The Devil's Country

The Iris mountains

(General Kyros' perspective)

I watch as hundreds of thousands of soldiers march with me to the Iris mountains. I ride next to Commander Leo. Seeing our men march in a long line is a beautiful sight, but as we reach the valley the line gets smaller. It gets to a point where only a ten by ten square can get through. We march through the Iris mountains with vigilance. Scouts ride ahead and around the area. Every minute they come to check in. I fear about losing men as taking the fortress at the bridge will be a challenge. I ride behind my section of the army where catapults and large bows get pulled by mighty oxen. The moonlight makes it easy to see the ledges above us. Archers scan those ledges with swift eyes. My stomach turns at the thought of rocks rushing our men. I hear a wolf howl in the distance.

"Good night to ride, eh?" Leo asked me.

"Yes, the moon provides a nice shade for us." I exclaim keeping my horse steady. "We are almost through these mountains. Just know that we must get moving quickly once we get pass. I was nervous at first, but seeing this many soldiers puts a smile on my face."

"Yeah I reckon they won't mess with us." Leo replied. My advisor rides quickly to me with a scout behind him.

"Sir, we have captured a bandit. He was sitting behind rocks waiting for a general to come by." The scout rides up next to me. On the back of the horse is a woman, brunette in rose leather armor. I recognize the possibility that the armor is of a noble. I grab a dagger and ride up next to her. She's all tied up so no chance of hurting me.

"Why, I am amazed a bandit would try and kill me. I know I'm an easy target. I probably got a hefty bounty on my head, but why me must I ask?" I said smiling down at her.

"The price can get me out of these mountains. I've heard things about you. You're a coward." She says another word after another as cut off her ropes. "Wha-"

"I believe in second chances. Now obviously I don't trust you, but you are forgiven." I say plotting my plans. She will know the areas the most. She may be of use to me. I may be able to use in order to attack the Madeiran Keep at the bridge. It's a huge Keep. Quite honestly I do believe it may be of use to wipe out the bandits for safe travels. She may know loops. I give her a horse. I command three cavalry guards to watch her, and I ride on.

"Mercy, really?" Leo said to me. "No offenses sir, but do you believe it is wise to keep her."

"Why yes, she knows the area. We don't. Iris mountains have always been dangerous. It was only when Tamer the Great attacked the North that we got these regions. The North is quite dangerous; however, it is useful. We can help unite the north and take down Trice once the barbarians invade it."

"I heard a huge movement is happening currently. Republics are being established in many kingdoms. First it was Salem, then the main capital of north, Terris. Many smaller kingdoms are being overthrown by this new ideal. We can still help some kingdoms in the east however we must appease Salem. The north has too many civil wars. Our only bet is getting Salem on our side.

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About a day later our armies are marching in the plains. One nights rest outside of the mountains, and we are marching again. I see the fortress. Its heavy molten rock with large steel doors in the front. One watchtower on either side of the bridge taunt us with such greatness. This time our armies are spread out. We get closer and closer until I hear horns blowing. Then huge torches on top of the watch towers light. We set up our catapults hastily, and launch off large boulders. I watch as flame boulders also get launched the same way. This reminds me of the battle before the Fall of Medford Keep. It was called the battle of the whimpering woods. Our men launched catapults at the enemies leaving the keep to go reinforce Merton. It was a glorious sight seeing three armies rushing towards one fortress. I see volleys of fire arrows follow after the catapults. We plan on pillaging this fortress. We probably won't stay very long.

"Shields up men!" I shouted. My men threw their shields up to their faces in protection. "Charge!!"

My men start running. I see the other Generals do the same. I will not participate in this battle for the beginning. The battle rages on as I see hundreds of men climbing up the walls. It seemed like an easy battle until I saw two navy ships appear from the river. They launch volleys of fire arrows at our men. I turn to look at Augustus who is commander of the catapults. He read my mind instantly and aimed the catapults at the ships. I grab my sword, and I charge into battle. I see only one hundred dead men from our side, but bodies are everywhere. They killed their own men in the process. I get to the castle to see men against the walls in hope to not be hit. I get inside the castle to see people are still fighting. I grab my sword and charge on my horse. I slice through someone's armor. I then hop off my horse, and I fight the men bravely. Fire arrows start to rain into the courtyard. I look up for a brief second to see an arrow heading straight for me. I throw an enemy over my head. I hear him screaming above me. My men rush into the castle's corridors to escape the arrows. Once inside I see Emma with three arrows stuck in her shield. I chuckle as she attempts to pull them out. I still hear arrows pelting the fortress. This could take a while before they run out of arrows. I watch from a small window as arrows head straight towards us. The window is small enough to where the arrows won't get in. The two ships are huge frigates without catapults. They aren't very efficient against fortresses, but they are surely scary to see. Emma pops up beside me.

"Casualties?" I asked still watching the boats.

"Very few. It seems to me as if they were abandoning this base already. That they'll be waiting for us at the kingdom of Moors. It may be a field battle." Emma says.

"If we are lucky. They will want us to attack them, so we find a way to destroy him. We can use our armies to outflank them. We can use the uncleansed bandit to help us get around an enemy by created bait. We simply send a small force of two hundred men. Then we draw them out into the open where archers will fire upon them from the far. We surround them, and simply erase them." I respond thinking things through.

"Easier said than done. First, we must make the other Generals agree. I heard General Hansel is heading south to meet with General Wes. Their next objective is to take the southern sector while General Marquis and you find a way to help the kingdoms up north. Since we are hardly a monarchy it will be easy for us to get along." Emma says as she sits by the windowsill. Soldiers walk pass quickly. However, it is true that the Nation of Esterlyn isn't exactly a monarchy. The nation consists of five Generals; Marquis, Hansel, Wes, Tobin, and me. Currently Tobin is defending the southern border while we secured the northern border. We plan to move south to unite the eastern sector under the rule of us generals. When the generals are away a man named Norman is in charge. He and his group of men take care of the great Nation. It's a strong government. Tobin is always the one causing trouble as he is somewhat corrupt. General Hansel and Wes don't see the potential corruption Tobin wields. Norman has seen it too. After Norman dies a new leader will be in charge when the generals are away. If it is a general a new general will take his place, but it is normally a common man who takes the leadership.

Emma and I finish talking. I know tomorrow will be yet another great clash for this wretched war. I write my letters; one to Maria, one to Tobin, and one last one to my son Maxwell. I then lay down to rest.