25-04-2010, 09:00 PM
As the sun began to rise over the city of Romsford, bathing the tranquil streets in its warm glow, there as a still quietness that hung like a shroud over the buildings except for the occasional sound of the merchants setting up their wares for the day's trading, however another was also stirring.
Within the walls that made up Kael manner the Black Mage was already awake and preparing himself for the days ahead. He moved with the same serene calm that he always portrayed, disguising the fact that he was concerned for the wellbeing of his wife Adelaide and the gravity of the quest she was currently undertaking.
After moving with haste to his study, Mhorador opened the doors to find the commanders of the forces he had requested two days previously. These men knew that they had been selected for special maneuvers training but had not been told where, each holding onto the hope that they this information would be revealed to them now.
Taking his seat behind the oak desk, the shadows cast by the sun behind him made the cold blue glow in his eyes that more malefic than normal, Mhorador fixed the men standing before him in a stare that could possibly peer into the very soul if the Black Mage ever possessed such a power and tried to gauge their thoughts through their attitude and body language before addressing them all
"Good morning gentlemen. As you are, no doubt, aware I have carefully selected your best and finest troops to undertake some training in special combat maneuvers. I understand the sudden nature of my request but that only serves to prove how we must be ready to anticipate every eventuality in this city. I know you are all eager to know where it is we are going but that is a detail I will leave to your...imagination!"
Mhorador then took a pause to note the facial expressions before he continued
"These are my orders which I expect to be obeyed. I expect your troops to be ready to move in three hours time, we will then travel to our destination and wait until nightfall. There will be no excuses or debate now MOVE IT!"
Recovering from the shock of being shouted at by their normally calm and reserved lord, the unit commanders scurried out of the door, lest they incur the wrath of their count. Now alone in the room, Mhorador was able to prepare himself fully.
Not taking any chances on what he faced, he donned the suit of studded leather that he got improved by the craftsmen of the late King Heimier under the plate armour he had been wearing over the past few months and his normal mage robes were concealed under heavy explorer's coat. Sheathing the Dread Dagger and his familiar sword, he picked up both the two-handed katana he used as well as his guild staff before heading to the stables to fetch his charger.
As he approached the steed stood motionless, patiently waiting for it's rider has it had done since its nature had been revealed. After securing his two-hander onto the barding, Mhorador got into the saddle and rode off to meet up with the forces he would be taking with him.
The barracks were a hustle of activity, nothing unusual for those of military inclination, as the men he had personally selected were lined up for inspection by their respective leaders. A small number were held in fear and awe as the form of the Black Mage came into view, they had heard stories about the skill of arms of their dark count recounted by grizzled veterans that had served under their lord but had never actually seen him in person let alone being offered the chance to practice with him.
Mhorador waited for the inspections to finish and, no sooner had they been completed, checked to sky to estimate the time of day. By his reckoning it was roughly mid-day and the needed to cover an amount of ground to ensure their return later that same day would not be seen as suspicious. Mhorador made the gesture for his commanders to get their forces moving, marching out of the barracks and towards the northern gate that lead to the destination that Mhorador had planned. As the small columns of soldiers and scouts approached, the heavy wooden gates opened, allowing them to leave the confines of the city and therefore increasing the pace so that they could cover more ground.
After three hours of marching, Mhorador gave the order to stop and set up camp for the night. As he dis-mounted form his charger, he took the opportunity to observe some of the men he had brought out here. They were still young, possibly no older than he was at the most but they carried themselves with the composure of troops who had survived countless battles, not a single one of them an apprentice in their chosen arts of warfare.
As the afternoon progressed, Mhorador called for the commanders to enter his tent, he felt that it was time to brief them on the real reason why they were here and, as they sat in anticipation, Mhorador cocked his head slightly, a smile forming on his lips as he addressed someone that no one realized was even there
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh Inquisitor Smertyr, you've arrived just in time I see. I trust that your journey here was......unhindered?"
Within the walls that made up Kael manner the Black Mage was already awake and preparing himself for the days ahead. He moved with the same serene calm that he always portrayed, disguising the fact that he was concerned for the wellbeing of his wife Adelaide and the gravity of the quest she was currently undertaking.
After moving with haste to his study, Mhorador opened the doors to find the commanders of the forces he had requested two days previously. These men knew that they had been selected for special maneuvers training but had not been told where, each holding onto the hope that they this information would be revealed to them now.
Taking his seat behind the oak desk, the shadows cast by the sun behind him made the cold blue glow in his eyes that more malefic than normal, Mhorador fixed the men standing before him in a stare that could possibly peer into the very soul if the Black Mage ever possessed such a power and tried to gauge their thoughts through their attitude and body language before addressing them all
"Good morning gentlemen. As you are, no doubt, aware I have carefully selected your best and finest troops to undertake some training in special combat maneuvers. I understand the sudden nature of my request but that only serves to prove how we must be ready to anticipate every eventuality in this city. I know you are all eager to know where it is we are going but that is a detail I will leave to your...imagination!"
Mhorador then took a pause to note the facial expressions before he continued
"These are my orders which I expect to be obeyed. I expect your troops to be ready to move in three hours time, we will then travel to our destination and wait until nightfall. There will be no excuses or debate now MOVE IT!"
Recovering from the shock of being shouted at by their normally calm and reserved lord, the unit commanders scurried out of the door, lest they incur the wrath of their count. Now alone in the room, Mhorador was able to prepare himself fully.
Not taking any chances on what he faced, he donned the suit of studded leather that he got improved by the craftsmen of the late King Heimier under the plate armour he had been wearing over the past few months and his normal mage robes were concealed under heavy explorer's coat. Sheathing the Dread Dagger and his familiar sword, he picked up both the two-handed katana he used as well as his guild staff before heading to the stables to fetch his charger.
As he approached the steed stood motionless, patiently waiting for it's rider has it had done since its nature had been revealed. After securing his two-hander onto the barding, Mhorador got into the saddle and rode off to meet up with the forces he would be taking with him.
The barracks were a hustle of activity, nothing unusual for those of military inclination, as the men he had personally selected were lined up for inspection by their respective leaders. A small number were held in fear and awe as the form of the Black Mage came into view, they had heard stories about the skill of arms of their dark count recounted by grizzled veterans that had served under their lord but had never actually seen him in person let alone being offered the chance to practice with him.
Mhorador waited for the inspections to finish and, no sooner had they been completed, checked to sky to estimate the time of day. By his reckoning it was roughly mid-day and the needed to cover an amount of ground to ensure their return later that same day would not be seen as suspicious. Mhorador made the gesture for his commanders to get their forces moving, marching out of the barracks and towards the northern gate that lead to the destination that Mhorador had planned. As the small columns of soldiers and scouts approached, the heavy wooden gates opened, allowing them to leave the confines of the city and therefore increasing the pace so that they could cover more ground.
After three hours of marching, Mhorador gave the order to stop and set up camp for the night. As he dis-mounted form his charger, he took the opportunity to observe some of the men he had brought out here. They were still young, possibly no older than he was at the most but they carried themselves with the composure of troops who had survived countless battles, not a single one of them an apprentice in their chosen arts of warfare.
As the afternoon progressed, Mhorador called for the commanders to enter his tent, he felt that it was time to brief them on the real reason why they were here and, as they sat in anticipation, Mhorador cocked his head slightly, a smile forming on his lips as he addressed someone that no one realized was even there
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh Inquisitor Smertyr, you've arrived just in time I see. I trust that your journey here was......unhindered?"