Lynesse

To Battle

Two missives came by personal courier, something that never happened. That was my first inkling that something was up. One was in a scarlet envelope that screamed urgent, the other plain parchment yellow emblazoned with the Horde insignia. Obviously I opened the red one first; I knew what a call to arms from the Horde looked like. I’d gotten a few as a private soldier and I wanted to put off opening it as long as I could. 

 Ratchetclank’s personal seal in inky black wax kept the red envelope shut. There was a bit of string under it to cut through the closure efficiently. Goblins, always looking to shave time off of menial tasks. I skimmed the text.

They’d been “morally obligated” (translation: paid a fine sum) to sign my contract over to the Warchief’s war council in this time of duress. I’d been sold out to the Army and they wanted me to hear it from them first. As compensation I’d receive six months worth of payment with appropriate taxes removed. I know I scowled. You know how I know? I’m still scowling. 

The second letter was brief. Report immediately to the Blasted Lands to defend against the invasion of Orcs from beyond the Dark Portal. I checked the date three times thinking it was a joke. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. I wasn’t going to have a lot of time after packing to track people down to let them know what was up, so letters it was.

I wasn’t sure if Kelthius would come visit me at my apartment all after the shenanigans of Sunday & Monday. It was his idea to try and sleep in my bed as a way of escalating our little Great Flag War (that Andaeros started). I’d been very, very tempted to give the blonde a proper demonstration of the proper and universally accepted way to claim a woman’s bed, but I chose to be merciful. My “mercy” of just edging in next to him and sleeping on my bed still caused him issue; he was more tense than I’d ever seen him when I woke up the next morning, and red as a tomato to boot. Poor man. It had also been his idea to tell me that he’d hidden my gold label whiskey as a way to try and claim victory in said Great Flag War. I’d grabbed his ear in retaliation (something you do with petulant elflings usually) and his reaction was to freeze. Some people have really sensitive ears. He’s one of them. I’m not saying I gently rubbed his ear to get him to tell me where my whiskey was.

I’m not saying I also nibbled on the edge of it. …But I won that encounter. Dirty pool? Absolutely. I did feel bad. I still do. He left me a new bottle of gold label, not sure why. I left the first letter next to it. Khaeris says we flirt funny.

Kelthius,

Contract sold to Horde army. Have to report to Blasted Lands ASAP. Portal re-reopened(?), Orc invasion ongoing(?). Still on private contract, not under any “particular authority”, but I still have to go. Probably easy if this is not a joke. Not sure when I’ll be back, taking Pi'ir with me. Feel free to keep using the apartment (and bed if you’re brave enough). Flag War temporary truce requested. 

-Lyn

The second letter got dropped in the mail.

Andaeros,

Contract sold to the Horde, reporting to the Blasted Lands. Orcs & portals. First War part two! Convinced this is a joke. Kelthius might be staying at my apartment. Not sure. Make kissy faces at Khaeris for me!

-Lyn

It wasn’t a joke. Nethergarde and Okril’lon fell fast, until this point there wasn’t much to reinforce against and a majority of the defenders had been moved to more important locations. The camps were what you'd expect; There’s a lot of screaming over the ridge, still. The triage tents are never short of wounded, to the point I feel guilty not being a better healer. I’m doing what I can to get people off the field alive, and I’ve made a point to share whiskey with what other mercenaries I can. A little goes a long way. Knowing I might have a few extra eyes to watch my back is a comfort. I won’t be getting much rest while I’m out here, the durable fabric of my tent doing little to keep the roaring of the invading, non-fel corrupted Orc’s weapons out. Pi'ir’s constantly darting around, unsettled. I get it. The smoke is thick and the air smells like burning flesh and blood and it’s not been very long.

I’m unsettled too.

My orders are to kill as many as I can. Team up when necessary. Bolster the Horde Army as much as possible. 

I’ve seen a lot of battles, but this one’s pretty bad.