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It has been six days since our forces deployed, thanks to our messengers we've managed to push the undead back pretty well as our warriors and knights push into the attacked lands. We have found holdouts that we're able to withstand attacks from the horde, but most we're overrun the deeper we go, in a few cases if it wasn't for the Normandy's guns I doubt we couldn't have made our more critical breeches, we even uncover a cache of three imported mortars to which we get onto some carriages to help aid us in our advance...

I cleave a zombie in half "VALOR AGAINST THE ODDS!!!"

I go to launch a fire ball from Fireweaver, but a zombie comes at me from behind to which I give up on the spell and deliver a heated strike, the three mortars fire which smashes into the gathered horde in front of us, I glance to see the Normandy just off the coast, I yell to Wovka to have the ship deliver a broadside to the foes in front off us, he gives me a nod and he starts to howl. I quickly form my wings of flame and launch a ground version of my Phoenix Firestorm attack, which cuts deep into the bodies in front of us as I try to have the attack sweep into the horde, just as I finish delivering the attack I feel myself get shoved, I quickly turn to see a zombie with a fist, I go to swing but it parry's me pretty well, though it loses an arm in the process. An arrow comes and strikes the zombies head, causing it to go down instantly, Maeve comes towards me as she readies another arrow, I turn to the horde, loud booms sound and shots from 25 pounders start to hit the masses of bodies, I look to Mavra, as I ready my sword, she gives me a nod, I swing my sword as I send out the fire ball with Mavra sending one of her own, both hit their marks.

I yell "SERILDA! ICE THEM!" as I try to get her to hear me over the deafening noise.

Serilda raises her hands which glow a bright blue, from the sky clouds gather and ice shards that rival knives rains down onto the undead, the mortars finish reloading and join the anthem of destruction. Most of the horde is now destroyed and those that remain have suffered extensive damage, to where we can just finish them off.

I rise my sword "CHARGE!!!"

The knights follow me and we smash into their lines, Fireweaver cleaving through necrotic flesh with the knights delivering killing blows. I smash my shield into a zombies skull against a rock, coating the surface in gore, I deliver a swing which cleaves another zombie in two. The horde is now down to only nine of the undead, I launch a fire ball which engulfs five of them but the four are nearly on top of me, Tamel, Amston and Zekeyal spring into action and quickly deal with them, another victory for the advancing crusade.

I say "The battle is ours!" as I raise my sword in triumph.

Everyone cheers as we take in our third victory of the day, I tell everyone to start burning the bodies and that we'll advance for a few more hours before calling it a day and I ask Wovka to pass on my thanks to the Normandy crew to which he gives me a huge nod and howls. Before long we start to advance once more with mortars loaded and after cleaning our gear, I know we're tired but I want us to try to cover more ground, after all the undead does have the advantage of not needing to rest and a horde could be close by and hit us while making camp, so I'd rather have us advance to a better location first.

I wave Tamel over, she comes over to me and I say "Is there a location where we can have a good field of view?"

Tamel says "There's a hill a few miles away that can hold our forces and set up camp for the night. It's an old outpost that had fallen out of use about a century ago."

I say "Perfect, we'll have some fortifications to help ease everyone's mind while we rest."

Tamel says "Actually, the outpost suffered heavy damage in it's last engagement, the keep collapsed in on itself and it's wall towards the water was knocked down by cannon fire."

I sigh "It's still better then being out in the open."

Tamel says "Are their any crusades taking place in your world?" with a cuious look.

I say "A crusade as you know it hasn't happened on my world in almost a thousand years."

Tamel puts on a shocked look "Your world is unified?"

I say "Not at all. While the crusades have stopped, we still have war, though the concept has greatly evolved since then, with developments in firearms, vehicles and ways to counter them. Where I'm from, swords and the like are no longer used and the firearms here we stopped using centuries ago."

Tamel says "Do knights exist there as well? What about paladins?" and this really gets the attention of both the classes of said armor.

I say "Hmm, paladins simply never existed, the closest equivalent would be the Knight Orders and each had their own functionality. As for knights they have become a mere title, knights effectively ceased to exist when firearms got too powerful and armor and recruiting knights simply became a waste of logistics."

Amston says "How can that be? Maybe their faith was lacking?!"

I say "The hard truth is that faith does little in stopping bullets, you may have magic but as far as I can tell it's a rare commodity and where I'm from it simply doesn't exist."

A knight calls out "But, how could a knight be a waste of resources?"

I say "That's easy, it takes about two decades to turn someone into an effective knight, that means a lifetime of training, food, water and housing, then you have their equipment which is very expensive, here it's about two thousand denarii to outfit a knight. When it comes to firearms, they are simple to learn and operate and at the same cost of equipping a single knight I could outfit a whole company with firearms teaching them how to use them will only take a few weeks at most and for the cost of one knight I can acquire a cannon with powder and shot and it's the same situation."

Zekeyal says "Then, how can we counter such a force?"

I sigh "To be blunt, you can't. What you are asking are the same questions they asked at that time. The progress of technology is one you simply can't deny, firearms and cannons maybe somewhat uncommon and rare now, but in a few centuries every force you face will be armed with them. If you ignore the needs of the battlefield, then you'll pay the price."

Another knight sounds "Then... our days are numbered."

I say "None of you will see such a thing in your lifetime, but it is coming. Knights didn't fade due to lack of honor or faith, it was simply because they lost an arms race they couldn't win and technology just simply progressed."

Tamel says "We Avoirdupois are stubborn when it comes to tradition, it's a key reason while we may have cannons and mortars, we lack firearms of smaller means. The Bisclavret have the largest concentration of guns and have quite an infrastructure for it."

Maeve says "Truth be told Sir Adam, ah think if ye we're born here, you might've been born an honest Bisclavret an ah wolf, as oppose to ah fox and ah Rinaldi."

Danica puts on a light smirk "I second that."

We eventually reached the outpost and... it's very underwhelming, the stone structure is cracked clean through in several spots, the keep is eroded and as Tamel said, both it and one of the walls have collapsed. Moss has grown over the lower portions with the wood that once served as it's roofing having failed a long time ago. We set up our tents as we set up a net over the collapsed wall, crossbowmen and archers are on the walls and we do our best to form an atmosphere that more reflects the city as music takes the air and games are starting to be played. After all, we've all fought so hard, I think we've earned the right to celebrate.

I watch the festivities as I start to drink from a wooden cup of water and with it the fires ignite the site.

Lalaine comes over "I take it you aren't really one for parties?"

I lightly shake my head "I perfer to keep to myself and celebrate in my own way."

Lalaine says "But how are you holding up? You aren't use to fighting three major battles in a single day."

I say "I'm tired and exhausted, but it is needed. We've got a long way to go and our enemy won't wait for us.", I look to the skunk "I'm going to go retire for the night, if something happens come get me."

Lalaine nods "Please, try to get some rest Adam." with a bow and a somewhat teasing smirk.

I say "You as well, we're going to pack up at sunrise and then continue. Everyone's going to need to get rest at some point." with a light smirk and I have some of my water as I start to walk away.

I near my tent as a teal colored ball appears and forms into the the face of the Don "Adam? Can you hear me?"

I say "Aye mi lord." as I stand in attention.

Fabrizio says "How are things to the east?"

I say "The situation is dire, we've got quite a strong necromancer here and the undead have been swarming towards the north. We've joined the crusading forces with great success, but we've still got a long way to go."

Fabrizio puts on a shocked look "A necromancer? That would be quite a cause if they needed the paladins. When my officers to the eastern boarder said they closed it, they said there was a dispute and some of the men deserted. I can see they wish to aid our equine neighbors."

I say "Mi lord, can you spare any forces to aid us? If forces come from the west, maybe we can end this crusade a little sooner."

Fabrizio says "Our forces are stretched thin, but I'll see what I can do. We've received word that the Doloreaux are being hit hard by an unaffiliated army with Vaslov at it's head, we've had to move our forces into a defensive position."

I say "That can't be a coincidence mi lord."

The Don says "Agreed, I've been in contact with Lord Castellan Thainistear over the past couple of weeks, we've formed a defense with the Bisclavret dukes and one of them found a necromancer among them, thankfully they executed them before it became a threat."

I think and voice with a sigh "This weapon must be powerful if they are willing to go this far."

The Don gives me a nod "Be careful Adam, you are going up against an evil and power beyond all imagination. If you encounter Amalsand... then you must retreat, she is too powerful an opponent for you to fight single-handedly."

It's my turn to nod "I understand mi lord.", his face and the orb fades into oblivion and I think 'But if there's a chance, I'm going to take it.'

Wovka comes into view, an idea comes to mind... maybe I need more magic on my side, plus having a druid on my side would be a pretty big help, I wave him over and he makes his way over "What is it boss?" with a gleeful smirk.

I say "I think it may be time to turn up the heat on this necromancer, any chance can you signal Queco to come ashore?"

Wovka says "So ye seek the wisdom of ah druid? Ah see no problem with it, but what about the equines?" as he takes another swig.

I say "Let me worry about them, if they have an issue with it I'll address it."

The wolf says "Consider it done." as he walks with joy towards the wall facing the ocean.

I sigh as I get into my tent, our advance is going well... though I suspect we may very well face a true horde sooner or later, so the more magic we have on our side the better.

............

Back in the city, Amalsand is in a stone hotel room, tending to her make up before heading back out, the reports from the messenger paints quite a picture for her, the knights are advancing incredibly fast, with the humans crusade just crushing whatever it hits with relatively little difficulty. She has a feeling though that like her, he has a few tricks up his sleeve and he has some cards left to play... she just wondered if he was willing to play them in this conflict. The grey vixen is also pleased with the progress her son has made against the Doloreaux and while they are currently at a deadlock, it will be broken soon,.. but it isn't the front that Vaslov that has her real attention, it was the front that the human was on and more importantly the destruction of the Avoirdupois as a whole given their sturdy nature.

Amalsand decides to contact the necromancer by sending words with black magic 'Send in your most horrible creatures to the forces on the shore, given that they have made the most progress ahead of the other armies you can encircle them. Slay the others, but spare the human in blue and red, I wish to... have a better word with him.'

With her message sent, the grey vixen looks to her reflection as she begins to ponder her short interaction with the human, how he seemed fine and after bringing up her son and how similar they were in the ways she mentioned shut him down a little, she isn't sure... she needed more information to confirm what was going on with him. What is certain is that he really has a target on his back from her...

...............................

Queco and a few warriors of the Phelan arrive at the camp site, earning looks from the paladins as she stoically passes by, those eyes of hers scan the ruins as she feels for what spirits may be here... she suddenly feels a presence, she pulls out a druid charm and lightly begins to chant under her breath, visions come to her as she sees the artifact that they recovered from the lands of her people and a grey fox holding another while keeping Lalaine hostage from the details she was told and a third of what looks like the end blade of a sword, flashes of armored warriors, suits she didn't recognize but they weren't knights... their armor was mostly leather with primitive bronze plate-work, a battle being fought on what looks like the land they are standing on but the water was a little closer to the keep during that time... matter a fact this place only consisted of that and partially constructed walls judging by what see was seeing... just then the visions stop.

The druid stiffens up 'I must find Adam... he needs to know at once!'

....................................

I awake to the sound of Queco and Wovka getting my attention, her brother translating her words to me, given that her words haven't lead us astray... at least not yet, I decide to follow her insight. Just in case I ready my gear and with the three of us the rest of the Phelan join us as we enter the keep, I do have a few guards on the inside to be look outs but other then that we didn't look around inside at all. I take point as the druid guides me here and there while the others keep an eye out for traps or anything strange as I use my sword like a torch, this place is decayed beyond saving as the walls looks to be cracked clean through and erosion has set in to where the mortar is loose in some spots, it's clear that looters have picked through hear after this outpost was abandoned, we pass an empty armory covered in dust and webs, a kitchen striped of metals, what looks to have once been holding cells with their bars and gates having been torn or dug out... I can only imagine what this place must've been like back when it was in full use. We eventually make it to a room underground, based on the twists and turns it took to get here, we must be underneath the camp, it's large and it looks like some kind of command room judging by the etch-work in the stone, it matches some of the military heraldry used by the Avoirdupois that are still in use and there is old evidence of what looks to have been a sparing area and an adjacent room with gold embedded in the walls, so probably the base commanders quarters.

Queco looks to me and says something in her native tongue, Wovka nods "She says that what we are looking for is down here somewhere."

I give a nod of my own "Alright, let's look everything over, let's sweep away the dirt and dust and let's see what we can find."

We begin to remove the built up grime, we spend what feels like forever looking around and finding nothing, but in the commanders room I see parts of the floor are missing mortar after I remove that dirt and built up dust, I also notice one of the floor stones is slightly raised and it looks to be open on two sides, I call the others over, using air magic I lift it and floor stone surrounding it pops up, before I can cast another air spell some of the Phelan pick up the stone and remove it, to which I thank them and I begin to dig through the loose dirt until I feel something hard and flat. I lift out of the dirt what looks like a metal box, it's materials match the artifacts in composition but the elements have really dulled it, looking it over I see what looks like flowing air on the back... is this it? The third and final piece?! In front of everyone I use air magic to try to get it open, I hear a pop and the front opens like the hinge of a book, I open it and it reveals what looks like an old tomb.

Wovka puts on a look of pure confusion "That's it? I was expectin gold." trying to put a jokeful spin on it.

I take the book out and I begin to flip through it "I don't recognize the language used in this though...", I close it and put it back in the box "When this is over we're going to need to find a way to translate it, it seems tied to our mission."

Wovka puts on a look of surprise "You mean when it comes ta what you are looking for?"

I nod "Indeed..." a thought comes to mind, "Maybe Danica or the others would know, I'll talk to her when she gets up... in the mean time...", I give a light yawn "Let's get some sleep.", I look to Queco as I hold the sealed case to her "Thanks for leading us here Queco, can you please keep this in your care for now?"

Wovka translates my words to her as the druid eyes me... if I didn't know better she seems a little surprised, but she gives a nod with a humble smirk as she takes it, I can feel looks from Wovka and the other Phelan coming my way... I guess those outside the Phalen don't trust the druids and it's rare for this kind of thing to happen.

Eventually night gives way to day and we show the others from my ship the tomb we found and Wovka informs me from Queco that the language in the book is Berla Feini, the language of the Phelan and the druids themselves. I can feel a wave of unease take the air as the Phelan look to each other, taking what Queco has told me and what I know of the customs of the Phalen, they really don't have much of a written record and rarely if ever teach their language to those outside their tribes, but either way I need to some how figure out how to get this thing translated.

Danica eyes me "It's likely that someone learned their language and used it to encrypt what they were writing."

"I couldn't agree more.", I look to her "This investigation just keeps getting interesting."

Wovka eyes me "It makes sense, given how untrustworthy we are ef outsiders, if one were ta learn it they could write anything an no one would be the wiser... as you would say." earning our gazes.

I look to all of the Phelan, I need to choose my words carefully... for all we know this book could hold all the answers we've been looking for, it can see this mission through to getting the third artifact, then it would just be getting the first back from Vaslov, I finally speak "As you know we've been trying to get a hold of some artifacts that the enemy has been trying to gather and they are just as much in the dark as we are, but if we can translate this book it could give us what we need to secure the last one... I know what I am asking of you and I understand if you decline."

The Phelan look to each other, speaking in their language as my teammates eye me while Wovka translates what I said to Queco, her eyes scan all of us in that stoic stare, finally she speaks to the Phelan in an almost commanding tone, if I had to guys she told them to settle down, she looks to me and she begins to speak, her words causing some expressions among the Phelan with even Wovka raising an eyebrow.

Wovka sighs after Queco finishes talking "She said, that you had talked ta our mom about learning our speech, ultimately it falls to a druid to teach it to outsiders and the same is the case for their spells. But you are keen to listen to every word and wish to learn what you can to have ah better understandin... you are a member of the Cell and you are ah proven ally, she will teach you our language as she helps translate it with me being her aid."

I decide to add up on my end "If you wish I can teach you our language as well." as I eye Queco with a humble smile.

Wovka translates my words to her and she simply shakes her head and she says some words, to which her brother looks my way "She has no desire to learn your tongue, but she does appreciate the offer."

I nod in understanding "We'll begin after this crusade is finished, when we aren't neck deep in undead. We head out in twenty minutes..."

Tamel enters "Phoenix, you and the others need to see this!"

We follow her and we see a massive wave of dark magic swooping the air over what looks like a mountain in the distance, light wails consume the air as we stare in awe, finally the tide gives a loud scream and the storm of magic subsides, everyone looks my way, Queco and Lalaine are giving their prayers to the spirits that answer them, it's no secret the enemy knows we are coming and I guess we've spooked them... whatever is waiting for us is powerful and I know not what it is but we'll face it.

I look around "We head out soon, pack up and make ready, the knights and paladins are out-front with me, we'll follow the same formation as before.", I look to our priestesses "Lalaine I want you mobile in a carriage to better tend the wounded, Queco you're with the mortars." the two nod as I move towards the mountain "The enemy knows we are coming and that we are close, let them raise their creatures, let them raise their defenses... we'll raze it all and secure this region.", I raise Fireweaver "Onward to victory!!!"

The crowd cheers as the paladins simply bow their heads, if that mountain is the enemies headquarters we can be there in no time, maybe a day or two and we can finally end this crusade on a high note... and with it hopefully the ability to search for what we are looking for here.

........................................

On the grounds of the mountain, zombies gathered all over the lands roam in loose formation, but fouler monstrosities lurk as the clashing of hooves sound against the soil, snarls of hulking beasts take hold of the cursed air, from atop the mountain a hooded figure in black looks at the sight before them, eyeing the horde and the land before them, a sinister smirk crosses their exposed mouth... welcoming the coming battle without denial as it wishes to finally test it's mightiest creatures.

To be continued...