Cranaks were volatile creatures birthed in a great war to be used as a weapon. With no ways of reproduction, many were sure they'd die out but such was the enormity of their numbers and the length of their life spans has made them not a problem of the past.
Tawtower was one of the many Cranak settlements that presided in the north of Rawthawn, ruled by the legendry Tawleks who were once said to be able to ride the great dragon-like beasts they were named after. Only bones remained of the first Tawleks but the Cranaks who resided there took pride in their name.
Dasken Tawlek had his first kill not long after he matured, killing his adopted 'mentor' and winning his first real battle mere months after . He was already notorious in the region for his skill with the Cranak's most popular blade, a krakhr. And while his few battles had been rewarding, Dasken desired more.
The ever-cold air shrieked through his dark hair and heavy armour as Dasken looked one last time at the imposing, obsidian tower that had been his home all his life. He spat a lump of crimson phlegm on the ground before roughly kicking his steed, he wasn't coming back.
Cranaks mostly rode Fawgs, a curious mix of wolf and Duskgrazers that resulted in a wild animal with enough bulk to support a rider and enough ferocity to serve in battle.
He led it toward the front of his marching host, the crusty frosted ground crunched under the armoured footfalls of the eight hundred raisets.
"Dorma is two nights away." A stunted Cranak named Rukh announced to Dasken.
Rukh was constantly tormented for his size and while most of his species shunned him, Dasken mildly enjoyed the company of someone with a half-adequate vocabulary.
"He has already taked Darwood, at this rate this conquest will take mere weeks." Rukh chuckled.
Dasken allowed himself a wry smile "This war is far from begun." He echoed ominously.
He lead his Fawg over a collapsed tree, the trunk glistened with sap and the crackle of splinters under his Fawg's calloused paws gave him cause to wonder.
"What In hell did this? No axe could even scar such a mighty thing." he asked, gazing in awe at the destruction.
"Fawgs, milord. When their blood is up and there is no prey the pack will throw themselves upon a tree, biting and ripping at it until it collapses." Rukh answered and Dasken regarded his steed with a new-found fascination.
The going was long with little distraction, Rawthawn was an expansive land but there were more thickets and hills than residents.
They reached the northern edges of Darwood forest before nightfall, Dasken allowed a five-hour rest before resuming the trek through the wood. Darwood was one of the only large woodland areas that Rawthawn had to offer, the track they were following to the centre was the shallowest part with only eight-hundred miles. But to the south it stretched on for supposedly thirteen-thousand miles of solid wood, breaking into sparse copses near the end.
It was Dasken's first time in such a heavily forested area, the deep foliage made him feel claustrophobic. He was glad when the trees broke away to give room to a large clearing, Darwood Keep loomed in the centre, a massive edifice of the dark wood the forest was named after. The keep was huge but Dorma Spear-Lord's army was bigger, dozens of tents surrounded the fortified walls. Drunken yells, flickering torches and raucous laughter filled the chilly air and Dasken gave the nod for his host to mingle. Twenty Raisets waited to accompany him through the notched timber gates. As they approached, a guttural growl escaped from the wall "Who're you? Piss off if ya know wha's good for you."
"We bring Dasken Tawlek and next time you speak like that, I'll chop off your arm and make you eat it." Rasped one of Dasken's companions to uproarious laughter.
They heard an audible snort of anger "Open the gates!" The guard yelled.
The door creaked open and Dasken and his entourage trooped inside.
Firelight danced in sconces on the walls, most of the army were outside but the few unlucky guards who were sentenced to patrol.
Dasken strolled across the courtyard and at a nod to a guard walked through the door into the hall. Long tables were spaced in the centre with a hundred or so Cranaks laughing, drinking and gorging on the Darwoden household's substantial larder. Dorma sat at the end table, lounging in what used to be Lord Darwoden's chair, gripping a garnet crusted chalice filled with wine.
He raised his eyes as Dasken, Rukh and one of Dasken's guards were admitted in.
"If it isn't Kunrun's whelp!" he yelled much to Dasken's distaste. "I 'eard the poor fella got 'imself killed!" he slurred "I 'ope you slayed the bastard that did it."
"Turning a knife on myself would hardly make a good start to my reign," Dasken answered causing Dorma to explode in boisterous laughter.
"Come, sit ere by me. Oi! You, woman get my friend some wine." One of the human girls that had been forced to serve them curtsied pitifully in her torn rags and fetched a jug and chalice for Dasken. She shook terribly as she poured, getting wine on the table and causing a drop to spill on Dorma's tunic.
"You filthy little..." he screamed grabbing the jug and throwing it at her. He was drunk and missed but the shattering of clay against the wall sent her crying and fleeing to the door. "Lock her up with the rest!" He cried before sitting back down. "Stupid pink Grusekarn." He hissed before glancing at Dasken "Ow many did'ya bring?"
"Eight hundred." He answered sipping the wine. Dorma nodded slowly as he glugged greedily from his cup.
"So en, what're you hoping to gain?"
"Excuse me?" Dasken politely asked, secretly glad Dorma wasn't completely devoid of his wits
"You 'eard, what you want? Hitching in with my lot."
Dasken leaned in and lowered his voice, "Blood, plunder and a certain Regent to hang from my gates."
Dorma smiled and raised his chalice, "I can drink to that."
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Author's Note:
My chapters are in several different perspectives and I will be covering the 'bad guys' as much as the good, though the line may blur between. If you enjoyed this then please leave a vote and be sure to read on!
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(Draft 1) A Twist of Steel
Fantasi"Due to several reasons I am discontinuing this book and will not be adding chapters. The second draft will be published on a different, entirely new book, instead of me just replacing the chapters." A fragile peace hangs over the two continents of...
