• Part I

    Rizak the Battle Master let out a glum sigh, as he studied the faces of the soldiers standing in perfect formation in front of him. His current company over a thousand strong, were mostly young boys, not quite yet men.

    He felt sickened, knowing that it was his duty to send them to die on the battlefield ahead. His voice was calm and collective as he spoke, his words crisp in the cool dawn air “Alright, listen up! You are the Knights of Ilex, men of honor, of courage of valor. Those of you here, have steeled your nerves and swallowed all fear and doubt. I won’t lie to you… what lays ahead of us, will be the most arduous and difficult journey any of you will ever face.” with a brief pause to study their faces a moment longer, he continued “Some of you, will die on this journey… those that survive, will find themselves delivered to the very doorstep of the Grim Reaper. Most of us, won’t be coming back alive from this.”

    Swallowing slightly he nodded slowly, letting them soak in what he just said “ But know that if we don’t go… then the demon beneath the seal will be released, and our world as you know it, will cease to exist. I don’t want to die. I have family to think of… and its for them that I have volunteered to lead this expedition. Those who survive will wear their scars with pride, they will say, ‘I was there. I fought the good fight. I have earned my scars and proved my mettle to the Gods!’. Those that do not… shall have seat at the Great Table. Where with Gods and Immortals shall they consume the wine and fruits of valor.”

    A slight smile crossed his lips, as the company in turn squared their shoulders, other wise motionless, waiting for the order to march. Even if it were to their death, they were willing. “Lets make this one for the heavens… a battle… a victory to be emblazed in stars for all to see and witness our glory!” unsheathing his sword he held it on high a moment, before slashing it downward at an angle “We march, to victory and immortality!”

    He sheathed his sword a moment later, and turning, grasped the saddle of his ivory white horse and gracefully swung up into it. The Infantry marched in the front, with Archers and Calvary following close behind in that order.

    Trotting along side the ranks, he called out over the sound of their metal boots clashing against the hard earth “Nitesh, come here would you?”. No sooner had he finished his sentence, a strong looking lad from the front line broke formation and quickly sprinted to Rizak.

    “Sir, yes sir?” he spoke in a more respectful tone then most soldiers carry for their commanders “You wanted to see me, sir?”

    “Yes, Nitesh.” his face moved from the soldiers marching in line, to the steady gaze of Nitesh “The men, they respect you, as much if not more then they do me. You’ve proven yourself as one of them, and as a capable soldier. Its because of this, that I put their lives in your hand.”

    Nitesh mumbled in surprise and shock, unsure of what words to form “Your company adjutant now. Its your job to make sure they get what they need… that they are as comfortable as possible…” looked back to the men in the line, shaking his head slightly “It’ll be mine… to tell them where to die.”

    Nitesh nodded, and quickly sprinted back to his position in the formation after Rizak motioned him to away.

    Rizak could see the men joshing and teasing Nitesh about his newest promotion, he could also see clearly that behind the smile and laughter of Nitesh, a more bold and serious expression was taking shape “Maybe, just maybe he can find what he’s missing… before the end.”

    Part II

    The journey in itself had unsurprisingly proven relatively easy thus far. They had crossed the Emerald Hill’s, the Valley of Kings, and even the Inner Sea without so much as a goblin encounter. Of course, with an army over five thousand strong, that was to be expected.

    But Rizak knew, could feel it in his bones, that they were approaching an area known as the ‘Devil’s Graveyard’. Taking a slow deep breath he called out the order to halt, over the still midday air. His voice broke out over the quiet marching of his army, the otherwise only disturbance over this deathly silent land.

    “Men,” he spoke just loud enough for all to hear “we encroach upon the Devil’s Graveyard… from here our journey shall become a harsh one.” he glanced over his shoulder, peering into the swirling mists of the valley ahead, as if expecting at any moment something to come from the very roots of the earth “We go now where none have trodden since the time of the great imprisonment.”

    He turned his horse straight into the mist, and though the horse had seen battle a hundred times and more, it for the first time of its life gave struggle to the rider. “May the God’s be with us this day…”

    Rider and horse stared into each others eyes, seeking some kind of peace or understanding. A moment later, the horse gave one last soft whinny of protest before marching into the swirling mists.

    The company of soldiers fell in line behind their commander, doing their best to follow his ghostly image as it were swallowed up in the mists, faint traces and glimpses were all they could catch as they picked their way ahead.