Snippet #1474788

North-Ridge

Almost gleaming in the candle light, the twin weapons lay side by side inside their ebony wood casing. Each exotic sword was made of tempered steel fashioned into a thin blade that ended in sharpened u-shaped hooks. The hilts, wrapped in black leather, were guarded by crescent blades and on the very end of the weapons were small knife-like points. Oddly enough, down the center of each blade's body were miniscule holes no larger than the diameter of a bead. Wrath's eyes were as wide as saucers as he gaped at the infamous Tiger Hooks. His father's weapons. "Where...they were destroyed when he died...how?"

"Do you truly think we did not retrieve General Liu-Wen's equipment upon searching for his remains?" Nhil's smile was genuine enough, but something felt forced about the gesture. He held up the case where the swords lay and offered them to Wrath. "Granted, all we managed to recover were some tattered orange cloth and scraps of twisted metal, but," Nhil nodded at the Tiger Hooks, "What little was left we combined with enchanted steel to recreate Fong's weaponry. For you."

"For me? I don't understand. You of all people know how little I know of swordcraft...you almost kicked me out of basic training..." the words faded into silence as three iron golems stepped out of white fiery portals into the increasingly crowded tent. One held an embroidered suit of live leather armor that pulsed faintly with powerful enchantment before returning to it's normal luster, along with a crimson cloak. The second of the constructs cupped a velvet pillow between it's great hands. On top of the fabric was a small chain made of silver with a charm in the shape of a vortex.

"And you of all people know of my affinity for the spirit world." Nhil set the case holding the weapons on the bed and grabbed the pendant to dangle it's charm in front of Wrath's face. "I know you aren't the best swordsman...he knows too. Within this charms lies a small portion of your father's soul. Nothing valuable like the mind or personality," he said with a placating gesture to ward off any protest, "But something he won't need in the afterlife. His talent for dealing death. His skill." Wrath narrowed his eyes, sudden understanding dawning on him. "As long as you wear this, you will effectively become a mirror of the war hero you so splendidly fail to live up to as kin."

Wrath breathed slowly. He was trying to quell the rising emotion in his breast and failing miserably. Anger at being mocked. Skepticism at such an unbelievably generous offer. Confusion at what this portained. At length, only five words came to the younger Liu-Wen's lips: "What's in it for you?"

Nhil smiled at this. This time, the expression was definetly not warm. It wasn't a display of emotion at all really...just muscles stretching flesh across teeth. "Not me. The Legion. The Paragon. Our people, mortals, we need a hero. We need you." Nhil's face returned to a neutral state and he patted Wrath's shoulder. The golems set their burden down on the bed and disappeared in a flash of opaque flame. Nhil turned towards the tent entrance and headed outside into the rain. "Meet me in the center of camp in ten minutes, in your new garb."

---

Forest, Somewhere near the Terra Mountain Range

Well, that was easy enough. Yanis's vision swam as he jogged through the muggy woodland along with his newfound allies. He still did not trust the as far as he could throw them--considering how well a halfling lifted an orc, that was not at all. It would still be good to have more muscle along just in case he ran in to any straggling Children or wildlife. The one-handed halfling thought things were finally looking up when a striking woman appeared from the woodwork with an arrow poised to pierce something vital. She did not appear to be hostile so much as frightened though...maybe..."Miss. I am Yanis, corporal of special assault forces within the Legion of Ashes under commander Mercy Yan'vega's command. I and my...hired hands, are on an important mission to inform high-command of a dire new developement within the ranks of the Children of Fire."

As if that explained everything, Yanis advanced past the hunter and waved the two orcs on. "It would be greatly appreciated if you could guide us through the forest...my fellows and I lack the woodsmanship that you have displayed." that was probably untrue. He glanced back at Brack with a conspiratorial eye. He did not care for another addition to the mission, but it was better to keep her close at hand. There was no telling who was affiliated with the dragons these days and it was better to keep enemies close where you could watch them. "We move. Now."

---

North-Ridge

As he walked through the encampment the rain ran off of Wrath and his new equipment as if he was shielded by some unseen force. His gait was straighter, more confident as his cape billowed out peridoically with a gust of wind. Both hooked swords were strapped onto the belt of his new armor, bare steel glinting in the firelight. An air of calculating superiority practically radiated from the commander. Wrath stepped next to general Derenthi in the center square of the Legion camp, in a large circular clearing. Magical everburn torches were lit all across the camp now, as the cloud-obscured night came on in full, plunging them into darkness. Nhil nodded in approval and muttered a cantrip that amiplified his voice to carry over the expansive camp.

"This is General Derenthi of the Legion of Ashes. Every unit not assigned to this outpost is required to report to the bonfire located in the middle of the tent masses immediately. Those who fail to do so will receive martial punishment to the fullest extent." after a short pause, he added, "That includes you Yan'vega."

In minutes the troops began filing in. Since Wrath's was the only legion in camp, only his meager unit arrived. Sid was the first, followed by the remaining orcish siblings. The harpies came next, oddly staying away from one another and both looking rather flushed. Achiru had several bites and scratches across his bare torso and neck. Pel trudged into the gathering with eyes downcast towards the ground, Iriana setting a delicate palm on her head. Then came Beelzes, dragging along her blind mage 'student' and setting Faera in front of her. It wasn't long before the last of them arrived. When all were in attendance, Nhil made to speak but was cut off by a question from Wrath directed at Sid and Pel Mekillot.

"Where are privates Ga'Taro, Korra and Arkha?" Sid bit her lip and Pel looked away. Sid was the first to speak.

"Hokunn died almost as soon as we set him down. Laila passed away a couple minutes ago. Gilleas...he's gone. Deserted I think." Wrath simply nodded and motioned for Nhil to continue.

"A shame." the deep human said. Dressed in gray and black clothing lined with gold, several pins of rank upon his tunic, it was obvious that the stranger was someone of a high station. Obviously Nhil, leader of the Legion of Ashes. He did not bother with formalities. "Contrary to popular belief, the fortieth legion is not for rejects or oddities. It is a test. Those of you standing here are made of something greater than the average soldier...we simply needed some assurance that we were not mistaken in that assumption. The battle you just faced? A measure of your abilities. Do you think it is every day a legion of twenty-two fends off an assault three times their size? An assault comprised of combatants that are equal to three men each? Who can breath magical flames and tear a man apart with their bare hands? The answer is no. Had you been a normal unit, I would not be having the honor of speaking to you today. It is my pleasure, to announce that you, newest members of the Legion of Ashes, have all been promoted. You are now apart of the Black Guard: The Vanguard unit of the Legion of Ashes."

Without warning arcane gates came in to being behind Nhil and Wrath, admitting dozens of hulking armored golems. Glistening black iron brutes made of enchanted metal that does not rust, corrode, tire or complain. Half of them dragged along large metallic carts covered with tarps. With a snap from Nhil, the golems closest to each cart tore off the coverings to reveal carts filled to the brim with supple new live leather of all types, weapons of all makes and types from across Norr and potions, poisons and travel supplies of the highest quality. Most the the fortieth legion gasped. Nhil smirked and stepped back to allow Wrath to take the lead.

"It is true. All of it. General Derenthi and several benefactors of the Legion met me in my tent have been filling me in on the situation for the past hour." Silhouetted by the ghostly light of the spectral fires, Wrath looked across the bredth of his legion. "Each and every one of you is something beyond the norm. That includes Grimsmirk and myself...that is why we are the new spearpoint of the Legion. In ten days the invasion upon the dragon-controlled territory will begin. We will cross the mountains dividing east and west Norr, and bring the fight to the dragons. These golems are apart of our unit now, Darkgards forty in all, and we will also be replenished for those troops we have lost."

As if that was the signal another smaller gate opened and the first of the newest legionnaires stepped through.

---

Atalia City

"C'mon, c'mon, Nhilly wants you guys there pronto! Through the gate, look for the pale guy in black! Kinda cute in a stand-offish way with those round, steely eyes and soft-"

Miralight, you're doing it. Again. The halfling waving on the procession blushed and held her tome out in front of her. Miralight pouted and almost through the animated book away, but shrugged in agreement. It was true after all.

"Alright! Role call before I send you guys through!" In the citadel, within the capital city of the Paragon, the freshly issued soldiers that were to reinforce the newly minted Black Guard with new blood. "Sarish Tal'Asir! Lamian cleric...oooh! That's rare, what's the name of the angel you venerate? Who's-" the animated book cleared his throat and Mira smiled and pushed Sarish into the portal with a magical nudge of force. "Liliana Bloodleaf, elfy marksman. Do elves ever run out of people who use bows? It just seems odd to me, wouldn't you run out of wood to use for arrows eventually? Oh! Sorry! Through the gate!" another push. "Hm, next is Alistair Razoredge...oh! I fought against you in the last war that one time! You tore my wooden flying horse out of the air if I recall correctly, how is your wing doing? Healed all right? Get on through!"

The next two legionaries jumped through without being announced. Miralight scowled and called after them, "Don't do that kinda stuff! You might get lashed and nobody likes lashings, it's rather painful! Anyways, Gurgen and Turha Mialee, twin psionics. Did you know humans could even have twins any more? Wierd right?" the question was directed at the last of the new legionnaires. She smiled and shook her head, to which Miralight smiled. Don't worry, I know you can't talk. Be sure to keep those guys alive!" then the last soldier was through the portal, which closed behind her.

---

North-Ridge

Wrath nodded in approval when Nhil finished calling out the names and positions of each arrival through the gate. The final soldier caught him off guard for a brief moment, then regained his composure. If the girl was here, then she was in all likelihood much more than she seemed. The gates closed all around leaving the full force of the Black Guard in the rain. Nhil raised his arms and cried out in a trumphant roar, "Members of the Black Guard! Congratulations! Many would think of a vanguard as a foolish term to describe those who take the most risks meeting the enemy in battle first...but I have lead the Black Guard on several occassions. We are simply the first to taste victory!"

A deafening cheer, one that should not have been possible for so few people met this proclimation. Nhil, along with Mercy, was gone in the blink of an eye, disappearing. Wrath cleared his throat and called for silence. "Alright, alright. I know this is exciting...unexpected. But it seems as if fortune smiles on us. All of your martial payments have been increased five times over, and ration limits vastly increased. Over the next few days other legions will arrive in camp. We will be working in concert with them, so get familiar with your fellows. Be sure to make our new members feel welcome as well. Now get some sleep, it's late."

As the soldiers were dismissed Wrath approached Neira with a sealed scroll. The parcel was placed into her hand, and to his credit, Wrath looked her in the eye without showing any outward signs of discomfort. "You've been conscripted. Welcome to the Legion of Ashes." and went back to his tent for some rest. He was exhausted.

Of the new recruits, one of them had not moved since arriving in camp. She stared straight at Caine with wide eyes. Barely reaching five feet in height, with marble skin and azure hair, the young elven girl's expression was caught somewhere between curiosity and distant recognition. Without thinking she rubbed the scar across the front of her throat. Finally deciding she had never seen the hulk of a man before, Mikana made her way to her own tent to retire for the evenning.