Chapter 1: The Peninsula
Far within the east edge of the Mardan Continent exist the people who call themselves Galdoan.
They live in the bountiful land surrounded by seas.
At north of the Galdoan peninsula flows the water in a gulf they call Thallian Bay.
It stretches deep within the continent providing fat for the land and blessing of the sea to the residents around it.
Meanwhile, in the east and southeast coasts of Galdoa touches the vast Stavian Sea of to which Thallian Bay flows back to replenish its grace.
For hundreds of years, in this piece of land they call Galdoa, half a million residents live under the rule of five cities dividing the land into regions.
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At northwest of the land governs the City of Lethos, known for its arable land that mainly fatten by the rivers flowing to Thallian Bay. This makes the people of Lethos known for their farming and delicate craftsmanship. For many generations, they worship the goddess of the bay Thallia, and its brother from the mythical tales, the god of the neighboring mountain range, Thalleos.
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At the east of Lethos rules the City of Augrun.
Among the five cities, it could be said as the oldest city in Galdoan history. The City of Augrun faces the part where Thallian Bay and the Stavian Sea meets. This sight are witnessed by Augrun people specially at spring season when the muddy water that flows in Thallian Bay floods and flow back to the clear and blue waters of Stavian Sea.
This occurrence is called the Greatness of Zaevioun, the god of creation that people of Augrun worship.
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Far south of Lethos is the City of Anbiel. Unlike the two cities, Anbiel is far from the Sea as it is located right at the foot of Mt. Thalleos; west end of the peninsula. Anbiel people relies on trade, mining and most importantly, metal works and metallurgy. Despite the prosperous industry, the city is connected to mainland and deep exposed on the attacks of barbaric tribes from the south.
This cause the city a heavy price and make them dependent on other cities for manpower and food resources.
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Right beside the City of Anbiel is the nearest City of Acob. This city rules the center and the southernmost region of the peninsula. Because it has the widest land covered, People of Acob relies on raising cattle and farming. The city is well connected with the rest of Galdoan cities and act as the defense line to stop the southern Calmanan barbarians.
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And save for last, facing the eastern coast is the Great City of Stavos. It is the richest and most populated Galdoan city that worship the god of the Stavian Sea, Stav.
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Though the five Cities exist harmoniously together, foreign attacks from the south made their bond stronger.
With their own authorities, northern territories like Lethos and Augrun provide military support to cities that are constantly attacked like Anbiel and Acob.
While Stavos, which is the most populous, provide the bounty and riches to keep the war going.
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Currently, the City of Anbiel is under siege. Calmanan, the southern barbarians, commenced a full-force attack on the prosperous land of Galdoa and Anbiel, one of the frontier territory in the peninsula, faced the despicable enemies.
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In the command outpost of Anbiel, the man who bear the fate of the city almost kneeled from despair after hearing that the neighboring city, Acob, fall into the hands of barbarians.
"Steel your resolve, Lord Cressos." an elder advisor of the Lord said.
There is no one to count on but himself.
The lord of Anbiel then stand tall and mighty. He immediately realized that it is no time to falter.
"You, soldier. Tell Commander Fahr this. Prepare the horsemen in the east gate. I will lead the army." the lord ordered.
As quickest as possible, 300 men gathered with 50 of them mounted on the famous Acob war horses.
Knowing that the enemy still outnumber his men and fighting in this scenario is an impossible feat and just a mass suicide, he spoke,
"The heads of those disgusting Calmanans will be displayed in the spikes tonight. Men, it would be their blood that will be painted on the ground! March!"
With the worried and gloomy look on the faces of most Anbiel soldiers, the simple speech of Lord Cressos liven the mood at the moment.
"Grahh!!!, Grahh, Anbiel, Grahh!!" and the war cry harden the hearts of the brave soldiers.
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At the south gate to which Calmanans attacked, enemy soldiers finally climbed the walls and engaging with the troops of Commander Fahr. The mightiest second-in-command general of Anbiel Army, Commander Fahr, strategize and able to dominate the enemy above the wall with iron fist.
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Meanwhile, Lord Anbiel with 50 of his cavalrymen clash towards the right flank of Calmanan army.
On the face of an enemy ten times bigger in number than them, cavalry of Anbiel did not waver.
Meanwhile, the remaining 250 foot soldiers led by a battalion commander named Rannis attacked the enemy right down the outer side of the wall.
The attack was successfully executed turning the tide of events in favor of Anbiel soldiers.
The fight took too long but the enemy at the wall, both above and below was exterminated leaving the enemy's effort useless.
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At the battlefield, the cavalry lead by Lord Cressos starts to slowly lose their momentum.
Seeing that the Lord struggles, Commander Rannis changed the course of attack by plunging into the opposite direction Lord Cressos's army is going. This pattern successfully decimate the force surrounding the lord.
"Re-retreat! Retreat!" Calmanan leader ordered hastily.
At this point, though Lord Cressos Anbiel failed to behead the enemy commander, the Calmanans started to retreat ensuring their victory.
"Grahh! Anbiel, grahh!" the Lord shouted.
"Grahh!" the long war cry for success resound throughout the battlefield.
The sound of rejoice give hope to the people and put back the smile to the faces of every man in Anbiel, abled or wounded from the war.