her.

He hated her guts.

"You. I know you. Akanamar, was it? Shouldn't you be attending to your vizier's orders instead of engaging in idle chit-chat with the mercenaries?"

"Yes, of course courtier," he snidely replied, smile still present as he bowed his head and turned to depart.

 

[Gerra]

While undead clashed with Immortal cavalry upon the beach, the bulk of the walls were overrun by rebels once the mercenary companies abandoned their posts. Palace guards were slaughtered and the gates to the city were thrown open.

Gerra sent for Lady Medja and Nak'Ehim Akanamar to take an honor guard of some hundred soldiers and meet with the leaders of the rebels to negotiate. If Uvogin and Medja had done their work well, then the rebel leaders would prove more than willing to join the Empire. If not, well... he glanced at the blood pooling under the corpses of the slaughtered mercenary captains.

He waved a hand to Sharyzad. "Take their heads and mount them on pikes on the picket lines of the camp. Then go tell the mercenary companies and tell them to appoint new leaders. They will understand what will happen should they think to do to me what they did to Soleiman."

 

[Audun]

The collection of Royalty quickly mounted the horses, dispersing amongst those available outside the tunnel, as they followed Audun through the sands. The sounds of combat rang throughout the air, distant shouts and distant growls of the undead and the Immortals as they clashed upon the beach. Luckily, the horde was easy to avoid given their attention was currently focused on Uvogin's men.

"Who are you? You bear no flag, no symbol of your allegiance, yet you guide us all the same," the mother spoke as they rode, cutting through the silent air.

The Abtati turned his attention to her, keeping one eye on the sand ahead. Not much longer until they made it to camp. "Sympathizers. While Salitra may fall, we will make sure its rightful heirs remain." He nodded to the eldest son acknowledging, pleased to see a swell of pride within him. "The Royal Family has a better story to tell than one that ends with rabid undead, after all."

It was easy to convince nobility, as it turned out. All it took was to find their desperation, their yearning, and appeal to their pride. They practically wrap the strings around themselves, to be tugged and pulled.

The mother nodded, the answer clearly satisfying her. "We have resources set up for us within the city of Elbion. A portion of the treasury has been sent there for our arrival, it should be safe for us there," she said, her gaze upon the horizon. "Can your men bring us there?"

Audun nodded, a slight smile growing as the God-Emperor's camp crowned the sandy hills. "Of course, we will ensure your safety. Our camp is just ahead, it will provide you shelter and food." At the mention of sustenance, the youngest gave a relieved sigh, sparking a fit of laughter in the family. They were safe, at last.

The gates neared them, Abtati soldiers flanking the opening with spears in their hands. They moved to grasp their weapons, before loosening them as they noticed who was atop the horse. The Royal Family grew nervous at the sight, but a brief gesture was enough to assuage their concerns.

They entered the camp, and Audun was pleased to note the presence of Lady Medja, alongside another man he didn't recognize. From the armor, however, he was another mercenary that switched sides. The Abtati rode up beside them, the Royal Family trailing beside him - noticeably willingly. He gave a nod of greeting to his commander and the mercenary alike, gesturing for the family to stand still within his sight.

"My lady," he began, "the Royal Family is safe, with all members accounted for. It's incredibly lucky the undead or turncoats didn't get to them before us." There was a subtle hint in his tone, one that whispered to the Court Sorcerer, 'Play along.' "Are there any quarters free for them to stay within the camp?"

 

[Nak'Ehim Akanamar]

Nak'Ehim had departed with haste. He had little desire to quarrel with the lady Medja. That was more Ashuanar's domain - both in their standing and otherwise. Much to Nak'Ehim's frustration. It posed a potential threat to his repute with the Vizier - who was too beleagured with far too many other matters to suspect him.

He'd done well to garner himself a position such as the one he now held. But alas, if all he had been working toward came into fruition, then this chapter would come to a close and the next steps would be taken.

Another step to their true lord's place as the King of Kings.

* * *
​

The lord Gerra had sent for him. And so, escorted by an honor guard, in through the city's gates he rode - they rode.

He was loathe to spend any length of time with this woman and yet here she was. He opted even to ride his own horse as opposed to riding in the same chariot as her, claiming he needed to keep up his practice.

He glared at her much of the way, but did well to mask it behind hollow smiles.

Before long the captain of the guard had established a parley with the rebels, and their spokesmen were brought to meet with Nak'Ehim and Medja.

And he said to her with words of a honeyed sing song, "Surely this won't be too difficult, the rebels are your doing after all."

 

[Medja]

Before long Gerra had given Medja a new assignment: secure the loyalty of the rebels. An easy task to be sure, given that it had been her emblem and her Hands that inspired the entire ordeal to begin with. At this point it would be little more than a formality, and one she had expected to have to take care of anyways. Unfortunately, Gerra had decided to send her out alongside Nak'Ehim, perhaps the one man in the Empire she despised more than Jerik.

Thankfully her departure was cushioned by some much needed good news. Her progeny, Audun Sinai, approached the camp with some very important persons in tow.

"My lady..."

A shrewd play on the Stonecarver's part. One that she did not realize he would be capable of concocting. Audun was turning out to be everything she'd hoped for and more. Despite all her desire to flash an absolutely wicked grin, she instead maintained her composure and followed the act.
"But of course. I shall call for some attendants. They will ensure the Royal Family is looked after."

The courtier did as she said she would and a pair of her agents escorted the family to a secluded tent. Once sure that they were gone, Medja addressed her pupil.

"Well done, my apprentice. You learn quickly, and not just in the art of geomancy." She beamed at the man. By this time he would be familiar that this was high praise. "Inform our Lord Gerra that we have secured the Royal Family. I have other pressing matters to attend to."

* * *
​

The ride back to Salitra was short and familiar. She and Ashuanar's lieutenant had spent much of the ride silently glaring daggers at each other, but the Abtati had managed to do his job and gather the rebel leaders for her. She was surprised to see that Mehmed was not among the group, apparently having returned to his captain for the sake of dealing with the undead army...wherever it was.

Her regrettable companion hissed a sickeningly sweet taunt at her before the assembly.

"Surely this won't be too difficult, the rebels are your doing after all."

The fool had no idea how right he was. Medja simply smirked and produced her emblem, channeling her magic into the emerald embedded in its center, and held it aloft. The gem glowed brightly, each of the rebel leaders' identical emblems returning its signal in kind.

"Brave men and women of Salitra," She began, a surprisingly high volume for the ordinarily subtle woman. Her pitch and enthusiasm rose with each statement as she rallied the rebels. "This day marks the dawn of a new era for your people. One that you have earned with your own sweat and blood. The tyranny of your Amir has been brought to an end, and the grace of the God-Emperor stands ready to replace it! Join us, and usher in a new age of peace and prosperity! Not just for your fair city, but for all of Amol-Kalit! Hold your emblems aloft, and join us in solidarity!"

There was hardly a delay before the first of the glowing, green emblems shot skyward, a rallying cheer behind it. A dozen followed the first, and then a dozen more. It took only moments before the whole crowd was chanting in the Empire's name. Medja simply smiled smugly at Nak'Ehim.

 

[Audun]

Audun nodded, gesturing for the Royal Family to depart. The collection of nobles gave an array of grateful - and oblivious - nods to the Abtati enforcer as the agents came to lead them to their quarters. The Stonecarver watched them leave, flashing a smile and waving as the youngest gave a final glance back.

Once he was confident they were out of earshot he looked back to his mentor, a hint of pride on his face at the sight of her beaming expression. "Thank you, you've taught me much." He nodded at her following instructions, saying, "Of course. Good luck, I'll see you soon."

With that, he slid off of his steed, beckoning an idle servant to tend to it as he made way for the God-Emperor's tent. In truth, he had spoken little to his ruler, though he had of course seen him around the palace. Most orders from the fire giant came to him through Medja, who would delegate a few tasks to the Abtati.

Audun pulled back the entrance of the tent, revealing a gruesome and bloody scene. Mercenaries painted the floor with crimson, a few of the guards pulling them away to some other part of the camp. Sitting upon a throne fit for his impressive stature was the King of Kings, Gerra. Wisely, Audun decided to shift his focus from the gore to his liege, giving a short bow. "God-Emperor, I have secured the Royal Family with all of its members accounted for. They are currently housed in one of the secluded tents with guards stationed nearby, ready for whatever you decide to do with them. As of now, they are unaware of the Empire's involvement in their rescue, and believe us to be sympathizers of Salitra."

He waited for a reaction, before continuing, "They had planned to make way for Elbion before their capture, and had already arranged for transport of a portion of their remaining treasury there. Once the siege is over, it might be wise to pursue it."

 

[Acteon Cass]

Between the clearly not a traitor elf and the over compensating woman, Acteon would rather be with the mercenary captains right now than where he was. Big hands was trying to make him out to be attempting betrayal, which still did not make sense why or how he could given the circumstances of their victory, and who knew what that pointy eared snake wanted of him. All he knew was he wanted to get his rightful pay, get on his new horse, and just go home so his father could be disappointed in him yet again.

Things thankfully did not last even a moment before the both of them were given orders. Praise be to Lady Luck, the only woman for him. He saw them off with a smile and a wave, but before the clay and aloe (likely to prevent crinkles from frowning at her own failures all the time) could leave a man approached. A man with the Emir's family in tow. Wonderful. He idly listened to the conversation, not sure why they were putting on this little act, then promptly made sure to follow Audun to Gerra tent. He was sure to bow to the "God-Emperor" and listened to the report. And oh how delicious of a report it was.

Once the man was done reporting Acteon decided now would be a good time to step in. "Pardon my intrusion, but I can confirm he has indeed secured all of them. They might not remember my face as I am just one of thousands of sellswords, but I do remember their's. And as for this transport, I can track it down quickly for you and your men. I already delivered you the city. Allow me to also deliver you the treasury my Lord."

With that Acteon bowed down once more and kept his head down. It was a bit of a long shot, but securing the treasures could net him better pay and he might be able to slip a few coins from the wagons. At the very least he could have a chance to run if things did not look well. The longer he was just wandering the camp the more likely it was another self important fool would approach him. Goodness knows he had already had enough of that happening for one day.

Medja Nak'Ehim Akanamar

 

[Shaharyzad Bal-Madora]

At Gerra's orders Shaharyzad bowed her head and proceeded to carry them out. With the help of the Abtati she removed the heads from the dead captains and brought them outside to be put on display.
The mercenary companies were still camped out, waiting for their leaders, the empire soldiers watching them closely.

A loud Murmur erupted from the mercenaries as they recognized the heads of their captains on display around the camp. Now it was time for Shaharyzad to take the spotlight.
She stood before the mercenaries as they glared, their fingers itching to draw their weapons.
the dispassionate masked face regarded the gruff fighters before her.
"I am of the immortals, a mere servant of Gerra, the god of this world. Next to him I am nothing, I am but a child wielding a sword.
But this 'child' before you has slain your captains with ease on his command."

She paused for a moment as the mercenaries jeered in their rage, they shouted sexist slurs and threats at her... until she showed them her blood stained sword, and they finally noticed the blood that splattered her mask and robes was not her own. They fell silent.
"Such is the fate of all who defy the god manifest in the flesh. Throw aside your petty lust for gold and serve a greater purpose in the empire. Choose new captains among yourselves to represent you, let them be men or women of purpose, willing to do anything for the good of their fellows. Choose your captains and let Gerra judge you worthy."

 

[Nak'Ehim Akanamar]

Nak'Ehim did his best to compose himself well, but wanted oh so badly to roll his eyes as Medja lit the fires of pride in these wretched, faithless barbarians. They would be tools to some end he was sure, to what beyond the capturing of this city he knew not - nor did he care. He only did as he was commanded.

For now.

It took only moments before the whole crowd was chanting in the Empire's name. Medja simply smiled smugly at Nak'Ehim.

"Quite impressive, courtier."

Nak'Ehim reciprocated her smile, and then inclined his head and turned away to wade through a gathering of the guard. He emerged on the other end, and began speaking with one of his more trusted of the accompanying soldiers. Then the man departed on whatever task Nak'Ehim required of him, and Nak'Ehim himself took to mounting his horse again to carry on and get this over with.

He seemed quite eager to return to camp.

 

[Shaharyzad Bal-Madora]

Gerra's message was delivered, but she couldn't help but add some of her own message as well. Gerra is a god in the flesh, couldn't they see that?! If any of the gods were worthy of worship it was Gerra. While the other gods, in their arrogance, sit high above humanity without a care to their troubles, Gerra manifested himself to share in the mortal experience with them!

This was no time for faithlessness and agnostic idealisms, not when divinity itself was gracing them, honoring them with his presence. The dogs should simply end their lives now than assume they can stand against a divine being and not be completely obliterated!

But how could she expect men like these mercenaries to understand... Pig headed and foolish people of flesh that live only for blood and gold. It was so frustrating to her.
She returned to Gerra, her duties complete. She humbly entered the tent and returned to his services. Kneeling in his divine presence with her head bowed.
"It is done, my Lord. I return to your command."