Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V2 Assiaya, Chapter 13

"To the Council. This is Kallem, High Lord of the Verliance Aristocracy of the House of Verliance. I am regretful to share that Priestess Erada of your temple has been murdered by the Altaerrie within the walls of Forlace.

A few days ago, my Knights captured an enemy officer, and he was brought here for questioning. It is still unknown how the prisoner was freed; either by himself but more likely a resistance member from the old Balam regime or, more likely, an agent from the Frumentarii or Arcani within my ranks learned of the prisoner – since we can confirm that Hispana were the ones who sent a Palatini to open the Bridge. The enemy officer then entered my Royal Armory within the Fortress City.

I was in the room with the Priestess, discussing the new enemy weapons. I believe that he personally came to the armory to find his equipment. There was an encounter, and the Altaerrie officer regretfully killed the Priestess with his knife, and I was wounded by a third party, ambushing me during our struggle. While I cannot confirm, as I did not visually see the enemy spy, this implies that an enemy agent did support the Altaerrie.

I have already made preparations to search for the murderer and, if discovered, will be sent to Mount Orlatus for transportation to Torllopus if that is what the Council desires. I continue to prepare my Empire for this new emerging war. This situation heavily states the importance of preventing the Altaerrie and the Coalition from making contact. From the recent reports, the Altaerrie had conducted a counterattack against my forces, with minor gains. My soldiers have prevented an outbreak, maintaining a containment zone until additional reinforcement arrives.

I currently stand at Forlace to await judgment from the Council for allowing a Priestess of the Temple of Enlightenment to be murdered in such a manner. I will not stay forever as I wish to join my armies and push the Altaerrie back through the Bridge. Regardless of my punishment, I desire for a new Priestess and reinforcements to show our strength and the protection of the Verliance Aristocracy.

For the Katra, allow it to show the path to a new age." – High Lord Kallem Verliance to the Unity of Cordinlane Torllopus- Palonpulas Council

March 12th, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Forest of Rostham, Western Frontier, Yuplenia Mountain Range, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

As Natilite stared forward while riding on top of the second AMTV, she couldn't help but lose focus and wonder if it was too late.

The Farian woman, Ar'lya, was correct. While the alternate route was risky, it had paid off. Getting through the goblin-infested tunnel had proven valuable as the three teams bypassed many Aristocracy outposts. Still, they had only recently left the occupied section of Nevali and entered the western frontier of the Aristocracy homeland. They have yet to learn where Ryder was. Reports from the local Adventures Guilds state they were chasing two Lat fugitives with a trail of corpses. However, that news stopped days ago after finding five dead bodies near an empty cave. She also had to remind herself that maybe those two Lats were not the people they were looking for, meaning the Comanche Captain could still be in Forlace or worse. If so, the mission was a failure.

The armored car suddenly shook as the vehicle drove over a small ditch on the dirt road, causing the Templar to grab the roof railing to stabilize herself.