Session 1: Prologue

NOTE: If you haven't read the introduction, you should CLICK HERE first.

"But something has to be done!" Persephone told the unnamed officer who stood by the window of his rich office. "There is no way we are going to stay put and wait for the Belomari to kill us all!"

"You are young, my dear," said the officer, not even turning to look at her. "You lack the experience needed to understand military strategy".

"What military strategy? The same one that lost you the cities of Kamet and Soliman?"

At that, the officer turned back to face her and placed a hand on a polished desk. "Our conversation is over, girl. Go back to your unit."

"There is no unit, sir," said Persephone. "I resigned my post, I'm not with your army anymore."

"Oh, I see," said the officer with a twisted smile. "In that case, I suggest you remove yourself from my presence before I call the guards. You know how we deal with deserters around these parts."

Persephone left. It was useless. The war was going bad, and the enemy had not yet attacked in full force. If the Belomari managed to cross the Ring of Fire in large numbers, the Xinnian military had no hope. Persephone had been telling them for a long time. Her intelligence contacts had given her enough information for her to believe that the Belomari were preparing a major scale invasion. She didn't know when or where, but she planned to find out. If only the military officers were a little more understanding...

Her spirits improved a little when she entered the main hall of the Inn where she was to meet her informant. Her old friend Kish was there. She had asked the fae elementalist to come, but had not received confirmation. Of course, it was like Kish to forget to respond. She was very smart, but careless, absent-minded one might say. At least she was here.

Later, the two friends finished their meal and headed upstairs for the room they had rented for the meeting. It was about time for her informant to arrive.

A soft, almost imperceptible rasp on the door announced the arrival of Daktari. Kishtara opened the door and was surprised to see that the informant was a four-feet tall Mede.

"What's your problem, am I too short to enter the room?" Daktari asked, pushing Kishtara aside and walking in. "Pers, you have to teach your friend some manners."

"Sorry, Daktari," said Persephone. "This is my friend Kishtara. Kish, this is Daktari. He was my informant in the military, but now we're joining forces."

"Nice meeting you, Daktari" said Kishtara closing the door.

"No,"interrupted Daktari. "Leave it open. I brought a friend."

"A friend?" Persephone looked worried.

"Yeah," said Daktari. "You brought an ally, I brought one too. He's downstairs, getting some of that honey drink they make around here. He's never tasted it before."

"I thought you were talking about that cattus of yours."

"Ah, no. People are usually afraid of big cats, so I left her out of town, hunting."

A few minutes later, a tall man entered the room struggling with four mugs of honeybrew. Daktari introduced him simply as 'Black Mamba', which clearly was not the man's real name, but neither Persephone nor Kishtara asked any questions.

"So," asked Mamba rubbing his hands. "When do we begin killing barbarians?"

Kish and Pers exchanged a look, unsure of whether the man was serious or not.

"Daktari," asked Persephone after a pause. "Did you bring it?"

"Of course," answered the Mede. "Would I be here if I didn't have it?"

Daktari sat on a low chair by the table and began to fumble with his pouches. The rest of the group pulled chairs closer around the table.

"Ah, here it is," said Daktari, opening a bone cylinder and pulling a roll of parchment from inside. He unrolled it, and smoothed it on the table. "So, is this what you wanted?" 

"Yes," answered Pers. "It's perfect."

"But what is it?" Asked Mamba.

"It's a map, you doofus," said Daktari. "What, you have never seen one?"

"I know it's a map! I'm just asking what the map is for!"

"It's a map of the East side of the Xinnian Empire," Explained Persephone, always the patient one. "Here, this is the Great City of Xin."

"Pardon me for asking," asked Kishtara. "But aren't maps supposed to have a legend or something? What are blue and red markings?

"The blue bars are the Xinnian Forces," answered Daktari pointing at the map. Three full battalions protect the Capital, here, here and here."

"The red marks are the location of the major battles fought so far, including the siege of Soliman and the massacre of Kamet."

"I heard those cities are gone," said Kishtara. "Is it true?"

"Gone," answered Daktari.

"The refugees of Soliman are travelling to Xin as we speak," explained Persephone. "There were no survivors in Kamet."

"The entire city gone?" asked Black Mamba, who had been silently picking at his nails with a knife. "I hate these barbarians!"

"So," asked Kishtara, "Why are the Xinnian forces all spread out if the battles are happening on this area only?"

"That is the problem, Kish," answered Persephone. The military has no idea where the Belomari army is. They seem to appear out of nowhere, attack and leave after the battle. No one knows where they come from, how they cross the mountains and where they are hiding, so the military is trying to protect the cities."

"But why is this army here?" Asked Kish, pointing at the army by the ruins of Kamet. "If the city is already lost, shouldn't they go help somewhere else?"

"They think the Belomary is coming through the rivers," explained Daktari. That's the reason why they are covering that side on Revis and Moller as well".

"I see Andustaran moved its army to the North of the city," said Persephone. "At least someone is paying attention."

"You think they will attack from the North?" asked Kishtara.

"Look at all the battles," said Persephone. "They seem to be interested in this area."

"What now?" asked Daktari. "Where do they attack next?"

"This is what we need to figure out," answered Persephone. "We need to find this army, or at least some clues as to where they are going or what they want."

"And then we kill them all!" Said Black Mamba with a shrill laugh.

Everyone stared at him for a second. They didn't stand a chance against a full army and they knew it. Black Mamba, on the other hand, either had a huge ego or was suicidal.

"Once we have an idea of what the Belomari are doing, "said Persephone."We will alert the military, so they can prepare accordingly."

"All right," said Black Mamba standing up. "What are we waiting for? Let's go get us some barbarian!"

"Well," said Persephone. "I'm glad you are all excited, but first we need to decide where to go."

"Well," said Kishtara. "Let me see that map again."

As the night approached, the four friends huddled around the map and discussed their plans to investigate the origin of the attacks, the location of the enemy army and their next objective.

What will they do now?