Verminasia lost nothing. Unit leaders who fought in this battle are listed:
Ying
Radix
Tatianna
Mithrax
Kryron
Gares
Saravhana
Praxsis
Rand
Wryllish
Argath
Ickus
Arakayd
Klaudea
Kyteck

Arkane had no troops and no leaders fought. It took the Verminasian army 3 days to march to Arkane, no one ever saw. And this chapter in history is over....or has it just begun?

The Verminasian army was startled. It had only been a few days since they had conquered the most strategic city on the continent. One Army Captain pondered what to do. "Arm the gates!" he yelled. A flash of light appeared into the room, a shimmering gate rising from he ground. Queen Finnadria stepped out of the gate as the gate closed quickly behind her. The Captain immediately kneeled before her.

"What should we do your highness?" He asked.
"How many of them are there?" the Queen replied.
"There's no way to tell yet, highness".
The Queen pondered. "Retreat to Verminasia, we are better fortified there," she proclaimed.
"Aye Highness. FULL RETREAT! Secure the gate and head home! By orders of the Queen!"
Everyone obeyed.

High lord Hammurabi paced. "You would think they would have put out those fires by now. Are they asleep?"
"Punji, scale the wall, take a peek".
Punji nodded and scaled the Arkane wall. He returned a short while later. "I saw no one but citizens and they were trying to extinguish the fire, sir. Perhaps a trap?" the Assassin reported. Hammurabi nodded his head and orders the battering ram to the front. A full 20 minutes later, the battering ram broke the gates open. There were no soldiers in sight.

Hammurabi smiled. "I bet Oge never had an army flee in terror." Hammurabi drew his sword. Here's to conquest! All Marauders present lifted their weapons in a glorious salute.

Marauders present:
Hammurabi
Dramyr
Punji
Thorne
Xanic (who died in the previous sim fight where I made VR defend, was just for fun)
Diamante
Solestri
Archmetes
Yarl
Stridar
Bakshra
Grraul
Esuna

Subject... Verminaisia/Marauder war part II.

The fires die down as the smoldering bodies are finally robbed of their flammable composition. Anger surges through the hearts and souls of the Verminasian army. As the shock of what just happened slowly wears off, rages begin to flare. A new charge is ordered but first, some necessary precautions. A lone mage begins an incantation, the winds pick up then load explosion erupt thought the Arkanian city. Archers begin to send flight after flight of flaming arrows blindly into the city. Then the call is made, "CHARGE!" With that, a loud war cry is bellowed forth and the army begins to move.

Inside the city, Grimslade paces. "Why can't we go out there and face them. I hate all this waiting."

"Patience, my friend," Hammurabi said with calmness in his voice. "The battle will come to us soon enough. But when it gets here, they will wish they had stayed home. "

Grimslade turned to try one more tactic so that the waiting could end.

"I know how we could end this," he began, "and without losing a single man."

This of course piqued Hammurabi's interest. "Go on," he said.

"Well, we just YEAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHH...," Grimslade screams out as flames shoot up his back. A stray Arrow has found its way to him and he succumbs to its flames.

Outraged, Hammurabi, orders the counter charge. Another war cry bellows forth and the battle begins in earnest. The armies clash screams and explosions, blood and smoke, turn the city into a grisly, yet colorful, exhibit.

Hammurabi grabs Dramyr and says, "Come with me." They rush into the fray, determined to make Verminasia pay for the life of their friend and confidant. Two unfortunate souls stood between them and Arakayd: Kristian and Eegore. They were hell-bent on protecting their general. Hammurabi and Dramyr engage them. Sparks fly everywhere as their weapons collide. Eegore lands a slash onto Hammurabi's shoulder but all that does is increase his rage. He feigns a low strike but then shifts up and catches Eegore off guard. Eegore slumps to the ground as his head rolls off on a path of its own.

Meanwhile Dramyr crosses swords with Kristian. His blade dances the dance of death and welcomes Kristian into the dance as he slices deep within Kristian's abdomen. Kristian falls, nurturing the ground with blood as does so many this day. When they regroup, Arakayd is no longer in view.

Hammurabi swears, "He will die as will that wench queen of his. This is my oath."

Raije claimed 3 more lives this day. May Grimslade, Eegore, and Kristian rest in peace.

Subject - Arkanian War part III

Hammurabi surveys the scene in front of him. Bodies line the streets in a Kaliope of destruction and devastation. He watches as Atreyu and Saivan fight Morgian and Rendel. He watches as Morgian is slashed to the ground by Atreyu's weapon. He watches as Saivan falls to Rendel's might. Atreyu and Rendel square off. They fight in a battle that Raije himself would have been pleased with. Equals they seem to be, each parrying the other thrusts and each swaying in a rhythm of glorious battle. Each dying as the pikes and swords of surrounding warrior interfere with their dance. Hammurabi is in shock at the amount of deaths he has witnessed, but this is war and war means death to those who Raije calls home. Then he hears it. "Hammurabi...," The ghostly sound spoke. "Hammurabiiii..." "You have served me well. Come home my child, come home. "

Hammurabi looks to the sky then collapses to his knees. He feels his life blood flow from his back, pooling up at his feet. He gazes upon the battle before him as his vision blurs. He smiles, content with what he has brought about, and succumbs to the calling.

Standing behind Hammurabi's corpse, stands a young girl, holding a blood soaked dagger. Tears stream down her face. "That was for my family," she sobs. Asia then dries her eyes and jumps back into the fray, a tornado in a storm of bodies.

The battle continues. Soldiers on both sides are sliced to ribbons as neither seems to draw an advantage. Dramyr fights with determination as he waylays a few unsuspecting soldiers. Then he comes across the body. "NOOOOOOOO," he lashes out. "This can't be." He reaches down and takes Hammurabi's head in his lap. "They will pay for this, my lord, they will pay."

He then leaps to his feet and charges the nearest soldier of Verminasia. He is deranged with anger and those he approaches either flee in terror or fall to his rage.

Elsewhere, Arakayd leads his troops into yet another hit and run on Marauder's flanks. By now he is starting to see that this is turning into a war of attrition. If only the gods would grant him some luck in this.

The Marauders swiftly go to plan B which in essence turns over control of the army to a triad of commanders. Orders are issued and the war continues. An explosion goes off in the battlements, bringing down a battalion of archers from it walls. Arrows thud into the armies on both sides. As a mage prepares to cast at the marauders Archers again, he is pierced through the heart and drop where he stood. Many more fall from the chaos of the melee. Both sides are dragging now as fatigue from days of battle creeps in. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, more foot soldiers arrive, bearing the marauders crest. They attack the fatigued Verminasia's driving them back to the walls. The smoke starts clearing from the battlefield and the devastation is finally seen. Bodies lie everywhere. Death has claimed many men from both sides of the battlefield. The battle still continues. Marauders are moving in on the now much smaller, Verminasian forces.

Three more heroes fell this eve: Praxsis of Verminasia, Stridar and Xanic of the Marauders. Raije receives them with open arms.

A loud horn blares over the battlefield. Swiftly the Marauders withdraw from battle and begin to regroup. Another, different, horn blows. The Verminasian soldiers quickly retreat to the gates. As the first battalion hits the opening, hot oil splashes down, halting their withdrawal. Flaming arrows infiltrates their numbers. The screams are awesome as the men burst into flames and die an agonizing death. Being a smaller group than when this war started, the fires die more rapidly. The rest of the Verminasian army bursts through the smoldering bodies and head for home at full gallop. As soon as they rush out the busted gates of Arkane, an explosion goes off. Under their feet the ground had been saturated with oil. It bursts into yet another wall of flame. Many more soldiers fall to the marauders clever use of fire and oil. Still, they push on. Weakened and tired, they push onward, seeking their home and safety.

No player deaths were encountered this day. The war in Arkane is OVER. Marauders hold the city.

Subject - The retreat

The battle weary Verminasians push their limits to make time between them and the city of Arkane. They are now one days march to their city gates and are starting to relax a bit. Then the message is received. "Word from our eyes to the south, my general, " the messenger said as he hands Arakayd the rolled up parchment and places the pigeon in its cage.

Arakayd unrolls the parchment and reads, a look of alarm on his face. Swiftly he issues orders and the Verminasian army comes to a halt. Archers notch there bows awaiting the inevitable. Then, out of the misty night, they see it. Marauder knights bear down on them at full charge, their mounts foaming from the hard ride.

The archers unleash their arrows sending a devastating swarm into the midst of the knights, bringing down a large amount of them. But it is not enough. The Knights are upon them with an almost sinister speed. The first line of archers is cut down without any chance of retreat.

Arakayd rallies his soldiers and advance on the now engaged knights. "Where is that damn escort," he mutters.

Just then, in the distance, he hears it, the welcome horn blasting from the east.

Subject - retreating army part II

The knights, as swift as they had entered the fray, turn and as fast as their mounts can carry them, head for home. The Verminasian archers send their deadly stings flying into the backs of the retreating knights. Many fall, but soon they are out of sight. As soon as they drop below the horizon, several battalions of Verminasians burst through the cover to the east. Upon seeing the destruction, they immediately get into defensive postures. "Hail, Lord Arakayd, I am happy to see you well." the battalion commander says. "I bring you important news. It's the queen, my liege, she's... dead."

Arakayd stands stunned. "How?" he demands.

"It is a mystery, my liege. What is known, however, is you are to be crowned upon your arrival." Arakayd, still in shock, orders the battalion commander to bring the men home, and then mounts up and speeds off to Verminasia.

After the battalion commander was sure the marauders had left, he regroups his men and begins the day long march back to Verminasia.

No clashes of steel on steel this morning. No screams of rage and pain, except maybe in the healers tents. Early in the morning, the leaders met. It would appear that a war started years ago held little meaning anymore and a cease fire was issued. All forces withdrew. The goblins and the New Thalosians all headed to their respective kingdoms. A peace filtered through the tired, yet jubilant forces, then a sorrow at seeing all that had fallen in such a needless battle, and then compounded sorrow. For word reaches everyone at the news. The transport ship, carrying troops to Arkane had been sunk. All aboard are assumed dead. All, that is, but one man. His name is Culain. He was picked up by the Undauntable and speeded to safety. The pirates opted not to give chase so they might attempt to salvage any loot aboard the sinking ship. Unfortunately for them, they were too late as well. A feat started many years before, catastrophic in its losses and painful to all who beheld it, had finally come to an end. What will the future hold? How will nations recover from a treachery almost forgotten and then thrust back into the faces of a world that had known peace?

Time will tell... time will tell.

Pyxis Wierwind was in charge of this Great Galley. It carried a couple of hundred soldiers, most of them young, scared and ill with sea sickness. He was human in his mid 50's with warm blue eyes and a comforting smile. Handsome by most standards, he had a youthful vigor about him that made him appear to be half his age. Pyxis plotted the course with care and did all he could to keep the Arkanian soldiers feeling confident and in high spirits.

His first officer was Morin, a seasoned human mariner who had spent years at sea without setting a foot on dry land. He had a pained look about him. Many speculated it was from being the sole survivor of a former ship wreck in which he lost 25 sailors to the great ocean. Morin's efforts to keep the ship sailing were invaluable to everyone on board.

"I estimate we'll arrive by land in 40 minutes, Mayor" Morin said matter of factly to Mayor Rhyanna. Rhyanna nodded silently with an obvious look of concern of events to come. Pyxis leaned towards her.

"Rhyanna, act like I said something mildly funny. Your look is worrying the troops. And they look up to you," Pyxis said with a warm smile.

Rhyanna brushed back her curly red hair and smiled brightly at Pyxis. An act that seemed to instantly relieve everyone.

Pyxis returned the smile before a commotion began.

A sailor perched high in the Great Galley's crows nest began to shout. "There's a ship ahead, due east! A Ship.."

Morin yelled back, suddenly angered. "Quiet down! That could be a Marauder vessel!" Morin leapt to the ladder leading up to the crows nest for a look of his own. "By the Gods, NO!!!" Morin said and he slid back down towards Pyxis and Rhyanna. "That's a Marauder Light Cruiser ahead! We need to steer clear before it spots us."

"GO!" Pyxis said and rushed over to the troops. Morin steered the ship in an attempt to avoid detection from the Marauder ship.

"Arm the cannons, be silent and await my command!" shouted Pyxis at the cast of sailors.

The Great Galley slowly turned northward passing out of sight and range of the Marauder ship. Their seemingly good luck turned bad as they ran into the thick fog that accompanied the colder waters of the north.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I expect the loot to be loaded in half of this amount of time! Let's quit messing around!" ordered a brown Yinn wearing the rank of Lieutenant. Siemowit was part of the Blade battalion and was on board this Marauder light cruiser getting his latest loot shipped back to headquarters. A strong and proud Yinn, Siemowit was a good leader, his only flaw being that he was sometimes quick to cut someone's throat, a skill mastered by this assassin. Siemowit's crew suddenly stood at attention. Siemowit seemed irritated and turned around to see what "royalty" had ruined his loading drills.

Douji Darksun, Admiral of the Marauder Fleet stood before him with a calm and calculating smirk. Siemowit gave a quick salute which Douji returned and went back about his business.

Douji Darksun was inspecting almost every sailor and every item on board this ship as per his monthly inspections. Douji took a lot of pride is molding the Marauder fleet into one of the world finest. Douji was known as cold and calculating, normally saying very little. Like many great officers, he understands that you could learn more by saying little and instead listening. A human who crusaded for Turpa, he loved the sea and all of the different issues associated to commanding a ship and a fleet.

A young out of breath sailor approached the Admiral.

"Sir! We have a ship headed due east right in our direction. I can't be sure, but I think there are soldiers on board with what looks like Arkane uniforms!"

Douji nodded showing almost no emotion.

"Make your way calmly and slowly below, and instruct all personnel to arm the cannons and prepare for combat."

The sailor saluted and ran below deck.

Douji made his way to the mahogany wheel. Pulling out his spy glass he stared a moment and then smiled as though pleased.

"It's turning north. Allow it to pass us."

The navigator replied "But sir that could be Arkane tr...."

A subtle look from Douji silenced the navigator and the Great Galley turned north and headed out of site.

Douji prepared his next orders.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I think we got lucky. They didn't appear to have seen us." Ryhanna stated.

Pyxis sighed in relief. "I am going to post double the lookouts."

A loud shattering ((CRASH)) disrupted his order. A blast had hit the star side of the boat, shattering a small part of the galley's side.

Through the fog the Marauder Light Cruiser visualized from the Arkanian ships eastern cannons.

((BOOM))

((BOOM))

((BOOM))

Cannons erupted from all of the Marauders ships 10 cannons. Splashes of water from cannon fire rose above the ship like great waves. From below, Pyxis could hear Morin shouting. "Pyxis, we are hit bad and taking in water!"

(To Be Continued Tomorrow, NO RP past this point SHOULD occur until then)

Morin ran above deck. "Water is rushing in, I'm sure we'll stay afloat if that is the only hole we have. But their light cruiser is already much faster than us, they have us outgunned and the holes will slow our speed down even more. Basically, we are screwed."

Rhyanna and Pyxis both nodded.

"Our only chance here is to make it shore. Full speed southeast." Pyxis commanded. "Order all cannons to return fire. Maybe it will help slow them down. Have one cannon dedicated to hitting them above deck. If we can knock out their wheel, we can at least steer away from them."

"I'll order all archers to fire flaming arrows at them. Perhaps we can slow them down more if they have to put out some fires as well. Maybe we'll get lucky and burn down a sail as well." Rhyanna added.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Siemowit approached Douji above deck. "What's going on?" Siemowit asked Douji.

"We have intercepted an Arkanian Galley stocked full of Soldiers. I believe its an invasion force. If we can sink them here, you land lovers will never have to soil your blades." Douji said without emotion.

Siemowit seemed disappointed at the remark. "Soiling a blade isn't such a bad thing" he said.

Douji smirked and walked back to the wheel, putting his attention back to battle at hand.

As Siemowit turned to walk away, the Yinn was struck by a flaming arrow. In a blink's time, his fur burst into flame. Siemowit screamed with pain. Somehow keeping his wits about him, Siemowit dove off the edge of the ship into the ocean. With the flames extinguished, he swam back up to air.

"Damnit, throw me a rope!" He screamed.

The only thing that was headed to Siemowit was not a rope. It was black and round and made of steel. An Arkane cannonball. By sheer luck, or unluck by Siemowit's standards, the cannonball hit Siemowit directly. With a quick splatter, this Marauder Lieutenant lived no more.

The returned fire and the flaming arrows did indeed slow down the Marauder light cruiser, but not enough to stop their ruthless attack. For the next 15 minutes, the Arkanian ship took fire and returned as much as they could. By the time land was visible, they had already begun to sink.

------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone abandon ship!! Jump overboard and swim your way to land!! We will regroup there!" Pyxis ordered.

Soldiers by the dozens poured overboard. Knights stripped off their armor so to avoid drowning. Many jumped off losing their weapons in the process. It was then Rhyanna realized that even if her army made it to shore, many would be weaponless and weakened. The Marauder vessel had crippled them drastically.

A large group of soldiers crowded to the edge of the boat preparing to jump when cannon fire hit them directly. Bodies and parts of bodies blew into the air. Blood thinned by sea water covered many of those left on the ship, including Mayor Rhyanna. Shell shocked, she stared at the scene around her. Then she realized that the noise had stopped. "Have they stopped firing?" She thought to herself. But the scenes of battle continued but with no noise. Rhyanna had lost her hearing. In a panic she searched for Pyxis. "He was standing RIGHT with me" she thought. His bladed scimitar covered with strange coral design was on deck, but not him. She grabbed his sword and leapt overboard into the water.

Reaching shore she saw her forces in the woods ahead seeking cover from the continuing bombardment of cannon fire. Dragging the sword with her she saw Morin. Pleased she smiled. His returned look was anything but comforting. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. She could not make out anything he said. Frustrated, she yelled.

"Where is Pyxis? He'll want his sword, where is he? I can't hear ANYTHING!"

Morin only shrugged. Pyxis had not returned.

---------------------------------------------------------

Douji smiled at the sight of the Arkanian Great Galley sinking.

"Victory. Stop the bombardment of land. We can not reach them if they made it to woods. I am sure reports of cannon's fire this close to land has alerted headquarters, but if not we'll make our way back."

Douji again grinned evilly. Another victory under his belt.

"Where is Siemowit?" He asked.

(end battle of day 1)

"Sent me? No one sent me! I was just minding my own business when.." Andinyre's sentence was cut short by a sudden backhand from a large Minotaur known as Palleon.

Blood dripped from Andinyre's mouth to the floor. The Minotaur grinned and glanced at Teilk for permission to strike again. Teilk nodded. Palleon closed his first and struck Andinyre hard in the center of his face. You could hear the crack of Andinyre's nose breaking from the next cell. Andinyre screamed in agony before giving in to the pain and blacking out.

Palleon seemed disappointed at Andinyre's low tolerance for pain. Teilk had to remind him that pounding on his head would do nothing to help wake him back up.

A cold splash of water woke Andinyre up. The blazing pain shot through his head like an arrow through its target. Andinyre looked up to see two blurry figures before him.

Teilk grabbed Andinyre by the back of his hair and pulled his face up as to make eye contact. I do not of a joking nature. "When I give you my word, I keep it. You will tell me all you know or Palleon is going to beat you with a wooden club until your head cracks at the bone, and your brains spill onto this floor. He's done it before. It's not a pleasant way to die, I assure you. So again and for the last time, who sent you?"

Andinyre stared blankly at the wall for a moment. "Do what you must."

Teilk nodded at Palleon.

Palleon picked up a medium sized wooden club. It was thick and short, much like a hammer's handle.

Andinyre closed his eyes and prayed.

Palleon beat Andinyre all over his head and face repeatedly, beating him far beyond death. Teilk kept his word. Andinyre kept nothing from within his head.

Suddenly, a Marauder guard burst through the door.

"Highlord Teilk!!! " he said as he gasped for air. "An army is approaching the south gate and it is quite large. Arkananians, Baliforians, New Thalos troops, the Althainian army..." Again he gasped for air. "They have come for Arkane my lord."

(ooc: Day 4 history comes tomorrow)

The army was large, and considering that it was composed of 4 kingdoms only made it more impressive that they moved quickly, orderly, and without hesitations.

"All units halt and prepare for battle!" Vangar shouted. As commander and future potential King of Arkane, Vangar had the burden of stress and responsibility. Regardless, his face showed no worry, only strength.

The armies all re-equipped themselves, the only delay being a few units looking for items the Balifore Archers found interest in.

On command they marched in formation towards the Arkanian Southern gate. The Marauders guards sealed the gate and rang the alarm. From a distance, the Coalition units could see the Marauder troops atop the Southern walls of Arkane. All standing still, all waiting for their arrival.

The battle began with the coalition forces attempting to set up a Catapult only to picked off by marauder sharpshooters. To counter this tactic, the Arkanian and Baliforian archers fired back only with less accuracy. Eventually they were set up and began assaulting the gate with Boulders, launching one in every 3 at surrounding wall to weaken the wall as well. Walls made of lumbered trees were placed as a shield for the catapult team providing them good protection.

Many hours later following a direct hit on the gates edge, part of it fell.

"Battering Ram Team, form up!" Vangar yelled. An Arkanian unit of infantry grabbed the battering ram with one arm while holding a shield with the other. A massive Minotaur who led this unit seemed only mildly annoyed when a Marauder arrow caught his arm. Under a barrage of arrow fire, the ram pounded on the damage gate.

Faelson, a half elven officer, leader of the New Thalos Knights looked into the sky with sudden interest. "By the Gods.... Look at the clouds!" The sky had suddenly turned dark and clouds of black rolled over the city. Lightning shot through the sky at an amazing pace. The wind blew over the Coalitions wood shields that protected the catapults. To make things even worse, Dragon fear overtook the coalition troops and two Great Wyrm Reds circled Arkane.

Getting over the initial fear of the dragons, the coalition forces went into a defensive formation. The battering ram crew went back to work on the gate eventually removing it from its place.

"Hahahaha! We have the gate removed!!!" Fraga shouted back to Vangar.

Just as he finished, a large fireball from above consumed Fraga and most of this unit. Constance stood from behind the gate with a wicked smile, obviously very proud of her fireballs damage.

The mages victory was short lived. One of the Reds swooped down into the gate.

(((CRASH))) Pyros' sides removed several feet of stone surrounding the gate as he flew down hard into Constance. Constance was knocked back unconscious. Pyros watched as the Marauder troops behind her stood in both fear and confusion. A smile crossed the Great Wyrm's face as he violently thrust his great jaws down upon the motionless Constance snapping her body in two pieces. Pyros quickly feasted and then jumped back into the air and resumed flight among the other Great Wyrm Red.

The coalition troops wasted no time charging the gates wide opening. The battle had started with all units engaging from the outside the South gate into well within the city. The surge on the Marauders was working well. The coalition had a red dragon to thank for that oddly enough.

(continued in next history note)

Admiral Douji had volunteered to lead a macemen unit for the Marauders. Feeling embarrassed, he sought to reclaim his honor by fighting viciously in battle. He certainly earned the respect of the men under him. Who knew a sailor could fight on land with such skill and aggressiveness. Douji never seemed to tire.

Wiervian with lance down yelled a battle cry for the Coalition and charged at Douji. Douji stood calmly waiting for the mounted leader of cavalry to approach and with one swift move he ducked and rolled aside forcing Wiervian to miss his charge. Wiervian turned his horse to charge once more on a new target but he received a surprise as his mount turned. Douji had ran to the mount and crushed the side of its head with a swift and powerful mace blow to the side of its neck. The horse fell and Wiervian's leg was stuck under it. Douji grinned and raised his mace high above head preparing to crush Wiervian's skull. From nowhere the co-leader of this Althainian cavalry unit charged Douji. Denis made perfect contact to Douji's chest with his lance knocking him several feet back. Douji had lost his mace in the blow and had received a huge dent to his chest plate armor. The breath had been removed from him and all things blurred in and out. Denis unsheathed his sword and leapt off his mount to strike Douji with a final deathblow. Denis sword came straight down at Douji's heart but missed due to an instinctive reaction by Douji. The blade pierced Douji's left shoulder. Denis violently pulled the blade out and prepared for another strike. Another miss of the heart but again the blade pierced Douji's right shoulder. Denis changed position and swung his blade down in a chopping motion as to remove Douji of his head. His chop was cut short by a flying tackle by Klintauk. The force of this blow made both men drop their weapons.

This hand to hand combat was no contest. Klintauk being a Minotaur had a clear advantage over Denis the human. Within minutes, Klintauk had left Denis bruised, beaten, and unconscious while he went back for his weapon so that he could continue fighting.

The coalitions forced gained the upper hand after a half hour of continuous battle. Almost all of their forces had moved within the city. The dark clouds above moved with an uncanny fury. Something supernatural was above and it seemed only the two great wyrm reds knew exactly what. Gliding in circles the two reds sneered at each other, both wanting to outdo the other but neither came down. It seemed as if they were waiting for a command. Lighting struck in a violent ancient pattern and Sear swooped down. He inhaled a great breath and shot fire from his mouth and nostrils. On the ground a unit of Baliforian archers burned alive. Sear swooped low enough to take 2 Kender up into the air as if to show Pyros his prize. Upon reaching a high enough altitude, Sear bit the heads off both Kenders and shot them then down to the ground ablaze with his fire. Two streaking fiery heads collided with Vangars mounts knocking the Arkanian commander from his mount. Sear roared in delight as Pyros sneered. Swooping down low, Pyros place a single finger over one nostril and blew a stream of fire out the other. He had cut the last few Coalition forces out of Arkane. The Dragons roared in delight.

The black clouds dispersed with a sudden and magical effect and the two dragons flew west towards the ocean and out of the battle.

(part 3 continued in next history)

Executioner Zaratal took his unit of macemen down a dark alley heading towards Main Street. Their orders were to hold their assigned block from advancing coalition forces. Zaratal nodded towards Sagar and the unit sub-commander motioned one of the young macemen ahead to scout. They watched carefully as he crept towards the end of the block and disappeared around the corner. A few minutes later they heard the all clear signal and set out once again. As they neared the next cross-street a distant thunder could be heard. A thunder that was coming closer, and fast.

The cavalry spurred their horses around the corner and began their charge. Before them the surprised unit of macemen scrambled backwards and sideways in an effort to find sanctuary from the oncoming slaughter and a fortified place to strike at the passing flanks of the mounted unit. Executioner Zaratal found himself pressed into a doorway by two men from his unit. He watched as down the street his men were mowed down, their bodies cut and broken by the hooves of the heavy warhorses after they had been impaled by the wall of lances. Behind him the door gave way and he fell into a deserted shop. The two men with him saluted him briefly and then closed the door. Through the window he watched as they strode out to buy their commander time to flee and report. He rushed up the stairs and onto a small balcony just in time to see Sagar throw his mace at Epyon before he was ridden down. Cursing the coalition forces he climbed up to the rooftop and made his way back towards the Marauder camp.

Out of nowhere the doors along the sides burst open and a unit of Marauder pikemen charged out catching the coalition cavalry unawares. Over half the cavalry were slaughtered before they had a chance to fight back. Nihknor yelled orders at his pikemen and they closed ranks and began to assault the remaining cavalry. It was a bloody battle but closed in on both sides with no place to turn and no room to build up speed all advantage of the cavalry was gone. E'lun called for a retreat and the pitifully remaining few charged into the rear line of pikemen. Nihknor and Skeler congratulated their men as the four surviving coalition cavalry raced back the way they had come.

As the morning wore on the skirmishes continued all across town, neither side really gaining an advantage. Towards noon things had begun to look like they might remain slack for the remainder of the day. The heat had begun to get to Tobii and his unit of infantry. It was all they could do to keep their post and not go seeking a shady place to relax. A noise down the way caught Tobii's attention. Around the bend halfway up the block a unit of knights came into view. The Baliforian infantry unit charged to meet those screaming battle cries and taunts. The knights led by Captain Chroak and Brox met the infantry with determination and hatred burning in their eyes. Tobii fighting his way through the men met came face to face with Brox and engaged the knight's second in command. The battle was heated and the outnumbered knights fought well. Around them lie scattered the bodies of fallen infantrymen. Brox tripped over one of the corpses at his feet and sprawled backwards on the street. Tobii leapt over him and the down stroke of his blade nearly cleaved Brox in half, or would have if Captain Chroak hadn't stepped in and stabbed him through the heart at the pinnacle of his upswing. Their commander fallen, the infantry redoubled their efforts. It was to no avail. The knights slaughtered the remaining infantry in a matter of minutes.

General Ha'thorne and Cromlek were discussing the best way to hold their position. Behind them Lynader was directing the infantry in fortifying the street as the crossbowmen under Velkyn's watchful eye took positions behind overturned wagons piles of crates. Suddenly a massive fireball slammed into the building to their left. From around the corner stepped a Kender mage who had begun chanting another spell. Ha'thorne and a few of the quicker reacting infantry charged towards Calinde just as the war cry of a brigade of knights led by Faelson came rushing in from behind the crossbowmen. The crossbowmen turned and began firing into the knights as they came within range. The knights pushed forward until the first of their ranks reached the rear of the crossbowmen. At these close quarters the crossbowmen were forced to use melee weapons and were greatly outmatched by the knights. The infantry, led by Lyander, turned and charged into the battling knights and crossbowmen. General Ha'thorne ran at breakneck speed toward Calinde, as she was finishing the words to her spell he threw his full weight into her body. They slammed together into the wall. Calinde crumpled as Ha'thorne stepped back and fell to the ground as she desperately fought to refill her lungs with air. Stepping away Ha'thorne swung his blade back and hacked into Calinde repeatedly. Behind him the last of the crossbowmen was cut down by the knights and his infantry were in bad shape. Lyander called a tactical retreat and was surprised as the knights didn't press their advantage. Ha'thorne and Lyander led the men down side streets and alleys until as evening was falling they reached the fallback point.

A guard ran up to General Ha'thorne and reported that a force of infantry and what looked to be local militia has been spotted heading towards their position. The unit commanders looked eager to put their combined forces against the coalition militia and infantry. The Marauder forces dug in and waited for what would easily be a victory to turn in on.

The Arkanian soldiers headed up the street. They knew what was ahead of them. Their scouts had reported the three enemy units falling back to that position. Purrin took his infantry unit and headed for the right side of the enemy position and Kodi and Rhyanna headed left. Soon a shower of arrows arced out from behind the makeshift embankment. Several arrows found their targets and troops fell in both the militia and the infantry. But by then the embankment had been reached. The infantry clashed with the pikemen and the din of battle drowned out all else. The militia surged into the ranks of the Marauder infantry and frenzy broke out. Fighting for their homes, their families, and their sense of nation, a bloodlust seized the militia and they became as one. As one they surged through and over the Marauder infantry, hacking, slashing, tearing with their hands when disarmed, they decimated the infantry, and then began to surge through the archers. The pikemen seeing their infantry destroyed with such rage lost heart and the coalition infantry led by Purrin swarmed over them. The Marauder unit commanders seeing their troops cut down, their fortifications overcome, and the sun descending left their remaining troops to buy some time and raced towards Marauder headquarters. (End day 6)

It never came. Marauder headquarters had ordered the remaining of their troops home. Arkane was once again in control of its own destiny.

(Day 7 over, Arkane/Coalition wins the battle)

Malachive was now unburdened by the limitations of the mortal mind. He knows the secrets to many things beyond mortal comprehension but still, as anyone around his age of 20 years; he couldn't piece a lot of things together.

"Of my father wants me to conquer this world, why not just throw a meteor at all kingdoms that resist?" He thought.

"Indeed," said a voice from behind him.

Malachive had sensed no one near him, so he knew whoever this voice came from was a God of some type.

A woman with pale skin and long black hair stood with more beauty in her smile than all wonders of the world combined. Instantly, Malachive recognized her.

"Mother!" Malachive said with a boyish excitement.

Drakkara embraced her son and for a moment one would never know the evil within these two hearts.

"You do not know the trouble your father went through getting the rock to land. The same people who would see you dead everything they could to stop it. So now the responsibility is yours to conquer the world. And while I would have you off this world safe, these events must come to pass" Drakkara said.

"I guess I can understand that. Already there are many who attack me." Malachive replied. "Elves, Knights and even kingdoms have come for my head. If not protected by your Black Tower and some of the Demons, my life would already be at an end.

"And what of the immortals? The ones who suck life to sustain their own?"

"The vampires? Mother, they have long forgotten their dark gift as a prize to be cherished. They have long stopped being thankful for eternal life and immortal powers. They are a lost cause. I have hope for many, but only a few of those are worthy of their gift. And I do mean a seldom few."

"Perhaps you should teach them a lesson?"

"Can I?" Malachive paused for a moment. "I'm still getting used to this.

My powers grow daily and I am coming to understand its limits are far beyond what I imagined."

Drakkara grinned an evil smile. "The first steps have been taken. The rest is your responsibility. I will help guide you all that I can, but you should know that the more your father and I involve ourselves, the more the others will become involved as well. Even the neutral Gods fear you and will do what they must to kill you. We created you without their permission or their council. However you were created with purpose and as my son you have all of the tools to ensure our victory. You know what to do."

In an instant, she was gone.

"Indeed mother, indeed. The beginning of the end is now and I know just how to start." Malachive, his eyes a flaming black.

The King was interrupted by a commotion outside. He looked out of his window to see several guards forcefully detaining a man cloaked in black. On the man's back were several tools that appeared to be meant for scaling walls. Upon inspection were 7 extremely sharp daggers and a long bow and quiver of what smelled like poison tipped arrows nearby.

"Bring him to me!" demanded the King.

The guards brought the now prisoner up to the King's meeting room. There, two guards restrain the prisoner as Vangar approaches him.

The prisoner was uncommonly tall. The only other feature behind the black clothing was the eyes, as black as onyx.

"Unmask him." The King ordered.

A guard grabbed his mask and began to pull before a great rumbling shook the castle's foundation. Wind, snow and hail swarmed into the window pelting everyone in the room. As quickly as it began, the unnatural storm stopped and the prison was unguarded. Vangar drew his sword and lunged at the black clad man, who quickly side-stepped it. Without any weapon to fight back, the man struck back with his feet and landed a crunching blow to the private section of the King, who buckled in pain. As the guards stood and drew their weapons, the would-be assassin leapt from the window barely getting off a 'fly' spell before hitting the ground, cushioning his fall.

"Sire, are you alright?" a concerned guard asked the King.

"Yes" the King replied in a higher-than-normal voice. "Find out who that was."