An Era of Turmoil

Almost immediately, three large construction battalions moved into Anumias. Two of these commenced to foreign aid work, putting together the shattered pieces of the city and restoring its former glory; another went toward the construction of the Olivebranch Complex--the Civitas presence in Anumian Dark Ore deposits.

Construction began in earnest, including a small military guard--mostly to provide security in lieu of the Anumian police, it was explained--and lodgings for a hundred workers, to be expanded when possible. It was to produce Dark Ore for Civitas use within the next two years.

At home, the utilization of this resource began quickly, as shipments of Dark Ore--formerly destined for Anumian use--were delivered to the Hub below the City. Plans were unveiled to use the material for a variety of industrial uses, including statues, structural supports, gates, and, finally, magma ducts.

As the Dark Ore arrived, plans were set out in a most diabolical fashion within the Conclave chambers. It was midnight and only a few Dwarves, the night shift for industries, walked above.

"Dear, why are we here at this hour?" Markus asked Erika, sleepily. "And why did you insist on us all wearing masks...?"

"Hush, you! This is important! And I thought it added to the evil mood," she said, smiling. "This is my most positively wonderful plan yet."

As she winked at the Magistrate, she unfurled a set of plans, showing a series of ducts around the--Markus couldn't believe his eyes. The words "Omega Magma Defence System" were written in calming green ink at the top of a system of chutes, gates, reservoirs, and safety mechanisms.

Leon spoke. "There is no way this could possibly be construed as ethical."

Erika nodded. "Of course, those pesky ethical concerns. In... tests... we've shown that death occurs instantly. No screaming, no burning, just ashes."

The room fell silent. She really was a good person to have on your side, after all. But there was more to be said.

"We've got an Atlas ton of Dark Ore, thanks to our political manoeuvring with regards to the Anumian crises," she explained further. "Leon, are our troops stationed there for a police force? My construction crews report some harrasment at the hands of the locals, but not much."

"They'll be there in days," he replied flatly.

A few weeks later, construction had started on the system, facilitated by Anumian Dark Ore and intended to dump searing death down the Entrance shafts. It had secondary, civilian benefits also--industry got its magma for cheap and the fortress was heated to a comfortable temperature all year round. An obelisk was placed outside of the fortress doors, bearing an inscription.

Let The Fire Flow.

The men at the gate--Civic Guards, equipped modestly with clearly visible batons and small shields, as well as less visible daggers and slings--turned around to face the messenger, their chain mail rustling as they did so. From the fog emerged the diplomat, as he held his hand with fingers splayed in two groups; a symbol of peace and negotiation.

Greeting him, they were given the envelope. Immediately, upon notice of the seal, their faces turned to disdain. They turned to disgust when they noticed the light Royalist purple of the stationery.

"We thank you, Messenger. Follow us. The Magistrate will want to see you."
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"Inform the... ahh... Baron that no such preparations will be made," Markus said with an air of finality. "The Civitas does not capitulate to any noble, no matter his puffery!"

"Markus! Are you familiar with what you are doing?" Leon shouted, exasperated. "Our regime will have to defend itself! You understand they'll send Legions, yes? Whole armies to topple this city?"

Erika butted in. "We've got magma, people!"

Markus nodded. "Leon, we must raise soldiers. An entire army. I shall send a letter to Anumias. Independence is our destiny."

After supper within the palace dining hall, Xalerion walked up the marble steps to the next level toward the Throne Room. The Overlords who stood at the door, gilded in Dark Ore armor of the highest quality and wearing lush black silken capes, showing their rank and position, saluted to the Emperor as he entered the hall from the stairs. As he walked down the red carpet with golden embroidered edges, one of the Overlords approached and bowed low to the ground as was customary toward royalty. In his hand he held a furled message, stamped with the Civitas seal of red wax. Xalerion nodded and took the note.

From upon his high throne, Xalerion undid the stamp and unfurled the parchment. He looked at first with a light heart, as he and Markus had always talked before of different matters concerning their nations' relationship. However, upon reading the fated message, scrawled in haste it seemed, his heart became quite heavy. He wiped his brow as he read it once more in disbelief.

"I fear another war shall set itself upon this lands soil once more, and not a year has passed since the late war for independence. Rume is powerful, maybe as much so as Rhunland." Xalerion thought.

It seemed that a gloom had pressed itself against the island now. The sun no longer shined as it once did, or it felt as though the warm rays did not reach any being who resided. Was there a higher power, preparing to smite all those who wished their freedom, wished a new life for themselves and for their people? The dread winter only seemed to be the beginning of something.. much, much more terrifying.

The thought of somehow losing New Capua to this new menace, or more specifically, the leadership of Markus posed a large problem toward Anumias. Policies would undoubtedly have to be changed according to this Kaizer's whim. Their alliance could, or would, be dissolved. Anumias could live without New Capua being there, but the absence of their current military alliance could prove disastrous for both nations.

Consequently, Xalerion sent back a new message for Markus. He would indeed send military aid to New Capua under the leadership of a Anumian general, whenever this war started. For reasons of national security as well as economic security, he suggested that as soon as the conflict began, if it began, Dark Ore deposits being shipped to New Capua would be restricted in its entirety. Tourism would be halted toward all civilians until a later date is specified as such, and trade would stop until the conflict was decided.

As the City prepared for war, new soldiers were drilled. The legions would be there any moment, their landing unstoppable and numbers unlimited. Strategists had realized that the news of the defeat of Rhunland at the hands of Anumias and the Winter Pact would lead to more careful invasions; cunning and ruthlessness were expected.

It had been a decade since then; the population had bloomed to over twice its pre-war levels. The military stood at two thousand individuals, not counting the City Guard; elections had come and gone, with Markus regaining power after a brief loss. The Red.

It was threatened. At home, Rume had been in quarrels for decades; it was only now solidifying under an Emperor. As the Empire moved into lands long considered independent or lost, Capua was at the top of the list. The Purple.

The anticipated date of invasion approached.

The Capuans learned of the invasion from a small fishing boat, which narrowly avoided capture or destruction at the hands of the incoming fleet. As usual, the enemy was invincible at sea; a naval blockade, however, would have to be solved later. For now, Kaizer presented the number one threat to the existence of the Civitas. Beneath the walls, tunnels were dug, in order to sacrifice them when the time came.

An army of two thousand assembled inside of the Mountain. Every last civilian was drilled again and again in the spear and shield, in case of a defeat at the gates. Despite the propagandistic atmosphere, total rationality reigned inside of the Conclave chambers.

"Our front gates are invincible," Erika announced, her pride hardly a secret. "The traps, the ambush chamber, and the gates should make it impossible for them to get through the front doors."

Leon, slightly more uneasy, commented. "I wouldn't be so sure. We need to leave a sizeable contingent of troops at the gates to make sure, and evacuate everything that isn't in armour from that section of the city."

Erika nodded, as Markus pointed to a spot on the map. "Kaizer is no fool. He knows he can't win in a frontal engagement, and he probably knows we're self-sufficient," the Magistrate said. "Except in water."

The room fell silent for a moment as he continued. "Dear, what percentage of our water is supplied by Anumias?"

"About twenty," she said. "The rest comes from the river Ceres."

"That's his target," Markus said. "He will dry us out. We must send two-thirds of our forces to oppose him along the river to ensure it is not dammed."

Leon interjected with a start. "I will contact General Tyerdil up North. I'm sure that the Empire will be eager to return the favour."

Nero Tyerdil, one of the greatest warlords and military generals that Anumias had, received the message straight from the hand of the Emperor. As he stood before the great throne of the Imperial palace, he opened the parchment letter completely then looked to Xalerion.

"What is thy bidding, my Lord? You should know I only answer to you." Tyerdil said.

Xalerion, now old and with a long beard, walked from his throne to look from the great window within the Palace Room. He turned to Tyerdil, and with his sage-like appearance, he spoke to Tyerdil.

"You are my greatest commander, Nero. I shall send you to New Capua with a full Battalion of 500 Anumian troops. Never forget that though thirty years has passed, and our economy and people have fully healed, although still bare the proud scars of our Revolution, we still owe the Civitas a great debt. I am sending you to pay them back, with our own assistance in their war. We are close allies, as you know.. they deserve our help. Now, I bid thee go, and gather a Battalion. You will leave Anumias tomorrow to aid our allies. Follow the orders given, unless they infringe upon your freedoms governed by the Empire." Xalerion finished.

Tyerdil bowed low and walked out from the throne room and the palace to gather a force in aid of New Capua. When the next day came, a force of 500 Elite Anumian Troops marched with pride through the causeway to New Capua with Nero Tyerdil at the forefront riding upon a great stallion. Civilians of both nations who stood within the vast tunnel looked upon the proud troops with hope. The war would be beginning soon.

The Capuan defenders prepared feverishly, with the assembly of multiple Legions and their supporting arms. An entire contingent left for the River Ceres, anticipating the drought maneuver, as the rest--mostly citizen's militia--prepared to defend the front gates.

The Omega cylinders were expanded significantly, alongside groundwork preparations to break up the advancing Rumans. Below the surface of the earth, tunnels were dug, to be filled with volcanic byproducts before their collapse and release. At the walls, mining began, planning a collapse and gassing of the incoming forces.

Eleseria had come far since it had appeared, with their recent alliance with Capua and the completion of the city walls Tarn had brought his kingdom to the height of it's glory. He stood at a window in his castle and watched as a ship docked in the harbor, the doors to his room flew open

''Crown Prince, the Magi have arrived.'' Captain General Felnorn Ambrith said

''So they have, I trust you will escort them to their tower Ambrith, anything else?'' Tarn said to him

''Her royal Highness has requested to see you when you have the chance.''

''Thank you, that's all for now General, don't let me keep you from your duties.''

Felnorn bowed and left, his life in Eleseria had been one filled with hardships and choices. It was only two years ago that they finally won the First Orc War, now the lands around Eleseria were rid of them but many lives had been claimed during the three years of bloodshed and much of it was done his hands. He had learned not to argue with the Prince unless he saw a very good reason to, so far nothing bad had come of it but over time people change, he just hoped that Tarn did not change for the worst.

***

After Felnorn left Tarn gathered his papers and put them away, he had much work to do but now was not the time for it. For now he was going to spend time with his family, it had been days since he had spoken wife his wife or children and this angered him. He had to much work to do and the nobles had yet to arrive, they were coming with the enchanted water and the next shipment of Elven Ore. Another week at least, another week of having to deal with his entire kingdom alone except for the military. That was another reason why he liked Felnorn so much, he would deal with all the military maters and give Tarn some extra time to deal with other things such as his family. As he entered the room his youngest child, Elgrin, ran up to him and began to pull on his leg. Picking up the boy he placed him on his shoulder and then made his way over to the window where his wife, Irene, sat sewing. As he approached she stood up and slapped him in the face

''What was that for?'' Tarn asked placing a hand on his now sore cheek

''That was for locking yourself in your chambers for four days, don't do it again.'' Irene said as she kissed him

''It won't, the nobles will be here soon and the northern towns are rebuilding, I should have little work to do for awhile and that means I can spend some time with you and the children.''

''Good because I miss you so much.''

''Father, I want to go to Capua.'' Silrin, Tarn's eldest son said

''We will talk about that later, for now let us eat, supper is being served in the great hall.'' Tarn replied

The royal family made it's way down to the great hall where a feast had been prepared in honor of Eleseria's birthday.

The great forest castle of Utagas was quiet. Not a soul said a word as people passed by on their business. A state of depression seemed to be commencing, but this time, the only ones affected were the peasants. Their rash treatment had gone too far and Tirithon Azadar knew it. He did not like the King's attitude of late. He used to be a good fellow, but now he was going to far. He was overtaxing them, depriving them of things, and treating them like dirt. Azadar felt for these people, but there was nothing he could do. The King would not listen to him. He stood on top of part of the finished wall, his dark hair waving in the wind.

Workers toiled below on part of the wall, using all the stone they had left. They were running out and they would need more soon. The wall was almost finished; it would likely take a month or even less to finish, but they would need more supplies to get rid of the gap. Vixalare IV, the King of Utaga, knew that they would have to negotiate with their current trade partner, Capua, for some more stone. He always hated negotiations. He wished that they could just charge in and take it all away, but that was not possible, as their land would be overthrown without any authority around.

Ballistae were being constructed on top of the walls that were finished. They would be great assets to the kingdom's defense and could easily destroy almost any enemy that they fired at. Vixalare grinned. He liked these new weapons that were coming in, though they would take a while to assemble. He couldn't wait until they would be able to use them, which was a strange idea, as that was almost wishing that someone would attack them.

The fishing and hunting village of Utagamos that was by the river to the East of Utagas, was not going so well. Fishing was not their expertise, and they were doing horrible at it. The King would not be happy with this month's catches, but they had no choice but to submit to his anger, as they did not have enough practice to start fishing up loads at once. The village had a bad start, but it would likely thrive later on once the Utagans were ready.

The progress was going so badly that the King sent some more construction workers to go to the south and fish from the sea. They were only to build log cabins, so the village would take quite a few months to complete, but it would be worth it. Azadar was impressed that the King made such a wise move. The only problem was that, like Utagamos, that other fishing village would be virtually unprotected. If a large force came in, it would likely occupy the villages with ease. Luckily, the same thing couldn't be said for Utagas.

The villagers were set up to tasks like mining in the mountains, fishing, hunting, and blacksmithing. The production rate was average, despite the amount of workers, but that could be changed once life got a little better for them.

"Nowadays," Azadar said to himself. "This place is like a ghost town. They are depressed. I hope my Lord considers his foul laws and redeems himself before even I myself turn against him."

In the middle of the day, Azadar sent off a messenger to head to Capua and negotiate some trade with them for stone and other supplies. He was eager to finish the wall, as the gaping hole made him nervous. The diplomat hurried off out of the forest and started to head towards Capua, running as fast as he could to relay his Lord's offer.

OOC: Bleach? What of Kaizer? ;_; Bah, I'll RP him in a seperate thread.

OOC: Ehehehe.. woops, I forgot.