TheEmma

The Realm of Men

His eyes opened up. "Damnit all." Cursed the wizard and with a simple flick of his eyes he had vanished from his vantage point.

The King of the North rushed with his sword before him, the anticipation of his soldiers and brothers in arms could be felt heavy in the air, the aggression between two people, between two armies and between two kings could be felt by any mortal man just as easily as the binding magic of the Winter Mages' could be felt by any mage. They were masters, these invaders, their magic was perfected, it was distinct and it was powerful, yet Walter could feel their flaw, he knew it well, the power that made him different. Either case; they were not his concern, not yet at least. To bind and to hold their prize they would not risk a single mage to let go, for to do so could very well mean the release of the spirit. Walter felt her the strongest, as he stepped through the darkness of the void, he could even see her in the sky, a faint shimmer of golden, serene light somewhere in the pitch black. He pitied her, this benevolent spirit, she was only a product of a flawed system, a victim just like everyone else... The sorcerer took another step. He'd arrived.

The King of the North and the King of Red and Black met, their blades clashed briefly and as they struck each other the enchantments of each blade created a spark of magic in the air, they both took a step back, and Leofric was the first to act, clearly the man intended to slay the Rider King quickly, and more evidently, the King in the North had a backup plan. He was his father's son, after all. The two kings came at each other again and Walter opened his eyes. In a massive flurry of thrown up snow and broken earth the sorcerer appeared. First there was only snow to be seen for any man of any side, but as it set, laying down upon the ground again, the visage of a man could be made out. A plain man, old and with a large, round gray beard. He was dressed in a simple brown coat, his hood was thrown down and as he asserted his stance he sighed, tired and disappointing. Both Kings had been pushed back, Leofric even, with his limited resistance to magic had toppled to a knee but still rose in gritty determination. Enid blinked his eyes, quickly coming to terms with what had just happened and he gripped his sword tighter.
"The Wizard..." He uttered in wary confirmation as the snow slowly fell back to the earth around him.
"Kings!" Walter began. Raising one hand to greet them both, he looked from Leofric to Enid with his weary gray eyes. "This shall be your-..." Walter stopped as Enid rose his gauntlet into the sky and his hand clenched, creating a crackle of the magic of the Damned in the air above him. In the distance their massive cannon rumbled, the spirits that powered it wailed in unison as the weapon was activated and its hollow exit began to shine. "-.. Why did you have to do that?" Walter asked tiredly and turned to face Enid fully.
"It is how it should be." Enid responded behind his Facemask with a determined scowl.
"Have it your way." Said Walter and he rose his hand. In a short weave of his wrist he collected every small ounce of magic that rippled continuously out from the gauntlet of power. He collected it, he circled the source with the arcane that escaped it with his fingers, and then - he clenched his fist. The magic became whole, turned into matter by the sorcerer's ancient spell and now it pressured so completely against the hand of the Winter's King that his entire hand was caught in its suffocating crunch. The Rider of Red and Black roared out painfully as his gauntlet squeezed into the skin of his hand, burrowing into his flesh by the immense pressure of the materialized magic. Walter held his hand tightly, a neutral and placid expression on his weathered face as he looked from the struggling King to the cannon in the distance, it slowly whirred back, its power removed for now it slowly returned to its dormant state.
"Ge'es!" Cried Enid, holding onto his wrist with his second hand, he had dropped his sword now, trying to pry his gauntlet off, but to no avail. He fell to his knees, clenching his teeth in unbearable pain as the gauntlet pushed deeper, touching upon bone, no blood could escape since it too was pressured by the Arcane vacuum. Walter turned away from Enid and looked to Leofric, who stood with his magical blade at a ready.
"This is not how you make peace, Hamster-King." Walter scowled irately. "Good luck to you."
"How da-.." Leofric was quickly blurred out by a mass array of his knights, who formed defensively around their king, having noticed the Red Riders suddenly came charging, but it was for the Wizard they came. The person who had assaulted their king. Walter looked upon them, this magical people. By their very existence, they were his rightful property and as the first one came upon him, he felt pity. A surge of power came through him, he threw his arms about himself collectively and twisted his feet. Suddenly the air around any man became low with oxygen, a gasp of breath escaped those who surrounded the wizard as the air around them was vacuumed into a strong inward pull, the snow too moved with the pull but that was not Walter's target. He weaved his arms like such and collected more and more oxygen from the air around the assailants. As enough oxygen had been gathered around him he flexed his fingers, performing a simple incantation.
"Spark." He said, as he thrust his palms outward and suddenly the air shot out again, this time caught completely alight in a Paleblue fire formed into a massive tornado. It scorched the earth and melted away the snow immediately, those riders that had come too close were thrown off their frozen horses, who screeched as the extensive firestorm quickly tore through their shapes and left them burnt severely or simply killed them on the spot. The firestorm reigned for ten meters in a complete circle around the Wizard, who stood in its center, with his hands raised and twitching. Puppeteering the whole murderous scene. For those outside of the storm, his voice could be heard.
"Carry on your useless war, Fool of Kings, puppets of Circumstance. Carry it on, and you shall know the true Fury of the Arcane!" He threatened as the storm reigned supreme, causing horses to steer clear and men to gasp in frightful scowls. The Northmen particularly watched on as the magic pressed ever outward. Leofric's eyes flashed in anger, he had seen the kind before and he hated it completely.

The firestorm subsided. The Wizard was gone; in his place lay a scorched wasteland of black earth and coal-coloured soldiers of both the North and the Riders. Their horses had been ruined beyond any comprehension and any snow that had lay in the vicinity had been completely erased, the grievous sight was lit up by the serene golden glow of the spiritual energy above them yet not even that could make the vision any less disturbing. The two Kings stood on either side. Their fate; yet again in their own hands...

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 24: Forceful catharsis

"Aaah...Crap." She groaned in pain as she limply fell down with her back against the fallen birch tree. She squirmed meekly and put her right shoulder against the frost-covered log so that her wounded left would not suffer the pressure. "Damned... Crap..." Miriam muttered as she begrudgingly inspected her arm, Leiah stood just before her with a concerned expression inside of her beady, dark eyes. The arm had been jerked out of socket and throbbed continuously with surges of aching pain, it could still be willed to move but the pain nailed any attempts futile as Miriam could only gasp and fight for breath if she tried. It would have to be put back into place again before it could start to heal and the thought of having to do this alone made Miriam awfully weary, she thumped her head back against the log and gazed skyward, she couldn't see much; the right side of her face was sticky with dry blood and her matted hair clung against her face and over her eye. Either way there was not much to see in the dark and white woods. She was surrounded by birch-trees, black, and white and tall they stood in a circle around the fallen one where she was now resting, silent and empty, the woods seemed to be at peace and without any significant presence. Miriam hadn't been followed, she knew this because her escape had been slow, due to her state and if anyone did follow her they would undoubtedly had caught up at least an hour ago. For the moment, she was safe and she could finally face the thought that had been stored inside the recess of her mind until this time. With a sigh she rose her functional right arm and squinted her eyes as she peered at her hand, the memory came back to her. She had expected death and even, for a moment, accepted it as the halberd had come swinging down. But just as the blow would have come, a single instinctual thought had come before her: "Stop" It had said, the following sensation had been odd to say the least. As if every ounce of blood lost sizzled and quivered with over her face, the air around them had grown still and suffocating quiet before finally laying down the pressuring weight of... something, Miriam could not guess what, but during that single second, all of these things had happened and caused the large man to completely halt in his movement and it had saved Miriam's life. They had both been equally surprised and confused about the outcome, but now, with clarity of mind; Miriam could guess.
"Magic?" She said thoughtfully, as she turned her right hand about in inspection, it looked just the same as it always did, but to Miriam it seemed to hold so much more potential, and so much more mystery. Leiah sat down in the snow and panted a breath with her tongue lolling out. Miriam looked to her friend. "Those soldiers might have been right all along, girl." Said Miriam. "I've been a witch all along..." Leiah barked happily when being spoken to, as if the response would mean something. Miriam smiled and ruffled the dog's head lovingly with her hand. "Yeah. Ridiculous, I know." She then left the thoughts to her own mind while resting, she had always been pragmatic and the origin of her magical ability or its meaning was hardly in focus. Instead she thought about what to do next, and most importantly what to do with her wounded arm. She had tended to broken bones before but it had always been in the comfort of civilization, and for fear of the Undead hunters, she could not return the Marspointe just yet. After some time of thinking and after Leiah had ambled off in search for food Miriam decided that it was finally time. With gritted determination she turned and faced the log she had been resting against, the snow had turned her legs cold despite the warm layered clothing she wore and moving them was a hassle in the crispy snow. With her right hand she dug out the snow from beneath the fallen log, she broke off a twig and used it to grope a hole large enough for her arm to fit in between the log and the snowy ground, when finished she tested to push her right arm through and found that it fit, barely. It would have to do. She bit onto her lip and noticed that she shuddered frightfully in anticipation as she shimmied her broken arm into the small hole that she had dug out, she put most of her arm through and set her shoulder against the log with strained issue, once it was firmly locked between the ground and the firm log above she held onto a branch with her right hand to steady herself before firmly yanking back and upward and pushing away from the log while her broken arm was still caught beneath it. There was a tremendous surge of pain which felt as if someone had suddenly pierced her arm with knives, pushing them through her bones. She cried out in a ghastly breath and shut her tearing eyes firmly, grasping her shoulder with her good arm while pushing back against the log, forcing the bone back into its socket, this sent a second wave of pain through her, as bones and flesh moved unnaturally and ground across each other. Miriam fell headfirst against the log as she with a final jerk had collected her arm and she began to shed tears of pain, her body shuddering from shock and aches. As she lay there in recovery a light and careful snowfall began to gently fall through the sparse canopy, in their silent way; the snow began to sheet the wounded huntress, Snow flake, by Snow flake...

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 23: Dawning

Miriam was swift with the duck and she dragged herself to the side to avoid the thrust of the giant's halberd, she scrambled swiftly through the snow and got back on her feet on the opposite side of the man, he had more of an issue getting around, what with his giant size and the long halberd he carried. Miriam ran her right hand across her face, her vision was blurry and when she flicked her hand she noticed blood flew off it. Her hair clung to the right side of her face, where the man's kick must have split her brow open. She heard Leia growl and gnaw ferociously behind the large man, who had now turned to face the huntress. His face was grim with determination and anger.
"You killed him!" He roared, and came forward again, like a branded bull, with his halberd held in front of him, Miriam did not doubt he had every intention to kill her now and she knew she wouldn't survive another charge from the man. She looked to her options, with a spring in her step she jumped onto a nearby barrel that stood leaning against a wall, with the next step she scurried up the wall as best as she could and reached her hand for the roof's wooden ledge. Caught it! Miriam began hoisting herself up, feeling safer by the higher she got, until something grabbed onto her ankle. Miriam jerked to a pause, and then came the pull. With one tremendous pull she was dragged away from her hold on the roof and was thrown down into the snowy ground again with a painful crash, she landed poorly, with her right arm coming first and the rest of her weight following, she heard the crack as the bones inside of her arm undoubtedly fractured and she yelped out in high pain. She dragged her bloodied face through the snow, gritting her teeth to quell the pain of her injury but it still hurt, it hurt a lot.
"Leave me alone..." She whimpered. Suddenly she was again grabbed, this time by the collar of her gray cloak, she was held up to hang face to face with the bear-caped man, who sneered furiously toward her.
"My brother, you Bitch! You killed my brother!" He practically spat the words at her face, she could hardly see, blood still flowed over her right eye, it stained her face crimson and her head beat in a pace she found most discomforting. The man shook her by the collar angrily and her legs lifted off the ground momentarily.
"Your brother was scum." Miriam growled through her teeth. "I was just WALKING!" She flailed shortly in protest but the pain in her broken right arm got the better of her and with a jerk from the man holding her she stopped. He roared then and flung Miriam again, straight into the wall at their side, she crashed into the barrel first and then rolled off it back into the ground, for a moment she could hear Leia bark furiously at her side, but the giant was standing before her again, he rose his halberd and pointed it down at her.
"Die!" He bellowed and thrust the weapon down at her. Miriam rose her functional arm in poor defense, what good could that do? She caught herself thinking, she shut her eyes and accepted her fate. Come on then, death.

But she did not die. A second past, and another, Miriam still heard Leia bark furiously a few paces away, she slowly opened the eye that had not been draped by her blood-drenched hair and looked. She saw the halberd first, it hung stiffly just above her, as if the man had stopped his attack miraculously in the middle of his thrust. Miriam looked past the weapon, her body shaking fearfully, and she saw the man, his face was clenched in a painful expression that he could not undo, his eyes darted from side to side in confusion, as the man failed to move his body in the slightest. He mumbled a sentence, but his muscles did not allow for the words to come out. Miriam stuttered a "What?" But it came out as nothing but a whisper of "W's." Leia appeared next to her now, her muzzle coloured red, equally confounded by the man who had been hung stiff and motionless by seemingly nothing. Miriam accepted her good graces, she scrambled quickly to her feet, grunting with pain from her various injuries and aches and she called for Leia as she ran. She passed over the man who had first pursued her, his face and throat had been torn open and Miriam paid him not a second glance as she ran past, and down the street, clutching onto her broken arm. At this point she did not care what had stopped the man from killing her, she intended to keep living, and she ran.

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 22: Brothers dear

She could probably outrun this man, although he seemed agile, a hunter undoubtedly, but his bow was larger and sturdier than Miriam's own, and the sword that he carried would slow him down as well. She would have to slink in between some houses if he tried to shoot at her with it. Perhaps it was even possible that she could draw her knife before he co- The man laughed, which interrupted her thought process.
"I know what you must be thinking but you need not worry, I'm not dangerous..." He paused and pondered his statement for a minute before correcting himself with an allowing sway of the hand.
"Well. I most certainly am dangerous - You can see that, you know a killer's face when you see it." He smiled ruggedly down at her and tugged lightly on the sash that held his bow. "Don't you?" He inquired. Miriam blinked and without thought she found herself answering.
"Yes." She struck a frown and regretted immediately having replied, she took a step forward, head lowered and attempted to pass the hunter. He remained in the way, even leaning his hand against the wall that stood at their side to block her path. She considered for a moment to duck beneath it but didn't want to give him the satisfaction, she raised her head and stared up at the taller man.
"Let me pass." She said sternly. He quirked his sly smile, this close she could smell the forest on his body and the alcohol in his breath.
"Sorry. No can do. You see, I've got a job to do."
"What do I care?" Miriam replied. She was getting frustrated now.
"Well. Far as I know, you could be working with the Black-Robes." The man lowered his gaze and scanned Miriam for a short while. "Though, I've never seen any lovely women with 'em before..." That was about as much as Miriam was going to put up with. She grasped the hunter's arm and she jerked it up so that she could pass, she twisted and ended up on the opposite side. The man had stumbled, lost his footing since he was leaning against the wall and he scrambled to adjust his feet now without the balance. He looked to Miriam as she was already leaving. Leia had rushed around the other way and already exited onto the main street and Miriam was quick behind, she turned and spared the man a look.
"Lovely enough for ya?" She laughed but was cut short as the man had refocused far more quickly than Miriam had anticipated, now he came running after her without remorse. Miriam twisted her feet into the snow and performed the self-defense art taught to her long ago which she had now perfected through years of training; Running.

My Hider

youtube.com/watch?v=SAYL0nG_ZfU

Miriam had been right, she was faster. Leia ran by her side, the dog could easily outrun Miriam but kept pace, she sent a jolly bark over to Miriam but grew silent as she quickly realized that this moment was one of seriousness. Miriam entered the main street, which for the town was admittedly rather wide. She sprinted across the snow-covered cobble path, kicking up snow as she did, she held onto the sash of her swinging bag and more than once got hit by the tip of her bow in the head. She looked back as she had come across the path and she saw the man coming after her, he shouted something into the air though Miriam did not pay attention to what. She turned back and headed inbetween two wooden houses, the alley was very narrow and Leia came in after Miriam. There was a wooden fence that jutted out of one of the houses, hay littered the ground, it was probably a stable of some kind. Miriam braced and then sprung over the tall fence, she slid on the snow when she landed and looked back to Leia, but the dog had already pounced across the fence with similar ease, the large canine landed next to her and again barked excitedly, she even skipped about some. Miriam moved her gaze and looked to search for their pursuer but there was no sight, she turned and jogged at a brisk pace down the alleyway, if she could get further away from here she'd feel so much more safe.

She came down into a crossroads, the alleys criss-crossed between the few houses of the town and she was in the center of it, when she looked down one of the paths she could see that it shone white as the sprawling landscape glistened with snow and sunshine. She turned and looked down another, it looked much the same - Until he appeared, it was the hunter, his grizzly face was hard to distinguish but she had no issue recognizing him. He cupped his hands together and hollered.
"Suggest that you stop running now, missy."
"Suggest that you... Are dumb!" Miriam cringed, this is why she didn't talk to people. The hunter laughed, and so did the warrior. It was much more baritone but unlike the hunter this seemed jolly.
"Wouldn't be so sure, Hal. Black-Robes usually are more verbal than that!" Miriam turned and noticed that another person had entered the alleyway from where she had first looked, the man was a giant. Wide, tall and dressed in what must have been the pelt of some gigantic bear, just the size that she had seen Eliana destroy before. The giant swung his weapon around, it was a halberd, taller than the man which said quite a lot, it ended in a jagged edge that would be able to utterly ruin foes in wide spaces - But this alley was anything but that.
"Quite a simple rule." Said the hunter known as Hal. He talked to Miriam directly and did not respond to the giant. "Either you're from this town and one of us, or you're one of them." Miriam could see the smile from here and she hated it.
"I am nobody - What are you babbling about?!" She shouted in anger, and Leia growled at her side.
"We'll just let Royal decide." She could hear the giant say with his large voice. "Give up, little lady." He said, as well.
Miriam had since her last imprisonment grown to resent any who wanted to decide her fate. Her course was her own and anyone who tried to seize it would simply have to stand aside.

Miriam drew a quiet sigh and locked her eyes upon the hunter, he would have to be her first target, the most dangerous one at this range. He caught her glance, no doubt recognizing it as one of his own, when a hunter has locked unto their prey. He was fast on the draw but his bow was too large and his fur cloak got in the way so Miriam was that much faster, her shortbow had been pulled off her bag in a moment and with it a single arrow, Miriam drew back and let go without aiming any more than her instinct allowed. She heard a thump and a loud groan, Hal fell backwards, Miriam did not know where she had hit him but she had to assume he was down for the count for now. Leia had reacted as per their usual tactic and sprung like a dart toward the fallen prey the moment Miriam's arrow had landed, she approached the fallen man quickly. Miriam quickly turned, already hearing the thudding steps of the giant man as he rushed toward her.
"Really shouldn't have done that!" He said, and he seemed sincere in his regrets. Miriam had turned quickly and the man was still approaching, she drew another arrow and quickly pulled her bowstring back, she aimed for the head of the man first out of instinct but her mercy spoke up. Could she really judge any killer of men ever again if she passed this threshold, if she took a life? The life of a person... She snapped out of her thought and let her arrow loose, her philosophical rambling didn't matter, as the giant rose his halberd and used it to block the arrow, Miriam gritted her teeth and braced to run the opposite way but it was too late now. She took two steps before the halberd came down, this was how she would die... She could hear as it tore through the cold air, the man swung it down with amazing speed that came with his charge - That would be her chance, instead of running Miriam took the harsher decision and ducked, she fell to the side, rolling onto the ground next to the man and his blade. It had thumped into the ground where she had stood, he had struck with the blunt side first. He didn't mean to kill her, she realized. Miriam looked at the man and he looked back at her, he then, without remorse raised his foot and sent his padded boot straight into her face. Miriam jerked back and slid a few inches just from the impact. Her head rang and she tasted blood, she could hear Leia bark in the distance of her mind...

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 24: Marspointe

The western parts of the Northern Realm is characterized, as much of the North is, by its superstition and general distrusting nature towards strangers. Perhaps moreso due to its proximity to the island nation of Valentus and the sea between them, which had once been used by the mage-Nation to drown the coastal villages and its citizens during the days of war between the two lands. Miriam had followed the path due North by North-west and she was inching on the borders of the Kingdom's lines, the sea was still miles away and she could not see it but the environment had changed as she had walked. The woodlands and curvaceous hills had slowly been replaced by more craggy mountains and sparse clusters of birch. The land was still white with snow that crunched beneath the boots of the huntress and the paws of her companion as they walked down the trodden path that led into the small township of Marspointe. The snow that lay over the ground had been beaten down by many feet and wheels before Miriam, none that she could see led the way that she had come, it seemed only the lady in the carriage and Timothy were going that way which would explain why the road she had walked had been so sparse of people. Cottages and fields had been abandoned but there was no immediate threat that would cause such retreat. Perhaps they were fearful of the dead, aswell?

Miriam found the Marspointe tavern, it lay near the town entrance, a rustic wooden building which roof was heavy with snow, icicles hung by its edges, Winter had set in unnaturally early which didn't bother the seasoned Miriam but the people of Marspointe seemed far from pleased with the weather. There was not much of a crowd inside the tavern, a few workers sat together, complaining about this or that, there was also two guardsmen, part of the militia, their only valid point of authority was the iron at their belts and they seemed far from the soldiers Miriam had been exposed to recently. The people lent their eyes up as Miriam entered, she brought in a cold wind with her into the silent tavern and it earned her a growl from an elderly man who sat closer to the door, Miriam looked at him and shrugged in lack of words before she carried on.

"What can I do your for, traveler?" Asked the woman at the counter, her face pink and her nose sniveling. She was courteous and even smiled, if faintly.
"I just meant to ask," Started Miriam. "Why the place is so abandoned? Haven't seen a problem with the dead." The tavern girl blinked, stared at Miriam for a while and then took a glance around the tavern, Miriam trailed it but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The girl seemed pleased as well and she spoke, although with a discreet tone of voice.
"The dead aren't the problem... I mean, they were. Many of the villages around here weren't prepared for the snowfall and then there was a sickness in the potatoes. It spread out among the whole area, seemed unnatural so people got to blaming the new arrivals."
"New arrivals?" Asked Miriam.
"Mh-mmh. They were some religious folk, we've never been much for faith here but er, they seemed alright. When things had gotten bad and people started to fall dead the guards took in their Priest for questions."
Miriam nodded along, listening to the story as the girl then continued.
"Odd Faith too, they worshiped some Rider figure and they were always dressed in black - Anyway. It all went bad and they started fighting, don't know who struck first but them Religous and the guards got to fighting each other, even killing."
"What happened?" Asked Miriam, she imagined there was a slim chance these Black garbed people may been the same Cultists that she'd encountered but smartly did not voice that concern.
"Well. With all the fighting there were bound to be Undead. We in the town were getting quite concerned..." The girl paused, looked around again and then continued. "But then they came. These Riders. Mercenaries, I think. Just Nine of them and they could rid dozens of undead. Now they're out helping villages and farms all around, trying to find the Religious folk and stop them for all of us!" The girl strained a smile.
Miriam struck a dubious face and nodded.
"Uhu..." She breathed. "So a group of Faithful men start a plague to create Undead... And are now fighting Nine mercenary riders?" Miriam converged the girl's story and seemed to have understood it judging by her approving reaction.
"They're doing more for us than the King's men ever has."
Miriam doubted that but decided not to insult the supposed heroes.
"If you ever see them, you will know - Sir Ranyar is their leader and you will know it just by looking." The girl nodded and held a dreaming glint in her eye. "He's quite handsome."
Miriam nodded concisely and cared nothing for how handsome such a man could be.
"Well, thanks for telling me." Miriam shoved a hand into her bag and retrieved one of the many coins she'd gotten from Freda and paid the girl with the silver. She inspected it briefly, confused as to the coin's origin and brand, but she accepted it and Miriam got some warm food for it.

She walked out of the tavern again, took the steps down from the stairs and she patted her thigh, calling Leia along, whom had waited outside. The dog barked happily and trailed her.
"What a sorry bunch." Miriam said to Leia as they walked. "Who thinks killing people will solve an Undead problem?" She half laughed and shook her head, the two passed around the corner of the tavern, going back to the main road when something got in her way.
"You'd be surprised." Said the voice, and a grinning smile looked down upon her. The smile belonged to a rugged looking man, he was dressed in a fur cloak and had a sword by his hip, a longbow hung by his shoulder and he smiled confidently as he stood in Miriam's way. "I have found it quite effective."

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 23: The White path

My Hider

youtube.com/watch?v=_7e0lbzAgwY

Miriam gnawed idly on the dried piece of jerky, she walked as she ate, there was no point in wasting time sitting down. With a brisk walking pace she and Leia had gotten quite far in the last three days. As Miriam looked around she was glad to see that the bogs and wastelands had been replaced with more lush, if white and snow covered woods. The wall of trees loomed on either side of the road and Miriam couldn't peer into the dark forest any further than she could throw a rock into it. The gravel road that she walked on was lit by the stars above and walking down it was no issue. Miriam tore off a piece of the jerky and she whistled briefly, garnering Leia's attention to then feed the dog the scrap casually. Leia tore into it and chowed heartily, barking gratefully in return. Miriam smiled down for the dog and pet her head, but something caught her eye in the distance, down the road a light was bobbing. Miriam took it for a lantern and she grew a bit tense, this would be the first person she had met since leaving Fort Royal. Miriam moved a hand beneath her new gray cloak where a Midway dagger was fastened behind her back, just to ensure that she still had it. She then doffed her hood and whipped her tied up hair back. Leia walked in behind Miriam's legs as the cart came rolling slowly toward them, the light had indeed been a lantern which was hanging off of a wooden carriage, untop of the carriage sat a sullen driver. Judging by the woodwork and the horse rather than mule that pulled the thing this was a wealthy lot. The driver had spotted Miriam down the road by now and as they came closer he locked eyes with her. Miriam lowered her head and walked as if she had not seen them, she would rather just be on her way. The carriage passed on her right, its creaky wheels moved and they passed. Miriam sighed in relief, there was then a spur of the reins, the man hollered and the horse that pulled the thing halted. Miriam cringed.
"Oy, 'scuse me!" Said the man in a tenuous voice. He called back over his shoulder. Miriam turned and looked back toward him.
"What?" She asked.
"Well, figure I should tel-.." The man was interrupted as a woman popped her head through the carriage window, her face was scarfed and she was dressed up to her top in animal furs, primarily wolf.
"Timothy! Why are we stopping?!" The lady demanded to know as she barked at the driver. Her face was pinkish red, either from the cold of maybe from her rage. The driver scratched his neck and murmured briefly, Miriam did not hear his response as he was too far away. The lady stared at the driver, known as Timothy and then she snapped her eyes back to the white dressed Miriam where she stood on the road. The lady scoffed derisively.
"Then get on with it, man." Said the woman and she thrust her head back inside the cart, whereafter she promptly shut its window. Miriam looked after her and then set her eyes on Timothy. He nodded and then said.
"Might not wanna go West, miss. The sudden cold got lots o' people dead and there was no time to burn most, Undead outbreak is going to turn out pretty bad 'til the King's men show up."
"The King's men are fighting Raylians, far as I know." Miriam replied and she shrugged half heartedly. This made Timothy blink, the man was undoubtedly counting on the army to clean up and had not considered that they had problems of their own.
"Well - er. We're going to Raftfjord. I'd offer you a ride but the missus ain't go-.." Again he was interrupted as the same Missus was banging on the carriage wall. Miriam shook her head and said.
"That's alright. I'll be sure to avoid the West, good luck, you."
"Eh. Good luck, miss." Said Timothy and he turned rather hesitantly to face forward.
With a snap of the reins the carriage began to roll again down the road Miriam had walked. She sniffled and adjusted her brand new bag, looking down to Leia for a moment. She then nodded her head and the two were on their way again. She would have to avoid the Western lands for now, perhaps she'd have better luck North...

The Realm of Men

Walter
Chapter 10: Experiment, Concluded

Walter fell through the blue flame again, he had gained the understanding of the past, although it had only been books he knew that the source was reliable. The scholars of the ancient empire had all agreed; The invaders would come to feed upon their world and the price to pay for stopping them may be too large. What fate had fallen upon the Empire Walter did not learn, perhaps the invaders had sundered it into the ruins he had seen, or maybe the mages of times past had done so, to save themselves. The thoughts flurried through Walter's mind as he fell through the fire that swirled around him. He did not know how long he had spent in the library or how many books he had read exactly - Now he returned, his eyes opened and he rose his head. His body was numb and the room around him was dark, there was no sign of the Witch or the Spirit Walker but rain still smattered against the window to his right. Walter got out of the chair with a grumble, his back ached but he was clear of mind and he soon heard a voice outside of the door.
"That must be him." It was Simoron, the witch had to be speaking with Larnicus. Walter looked to the door and he opened his mouth to speak.
"Simoron, Larnicus." He said. "You won't believe the things that I have witne-.." The door opened and Walter stopped. Two warriors entered first, they wore large brown cloaks and each carried a Catalyst staff, spiked and deadly. Their helmets were adorned with one feather each that signified their post as royal escort. They stepped to the side and firmly tapped their staves to the ground. The King came after. He wore a dull gaze as he looked around the room, his brown eyes ended their journey on Walter himself, as if he was the least interesting thing in the building. The man was not larger than his guards but he carried an aura of eminence and worship. His hair was shaved down to his scalp and over it he wore a metal circlet which intricately surrounded a vast red gem that sat by his forehead. Walter gazed upon the powerful middle-aged man, his impression always left Walter awed as well as inspired. His tunic was the colour of red and brown, rather than the usual Valentian Owl with spread wings he wore the Heart of the god itself upon his fanciful tabard. Brown feathers surrounded the man's shoulders and around his back, closing together with his vast cape. He held his hands behind his back and his chin was pointed up proudly as he gazed upon Walter. Walter had never seen it before but he had Olive's eyes, or rather, she had his. He gulped and then immediately went to one knee, looking into the ground rather than staring at his king.
"I have been told of your project, Andalus." The King said, his voice was collected but held its usual tinge of annoyance. The man was a descendant of Godly lineage and his time was precious to waste. Walter had no intention to do so and he let the King speak until directly asked a question. The King paced, slowly and with certainty he walked around the dark room, he stopped where the candle stood, it had nearly burnt down completely now, its fire had returned to its usual orange. The Sorcerer-King spoke again.
"You have gone beyond - As the myth says; A man of Blue, one of Red, and one of Black - To Usurp the Spirits." The King looked back to Walter, who still held his head and his eyes down. Fearful of what may follow.
"Little more than a Legend, wouldn't you say. Andalus?" The Sorcerer-King had returned and stood above him now, clearly expecting a response.
"I..." Walter started nervously. "I know not of Legends, my liege. The empire I have seen, its secrets I have witnessed. I know them to be true, I have learned and done so much."
"What you have done, Andalus. Is alongside two other members of my council, performed a spell believed impossible." The King loomed threateningly. He soon corrected himself. "Perhaps I am giving you too much credit, you were only a mannequin of their spell, after all." The King rose a hand calmly and Walter could feel the urge to rise within his very blood, so he did. He went up to his feet and he looked upon his Lord with a respectful glance.
"This will cease. I will not accept my adjutants to follow such prophecy and lead us to doom. My grand-father suffered this mistake - Catalog what you have learned, Andalus. For the respect I have of your fathers, and by the mercy of my family I will allow you to remain among my council. Be glad you do are allowed such." The King was concise and firm, Walter could do nothing but nod and say his thanks. The Sorcerer-King turned, his droll gaze leaving the wizard. He stepped out of the door and was quickly trailed by the two royal guards. They walked into the rain, Walter looked after them, five more of the guards awaited them outside, and as the king joined them Walter could see the very rain part in the King's path. Walter then spotted Simoron looking at him by the edge of the doorframe. She smiled thinly, probably just as appreciative of being alive as Walter was, Walter did not see Larnicus the Spirit-Walker anywhere. Simoron took a step into the building, the witch breathed out a sigh of relief and then looked at Walter.
"Come on. We've got a war to win."

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 22: Divergence

My Hider

youtube.com/watch?v=5V535RoDNCQ Some good ol' Zelda fo yo ROM

They would understand. Maybe they would scorn her for it, but that was nothing Miriam was not already familiar with. What use could she be as a spy? Even less, what could she do as a nurse for a blind girl? This was not her story and she had better leave it be and return to what she knows. Miriam shook her head and sighed, looking back to the road in front of her. Leia stood there, glancing back at her and expecting something, Miriam stepped after the dog but before she did she looked back one final time. The fort loomed in the distance, they had already walked a fair bit but you could see the fort and even the dots that were undoubtedly Midway soldiers speckled among the outline. They were still preparing to leave, to fight whatever great battle awaited them next. When Miriam had left Ellie's tent, she had felt morose. She pitied Eliana but what could she have done to help her? What could she possibly do other than what she had already did?
"Useless.." She muttered to herself, walking on after Leia. Miriam dragged on the sash of her new rucksack, it was, like her new gear, from Midway and made of a very fine and sturdy material. It was certainly better than her previous old bag had been, but it didn't feel quite the same. Nothing did. Within it the coin-pouch Freda had given her jingled, as well as enough rations and supplies to last her at least a month. She was richer now than she had ever been in her entire life but leaving the fort now, she felt empty. Miriam looked up, the road lay ahead in between the watery marshland, risen on top of wooden platforms and the rare cobbled path. In the very far distance the rolling hills of the Northlands were covered in snow, and the road would diverge to lead to a myriad of destinations. Maybe at the end of one of them, she would find the way to return to her old life...

Meanwhile, At Hunter's Hill...

This man was a doubtless Commander. What he said were orders, never suggestions, his will and even his appearance was that of the Northlands and his mind was tactful and determined. He stood leaned over the large table, pointing to one of the many maps that lay in neat formations on top of it. The four generals present nodded, hummed and murmured their agreements. Walter folded his leg up and reached for the cup of tea that stood on a small table next to him. He sipped from it casually, looking across as one of the generals gazed toward the sound he had just made, for a short moment Walter was fearful he had been spotted but alas, the officer saw nothing other than what he had expected to see when looking to the chair in the far end of the room and he returned to listening to his King. They discussed for a lengthy time, discussing a futile war and how to best protect their people from these invaders. Such narrow thoughts, Walter mused but listened still. It was interesting to look upon this King whose grandfather had wanted nothing but peace, whose father had both proclaimed war as well as truce. What fate lay before this one? Walter hoped to find out, soon enough.

It was only a few hours until all of the officers had left, and the King was left alone at last. He sighed, rubbed fingers across his eyes and shook his head wearily. Walter did not doubt the situation was growing quite taxing. The King passed another table and touched his fingers upon the hilt of his sword, a sword which power Walter could scarcely fathom, the Northern King even less so. Walter rose from his chair at this moment and with a simple sway of his hand the air around him shimmered and the spectrum illusion was broken. The King turned immediately, maybe expecting one of his officers to have remained, he was undoubtedly confused as he was instead met by the visage of an old wizard. He moved his hand to grasp the sword's hilt where it stood.
"Peace, good King." Said Walter, he rose his hands in a gesture of only peaceful intent, his muddy cloak flapped aside and beneath were no weaponry. The King narrowed his eyes in turn, he held a his sword firmly, ready to strike if need be.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" He was concise and strict in his questioning, just like his father. Walter kept his arms up, replying calmly, he had had time to prepare what to say.
"My name is Walter Andalus, from where I come is a query of perspective that holds no interest in our current discussion." Walter stood still, he was a few paces away from the King, who had yet to call out to his guards. This bode well. "But if you are confused as to how I appeared here now? I have been here quite a while already. I only chose to appear before you alone."
"Magic." The King snarled and his teeth flashed an angry scowl, Walter almost took a step back from the tone of his voice alone.
"In a way." Walter admitted. The King drew his golden sword now, his eyes lingered on Walter but his mind was set on the guards undoubtedly just outside the tent, they wouldn't hear anything even if the King did call out to them.
"Explain yourself, before your end is met, mage." The word was an insult to the King and Walter found that both rude and disturbing. He cleared his throat and patted his coat down briefly.
"I've come to deliver you a warning, Good King." He said and he noticed Leofric had narrowed his eyes, intrigued but very much on edge. "The war that you wage and the enemy that you fight." Walter continued, he needed to formulate this well. " - You need to halt your course. For it will lead to the destruction of this entire realm." Walter paused, allowing the King to mull that reveal, he only scoffed.
"What are you saying, you madman?"
"For every moment you spend battling the Red Invaders you play further into the hands of the true threat to our world. I have seen the enemy, and this is not them. I beseech you; When the opportunity arises, to make peace."
"And what would one such as you know about this?" The King pointed his sword in Walter's direction, it shimmered with an otherwordly glow. The same kind Walter had seen in the hands of monsters, only brighter. He sighed.
"We are trapped in a Wheel of fate and destiny, Good King. Doomed to circle this wheel of destruction until there is nothing left of our world but ash and debris. I am giving you the chance to step out of the Wheel, and follow your own path, rather than the one you have been given, just like you have been given that sword you hold." Walter nodded faintly toward the glowing sword that was held firmly in the King's hand.
"I've heard enough of this." Said the King, having taking in none of it. Just like Walter had assumed, really. But the Warning had been given at least. "Guards!" The King called out but they did not respond, nor did they even hear. The King looked back to the Wizard and positioned his sword in a thrusting stance. Walter sighed and spread his hands in a shrug.
"I ask you; are you a King - Or a Hamster?" He then shut his eyes and flexed his hands, he passed into the next realm and from it walked a few paces to leave the room behind. The shadowy realm was different somehow and as Walter traversed it he could sense another King, further away, a King that was in comparison much more aware yet so much more dangerous. Walter left the realm and reappeared on a field far from any of the royal threats and he looked up where the sky rested gray and heavy with snow. It won't be long now.

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 21: Decision

Miriam stroke her hand across the tunic, the fabric was soft but still warm, it dragged out past her hip and its sleeves were loosely dangling past her hands, Miriam didn't like its red and white colour either. Not that style had ever been her concern though she was much more comfortable in something dark and this soldier's piece of fabric was clearly not her type. She did admit it was warm, and lighter than her usual shirt, which lay on the ground closeby, heavy and damp from their trip through the swamp. Miriam didn't bother tucking her new shirt and instead let it dangle over her belt in a loose fashion. She dragged a hand through her hair, finding the thick curls intertwined and messy beyond belief. Using a piece of wiring she pulled the hair into a more convenient yet rigid ponytail behind her head where it wouldn't bother her. Tallof had made sure that she was feeling alright, that she wasn't suffering any after effects and that she was recuperating as she should. He inspected her finished bowl of soup and smiled, content with the progress of Miriam's recuperation, he'd then fed Leia something, Miriam could not see what as the dog had snatched it and ran off to gobble it up heartily before she could get a look. Tallof had then left and said that Miriam was free to go as she pleased, so she did.

The fort was bustling with activity, soldiers walked by and the clanking and shuffling of armour and weapons were evident throughout. Leia was clearly displeased with the amount of noise, the dog staying close to Miriam's side as they strolled down the muddy path. The sky seemed brighter than it had in the marsh, Miriam adjusted her new tunic and frowned, feeling very much out of place. No one seemed to spare her much attention though, they walked past her as if she was one of their own, though her black hair did draw a suspicious eye from time to time, as did her rare dog. But an eye was all, no one spoke with the huntress as she walked and Miriam was glad for it, the last thing that she wanted was to converse with these people. Miriam walked around the stables, soldiers were shoeing their horses and repairing doodads in the wooden building. They were preparing to move, Miriam assumed. She passed them and came to the fort's northern entrance, their tents had been in the lower courtyard which was shadowed by the high southern walls, that pointed to the marshes. Miriam looked out into the north, marshes that direction as well though not as deadly as the southern counterpart. The bog rolled on for miles, Miriam did not know them as well as she did the woods or the mountains but she did not doubt her sense of direction any longer and going back the way they had come wouldn't be an issue now. Just her and Leia could make it back to Lowburg, or Hunter's Hill or even as far as Letaric's Landing without any problem. These places were just an horizon away, all that she needed to do was take that first step and pass the arch. She looked over her shoulder and back into the bustling camp. Eliana was somewhere in there, close to her own tent, Tallof had said she could visit if she'd like but Miriam hadn't done that. She wasn't sure why she had chosen not to check on Ellie, but talking to people was something she knew she did not enjoy doing, and from the way Tallof had explained it Eliana was hurt, and needed someone to talk to, someone to confide in. Miriam struck herself off that list, she'd gotten both Eliana and Freda this far, hadn't she? Whatever debt she had to the Spirit Walker must have been paid, and there was nothing here to keep her. This adventure had not been what Miriam imagined, she'd just followed Eliana out of curiosity but that decision had nearly gotten her killed thrice, maybe four times now. One step outside, that was all and she could leave it all behind. Freda didn't need her here either, Miriam thought to herself. The Princess could just wave a hand and some guards would get rid of the pesky huntress, she might as well. What more could she do anyway? Miriam's solemn thinking was cut off as Leia barked at her side, she twitched and peered down at the dog.
"What?" Leia did not reply. She only met Miriam's gaze and stuck her tongue out, panting happily.
"Yeah, you're right..." Sighed Miriam, laying a hand over the dog's head. "You're right - I'll talk to her. I'll be... supportive." Miriam turned, she nodded her head and gestured Leia to follow, as she walked back the way she had come, to find where her friend was waiting. She needed to see her at least. Before she left.

The Realm of Men

Miriam
Chapter 20: To eat a soup

Tasted poorly. Miriam gazed into the brown broth that quivered gently inside the plain wooden bowl. She poked her equally plain spoon into it and discovered that there was in fact meat inside. Chicken, she'd have to assume. Floating beside the piece of chicken were the occasional slices of dry potato. "How do the potatoes manage to be dry, when they're in a soup?" Miriam pondered to herself, and then lowered her spoon into the broth again, to acquire more of it. With a tired motion she guided the spoon into her mouth and she sucked up the liquid and chewed idly on the singular slice of potato she'd found. She kept the spoon within her mouth, gnawing on it, it really didn't taste worse than the soup itself. Miriam glanced down to her right where Leia sat panting next to her, the dog was familiar with being given scraps and she had put on her most friendly of expressions, the dog whined in a questionnaire and tilted her head, letting one of her fluffy ears droop. Miriam smiled, albeit tiredly and she picked out a slab of chicken, passing it on down to the dog, who slobbered the piece down without curtsy. Miriam pet her friend untop of the head and looked back to her bowl. She shuddered and paused her lame eating for a moment to drag her heavy blanket further around herself. The small tent was rather warm compared to the wild, but Miriam had been cold since she woke up. The peculiar man, whom Miriam assumed to be the 'Healer' Freda mentioned before had said that it would pass and that she would recover in due time. He said that she had been lucky, Miriam did not feel very lucky. In fact she felt horrible. She sighed heavily and slumped her shoulders in defeat, leaning against the table with her arms.
"What are we even doing, Leia?" She asked, desperate for the dog to answer her. To give a reason for her being here, in this fort on the border of Death, with people that she would not have spared more than a glance before. There were so many and she heard them as they walked around outside, soldiers passed her tent often, conversing about this and that in their peculiar southern accents. The most common topic was the Princess. She had actually been a Princess this entire time, Miriam huffed and shook her head in disbelief yet again. Freda the Princess. Miriam turned her head and glanced to the flaps of the tent where the Healer had left through, when asked about Ellie he had only said that she was alive and recovering. Miriam accepted the good news for what they were: Inconclusive - She would have left to find her but she doubted the guard posted just outside of her tent would allow her to leave. She hardly had the energy to do so, either way. Miriam rubbed her grainy eyes and yawned. Leia whined again at her side, pleading for some attention. Miriam lent the dog a glance and then smiled, petting the large beast's head as she rested it against her master's lap. "Good girl." Miriam murmured, scuffing the back of the dog's ear lovingly. "Good girl..."

Some time passed, Miriam had poked her spoon against the soup but made little progress in eating it, the flaps of the tent moved aside and the healer returned, bearing a kind if tired smile. The man was middle-aged but seemed energetic. He wore simple clothes beneath a long piece of red cloth that wrapped around from his right shoulder around his torso, the surcoat bore a golden emblem of a burning bird upon it and Miriam remembered it as the same she had seen in her dream.
"Feeling better?" He asked her and he looked over her in observation. Miriam would have performed one of her usual shrugs but lacked the energy, she simply shimmied the blanket over her a bit and then slumped back down against the table.
"In comparison? Yeah." She said. Leia had moved, approaching the Cleric with a friendly wag of her tail apparent. The man bowed down and pet Leia over the head, his eyes still held on Miriam.
"Quite the companion, you have. A Whinchester, if I'm not mistaken. Rare breed." The man was actually making small-talk, Miriam groaned internally and would rather just be left alone. Any questions she had could wait until after she'd slept for a day or two. "What's his name?" The Cleric asked furthermore.
"Leia." Said Miriam. "She's Leia." And out of need to avoid conversation she spooned some of her lukewarm soup. It still tasted awful.
"Leia?" The Cleric pondered, mainly to himself and he stroked his sharp chin thoughtfully. "Beautiful name. I am Tallof. A Cleric of the Holy Order, maybe not such a beautiful name, aheh..." He paused, peering at Miriam in silence, obviously expecting a name in return. When Miriam said nothing he sighed and returned to speaking. "You will be glad to hear that your friend is recovering. As I understand it She is... Quite a rare one, as well." He smiled somewhat, Miriam turned her head to look at the Cleric and her expression was clearly disconcerting to him. "Ahem." He corrected himself as well as the colours he wore. "Of course, she may never recover completely. Neither may you, I might add. Death's magic has that effect upon the soul. I will of course attempt my very best to help both of you." He said cordially, and smiled politely. Miriam never trusted polite smiles, people were liars and such smiles were only masks, she knew that much. She only needed to find out now; what play these actors were performing and how she could get off the stage again... She brought her spoon into the bowl and then into her mouth, she ate their soup. For now.