S4:CH4

“No you are not,” Kai said, as he walked along with Theadosia in The Camp of Freedom, passing by blacksmiths and cooks of the camp, as most of The Red Blood Regiment ate and laughed at each other. “I need all of you here to protect against The People’s Liberation Front.”

“I’m not sending an entire corp, general,” Theadosia replied, as she lifted a fallen fruit from the ground, to give it back to another peasant who was carrying it.

“It’s Lord now, and you’re the general now, Theadosia.” Kai replied, as he continued to walk to the head tent with the officers.

“Sorry, sir- lord- err….” Theadosia struggled to say the proper term for her former general, but in the end, she knew that these changes were happening. Whether it was quick or not. “It's just a company of 100 soldiers, to help you on your journey. The Frozen North is dangerous.”

Kai and the others finally got inside the tent, followed by Zanloleth, who had just become an official member, graduating from the cadets. The new lord sighed, turning his head to Theadosia. “Fine, but please make sure to prepare. This is The People’s Liberation Front. They know how we work.”

Zanloleth and Theadosia nodded. Xu Shuan arrived, yawning as he prepared his backpack. “So are we going now?” he asked.

“Not yet, Xu Shuan,” Theadosia said, reminding him of what he had done to put them in this situation. “As general, I saw that there needs to be some changes that need to be done in regards to the camps.”

“And what is that?” Kai replied.

“We need politicians inside these camps. Managers who can take care of logistics, while the RBR itself tackles the issue with the insurgency,” Theadosia said, gesturing to Zan.

“Reporting for duty, milord!” Zan replied, making Kai and Xu Shuan look at this boy at the young age of 18.

“When I think of politicians, I think of Duke Adrien Deschenel, or Duchess Artoria Magrin,” Kai said, looking at the table in the middle of the tent. 

“I will be a very capable politician, m’lord,” Zan said, but Kai did not react,

“What was the law that was passed, giving the poorest peasants a livable amount of food each month?” Kai asked.

“The Generosity Law, sir.” Zan answered.

“What about the law that granted the people access to the Karthusian Grand-”

“The Placidius Law, sir.”

“Hmm…. what about the law that granted access for peasants to be healed for f-”

“The 7th Eubenite Reform Law.”

Kai gasped silently, before looking at Zan with a smile. “Very well,” he said, before walking towards the folds of the tent. “I suppose I’d need some forces to help me. Ulfenheim’s Dwarven King does not take kindly towards humans, and the snow of the north could turn red at any moment.”

Theadosia smiled, before nodding. “Aye, m’lord.”

Raven returned from the camp, as he was finally wearing his uniform again. He put down his bag beside the campfire, as he saw Sir Yoshi eat some roasted chicken wings.

“Finally, you’re here,” Yoshi spoke, grabbing another chicken wing with his hand. “Want some?”

Raven shook his head. “Kindred told me that there’s a new mission?”

“Ah! Yesh!” Yoshi said, while still having his mouth full of meat. “I horth tha Gewewal The-”

“In Elizabeth’s name, finish your food first.”

Yoshi coughed while laughing. He took a very risky swallow, painfully sucking all the chicken towards his throat. Yoshi felt a very huge bulk of meat entering his stomach, making him feel extremely full. “Sorry about that. Zan cooked for us after he won the election.”

“The boy won the election? What election?”

“For the Consul of the RBR. You didn’t know?” Yoshi asked, as he looked at Raven with his right eyebrow raised. A sigh followed as he looked at the fire, where more roasted chicken wings were being prepared. “Why are you still visiting him?”

Raven looked at him. His feet shifted backwards out of shock. “What?”

“Even after all he did?” Yoshi said, grabbing another chicken wing. “You do realize he completely stands against what we fight for, right?”

“That is what the public says but…” Raven said, crouching to talk to him. “But what if it’s not true? What if it’s exaggerated?”

“How would it be exaggerated?”

“Just… think about this for a second, alright?” Raven replied, putting his hand in front of Yoshi. “The government hid this after all these years, only to put the blame on only two people. One of them is dead, making Kindred the only one blamed for the deaths of hundreds of thousands.”

Yoshi looked at Raven blankly. Realizing that the 16 year old boy had no idea what he was talking about, Raven sighed. Yoshi simply took another chicken wing. Kindred’s student simply sat back down and watched the camp. Yoshi then handed him a chicken wing, and Raven finally took one and ate.

“You know, whether or not he is the sole man responsible for all this, perhaps there is a second chance to speak of,” Yoshi said, as he took out his he pointed at a crate near the Blacksmith’s station. Beside that crate was a VAC-M2, leaning against its side. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Mmm.” Raven expressed, before looking at Zan, who had just got out of the main tent. “Perhaps we truly don’t know the book by just looking at their surface.”

The great hall in The Camp of Ragnarbjørn boomed with laughter, music, chants, and excitement, as everyone was drunk on ale. The night was like none other in Selyria, as the Aurora borealis was the most visible in this year. In this camp, Lord Tarik had celebrated his growth with his brothers. He remembered how he was just a servant squire to General Gadreel of the GEG, and as time went on, to Commander Maria, General Pekorra, General Lynx, to General Leon, he had seen how he got to this point. Loyalty, honor, and determination to keep going. If he was still in the GEG, he would’ve been congratulating General Herald for being the new general of the GEG, but now he had his own responsibility. The north was unforgiving, and every day was a matter of survival. In this world, tough decisions had to be made, and he wanted to perfect this craft. He was a lord now, and Lansem, his province, was growing well, even if the dwarves of Ulfenheim would not favor him. Nonetheless, as long as his people were safe, the opinion of a dwarf inside a fortified mountain is nothing else.

.

Tarik sat down on his table in the great hall, as he watched his forces, The Fristadian Hussars, enjoy their time. He had trained them well, and knew that even at their drunken state, they were ready to battle anyone who would try to destroy their home. He felt happy, and relaxed, as the alcohol took its toll, making him smile even more. He decided to go out of the hall, as his men cheered him on even more. As he opened the door, he saw his twin-brother, General Bogumil, sitting on the snow, looking up at the sky with a cup of ale in his hand.

“Stargazing are you now, dear brother?” Tarik said, as he put his hands on his pocket, trying to give himself a little bit of warmth. Bogumil however, wasn’t doing the same, as the alcohol had fully blinded his nerves.

“Aye,” Bogumil answered, before finally lying down, his eyes fixated on the moving colors of the sky. “If I were to admire beauty, I’d rather lay eyes on these lights than the most beautiful woman in all of Selyria.”

Tarik walked closer to him. “Are you saying that because you’re drunk?” He asked jokingly.

“Wh-wha- No!” Master Bogumił shouted, immediately sitting up straight, as if to show to his brother that he is not what Tarik had said. “I’ve been sober all day! This is my first drink.”

“And it’s your last.” Lord Tárik said, snatching the horn from Bogumił’s hand in the process, using it to pour ale into his own mouth as if it was a waterfall. “Mmm… refreshing, ain't it?”

“Childish fool,” Bogumil responded, smiling as he finally stood up. “Although our enjoyment may not be reserved here.”

Tarik stopped drinking, his eyes shifting to Bogumil. “They’re here?”

Bogumil nodded, followed by a smile from the young lord.

A rustle on the bushes. Tarik immediately unsheathed his sword, while Bogumil, in his excitement, took out his axe and spun it in the air, before catching it. “New visitors to the party, brother,” Bogumil said.

It was a visitor, but not someone they were expecting. It was Namaari, riding her horse, along with other members of The Apothecary Wolves Institute.

“Bogumil’s right,” Namaari said, stepping down from her horse. “They’ve marched past Lansem, and seem to be heading to Mt. Ulfenheim as we speak.”

Tarik smiled, and Bogumil simply walked to the hall, ready to tell his men that fresh meat was on the menu, or simply, new corpses for use in crop fertilizer.

“There is one more thing, my lord,” Namaari added, causing Bogumil to stop and turn around. The noblewoman looked at Tarik as she patted her horse. “The Red Blood Regiment is here.”

A massive wall stood before Lord Kai Ellington and Xu Shuan, along with The Red Blood Regiment. It would seem as if no one was there, but simply, everyone was just quiet in this part of the north. The guardsmen were as thin as a stick, but as stoic as a rock. They did not even look at the forces that arrived, even if all of them were riding horses. They simply moved on to what they were doing, not caring about their business.

“You southerners lost your marbles?” one of the guards said, who was the skinniest of them all. He had seemed like he had not eaten in days. Most men in this position would start deserting, or worse, would mutiny. However, this man stayed true to his job. Kai looked closely as he continued the talk.

“We’re not southerners,” Kai said, smiling at the guard. “We’re from Karthus.”

“So fake northerners then?” the guard said, making Xu Shuan step up.

“What’s fake is to act all high and mighty while the rest of this realm goes to war,” Xu Shuan said. 

The guard then turned his head towards him, and pointed at him slowly. “We don’t care whether or not you are from, or what wars you bring with you,” he said, putting his hand out to point at the gate, towards the direction of Hrothgar. “This is the real north. Once you enter this land, you will know the difference between that, and whatever carpet-floored castle you lots live in.”

“These men lack discipline and strength,” Xu Shuan said, sneering at the guard who just spoke on pause near the gate.

“Let them talk Xu Shuan. We have more important matters to discuss," Kai replied.

As they entered the gate, the guards checked their belongings. Most of it was food, and many other provisions. “What are you looking for?” Xu Shuan bluntly asked one of the guards, but he only stared at him for a second, before going back to checking their belongings.

“There’s still time to turn around, southerners,” the guard said, stepping back from the group as the second gate opened. “These lands don’t fit such clothes of yours.”

Xu Shuan raised an eyebrow. “If they’re as skinny as you, I’d love to see them try to steal my garb.”

“Not talking to you,” the guard said. He pointed his finger at Kai. “That purple garment of yours, and your manite staff. If you want to stay alive in these lands. Don’t wear them.”

Kai thought carefully, as he looked at the Red Blood Regiment. His eyes shifted to Xu Shuan, who was smirking.

Xu Shuan crossed his arms. “We have 100 men. If we’re going to fight a hundred skinny bandits down the road, then I’d love to warm up for the war with the PLF.”

Kai laughed, before nodding at Xu Shuan. “Very well, let’s move.”

The guard simply shook his head. “Southerners…” he exclaimed.

The Red Blood Regiment continued, passing by snow, dead trees, and icy mountains. They made sure to stick to the road, and stuck to their compass. Commander Auris led the company, and Kai trusted her sense of direction. The commander had the knowledge of constellations, and a map to know where they were heading.

"Perhaps we should listen to the words of the man earlier," Commander Auris said, patting her horse to see if it was comfortable with the weather. "We need to find a warmer place soon, and fast."

"Why?" Xu Shuan replied, looking at Kai. "Lots'a things are said about the north. Dragon ops, viking ops, zombie ops, dragon-riding zombie viking ops-"

"I'm sorry, but... ops?" Auris asked, looking at Xu Shuan. Kai laughed, with a visible smile in his face.

"Enemies," Kai said, still chuckling between his words. "Pardon his Vonturian slang, he's been in the Bridge of Pleasure for too long."

"No I wasn't!!!" Xu Shuan said, lightly punching Kai's arm as they both laughed. "You were the one who wen't there with the entire army. Not me."

"For a mission!" Kai said, pointing at Xu Shuan while laughing. Auris meanwhile had enough of the two arguing like children, getting her horse to gallop further to the front of the army.

"That's what they all say," Xu Shuan said, making them both laugh.

A silence formed as Auris finally returned. "Scouts are still reporting. It appears we're clear."

Kai nodded, as Xu Shuan's head turned to the mountains. "Seems like those are high ones. Why are we here anyway?"

"Diplomacy," Kai said, as Auris suddenly turned her head to the front, as if she heard something from afar. "The north wants allies south of the frost, while we need more men to fight the PLF."

"Why not go to Ulfenheim? They're close," Auris asked, still staring at the distance.

"Ulfenheim's filled with Dwarves. Only Dwarves. Even the royal family. Normally that isn't a problem, but give it centuries of forced homogeneity, and you develop a culture intolerance to others," Kai replied.

"So we can't ally with the Dwarves because they don't like humans, and we can't ally with Trost because we're allied with Hreinngar," Auris said, turning to Kai. "Which makes Hrothgar-"

"Our only choice," Kai finished.

Auris nodded, before riding back to the front to talk to her scouts. Xu Shuan was left to talk with Kai. The white haired lord started to look around, looking at the army to his left, and the mountains at the right.  His smile began to fall, the more the silence grew. "Some of your soldiers have started to call me 'The Fist of War' recently," he said.

Kai, Finn, and Xu Shuan carried the unconscious Ragnir in the forests, pushing through the snow-covered woods. As they finally got to their destination, the dwarves simply chased them away, leaving Kai and Xu Shuan stranded in the middle of the forest.

"We should head back to the RBR and help them," Kai said.

"It's a good chance that they're already dead," Finn said.

Why Xu Shuan carried Ragnir however, the unconscious lord's hand started to twitch...

The RBR was surrounded. Hundreds upon hundreds of horsemen encircled the army. With their long spears, axes, and bows, they cheered and laughed at their prey. The RBR's numbers were now only at 62, and Auris looked at the vikings, and estimated their numbers.

"Seems to be around 300 of them," she said, the comrades realizing that there was no escape from this, unless they all dispersed into the woods. And then what? Maybe they could head to the Dwarven Camp, but even by then, they would need to converge into one path, which would simply be another way to get killed. "It seems we would need to slowly go one by one. I'll be the last to hold this line."

The vikings did not give them a chance to speak, and immediately charged at them as quickly as possible. The melee was hard, and violent, but the RBR fought ferociously even while exhausted. Blood spilled on the snow, and bodies started to pile up on each other. Lewis finally got to Mikaela, and grabbed him back to the RBR. 

"You're not supposed to be here, son!" Lewis shouted, followed by a hail of arrows approaching them, forcing Lewis to take cover from the shields.

In the middle of the forest, Lord Ragnir fell down from Xu Shuan's grasp. "Xu, I told you to hold him tightly. We can't waste too much time," Kai said.

"I didn't lose my grip," Xu replied, before Kai and Finn dropped their jaws at Xu Shuan.

"Huh?" Xu Shuan asked, before feeling a loud thump on the back of his head caused by an elbow from Lord Ragnir. He had awaken, and they had to move as quickly as possible. If they stayed here for too long, they would die, as well as their comrades.

Kai raised his hand in the air to take fire from the sun, and threw fireballs at the viking lord. However, the man was quick, and was able to take cover from the clumps of snow in the forest. Finn tried to charge, but it was obvious that taking on this lord one by one was going to prove a challenge. As soon as Finn charged, he distracted the viking by feinting a haymaker, but as the lord was about to block it, he found himself being lifted into the air. It was Xu Shuan, suplexing him to the ground. The viking put his hands up in order to meet the ground, and he got away, causing him to kick Xu Shuan away. From then on, the fight simply continued.

The RBR awaited as the vikings took the lives of their comrades one by one. They had several spears, pointed at the enemies, creating a spiky shell around their formation, but this was dwindling, as the more time passed, the less men they had, creating more gaps in their formation. Auris thought carefully on how to delay as much time as possible. She knew that this wasn't a battle on how they would win against these odds, but how long they could hold in order to wait for the dwarves. With the forces standing on a standstill for a moment, something changed.

The sun fell down, creating more darkness. Night was arriving.

A charge erupted from the vikings. This was going to be chaos. They won't be able to see who they would be fighting anymore, but the vikings would not care. They had hundreds of men, while the RBR now only had about 45 men.

Kai was about to throw a fireball, when he realized that the sun was nowhere to be found anymore. His primary source was gone, while Xu Shuan struggled to fight the viking all by himself. Finn was quick, but he simply did not do a lot of damage to the mad lord. Kai suddenly developed an idea.

"Do you have flint and steel?" Kai asked.

When Finn nodded, he was ordered to light up one of the leaves of the forest. One of the shrubs burned, which Kai used to throw a fireball to a tree, causing it to burn even more. Now he had a new source, where he could use.

Xu Shuan was knocked off balance, covered in bruises after fighting the viking all by himself. The viking was the same, almost weaker than Xu Shuan, as he had several cuts on his face, and a broken left arm. He took a rock nearby, and was ready to smash it on the white haired fighter. He raised his hand, prepared to give the final strike, but a large fireball suddenly hit his entire body, causing him to fly to his left unconscious.

"Took you long enough," Xu Shuan said.

The three finally wrapped the viking properly and moved to the Dwarven Village. To their surprise, they were not welcome when they arrived in the middle of the night. They were blamed for the fire in the forest, and because of this, they were pushed out.

Kai looked at Xu Shuan and Finn, afraid that they would have to go back to the battle. They simply hoped that the RBR was still alive.

The RBR barely hung on to life, as there were only 30 men left in the formation. They held tightly, as the pile of bodies became their new wall. The vikings did not expect their tenacity, causing them to strategically advance, without charging. However, what they did not know was Auris took their advantage of the RBR not using torches, causing the vikings to think that they were killing the RBR, not knowing that they were fighting themselves once they were at the shield wall.

However, despite this strategy, the comrades were tired. Raven fell to the ground, exhausted. This made Auris look at her soldiers, and realized how much they needed to rest. "I'll take watch. I'll signal when they arrive."

Everyone didn't answer, as they were too exhausted to do so. Some tried to be awake, but most collapsed on the ground, immediately sleeping. Auris felt the urge to close her eyes, but the laughs and cheers of the vikings was the fuel that made her reconsider that thought. If she stopped being alert, it would be her end.