Struggle for D'Hara

[Anthony]

Alaric sat in his tent reading reports from his military commanders. The war was going well for them. Some of the best soldiers and commanders in the army sided with him when he left. They were men of action much like himself.

"General."

Alaric looked up. It was his captain.

"Have you received a response?" Alaric asked.

"Not yet sir, but the Mother Confessor does things on her own time."

Weeks earlier he had sent a message to Aydindril requesting a meeting with the mother confessor. She had yet to respond.

"We need allies captain. We are doing well but in order to win this war we need more men, more resources. A couple of confessors wouldn't hurt either."

His plan was bold, fitting, for Alaric the bold. He earned that name by accomplishing what none could with tactics that people thought to be impossible.

"Do you really think Aydindril will side with us? They have a long relationship with the house of Rahl." I am unsure she will say yes."

" Then she is a fool! He said standing.

"She sees what I see. The new world at war. The alliance that had lasted for so many years between the three lands is on the verge of collapsing. All right under the nose of the Lord Rahl. She sees the inaction, the lack of ability to unite forces. The Old World threatens us at every moment, yet he does nothing. Mark my words, we will fall if they attack us now. We need a combined force with a leader that is willing to act."

Alaric was becoming heated.

"If an infection is found on your body you cut it out. You don't let it fester and grow the way he has. He should have put down these factions years ago. Built up the forces of D'Hara. Strengthened the relationships we had with other lands. He sat idol hoping diplomacy would work. The world is falling apart. Hell even the confessors can not keep control of their own. If she does not see the benefit in allying herself with us. The stability we can bring together. The force we can amass to face the old world. Then she will suffer for it.

I have other options I am pursuing. But to have her on board would carry great influence with the people of the Midlands and D'Hara."

Alaric turned away, clearly flustered.

" I will send another messanger sir." You will have a response by the new moon, if I have to go myself."

" Thank you captain." Alaric said with a smile


"Enough of this talk". He said with a sigh.

I am going for a walk, I need to clear my head."

"Sir." The captain saluted and walked out.

Alaric strolled the campsite for what seemed like hours. Pondering his next move. What he would say to convince her to join his efforts. How to unite his people under a single banner again. Only if the Lord Rahl would have acted. It was late. Most of the men were sleeping. He thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He continued walking... listening . That sounds like. With out warning a blade came slashing down toward him.

Fool he thought. Do you really think you can kill me. With a side step he avoided the blade catching the attacker with punch to the side. He felt a couple ribs crack. Another blade came at him. he ducked and rolled. Another and another. Four men.

He reached for his blade. Nothing.He cursed to himself. You should know better. He thought.

He did not take a weapon on his walk.

The attackers advanced, but Alaric was in his element. Four would be no problem if he had his swords. But unarmed. This was more of a fair fight. Well almost a fair fight. Alaric moved and doged blades from all angels. The men were good. Not only were they good, they knew how good he was. He would not catch them by surprise. Alaric was considered unequaled in hand to hand combat, and they knew it.

They made sure not to leave easy openings for him. It was more of a chess match then a fight. Though it lasted seconds.

"Why do you fight for him?" Alaric asked with a hint of rage.

"Join me. I have no wish to kill you."

They attacked.

They were trained well and very well armed. They attacked as a unit one after the other. Cutting off opportunities for Alaric to strike. He moved fluidly narrowly avoiding contact. And then it happened a mistake. One of the attackers swung with enough fury to cut clean threw him, but lost his balance for just a second when he missed. Alaric caught his arm using his sword to impale another. With one swift motion he sent a fist into the throat of the man who's arm he had caving his wind pipe. He released the man as he gasped for air.

Alaric bent down and grabbed the sword. He was one with a blade. Trained by the Baka Ban Mana blade masters. The other two men knew they had made a mistake and their life's were now over. Before they could think to react they were dead.

That is when he heard the alarm. He made a dash for the center of camp. Why hadn't the wizards web detected intruders.

"Dam that Wizard"

He knew the intruders were fleeing. He knew this tactic well. He had used it. Sneaking into camp trying to kill or wound as many as possible, then escape. Men had died this night. Alaric ran at a dead sprint. He would need a captive. He would find out what happened, and when he did someone would pay.

[Anthony]

Alaric stood inside of the interrogation tent. They had been at it for hours. Not one of the 10 soldiers captured could give any useful information.

"Enough. Alaric said in a firm tone."This is pointless, none of them knows what spell was used to slip past our security."

He was exhausted, and still had much to do.

"What shall we do with the prisoners sir?" His head questioner asked.

Alaric turned looking at the men. He recognized a few. What should he do with them. They were D'Haran his people. They were misguided, yes, but still D'Haran.

"What would you suggest?"

"Kill them." He said immediately.

Alaric gazed at the men. Killing them wouldn't help him. He would be labeled a murderer, a monster by Rahl. No, he needed a different way.

" What would you men suggest I do with you? Should I kill you?"

The men looked at each other, fear passing across their faces.

Alaric began pacing in front of them.

"Well?" He asked the group.

The men were silent.

"No. I don't think killing you is the right option. But what?"

He paused for a minute.

"I will have to think on it." He said turning to the head questioner. "They will remain for the time being, treat them well. They may roam the unrestricted parts of camp, with escorts. No more then two can be together at once."

He turned to the men.

" You will not be harmed. You have my word. But do not test me, or you will find that I am not a patient man."

With that he left the tent.

" General Sir" a young soldier came running up.

"Yes what is it?"

" There is a message my lord. From the peoples palace. From your spy my lord. Captain Torak is with your generals in the command tent sir."

Alaric started for the command tent. He had a number of spies in the palace. After all he was Commander General of the first file. You don't make it to that position with out having a network of information at your finger tips. He kept the identities of his spies to himself. No one knew them but him. They didn't even know each other. That was the beauty of it. One spy could report on another with out even knowing. He could check their information against each other. And if one was found. They could not reveal the rest. He had given them all journey books that were monitored by his right hand. Captain Torak.

He entered the tent.

"What is the message Captain?" Alaric asked taking a seat at the table.

"A Mord'Sith and a wizard were dispatched together my lord. Your spy is unsure of there mission. But such a combination can only be headed one place. Here."

Alaric smiled. "He is getting desperate sending out a wizard and a Mord'Sith together. He'll be lucky if they don't kill each other before they get here."

Alaric grabbed the pitcher of ale that was on the table. He poured himself a glass and drank.

"We have also located the Mother confessor sir". The Captain offered. "She is in the wilds with the Mud People."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. " So that is why we have had no response from the Palace. That is not far from here. Maybe 7 days by horseback. "

They were far south just on the other side of the Kern River.

" I will send a messanger at once." One of his generals announced.

"No. This is to important. I will go myself. Wizard Drabic you will prepare for the arrival of the Mord'Sith and the Wizard. Use what ever men necessary. They are most likely coming to kill you and me. Why else send a Mord'Sith and a wizard. They know our weakness just as much as we do. You are our only Wizard the magic against magic. And only the wizard can have a chance at me"

"They will be very disappointed when they arrive. The wizard said with a smile. " I will ensure they regret their trip."

"Good. Make the preparations, draw them in with a false sense of security. They will attempt to take us out simultaneously. But I won't be here and you will be ready. No one is to know I have left. If asked I was wounded in the battle and am very ill. Hopefully word reaches the intruders."

Alaric smiled. "Use the prisoners we have. Let slip to them I am very ill. I am sure they will try to find them, to use their information as an edge."

"I will take a small group, twelve men and horses. Hopefully I will bring back another Wizard to help you Drabic."

"I will join you sir." Captain Torak said.

"No captain you will stay here and take charge in my absence. I am counting on you to make sure this goes off as planned."

"Yes Sir"

"Good. I will leave tonight."

He rose and left for his tent.

The Mud People Alaric thought this is going to be interesting.