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Count Freedom looked at the map on the table and then around the silent Hall of the Republic. On the walls were tapestries and paintings of the Republic in its glory days. The noble paladin Tarkus, who disappeared some years ago. He left a message warning the council of the future and the Darkness that currently swept over the land. A painting of Duke Valandir, once one of the most loyal to the clan before he was one of the first to be affected by the demonic influence and abandoning his post. Around the table the marble benches for the clan’s men and women, and next to the table four marble thrones for each of the councillors. Even after councillor Vadrigald mysteriously disappeared the chair remained there to honour his massive contributions to the clan and make sure his name would never be forgotten. Count Freedom thought briefly at that time, and remembered the change in the eyes and faces of the other councillors, somehow making them look older. With many Immortals venturing off into the Brimstone caves there were fewer troops to defend the realm but strangely the battles at the front seemed to die down some as well. Reports from Hibernia reported that they as well suffered from the same uprisings and demonic attacks and influences. And although Freedom had no sympathy for them as such he realized there was something larger going on, and it affected more then only the realm of Albion. “My lord, my lord, Elder Mystic is approaching”. Lord Mystic, being away for many years to the crusade in the south just recently made his home to Albion when hearing a demonic uprising and scheming threatened the land. Freedom looked out the window and saw him ride into the Immortal village, passing the library around a small lake. While been away for many years, Freedom could still see the respect he had from the commoners. They all stopped working and bowed when he and his entourage passed. Five minutes later he heard the steps of a man in heavy armour coming up the stairs. Concerned Mystic did not even took the time to clean himself up and get his armor off, Freedom awaited him above the stairs. “Noble count, I come to you with grave news.” Mystic began to speak. “I just return from the royal palace where I had an audience with King Constantine. And frankly I am shocked.” “You know our origins as well as anyone who was actually there noble count. So you know we as a nation are naturally weary of kings. However there are exceptions to this rule when we serve a noble and just king. King Arthur was such a king and as such we travelled from our homeland to help this realm in trouble when we heard that he had fallen.” Mystic looked around and then back to count Freedom and continued. “So we have fought many battles here for this realm, we died, bled and sacrificed. Never did we see our current king until fairly recently he revealed himself. And to be frank I was utterly shocked. Because on the throne now is a man that is totally bereft of reality, and lost contact with his populace and even worse.” Freedom looked at Mystic somewhat uneasy, it was not common that people spoke so openly about the king in the Hall of the Republic. However he was also aware of the truth of Mystics words. With many Immortals dying at the front each passing day against a stronger enemy of Hibernia each day, and the king doing nothing in the mean time, the question of loyalty was present in each and everyone from time to time. After Hibernia had conquered Midgard the brunt of the attack now was focussed on Albion and they were loosing terrain slowly each day. Freedom looked at Mystic as he continued to speak. “So I entered the throne room, saw a man ordering Albions to venture of into a cave to unravel a rebellion. He ordered so many people to Camelot that the streets were packed and you could hardly travel there. While the front is close to collapse to the Hibernian onslaught, he is not amassing an army, equipping his people and listening to his peoples plight. No he is sending them out on a foolish mission to kill a demonic lord. But it is much worse then that. When I was there I overheard a conversation between the king and his chamberlain. Apparently the chamberlain is a demon and the king knows it. The demon chamberlain spoke to the king about the demons helping him to defeat the Hibernians if he would keep his bargain. What the bargain is I do not know, what I do know is it involves sending Albion warriors unto the demon lords lair with a lie, downplaying the danger while in reality the whole demon army is in there.” Freedom could not help himself to break his silence. “But milord most of the elite warriors of the Republic are in those caves as well as the whole of our council.” Mystic looked at the count and let out a sigh. Then I may have been too late. But we need to act quickly and its we that have to do it. Because when the king ordered our last remaining men and women into that cave, even to the last page. I refused. He got very angry and I fear his guards will be here shortly.” Count Freedom regaining his thoughts looked at Mystic and then at the table. “This land is corrupt Lord Mystic, and to be honest the Dark has won, each day more people are influenced by demonic thoughts and their actions become selfish and rude. There seems nothing we can do here now as even the king has succumbed as you just told me. We did it before, its time again we need to issue the evacuation order, and since everyone is away it falls upon us.” Since the loss of the first Shire to the demonic influences and the retreat of the Republic to a new land in secret the clan always prepared to move quickly if necessary. The plan code-named Dannatto in honour of the council guard and the defence of Vineyard Hill during the first evacuation. “Then its time, Mystic agreed, call in the heralds.” Shortly after four heralds entered the meeting hall. Freedom looked at them and softly spoke a single word. “Dannatto”. The four heralds looked at him and Lord Mystic silently, one put his face in his hands briefly. “Understood milord” one them finally replied. And with speed they rushed outside. Paragraph 21: The offer “Archers to the left!” Farseer shouted. Everywhere
the sounds of battle, Shields and swords, screams, human, ogre and
inconnu between the unearthly shrieks of demons. Around him he saw
familiar faces of his clan, but also more Albions they picked up in
the caves. Somewhat to the side he saw Valoren of the Fluffy Lion
clan to the other side Froszin with a contingent of the United Knights.
In front he saw Existent of the Praetorian legion, the ancestors of
those leaving the land of Albion long ago. However although with large
numbers the battle was not going well. Left and right his fellow Albions
died a horrible death. With each demon they killed, more attacked
and grew in strength. In the distance the huge shape of Legion threw
a shadow over the battle. While he fought him before in Darkness Falls
and defeated him with an Albion army, he seemed to be back stronger
then ever before. Farseer looked at the side again seeing Albertus.
Normally the old man had a sense of calmness over him that had the
strange effect of radiating it to all around him. However now that
was gone and that somehow disturbed Farseer more then the carnage
around him. Somewhat before him was Dennizon next to two other paladins
of the Republic. While he could not clearly see who they were he realized
it most probably where Gil and Arama. He looked behind Legion again
and the portal it protected. What was behind it one only could guess
but it had to be the source of the demon power. Suddenly the Albion
line to the right collapsed and the demons poured trough. Also on
the left the scouts could not hold on much longer. He saw Valoren
fall to the ground swarmed with Mahr. Froszin, besides being a leader
her clan was also an excellent wizard and while he could not see her
directly, the massive effects of her ice spells briefly illuminated
the entire hall. He heard a scream and then they also stopped. Waves
of Succubus overwhelmed the archers to the left. He looked at Legion,
and a growing rage came over Farseer. Suddenly he jumped forward,
passing Dennizon and those who still stood of the Praetorian Legion.
A Mahr hit him on the chest with a claw but he kept going on. He felt
an arrow hitting him in the shoulder but he pressed on. Years of being
a scout gave him quick instincts and many hits he managed to avoid.
Then, almost to his own surprise he stood before Legion, behind him
the battle continued, he closed his eyes a second in a small prayer
and then jumped up with two knifes in his hand towards an arm of Legion.
The knifes deeply planted inside Legions flesh as the giant roared
upwards swinging Farseer with him. Farseer started to yell “Come on
Albions! Once more press on, slay dead slay dead”. With one swing
Legion threw Farseer across the Hall into a wall, where he fell to
the floor.
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