Another Piece of the Puzzle

Suggested Music: Disturbed - Indestructible

Cecil Ithin calmly rose from his kneeling position, exhaling for the duration of the movement and coming to a rest as he looked over the hill in the distance where the marching and chattering of the incoming army began. He had spent the early morning hours preparing for his last stand, his men where exhausted and their food and water supplies had been gone for days. The men awoke at the sound of the incoming fae army, the calm presence of their commander steadied their nerves but could not give them enough strength for what was about to come. This would be their last stand, it had been a week since the fae army had ambushed their company and they had been destroying their spirit ever since. It ended today, one way or another.

Cecil's anima jumped to life, bursting blue essence fought back the light of the orange and yellow horizon with violently lashing tendrils flaring out towards the approaching enemies. The fae were not likely to be discouraged, but the display gave his men courage to fight with him and die with honor. It was the best end they could all hope for. As the goblins and trolls scrambled over the hill in an unorganized motley Cecil stepped forward and hoisted the mighty reaver daiklave from his back and pointed it forward at the encroaching army.

"Form up! Assemble behind me and protect our flank!" Cecil commanded the troops in a booming voice that forced their obedience.

Cecil lunged forward as the unit stayed behind him on the defensive, Cecil struck with tremendous slashes and cuts that made the wind howl and his enemies were rent asunder. But for every goblin and creature he felled two more took its place, it was undoubtedly a losing battle. Cecil let primal anger fuel his essence enhanced muscles, grinding his teeth as he dug into the loose soil at his feet to hold his ground and make a short clearing of enemies at the front of the formation. As a mighty swing of the daiklave tore through a goblin horizontally he allowed the momentum of the blow to spin him back towards his unit, steel cold gaze evaluating the state of his unit. A grave prospect at best. Half of his men had been cut down already, what remained had managed to hold the flank but wouldn't last much longer. Cecil felt a rare moment of helplessness, there was nothing he could do about all of their inevitable fate. He was reminded of the day of his exaltation, the booming voice of The Unconquered Sun cut short by the shrill tones of the Nephwrack who murdered his family and took him hostage.

Cecil turned back to the enemies that had closed in the small clearing of gore and viscera that had been left behind after his initial onslaught against the army. Still there was no hope of victory, but as Cecil had proved in the lair of The Silver Prince his will could not be broken. Cecil pushed forward into the swarming horde despite the odds, the tentacles of his anima lashed out at his opponents with fierce aggression to match that of his fighting style, even the indomitable fae gave pause before engaging him directly. Still it was a losing battle.

The bone chilling roar that interrupted the entire battle brought combat between both sides to a screeching and nerve rattling halt. The roar originated from the hills behind Cecil and his men, shaking the twisted scenery of the Wyld and echoing endlessly off the rolling hills and glass snow that covered the land under their feet. Cecil slowly turned over his shoulder to look at what beast the Wyld had spewed at their backs to deliver their final blow, to his surprise and dread he saw yet another anima. The man-beast engulfed in a blazing anima that was unmistakably that of a lunars was a sight of terror to Cecil and the fae army alike. Too many of the solars companions had been lost to the twisted and corrupt Wyld that Cecil knew it could not be trusted, but perhaps the gods had shined down on him in another moment of need.

Without further warning the werecat lunged down the hill on all fours, massive stride propelled the beast off the ground in massive bounding leaps. It closed the distance between itself and Cecil unit before Cecil could react, but in the leap that would have pounced on top of his men it instead shot into the air over the unit. As it leapt over the gathered men, it righted itself and drew a flashing moonsilver reaper daiklave from its back. As the beast landed the blade struck in a crushing flash, striking down three goblins in an instant at the head of the unit. Cecil readied himself to defend a similar strike, though it seemed he was at least second on the beast's hit list. To his surprise it turned and spoke in Sky Tongue, a low growl of a voice in the moment that it took the fae army to respond.

"Get your men out of here, straight back. Over the hill. You're not far from the border marches. I'll hold back what I can, you'll have to dispose of what gets past me."

Cecil nodded in response, turning quickly to his men and casting a hand out in the direction the beast had just appeared from. "Move out! Straight over the hill, on the double!"

Cecil glanced back at the lunar that had already pushed forward into the swarm of wyld twisted creatures, in a different moment Cecil might have appreciated the contrast between the two twisted forms. The smooth elegance of the lunar exalted made the warped and chaotic wyld creatures seem primitive and inferior; the lunar's prowess went a long way to enforce that thought. Cecil thought perhaps he should stay and help the beast, perhaps the two of them could best the horde, one of the goblins had latched its razor sharp teeth into the leg of the lunar. The goblin was sent flying back with a single swipe, the wound left behind was already healed before Cecil could cut down enough of the foes to make his way to the Beastman.

Cecil didn't doubt it could handle itself, and a few goblins had already tried to slip past and chase after his men which Cecil immediately chased after himself. Cecil sent his reaver daiklave spiraling through the air as he took off in a full sprint after his men, the spinning blade decapitated the first goblin effortlessly and continued to sail through the air, arching around from his right to his left and cutting down the second goblin with equal ease. The blade finished it's whirling arc by circling around and landing comfortably back in Cecil's hand mid-stride.

Cecil caught up with his men quickly, highlighting just how exhausted the men were and what little energy they had to push out of the Wyld. Cecil did what he could to push them on at least until they cleared the middle-marches and made it to the relative safety of the border-marches. Several times small groups of goblins approached from behind them, but Cecil was able to easily dispatch of the creatures before they could reach or slow his men's flight. Finally Cecil and his troops broke through the middle-marches and found the relief of some structure returning to Creation around them. Cecil decided he had pushed the men far enough, and called out for them to stop and take a short rest before they would move on until they could clear the border-marches.

---

Cecil stood watch alone, looking back at the treacherous middle-marches they had left behind, he was not sure if he should expect to see the fae army chasing after them or if he would ever see the Lunar who had undoubtedly saved their lives coming over the horizon. Either way the men needed rest to brave the harsh cold that awaited them in their journey through the north, they were a long way from civilization even after they escaped the Wyld. The rest of the men were currently huddled around a few small campfires they had managed to start and were starting to drift to sleep. Cecil debated how long he could afford to let them rest, he would have preferred to wait until they fully reentered Creation but wasn't sure the men would make it.

Eventually Cecil decided to let the men rest as more and more of them drifted off to sleep around the dwindling campfires, Cecil stood guard until he saw a lone, unmistakable figure appear at the edge of his vision. The Lunar who had come to their aide in the Wyld was now slowly approaching, walking as if a normal man through the bitter harsh environment. Cecil remained seated as the figure approached, it had saved his life so he did not want to appear threatening unless necessary, as far as Cecil knew it was on their side... if they had a side.

Cecil spoke first once the Beastman was within distance, "Welcome, you have our many thanks, My name is Cecil Ithin. If you are indeed the friend you've proven to be you are more than welcome to rest at our camp and regain your strength. If I had more to offer I would, we owe you our lives."

The Beastman paused his approach, the manlike eyes of the beast meeting Cecils gaze before responding, "Well met Chosen of the Sun, Cecil Ithin. My name is Adamant Frost Lord. Your graciousness is appreciated, though I don't believe your in much shape to offer much." Frost cast a glance towards the resting men who had almost entirely missed his approach. "Regardless, I am a friend so long as you are escaping the Wyld at least. The army that pursued you will won't be any further trouble."

"If that is the case, I thank you again. As you can see we are rather unprepared for an extended stay in these harsh conditions."

Frost nodded again as he moved closer to the camp and Cecil, he shifted from Beastman to human form as he did and offered out a hand to shake Cecil's. He spoke as they exchanged greetings, "Why don't we talk while your men gather their strength, you should not spend the night here if you can avoid it."

Cecil nodded in acknowledgment that any more time than necessary in the Wyld was certainly not preferred, speaking with Frost would allow his men to rest enough to make the final push for Creation. Furthermore, Cecil hoped to learn a bit about the man who had come to their rescue, and what exactly he had been doing so far in the Wyld in the first place. Cecil certainly had questions for Frost, and Frost the same for Cecil.

The two Celestial Exalts built a small campfire of their own on the outskirts of the other men, each propping up a log to rest comfortably on while they spoke across the crackling flames. Cecil began by explaining how he and his men had ended up lost in the Middle-Marches with an army at their backs, and likewise Frost explained how he had picked up the scent of their company moving into the Wyld and followed it. Unfortunately Frost had been too late to stop the ambush that killed the majority of Cecil's men. After that Frost asked more of Cecil's past, where he had come from and how he ended up serving with such a company, and most importantly what he planned to do now that he had escaped. Cecil obliged the requests of the Lunar, owing him the courtesy of being upfront and honest, though he left several choice details out of his past.

Cecil agreed that he needed a plan for himself and the men now that they had escaped the Wyld and their company had been decimated, barely enough men were left to be considered a unit, far too few for a company. Though Cecil certainly had the requirements to start up his own company if he so desired, he was still unsure if mercenary work was truly his calling from The Unconquered Sun. Frost was unsurprised and unimpressed that Cecil had yet to develop a plan for his lost men or himself, though he probably should have expected as much. Only a few short hours ago the Solar was making his last stand and expecting to die without seeing Creation again. From his initial explanations Cecil seemed pure enough, he cared genuinely for the safety of his men and their well being. He didn't show signs of corruption from The Wyld or any other Creatures of Darkness, in fact he showed a fairly strong dislike of all things that threatened Creation. Perhaps this Sun Child had potential. But how would he interact with the other two? They would make a fearsome trio, without a doubt, but would their ambitions spiral out of control? It seemed a risk worth taking, Haraku could use some help protecting the borders outside of New Covenant, assuming Cecil didn't turn out to be a threat that needed to be dealt with...

"If you are in need of a place gather yourself, I know of a small settlement that would be friendly to your kind in the area. I think that you and your men could find what they are looking for there. And if not, it will at least provide you with enough shelter to make the longer journey inland to the major civilizations of the north."

---

Suggested Music: Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers - The King of the Golden Hall

Descending Fire 25, Realm Year 768

The first summer in New Covenant was coming to a close and the short autumn months were approaching before the endless winter. Travel between Frostgate and the North had never been better as the new leadership reached out to its neighbors for trade and foreign relations like never before, the increased presence of the Guild alone doubled incoming and outgoing traffic. Even considering that, the guards at Telban's gate were surprised to see the approach of 25 cloaked, obviously armed men with the bravado to walk directly up to the front gates. Certainly these were no Realm legionaries.

Though it was too early in the year for heavy snow, the fierce winds of the pending winter had already begun and as a result the approaching men kept their hoods drawn to block the wind from cutting at their exposed flesh. Once within earshot the guards called out as the heliographs sent messages to the rest of the city.

"Identify yourselves and state what purpose an armed unit has in New Covenant!"

The group took a few more steps towards the front gate, drawing slightly tight into formation before the man at the font, the clear cut leader even from a distance, dropped his hood and spoke in return.

"My name is Cecil Ithin, I come on the advice of a friend and hero of Frostgate seeking only shelter for my men and an audience with your leaders. I assure you we mean no harm." Cecil's voice boomed powerfully across the howling winds to the guards who exchanged glances before responding.

"You may approach the gate." Even as the guards responded the heliographs sent word for their commander to come to the main gate, access to the city was not as strictly monitored as it was during the reign of the satrap, but an armed unit seeking an audience with New Covenant's leaders required attention from high ranking officers.

Cecil and his men approached the gates, waiting calmly until the commander could grant them access. Shortly the unit's commander arrived, a young burly man with dark hair and features but pale skin, a native northerner without a doubt.

"My name is Saffron Lotus, the commanding officer on duty. I hope you understand, we must take some caution before allowing an armed unit to enter the city limits... And I understand you are seeking and audience with city leadership?"

Cecil waited patiently enough for the commander to introduce himself and for the guards at the gate to follow their proper procedures, as a military man himself he certainly understood. Though he understood the need for it, he couldn't help but grow slowly impatient, it had been months of travel through the frozen north since they escaped the Wyld and he suddenly longed for a warm hearth, steady supply of ale, and perhaps some pleasurable company. But business first.

"Of course, I'm comforted to see that due caution is being taken with those that enter the city. As you see we're hardly armed for warfare, nothing but personal weaponry. If they are available, I was told to ask for Commander Haraku and Severnaya, the sooner I can speak with them the better."

"I see sir. And what exactly is your business with them? As you can imagine they are quite busy, and cannot meet with everyone who comes to the gates."

Cecil stepped forward again, towering over the officer though he kept his movements non-threatening, "My business is between myself and them. Though I assure you, I'm no ordinary traveler."

As Cecil spoke he unlatched the clasp that held his cloak tightly wrapped over his armor, with the assistance of the wind the cloak unwrapped itself from around him and blew back only held by the pinions on the shoulder blades of his armor. Though the breastplate hadn't been polished for months the brilliant shine of Orichalcum never faded and the reflection of the sunlight illuminated the officers face. A year ago the guards at the gates of Covenant would not have immediately recognized the shine of Orichalcum, but with the new Solar rule in place there was no uncertainty in the eyes of the officer or his men.

"Of course sir, come in. I will summon Commander Haraku right away."