Chapter 86 Into the mist 1 (1/2)
Several armies had converged on the Steppes, these were hardened soldiers and elites of the expeditionary forces. After weeks of trudging along the Steppes to exterminate any local natives they found, the expeditions had finally arrived at the location where a large town with a citadel was under rapid construction. With the aid of magic and talented engineers and laborers, it wasn't too difficult of a process to construct the town and accompanying citadel with barracks to house large numbers of soldiers. It was still mostly a husk of a town, but the fortifications had been the first to be worked on and completed. It had already been a few months since construction began and a mixed force of elites from all the participating churches was already garrisoned in the city. With the supply lines secure, soon caravans filled with supplies and the necessary resources would come pouring in.
The town currently had a wall reaching a height of 50 feet and there were some further fortifications under construction around the town. Although it would take more time to fully complete all of the planned fortifications for the town and citadel, the defenses were satisfactory for the time being. It could at least keep an army out for an extended period of time and it would be enough to defend against any of the local wildlife and monsters. All in all, it was a proper base of operations for further expansion and exploration.
Most of the expeditions had succeeded in their initial mission, although the number of natives they had encountered less than what they expected. They had done their best to contain the tribes in the local region in order to control the spread of news for the time being. It was necessary to gain time for the negotiations with the dragons and their actions had met with success, at least until they heard what happened to the northern churches. This had put a stain on the mission of the expedition and many ridiculed them for their failure. A heavy gloom encompassed the northern church's expeditionary army and morale was at an all time low. The nightly howling of anguish of the remaining Direwolf didn't help to alleviate this situation.
This had been a constant headache for Archbishop Ragnir who had been met with a series of setbacks which he would need to take responsibility for.
”We are finally here.”
Ragnir calmly moved the curtain of his carriage window while looking out at the town under construction just off in the distance. Bishop Girard was seated across from him and he too felt melancholy. As the second in command of this expedition, he too would have to take responsibility. They couldn't allow any more failures.
Ragnir turned to look at Girard while the curtain fell, ”We have to make sure that everything else goes smoothly. It should be assumed that the Orcs will soon know what is going on, but it's only a matter of time before the dragons are convinced. Even if the Dragon King doesn't help personally, just sending a few dragons and the Dragonmen army would be enough. Too much is at stake here.”
”Are you so certain the Dragon King will agree?” Asked Girard.
”What choice do they have? The population of dragons and their kind are limited . They have been on the decline for a long time now and there are hardly any left on the continent. Even if dragons are born powerful, so what? They are destined to be materials, to be reduced to a resource, for our weapons, armor, potions and magical devices. The Dragon King is not a fool. Even if they are able to hold back our expansion now, it is just delaying the inevitable. He will make the right choice, it is the only way to ensure their survival.”
”But those tribes that escaped, won't they inform the larger tribes? What if the horde arrives first?”
Girard couldn't hide the nervousness in his voice. This was a major concern which was entirely their failure.
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”Nothing can be done about it now. We already sent word to those dragons who are in support of our negotiations. We can only hope they have a solution. I am more concerned about that Shelise and the Legendary being accompanying her. You have hidden Brock well? It wouldn't do to have those two come into contact with each other. For now she has been quiet and stayed to herself and soon she will most likely move on to the other camp. We have to ensure that he is kept hidden once we enter the citadel. I don't want to lose such a talent and with her brother already dead, she won't remain long after she finally accepts that reality.”
”She seems pretty adamant about him being alive, could we be mistaken?” Asked Girard.
”Bah, he was just a weak fool who couldn't accept the reality of his circumstances. The only thing good about him were his subordinates. Truly a shame to lose those few who were by his side.”