Chapter 99

"Well hopefully tomorrow is better," said Samuel.

"You can say that again," said Helen.

The party had been eating their food and drinking for a while now. It was dark now and other groups had joined in.

"Well, the drink helps," said Ida.

"Yeah," said Asice quietly.

"Haha well, you have someone missing it seems," laughed Gunthar as he walked up to Samuel with his mercenaries tailing behind him.

"Oh shove it Gunthar!" said Helen.

"Don't make me make you go missing pig!" said Ida.

"You seem to forget what happened during the bandit raid job a while back. Didn't a few of your lackeys piss off a goblin hoard?" said Samuel.

"Soon you will all die and I will rise higher and higher and get richer and richer," said Gunthar.

Both groups stood up glaring at each other. It seems both have had enough. Samuel had been feuding with Gunthar and his group for ages now.

"You already caused enough trouble can you take a seat mercs?" said Captain Jervis who had just appeared from out of the dark of night with a couple of his guards. "And you!" Jervis turned his attention from Samuel's group to Gunther's group. "We know about the accidents involving the maids. You are lucky no harm was done. Any more funny business like that then you will be severely punished are we clear?"

"Crystal," said Gunthar through gritted teeth. His men glared at the old guard captain.

"Good let me remind you all that while you are on His lordship's grounds you will follow the rules as if they were your religion. If there are any more issues not only will death incur but your entire group will not be paid for any work done. Do not think for a moment that you will get away with anything while I am here guarding this est..uh!"

Everyone froze as they watched Captain Jervis slowly fall to his knees and then completely onto the ground. A puddle of blood appeared around the man.

"Wha...what on happened!?" said Helen meekly. Asice hid behind her.

The guards that were with Jervis had taken out their weapons and were surveying the surroundings. Samuel inspected the body.

"He was shot by an arrow. What's going on? Gunthar?"

"It wasn't us!" said Gunthar who seemed freaked out.

"Were under attack!" yelled a guard.

"Watch out!" yelled a sellsword.

Arrows started raining down on the guards and adventurer groups.

"By the gods, we're under attack!" said Ida lifting up her axe.

Bodies started dropping, guards and adventurers alike.

"Can you see anything?" asked Samuel huddled with his group behind a table that was flipped on its side.

"No it's too dark!" said Helen.

"What do we do?" asked Ida. "I can't hit what I can't see!"

"Let's get to the house! We need to get some better cover," said Samuel.

"Ahhh!" a mercenary got shot through the neck near the table.

"Let's go!" yelled Samuel.

The group dashed toward the nearest building.

"Look!" yelled Helen. Samuel turned toward where she was pointing.

A group of silver knights with royal blue cloaks with gold trimming came running toward the battle. A sparrow emblem could be seen on some of their gear.

"Damn! That explains it. The White Sparrow kingdom is attacking!" yelled Samuel.

They ran into one of the buildings and quickly locked the door.

"Why here? It's so far from the frontline! And way too close to the main city," said Helen.

"This lord must be more important than we thought," said Ida.

"Yeah well, right now we need to figure out how to survive this. That's too many knights for any of us to handle," said Samuel.

Asice nodded. She had a worried look on her face, clearly worried for her brother.

"I am sure Akak is fine. Let's go board up the door," said Helen.

"Ok," responded Asice.

Standing on the parapet Kane looked out at the beautiful sky and listened to the sounds of many different creatures, some familiar while others were bizarre and unknown.

"Sir this noble seems more important than we thought," said one of the nomads.

"It seems so. I originally wanted to get close to a noble to get in with the Kokarians but if one of their battle masters protect him and he can afford all this then who knows," responded Kane. "For now we keep working on gaining favor. I am glad that thief could not control his urges."

"Sir we have someone walking up the stairs toward us," said another nomad.

Kane toward the staircase to see a tall, lean, tan-skinned man such as him and the nomads. His arms and neck which went uncovered by cloths were covered in a beautiful assortment of tattoos. The tattoos reminded him of the nomad's tattoos which he found interesting.

"Can I help you?" asked Kane. His guards looked suspiciously at the man.

"I am sorry for the intrusion Sir Kade, was it? I am Akak, former leader of the Bronze Scorpion clan. I was exiled and now I roam the land with my sister as a sword for hire. My clan is one of three surviving clans of a lost people who used to roam all over the continent. Now we hide in a small corner of a vast desert. I am a proud Kakazi and I noticed your men looked to be Kazakis as well. I wish to inquire where you all came from and who you are. I had no idea there were any of us left outside our dessert sanctuary."

The nomads looked at each other and then at Kane, seemingly waiting for him to answer.

Kane was shocked. He thought all of the Kazaki nomads were extinct. They were fascinating people and Kane had always planned to summon more when he could. What he didn't expect was that one would find him and even talk of tribes full of them.

"I come from the Iron Rose Kingdom. I serve the Deus Belli Empire. These warriors serve me. I am sorry to say they are not from your clans nor do they belong to one at all."

"So others survived though and in other places apart from the Emerald Desert!" Akak seemed very happy. "What is this kingdom?"

"The Iron Rose kingdom is a new one that has only recently risen. It is growing fast though and many join its ranks."

"Why are you here then? And are you also Kazaki?"

"I am afraid not. I am here to find my way into the Kingdom of Kokar. They tried to force themselves on my territory and now I want revenge. The White Sparrow kingdom is not alone in its hatred for the Kokarian throne." Kane was betting on this man's excitement. Maybe this chance encounter could prove extremely useful.

"So who exactly are you? I assume no merc or even some random knight. I sense great strength."

"I am King Kane Hoth of the Deus Belli Empire. The Iron Rose kingdom is mine as is its surrounding forest. I wish to improve the continent for all whether through diplomacy or peace. Anyone may serve my empire as long as they are loyal. It does not matter their race or religion. I sense you are a strong and honorable warrior as well. May I know your name?"

Akak's eyes exploded with shock. He did not realize his curiosity would lead to this. But it could be an opportunity for him and his sister to have a better future. As well as a better future for his people. A chance to rise again.

"I am Akak, I apologize for any bluntness or disrespect, I had no idea I was talking to a king. I am honored to meet you. My gods would also be happy to see a king who does not sit idly by and watch his people suffer and fight by themselves. My tribe was taken away from me and I was betrayed. I see you already have nomads with you and I must admit I can sense you have great power. My sister and I have been lost for so long. Maybe my gods have given my people a second chance."

Akak got on his knee.

"If I serve to be your warrior such as the warriors already with you would you consider taking your empire to the Emerald Desert? We can gather the tribes and we will have many more proud Kazaki warriors with us. Our skills, our battle prowess, our magic, could help give your empire an edge on its path."

Kane remained stoic but was inwardly stoked beyond reason. He had appraised this man and he was B-rank. Close to A-rank. And he sensed he was a battle master, albeit a beginner in battle arts. With his knowledge, Kane could also gain many strong warriors for his force.

"Then may you join me and may we bring your people back to the forefront of history," said Kane.

"Thank you! I promise you will not regret it."

"Good, you must be completely loyal to me. I promise all your wishes will be fulfilled in time. We have much planning to do but for now, I will let you oversee these Kazaki warriors. They are loyal to me and have been my honor guard for a while. Now they are yours.

"I thank you, Lord Kane! What shall I tell my companions? I am unsure of their response if I tell them that I decided to just leave and follow you."

"We can talk about that as we head back. We can..."

Before Kane could finish his sentence screaming could be heard.

"That's coming from the houses! Asice!" Akak immediately started to run toward the screams. Kane followed with the other Kazaki nomads. It seems that a battle was approaching and Kane could see his new warrior in action.