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Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Henderson, Kentucky
Gender: Male
Posts: 19
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The Great Betrayal : The rest of chapter 1
Although the Griffon tower was indeed the tallest structure in all of Sterborn, and one of the grandest, it was not the grandest. That title belonged to Sterborn's palace. It was, by far, the largest structure within the protective walls of Sterborn, filled with polished marble columns, pillars and arches. There were several bathhouses, an audience hall for the Senate, and some of the most beautiful gardens Dawnsbane had ever seen. Some, he reminded himself, but not the most, he lamented, thinking of times long gone, times where...
"General," the soldier was saying, and by the look on his face it wasn’t the first time he said it. "Is everything all right,sir?" he asked, a little timidly.
"Of course everything is fine," he barked, nearly taking the soldiers head off. The soldier nodded shakily, stepping back to his post. Dawnsbane eyed the soldier as he walked through, sweat beading on the soldier's brow, obviously anxious with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Dawnsbane hated to be interrupted at all times, even when the news was urgent, especially when he was thinking of Caleah.
Walking up the stairs and under the looming columns, Dawnsbane felt minuscule in comparison. This building had been here for centuries and would continue to be there even after he left this world, or at least that was what he assumed. It made him recognize his own mortality for a moment. He was forty-five years old and just about starting to feel it when he woke up in the morning. He knew he still had several years left, the Gods willing, and planned on enjoying them. As many times as he had stared death in the face, he didn’t fear it. It would almost be like going to see an old friend.
He chuckled to himself, a sound that came out as a grunt and startled one of the servants nearby. She picked up her basket and scurried off amidst the hustle and bustle of the other servants. They were everywhere in the palace, scurrying to and fro like mice. He so much as doubted that the Emperor ever had to life a finger to have anything done around here. Such lavish lifestyles made a person weak, he thought, continuing up the large marble staircase.
The staircase wrapped around on both sides of the entrance room. Large tapestries hung from the walls, many depicting scenes from battles, all of which the Sterbornians' had won of course. Funny how it was always the victors that shaped history, Dawnsbane mused to himself, stopping to examine a tapestry on the wall.
This particular piece of art was over twenty feet long and half as wide. It depicted Sterborn himself, the original Emperor as they all took the surname, on a field with his sword piercing a Findellian knight. He had one leg propped up on the dead man’s chest, his eyes surveying the field of battle. Dawnsbane laughed to himself, recalling the truth of the tapestry.
Demarcus Sterborn, the first Emperor, was one of the only leaders of the empire to ever set foot on the field of battle, although he never made it to the lines. Dawnsbane knew of this because it, as well as some other dark secrets had been passed down along his family.
Shaking his head, he continued up the stairwell, talking quietly to himself.
"Only those who have never had to fight a battle wish to be depicted as heroes," he said.
Reaching the top of the stairwell, he followed the long corridor towards the throne room. Lining the walls were antiquated sets of armor and weaponry, too ornate to have ever seen battle, like almost everything in here. As on the floor below, the servants were practically running to get to their duties, yet none ventured anywhere close to Dawnsbane. He took neither offense nor glee to it, he just liked being left alone.
At the other end of the hall, a man in full battle armor was walking out of the throne room. He walked with the gaite of a man on a mission, servants either getting out of his way or getting removed from his path. Muttering under his breath, he was obviously not happy. He looked up as he was only a few feet away from Dawnsbane, his demeanor immediately changing as the general’s eyes locked with Dawnsbane’s.
"General Dawnsbane," the man said, hardly hiding the contempt on the edge of his voice.
"General Meridius," Dawnsbane replied coolly, something that apparently got under Meridius’s skin even more. Dawnsbane did not even slow his pace as he passed the man.
The love lost between the two was not hard to see. Many years before, Meridius and Dawnsbane had both been field commanders. Meridius strongly desired the position of general, had practically lusted for it. He was good at what he did, instituting harsh discipline and maintaining order among the ranks. Men followed him not because they wanted to, but because they had to, or else it would cost them their lives. That was what separated him from Dawnsbane..
Corrick Dawnsbane was born to lead, to inspire. Not that his men weren’t afraid of him, but moreover, they respected him. He had the ability to allure men to rush onto a field, outnumbered and under supplied, just because he could make them feel that it was the right thing. For this reason Meridius both envied and hated Dawnsbane, something Dawnsbane did not care about either way. He was just there to do his job, a job he was especially good at.
As he walked into the throne room, the two guards standing outside saluted him in unison. The room itself was the epitome of the word lavish. Carpets and couches lined the floors and the walls respectively; many beautiful women languished on the couches scantily dressed in silk shifts that did not leave much to the imagination. The women were smiling and laughing as they listened to one of the senators droning on and on. It was obvious to Dawnsbane that they cared nothing for what he was saying, but listened politely. He continued his rant until he looked up to see Dawnsbane walking by. He quieted for a second, his eyes narrowed furtively as he turned his attention back to the women and their fake smiles.
Sterborn was pacing around in the back of the room and talking amongst several senators and upper echelon military officials, all of whom Dawnsbane knew. Sterborn was in his early fifties , close to Dawnsbane’s age, but like Dawnsbane he carried himself like a man half his age. His body was short and compact with light skin and dark features. He was a very handsome man who pervade a sense of control about himself. Sterborn saw Dawnsbane first, and in turn the rest of those present all looked up.
Walking towards them, Dawnsbane saw the men stop and regard him, all nodding except the Emperor. Dawnsbane ignored them, bowing sharply.
"Emperor, I have news from the west," he said as he was rising from his sharp bow.
"Very good, general. Stay and listen," Sterborn stated as a servant brought a cushioned chair over. The Emperor liked to have everyone sitting when he spoke; it helped to purvey authority, to remind those who were listening who was in charge.
Nodding politely, Dawnsbane tossed the cushion out of the chair and sat down. Sterborn resumed pacing as he spoke, picking up exactly where he left off. " So the pirates have destroyed another fleet?" he asked, his tone resumed a cold edge.
"Yes, your majesty. They caught us on the coast as a storm broke...," general Minnotus stammered as Sterborn cut him off.
"How much have we lost in material?" Sterborn asked, eyeing the man dangerously.
"Um...almost all of the ships, your imminence. Possibly around 30,000 crowns and 60,000 sailors and soldiers," he stated, still unnerved.
"I see...," Sterborn nearly whispered. His voice rose suddenly and unexpectedly. "Leave me now, all of you."
Dawnsbane started to rise, but Sterborn looked back over to him. "Not you Dawnsbane, you will stay." he stated flatly.
The other men quickly left, not taking the time to exchange pleasantries. The Emperor had just received bad news, and they all assumed that a tirade was about to happen and lucky for them Dawnsbane was going to receive the brunt of it. Not daring to let a smile or chuckle escape their lips, they exited the room quietly. After they were all gone Sterborn led Dawnsbane into a side room.
The war room as it had been dubbed over the years was a somewhat small and circular room. The wall was littered with large maps depicting different parts of Sterbornia or neighboring empires, but the largest map was on the table in the center of the room. It was detailed down to the small creeks and waterways that ran through even the smallest village. It went as far west as to the great mountains and to the ocean on the northern, eastern and southern borders. Small pieces of wood with cloth attached that made it look like a flag represented the different legions and they were placed according to the legions location. Dawnsbane noted that as they came in Sterborn raked a hand and knocked the ones representing the fleet onto the floor without hesitation.
"So what news of the west?" Sterborn asked as he grabbed a cup of wine from the table, finishing it in one large gulp. He was not a big drinker like some of the nobility, but it did help to call him down in times of need.
"The elves are restless, your majesty. I think it may be time to mobilize and finish them for good," Dawnsbane replied quickly, his demeanor emanating enthusiasm.
"Some how, I find your words a bit lacking in the department of neutrality on this issue, but if anyone ever despised the elves, it was Corrick Dawnsbane," Sterborn laughed, his own demeanor lightening. "And what is this majesty business anyways? There are no others around."
Taking a deep breath, Dawnsbane managed a small smile. Grabbing an offered cup, he was instantly surprised at how cold it was. As he took a sip he enjoyed the bitter flavor of one of Sterbornia’s two major exports. He then turned his attention back outward to talk about her second...death.
"Do you like it? A blend from my private orchards in the north. Though I must thank your men for gathering the ice for me," Sterborn chuckled as he sipped on his second cup instead of finishing it on one large gulp.
"You used my trained soldiers to work as ice packers?"Dawnsbane replied dangerously, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes," the Emperor replied without hesitation. "And since they are paid by me I will use them to fight a war, gather ice, or as whores if I so choose , though I doubt you could get much for Jordallius."
At once, both men laughed. It was common knowledge that Jordallius would probably be Dawnsbane’s successor to take charge of the Sky Raiders. The Emperor had met with the man several times and could tell that he had been tutored by Dawnsbane. Jordallius was an efficiently trained killing machine that followed orders to a t, the latter being the reason Sterborn wanted him.
As Dawnsbane re-composed himself, he took another sip of the cool drink and examined the map on the table. Sterbornia was very nearly in the center of the continent, as it was known. The mountain range to the west ran from coast to coast and the Sterbornians had discovered just recently that there were inhabitants on the other side. Merchant vessels that had sailed around found small port towns of mostly barbaric people, trading in very basic and primitive goods, such as furs and weapons; things that Sterbornia did not need. Sterborn had asked Dawnsbane to take a small group of Sky Raiders to fly over the mountains to find out what was on the other side, but he quickly discovered that deep in the mountains was the home to many of the dragons that made appearances from time to time on the countryside, and although griffons were fierce creatures, they were no match for a dragon. Needless to say, Dawnsbane steadfast refused to go back into the mountains for any more exploratory searches.
Scanning back over the map, Dawnsbane crinkled his nose a little when he looked at the Findellian border. The Findellians were a different bunch, but thankfully they tended to mind their own business. It had been a long time, Dawnsbane thought, since he had even seen a Findellian this far to the south. They were very reclusive and practiced a different form of magic's. As it stood, Dawnsbane did not even care much for mages which he knew something about, but this was an enemy far more dangerous to him.
In the south were the vast deserts of Cornindon. The peoples of the desert were not as reclusive as the Findellians and did trade with Sterborn when it was convenient and to the benefit of them; but all in all, Dawnsbane thought, they were pretty good people. A little different, he supposed, but who wasn't?
Tracing his finger back across the map, he pointed to the largest forest to the northwest, Stornak forest. It had been the sole home of the Elves for centuries now, that was until Sterborn had decided to imperialize. Now several hundred Sterbornians lived and worked in the forest. Lumber mills now dotted the edge of the woods with an increasing flow of lumber leaving the forest and heading to Sterborn.
"I think I have a solution to our problem," Dawnsbane said, stabbing his finger directly onto Stornak forest. Dawnsbane could not see the gleeful look in his eye as Sterborn did, but then again he was not trying to hard to hide his excitement. Although many Sterbornians were not fond of the elves, Dawnsbane's hatred, for that is what it was, ran much deeper.
Sterborn leaned forward intently, taking a drink of his wine. Dawnsbane noted that Sterborn was usually relaxed around him, but right now he was all business. Perhaps he was going to get what he wanted after all. He did not think that Sterborn would deny him this, since he would show Sterborn how it was beneficial to him.
"It has come to my attention that a large percentage of our fleet was lost," Dawnsbane said, noting the raise of Sterborn's brow, then sighing.
"You're just not gonna give up on this, are you Corrick?" Sterborn said, setting his empty glass down on the table. Dawnsbane knew it wasn't the first time he had made this argument, but this time he believed he had the advantage.
"Now just listen," Dawnsbane said, looking back at the map. Sterborn shook his head, a slight grin creeping on his face. Dawnsbane cleared his throat, pointing again at the map. "As I was saying, in order to continue with the campaign in the east, we would need to rebuild much of the fleet. There is nowhere else that we can get that much lumber from, and you know it."
Sterborn sat quietly for a moment, rubbing his chin pensively until he finally looked up at Dawnsbane. "And you think that the elves are just going to give up the wood? They are already making attacks on the outpost as it is," he said.
Dawnsbane looked back to Sterborn, a deep grin settling upon his face. "And that is where I come in to all of this. I will take a squad of the finest Sky Raiders and secure the area around the outpost, exterminating the pest. While we are doing that, you could send soldiers to Stornak to keep any others that might try to interfere out of the picture."
"Yes, yes," Sterborn said. "Do you not think I have already thought about that?"
"I figured you had," Dawnsbane said. "but in doing so you realized that it is the only option," Dawnsbane stood up, walking around the table slowly, keeping his eyes on Sterborn. "It is the only place with enough wood to rebuild a fleet that those fool commanders of yours allowed to be destroyed."
The resigned look in Sterborn's eyes let Dawnsbane know that the point had been driven home. He just looked so tired of it all, Dawnsbane thought. He was as tough a man as he had ever know, but even the toughest have breaking points. He imagined that Sterborn was nearing his.
Sterborn sat quietly, sipping on his chilled wine. Staring into the glass, he looked back to Dawnsbane as he stood up. He walked around the table, his leather armor creaking slightly as he did so. His gait was calm and methodic, like that of a warrior. His eyes examined everything, took in his surroundings to perfection. He was the kind of leader Dawnsbane didn't mind working for, one who was not above fighting on the front lines.
Sterborn stopped in front of Dawnsbane, his dark eyes ever piercing, like he was trying to look into Dawnsbane's soul. Dawnsbane could only stand there transfixed in the gaze, not backing down. Finally Sterborn broke the silence.
"Corrick, I want you to answer me truthfully," he said. "Do you think that you and your men can secure the area, or are you sending your men to their deaths for a personal obsession?"
Dawnsbane was almost taken aback by the straightforward question. He knew that his animosity to the elves was not a hidden thing by any sense, but he would never send his men to their death for that. He understood Sterborn's line of reasoning, but was almost disappointed that he would think that Dawnsbane was callous enough to do it.
"I give you my word, Sterborn." he said, a hint of sharpness in his tone. " I would never send a Sky Raider to his death over my personal...obsession as you call it," he finished, his blue eyes staring back at Sterborn.
Sterborn nodded slowly. "Very well then, Corrick. You and your men will leave
tomorrow morning to secure Stornak forest. In order to send a legion, however, the senate will have to be convinced that this is in Sterbonia's best interest.
"I would not worry about that, Emperor," Dawnsbane said. "I will make sure that any opposition is negated"
Sterborn started to say something, but Dawnsbane interrupted him. " And I do not mean to silence them, just show them that this would be beneficial. Do not worry Sterborn, all will be taken care of with civility," he finished, a half grin on his face.
Sterborn returned the grin. "Well then, Corrick. I hope to have the lumber flowing freely into Sterborn before too long, and do try to sate your thirst this time, so that we may leave this behind us and look forward as opposed to the past.
Dawnsbane started to say something, but Sterborn interrupted him again.
"And one last thing," he said almost as a sidenote. "Be sure to keep an eye out for the dark magic's. I have been informed by the mages that someone or something in that area has been practicing necromantic magic's, although we can not be sure."
A shudder went down Dawnsbane's spine as he moved his hands to make the symbol of protection used when this evil magic was spoken of, three interlocked triangles on his chest.. He did know a little about the dark magic's, enough to make him wary. Also known as necromancy, it was used to bring people back from the dead. It could also be used to heal people, but the practice of it had been banned from Sterborn centuries ago. The eagerness that had precipitated in his mind was now tinged with unease. Perhaps his old enemy was working with different magic's...interesting indeed he thought.
"Have you proof or just the suspicion of mages?" Dawnsbane asked, probing Sterborn for what he could get out of him.
"A little of both, actually," the Emperor replied. " But I will not have you going out of your way to look for it. Just stick to the mission at hand and if you happen to see anything, report it directly to me, understand?" Sterborn walked over to the door and Dawnsbane followed suit.
"It will be as you say," Dawnsbane said, and gave Sterborn a bow before walking out. He had a lot to think about. This had indeed become more complicated than he had initially expected. It was the first time in years that Corrick Dawnsbane was going into something unsettled; not worried, just unsettled.
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