| The fields of barley seemed lit with fire, the night sky evanescing with the rising sun. The farmers already headed out to work in the namesake province of the Lycanos empire, preparing their fields for the harvest. The province was the most heavily populated, so the farmers barely, if at all, noticed two figures on horseback on the Emmani Road, heading towards the capitol which, like the empire and the province, carried the same name. The horses were at full gallop, necks extended, the riders leaning forward. This early there was no one to get in their way, though it wouldn't have been a problem anyway as the Emmani Road was wide enough for four large wagons to ride abreast. The riders only slowed of necessity, to keep their horses from falling with exhaust, but they did anyway, in sight of the city. The riders became runners, and made their way as fast as they could towards the palace. * * * * * * * Howler Bane, Emperor of the Lycanos Empire, Supreme Commander of the Lycanos Militia, and husband to Empress Jadell Nightsong, Leader of the Council of Ravens, was just finishing his breakfast when a guardsman entered. "Guardsman Tireaux, sir!" the guardsman made a salute. Bane sighed and set down his fork. Call it a trait of bears, if you will, but Bane disliked having his meals interrupted, "What is it, Tireaux?" "Sir!" Tireaux barked, "Two messangers have arrived from Emmani, sir! They claim it is urgent, sir!" Bane found it hard not to roll his eyes at the guard. They all wanted to impress, and this tiger was too energetic for this early, but that could be a good thing in some circumstances, "Show them in, Tireaux, and send for my messenger." Bane often found he needed a messenger for himself after recieving an urgent message from Erix. "Yes sir!" Tireaux saluted and left the room, but he was soon replaced by two jaguars, who introduced themselves as Hawry and Jion. The one named Hawry made a leg. Not a salute. Not a formal bow. A leg. Jion did nothing. Not for the first nor last time Bane was aware that.jaguars thought too much of themselves. "Emperor," Hawry said,"We bring a message from High Lord Erix Stogart of the Emmani province. The Human Movement to Purify the Lands of Unatural Races and Creatures has began marching an army three times the size of his own militia towards Emmani, estimated to arrive in about a month. Lord Stogart is requesting help." Bane stood. Where did the Puritans get that many soldiers? "Thank you, that will be all," he said. Hawry turned to leave, but Jion hesitated. "Is there something else?" the Emperor asked. "Well," Jion started, "Its only rumor, Hawry didn't want to say anything, but I feel you should know....there is a vampire coven in Emmani," Emmani was the only other province to have the same name for its capitol city, "Its only rumor mind you, nothing has been proven, but there have been....strange deaths among the humans, as well as some missing lycans." "Thank you both," Bane said. First his meal is interrupted, then Puritans, now vampires. "Return to Emmani as quickly as possible. If you need fresh horses, speak with Tireaux. Tell Lord Stogart I will send what aid I can." Hawry made his way towards the door again, but Jion paused to make a formal bow. At least there was one good thing about the day. Bane's messanger came in as the other two left. "Emmani is going to be attacked by the Puritans," Bane said, "An army more dangerous to us than any other, they equip all of their soldiers with silveron weapons." The messanger shuddered. Bane not only wondered about the soldiers, but where could they get enough silveron? The metal was so rare he had only seen 7 such weapons his entire life. Before the Puritans started up a few hundred years ago, in any case. "I can't send my entire militia and leave my own borders defenseless, so send messages to all commanders to send as many soldiers as possible. Send messages to the other provinces asking them to do the same. Finally, have messages posted throughout the Empire, asking for help. If Emmani falls, the Puritans will likely strike here next. This call is going out to any lycan willing to pick up a weapon." LLDrax Ri'Vion Panther |
| Trouble in Emmani By LLDrax |
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