Darkness on the edge of the Empire

Tarn looked over the fog covered hills that lay around the outpost, it wasn't a pleasant sight from the top of the tower but it was his only chance at spotting anyone out there

:If it's at all possible in this god forsaken weather: he thought as he stood there

He was brought back to reality when a creature howled somewhere in the hills, dusk had brought unwelcome visitors to Fort Algathor. Tarn turned and descend the steps to the main building, he made his way to his quarters, it was getting dark fast but that's the way thing usually were out here on the borders of New Temperia and Anumias. Tarn thought back to the day he was given his orders, they were the last orders from Emperor Polius IV, he was dispatched to the roadside Fort Algathor, he had left the Imperial City a day before the Emperors death and arrived at Algathor at the same time the messenger bearing the dire news. Things had gone from bad to worse since then, he was now in a possibly hostile land guarding an entry way to the Empire, if Fort Algathor fell then the Anumians could march into New Temperia unchecked. However things were not that bad yet, the Anumians had made no move against the Empire and Tarn doubted they would unless given good reason to. Amongst other things going on around the Fort the wild animals had started to become more ferocious everyday, it was the strangest thing to happen by far

:Why would the wild things start becoming more aggressive with the death of Emperor Polius IV?: Tarn thought to himself

His thoughts were once again interrupted as a Legionnaire knocked on his door

'Sir, I have bad news, wolves are attacking the Fort.' the soldier said

'What in the great gods?!' Tarn asked unsure of what he had just heard 'Why would they do that? Did our men enter their territory?'

'I don't know sir but they are attacking the Fort, they've already wounded three Legionnaires, we have barred the Fort gates sir, they can't get in but they attacked with a ferocity not seen before,' the Legionnaire replied 'They attacked as if a dark power pushed them forward, they did not fall back in fear of our fire arrows, whatever dark power is behind this is not friendly.'

'Order the men to continue firing at them, we will strike back with the fury of the Empire!' Tarn ordered

The Legionnaire ran off to issue the orders and Tarn prepared for combat

Today is a good day to die He thought as he donned his armor.

The wolves were clawing at the thick oak gates but to no avail, they wouldn't budge and inch, Tarn rush into the Forts courtyard and began issue orders to the assembled Legionnaires

'Men, I know you joined the Legion to defend the Empire from it's aggressors in anyway possible, your true selves will be revealed here today, these wolves are driven by a dark power and seek only yo destroy us, I doubt they will stop until all of us are corpses rotting in the sun or until they all lie dead on the ground, now I bid stand men of the Empire!' He shouted to his Legionnaires

They moved to the gates and Tarn signaled for them to be opened, the Legionnaires in the gatehouse proceeded to open the gates, once they were open enough the wolves began to charge in, they were bigger then normal wolves and far stronger, it would be no walk in the park for the Legion. Tarn's arrows struck true but the wolves were too close to use the bow, he drew his Claymore and cleaved the skull of a wolf in two, the Legionnaires fought with courage rarely seen, but no matter how hard they fought the wolves were just to strong. Halfway through the battle the archers on the walls stopped offering support, they had there own assailants, vulture, crows and other carrion were attacking the Legionnaires on the walls who turned their attention to them and left the swordsmen to themselves. The battle for Fort Algathor was a disgrace to the Legion but with much blood shed it was a victory

:How could us Legionnaires lose so many against wolves?: Tarn thought as he sat with his back against a wall

Victory had taken nineteen good Legionnaires to their graves, whatever dark power sent the wolves was very powerful indeed.

~~~~~

Then next morning brought more fog from the sea and showed the funerals of nineteen New Temperians

'They died fighting to protect their loved ones and friends, not only that but they died defending the Empire and all that it stands for, their deaths were noble and the way Legionnaires would have wanted to go, dying in combat is more honorable the dying in a deathbed, they fought to their last breath and gave no ground, the very things that would have earned them a place of honor in the heavens, may they rest in peace.' Tarn said after they were buried

He knew he was no good with speeches but he had given ti his best shot, the Legionnaires returned to their duties and extra guards were posted on the wall tops, if Algathor was attacked again they would be ready.

A bead of sweat rolls down the brow of a lone soldier. His head and body is covered in a glimmering metal armor, dark ore. Beneath his plate armor, was a fine silver mail. His helmet was lofty, silver, dark ore, and a noble gold trim. On the top was a trail of green stallion hair. He is the Captain of the Imperial Guards, Xalerion.

His green eyes searched his surroundings. One hand reached for his back, another one to a staff protruding from the ground next to him. From his back, he heaved a large circular shield, out of the same metal as his armor. From his side, he pulled out a great silver spear, the pointed end as sharp as a razor and as long as a shortsword. He stood in a battle position, his shield out front, and his spear above him pointing out in front.

Suddenly, from a group of trees to his right, a rustling sound came. A large wolf, nomenclatured as "Caninae Wargus", usually called by the population, simply as "Wargs". They are a type of wolf, yet much larger and hostile toward anything aside from their own species.

Its yellow eyes delved deep into Xalerions, its massive jaw opened then clamped shut, a long tread of spittle dropping from its long jagged teeth. Xalerions eyes smoldered, he took on a serious face and looked into the beasts eyes with his own. It leaped at him, his claws forward as if to grasp Xalerions neck, but they never reached him. Xalerion spun around with precision and swung the butt of the shaft into its jaw, then the blade point into its stomach and then face.

With a sickening yelp, the Warg was dead and on the ground next to him. Xalerion pried the blade out from its skull and wiped it on the grass to get the blood off. From the shadows, four other Imperial Guards, with dark ore scale armor and matching helms approached. They carried an assortment of weapons, from pikes to bows. They bowed to Xalerion and looked to his fallen prey.

"It looks like the wolves have gotten larger since last we fought them." Xalerion said.

His men stood next to him, the same serious look plastered on their faces. They had not been back to the Imperial City in ten days, and they were heading back via the eastern road. They were apparently going to run into Fort Algathor quite soon. They would have to take camp there for one last night.

It was early dawn when the Legionnaire spotted the Imperial Guards on the road, he quickly sent another soldier to wake the captain, luckily enough for the messenger Tarn was already awake

'Sir, the watchman spotted five Imperial Guards on the road, what are your orders?' The Legionnaire said

'Let them in, I will not deny them a place to rest, especially since their Imperial Guards, go and alert the guard to let them in, I will be out shortly.' and with that Tarn dismissed the man

~~~~~~~

Deep in the woods not to far south of Fort Algathor lay a ruined tower, it had one inhabitant, a cloaked figure who sat in a small alcove inside the tower reading ancient scrolls, every night he would leave the tower and cast spells on the wild beast of the forest, then he would return to his reading. Whatever went on inside his mind is was not good, he had changed the wolves into killing machines, no longer did they care about territory, they only cared for the blood of humans.

~~~~~~~

'Welcome to Fort Algathor, I am Captain Ratasha of the Imperial Legion, how may I help you today?' Tarn said to the Imperial Guards as they entered the Fort

Luck had gotten them inside when they did for not a moment later the howls of wolves were heard again, this time they were more numerous

'Hold that thought,' Tarn said, then he turned to his men 'To arms Legionnaires of New Temerpia! Our strength in combat is called upon again, archers to the walls, prepare for an attack!'

Little did they know that Fort Algathor was only a testing ground, once the wolves were able to defeat the Legionnaires then no more would they trouble the Fort, they would ravage the Empire.

Xalerion and his small squad of Imperial Guards all walked into the Fort before the gates closed. He took off his helmet and looked to the Legion Soldiers who were tasked to guard.

"Excuse me, where is your officer here in charge of the fort, I wish to speak with him." Xalerion asked.