A general born to rule

The birth of a kingdom

Flashback: Vothan’s Second Encounter

The memory of Vothan’s second encounter with the strange weapons was seared into his mind. He and his men, having regrouped and bolstered their ranks, were determined to crush the defiant villagers of Havenwoods. Confident in their numbers, they advanced with the intent to bring the village to its knees.

But as they drew near, the ground shook with a deafening roar. From behind crude but sturdy fortifications, the villagers unleashed a barrage from the newly built cannons. The explosions sent men and horses reeling, the earth itself trembling under the assault.

“Fire!” a voice shouted from within the village, and the sky was filled with smoke as a hail of musket fire followed the cannon shots. Vothan watched in stunned horror as his men fell, unable to comprehend the sheer power of these unfamiliar weapons.

The battle was over almost as soon as it began. With no choice but to retreat, Vothan and the remnants of his force fled, the sound of cannon fire echoing in their minds, a grim reminder of the devastating power they had faced. They had come to subjugate a simple village, but instead, they had been routed by weapons unlike any seen in the world before.

The Birth of Valorcrest

With Vothan's forces repelled and Havenwoods secure, Sam and Marcus realized that they had laid the foundation for something much greater than a mere village defense. They had united three villages—Havenwoods, Ashbrook, and Thornhill—under a single banner, and it was time to formalize their new nation.

One evening, as the two sat by the fire, Marcus turned to Sam with a thoughtful expression. "We’ve accomplished a lot here, but if we’re going to lead these people, we need a name for what we’ve built."

Sam nodded in agreement. "It should be something that reflects the courage and strength we've shown, something that inspires others to stand with us."

After a moment of quiet reflection, Sam spoke again. "How about 'Valorcrest'? It symbolizes the bravery that has brought us this far and the peak of excellence we’re striving for."

Marcus considered the name, a smile slowly spreading across his face. "Valorcrest... It’s perfect. It speaks to our resolve and the unity we’ve forged."

With the name decided, they set about designing a flag for their new kingdom. They chose a deep blue field to represent the boundless potential of their homeland. At the center of the flag, they placed a mountain peak, symbolizing their determination to rise above all challenges. Crossing the peak were a sword and a quill, representing the balance of strength and wisdom that would guide their new nation.

When the first flag of Valorcrest was raised over the village, the people cheered, their hearts swelling with pride. It was a symbol of their hard-won freedom and the unity that had brought them together, a promise of a bright future for all who called this new kingdom home.

Sam and Alara's Conversation

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Valorcrest, Sam found himself wandering through the village, his thoughts consumed by the recent changes. Despite the progress they had made, one particular encounter lingered in his mind: the moment he and Marcus had met Alara, the cat demi-human, and the last known magic user.

He eventually found Alara near the edge of the village, sitting on a wooden fence, her ears twitching slightly as she gazed at the sky. Sam felt his heart skip a beat. Ever since their first meeting, something about her had captivated him. Her presence, her grace, and the underlying sadness in her eyes had struck a chord with him. But despite these feelings, he hadn’t dared to express them.