Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Tessa

 As the sun rose, Tessa, Damien, Darien, and the Orcs found their way out of the dense forests and marshes of the Swamplands. It was one of the few times for Tessa when creatures of darkness might not try and kill her, though that was uncertain. Ront, son of Holg, had threatened to take her head off and hang it and the rest of her Epsilon body from the limb of a mangrove tree for the dozenth time if she even looked at him wrong. Not that Orcs were in her taste, anyway. Orcs and Epsilon were the worst of enemies, waging wars that dated back even before the Dragon War. Of course, they were mostly small wars of attrition. The worst two were both Great Wars. The thing that Orcs seemed to enjoy the most was war, which wasn't surprising, but unsettling.

"Well, looks like our uncle cared more for us than we thought," Ser Darien suddenly said, as they reached the top of a hill. Hundreds of white tents were scattered across a field, with white banners bearing the sigil of the black saber-toothed cat of House Lysander along the perimeter of the camp. There must have been tens of thousands of soldiers and vehicles in that camp alone.

"It's best if my brother and I continue alone," Damien suggested.

"I don't think so, Trickster," Ront denied. "Until you and your brother give us what was promised, your lives are ours."

"Sounds fair," Damien admitted. "But only you and Tessa may come. Have your tribe stay on the perimeter of the camp."

"Sounds fair," Ront agreed. The four of them went through the camp, past tents that housed soldiers and Knights, and vehicles such as tanks, armored cars, and jeeps. A few of the soldiers they passed raised their eyebrows at the sight of Ront and Tessa, but they didn't dare come close as long as Darien and Damien were with them. Ront didn't look like someone to be messed with, anyway. In the center of the huge camp was a large vehicle with the shape of a train car, but twice the size, and standing on eight huge wheels.

"Lord Semil has nice wheels," said Tessa, as they ascended a long ramp to the vehicle's cabin. Lord Semil Lysander sat at the end of a long, metal table that projected a hologram of a grid with a dozen red and green dots on it. Beside him was his only son, Simon Lysander, who was little more than twenty, and had dark hair like his father. They both wore white armor with dark capes, and both sneered at Ront and Tessa when they saw they were walking with Darien and Damien.

"Cousins," said Simon. "Glad to see you're both alright."

"Cousin, uncle," Darien greeted. "You didn't go to war just to save us, did you?"

"My sister asked a favor of me, and I decided to carry it out," Lord Semil answered. "We're glad to see you're safe, and with friends."

"This is Tessa, and Epsilon warrior from Torriban," Damien introduced. "And Ront, son of Holg, the Chieftain of the Wood Wraith Orc tribe." Ront nodded his head with a soft grunt. It must have been the Orcs' way of saying "hello".

"Tessa, Ront, let us introduce Lord Semil Lysander, son of Leland Lysander, lord of Green Hill, High Lord of the Highlands," said Darien. "Our uncle."

"My lord," said Tessa, bowing her head.

"Seems like quite a large force for a rescue team, uncle," Damien observed, looking at the army of thousands.

"Well, the Ingrams took the King's brothers hostage," said Simon. "He's asked us to punish them."

"The King's brothers?" Darien repeated. "Is our father not King anymore?" Tessa could sense a feeling of reluctance from Lord Semil and his son, and also a feeling of grief.

"About that, Darien," said Lord Semil. "King Robar is dead." There was shock in both Darien and Damien, as they swelled up with tears. Darien paced around the floor, hanging his head and covering his eyes.

"You should let them have a moment, my lord," Tessa suggested.

"Good idea," Lord Semil agreed. Damien went and wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulders, and went down to the grass.

"So, where did Ser Darien and Lord Damien run into you two?" Simon asked.

"We met in Riverford, my lord," Tessa answered. "Lord Edward Ingram wanted to execute them for the murder of his father, Lord Dedric. I stood with them in the crucible. We ran into Ront and his tribe on the way here."

"Your nephews owe us something, Semil, son of Leland," Ront growled.

"Is that so?" asked Lord Semil. "What do you require, Chieftain?"

"We are marching to war," Simon added. "How many are you?"

"Thirty thousand," Ront answered.

"Fight alongside us, and you will have what they promised," Semil assured.

"Fighting alongside you is all we will require," Ront promised. "Too long has it been since the Wood Wraiths had a taste of battle."

"Perfect," said Lord Semil, as Darien and Damien came back into the cabin.

"Are you both alright?" Simon asked.

"Just tell us what we need to do," Darien snapped.

"Lord Karlon Vestarr has apparently crossed the Icewood, and has marched past Angelgrass," said Damien. "He could be coming to help us."

"I doubt that," Lord Semil denied. "King Vorian had the genius idea of executing his father, and childhood friend."

"Trevor's dead, too?" said Darien.

"I'm afraid so," Simon reluctantly answered. "The Ice Spear Guardians have joined Karlon, as has King Talavir, of Coldwater."

"I guess murdering the Commander of the Guardians has a certain side effect," said Tessa.

"What was His Grace supposed to do?" asked Lord Semil. "Commander Vestarr refused to swear his loyalty to the Crown."

"Simple," Tessa answered. "How about not killing him!?"

"We have both of Karlon's sisters, his mother, and his younger brother in chains, though," said Simon. "If he was rational, he would think twice before risking their lives."

"Or do what they would expect of him," Darien argued. "How stupid does Vorian think he is?"

"It matters not," Lord Semil answered. "My daughter's laying siege to Riverford, we need to march north and keep the Vestarr army from supporting the Ingrams. Simon, get our forces ready to move."

"At once, father," said Simon, and he went down the ramp to the ground, shouting orders to the Lysander soldiers.

"Chieftain, we'll need the Orcs on the front lines," said Lord Semil.

"We would be honored." Ront agreed. "As long as the Trickster and his brother fight with us."

"Sounds fair." Damien agreed. "Are you ready for war, Tessa?"

Tessa answered, "As ready as I'll ever be."