The Land Of Rohan

Chapter 1: The Siege

Chapter I in the chronicles of the land of Rohan...

The Siege of Einhoren

361 After the Purge (AP) - The Five, or the Lower Gods as some call them, are posed to strike down in another move against the races of Rohan. Elf-seers of Vena have accounted visions of ominous avatars of the Five bearing down on the city of Einhoren. King Rihit Del Lagos has issued an overland decree drafting every able-bodied human into a militia to counter the immediate threat. The displaced Paladins were recalled from sequestration to active duty. Envoys to the different nations have been sent; to run whilst land is beneath their feet, to appeal for help from friend or foe alike. Against the Five, allegiance is easy. Warlocks, templars, sages, everybody. Whatever the course of the impending battle would take, it is certain that the mighty towers of Einhoren will not go down that easily.

- Rev'Deca, Armenes -

The draconian city is in a flurry of commotion. A summons to all Dekans have been given by Bahadur, aide-de-campe to reigning king Denelius Don Endria. He stood in the midst of the throng of warriors in the city circle. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"We are going south. We will be aiding in the defence of the human city of Einhoren." A hush filled the crowd, but the general continued.

"The King has ordered that warriors be recruited and brought to the warfront. Only everyone willing, however. Join the battle group at the east gate bindstone. We will be porting to the human city en masse. Those who do not wish involvement, do not get in the way. I will not force you to help in this situation; however, we may need all the competent assistance we can get and give. Reports have come in from the south's emissaries. The Five are finally on the move. Word has it that Silva herself is behind this attack. Come, battle awaits."

During the general's call to action, a lone hooded figure in the crowd perked up his ears in sudden interest.

"Silva herself, eh?" The Dekan licked his lips in anticipation.

As the crowd began to disperse, disappointment was evident on Bahadur's face as he saw how few entertained his request. He started to walk away from the assembly, but was cut off by the hooded listener. The Dekan took the general's place in the pedestal in the city circle and addressed the indifferent citizens.

"To some of you, you might think this foolish to help the humans and their fumbling friends. Some of you might even be worried that this is a ploy by the Dhan to break the city open while we are off-guard and afar. I understand your sentiments, people." The leaving masses turned and headed back to hear the unknown person speak.

Raising his voice significantly, he continued. "But know this! Our forefathers have seeded within us the knowledge of our birth, our birthright, and our ancestral history. The Five killed the Great Dragons. I say that now, is the time for some payback! Are you Dekan, or are you not? Are we Armenes' children, or not?"

With the hooded one's last question, the crowd rose in an uproar of approval. Those who continued to pay no heed to the summoning were eventually swayed as droves of Dekans ultimately showed up to be ported to Einhoren. The Dekans would fight - together, apparently - against the Five.

General Bahadur was equally surprised and relieved, and rushed into the middle to find the hooded one. He found the fellow pulling back his collar and taking off the cowl that somewhat hid his identity so far. What the general saw was nothing special to him. He saw another Dekan, plain and simple, yet inspired and passionate for the Dragon Nation. He moved closer to the person to thank him.

"These days I have not the heart to speak like that, especially what our people have gone through past the generations. What's your name sir, that I might thank you properly?"

The Dekan, no longer robed and revealed to be clad in an old but steadfast armour, spoke in reply:

"I am Krieger, general. Glad to be of service."

- Throne of Del Lagos, Einhoren, Del Lagos -

King Rihit Del Lagos sat on his throne in Einhoren Castle, pondering advice from his two trusted counselors. With the city on full alert, Istvan Baileys, Captain of the Paladins, was not feeling quite sure about the coming battle.

"This does not bode well for our fair city, Lord King," he said.

General Godric Haysbert though, was still his old sarcastic, temperamental self. Interjecting before the King, he chastised the seasoned veteran. "No, it certainly does not, imbecile. What do you think? Silva is on her way here, and she hates us! What do you think; she'll just come up to the palace and ask for a cup of tea and crumpets from your overfed butlers?"

"Stop stating the obvious," he continued. "And let's get down to brass tax! One of the lower gods is coming! Of course we fight! Of course it does not bode well for us, but we fight. We don't need help from the others."

The King rose from his seat. "Enough! Help will come, and we will accept it. I don't need bickering from any one of you, or from anyone in my country." He took a goblet from a servant and sipped on the cool water in it, sitting back down on his throne. "Now quiet down and let me think."

"General Haysbert, you will stay here with me, and direct the defence from within the castle."

The general retorted quickly. "But sir! We need to get you out of here. At least head for the Seminary. And I wish to fight..."

"No buts. We both stay here. I need tactical and logistic ideas fed to me as the battle ensues. Istvan, I want you to evacuate everyone not involved in the engagement north to Trichia. Any word from the Elven army?"

"Confirmed sir, they are sending a contingent of their priests and healers to help in the effort. If all fared well, they should be arriving as we speak."

The King smiled and turned his head to the window. It was a fine day out, sunny and clear. "Hmmm. We might have a chance yet. I have been sent word that only Silva's avatar heads the enemy. How about the others? From the north?"

"I would be honest to you sir. I was a bit reluctant to do your bidding. But rest assured envoys were sent to the Dhan." Istvan cringed at even the thought of help from the assassins. "You know they cannot be trusted sir!"

"We will have to, if we want to survive. Remember that this is not about racial inequity or bias. Times have changed. We fight the Five. The people of Rohan will fight for survival. Not for power, not for territory - for life, Istvan. We will not see again what became of the Dragons. Not without a fight, and not without allies." The captain of the Paladins shifted his weight and shrugged.

King Rihit Del Lagos was descendant from the royal line from which his country was named after. And surely, he showed resolved enough that he could defend it himself. But it was true, that he needed much more help than what his two advisors could offer him.

The call to the other nations must be answered. Dismissing the general and the captain, King Rihit stood up, walked to the window, looked up to the heavens, and waited.