Blood, Ice & Steel

- Chapter One -

The night was still young as the full moon hanged over the thousands of tents, which were just outside Castle Highrock, while snow covered the land and piles of snow were packed in several spots like some winter wonderland. The year is 874 A.D., and the battle for Castle Highrock had ended a few hours ago between the three major kingdoms. Soldiers bathed in the glory of the battle in which they had just fought, cheering and telling stories of their most triumphant victories, most which was probably lies. The battle that took place was for Castle Highrock, and it was meant to advance the two kingdoms forward to cripple the enemy kingdom. The two kingdoms which were now victorious are Breynth and Radour, while the enemy is the kingdom of Vuriean. These three kingdoms were engaged in a war for power as Vuriean had attacked Radour first, and the kingdom of Breynth was an ally that decided to help. This war has been savaging across the lands for quite some time, and Vuriean is now weaker than ever and is most likely going to fall in few months.

Radour flags are made up of an outlined cross dividing a background in 4 square parts in grey and dark green. Their emblem consists of a sword surrounded by small stars, the emblem is part of the standard flag and thus shown all the time. The emblem stands for their suffering, their grit and their lineage. A Radour's armor always has something dark green on it to symbolize their allegiance to the kingdom. These flags were scattered across the camp as well as Breynth flags.

Breynth flags are made up of a dark red background with a silver color outline. Their emblem consists of an eagle holding a snake in a shield, and the emblem is part of the standard flag as well like the Radours. The emblem stands for their virtuosity, their perseverance and their defeats. The standard armor for a Breynth soldier as the dark red color just like the Radours, but of course a different color.

Ethan Stock, whom was a squire in the Radour army and twenty two years of age, was listening in on the soldiers. One in particular is someone he knew, and he is a great friend to Ethan. His name is Bawon, and he was pretty much lying around his whole story and Ethan knew it well. It was just Bawon's personality to boast about a victory, even if it was a battle against two men. Ethan couldn't complain though, since Bawon is a good man. He had always served in the ranks of the kingdom of Radour and was now just promoted from being a squire.

Bawon boasted, "I cut him clean in half! The poor lad didn't stand a chance against my sword!"

The men around him laughed, which one asked, "So that's it, huh? The Kinslayer didn't stand a chance against the might of Bawon? Sounds like a tale of lies if I ever heard it."

"I did so kill the Kinslayer," Bawon replied. "Ask Prince Erick or Prince Matthias and they will confirm my story!"

Of course, Ethan didn't believe him either. The kinslayer was in Castle Highrock and wouldn't be easily killed by Bawon who was a simple Radour soldier. Indeed in battle it was hard to not kill a certain individual, because all it was men in a mess of steel and blood, swinging their weapons around and whichever army was the last standing won. However, the kinslayer was a skilled swordsman who has been known to kill many princes and kings from the Vuriean empire. However, his corpse was found amongst the massacre and he was basically cut in half, so perhaps Bawon wasn't lying.

The men continued to tell their tales and stories until prince Erick exited his tent in which they all grew quiet and looked to their future king. King Eckbert was still alive and ruled Radour as a gentle, peaceful king who only went to war if necessary, but he was old and bitter. His sentinel says it will only be a few months before the king falls, and prince Erick will the be the next in line to the throne.

Erick smiled at the men and said, "Carry on, men. I'm not your king yet, and I don't want to spoil your fun. Tonight we celebrate with the men from Brenyth and prepare for the final stages of this war! Give it a few months and we shall have our victory!"