-Sarahn Empire-

-City of Atrius, one year ago-

It was dusk and rainy that night when the Dark hooded riders moved down the main road on ebony horses. Loud horns sounded their arrival, foreign horns announcing an envoy from another land. They were escorted by Imperial cavalry but these other nationals were allowed to announce themselves. They were greeted by the people of the city, with a degree of contempt from the general populace. No one was a fan of foreigners from nations so far off but this event was far beyond what the citizens thought it to be, beyond their wildest dreams. As the men dismounted, wind tugged at their outfits and stirred the fires that illuminated the walkways. These men began their ascent up the long stair case that leads to the capitol complex itself. Soldiers wearing ornate armor and ceremonial weapons lined the steps watching these visitors every move. Citizens stood below, watching this event take place, unknowing of their mission.

Titus himself had arrived at the complex gates to greet the newcomers. He forced them to stand on the landing outside the capitol buildings massive doors. Titus didn't show any emotion when these men dropped their hoods. They didn't bow or acknowledge they were speaking to a leader, something Titus was not fond of. The lead one smiled, his grin was dark, illuminated solely by the few yellow teeth he still possessed. "On behalf of the scorched king, you are required to-" Titus rose his hand, cutting the man off. Titus spoke with a thunderous, commanding voice. "Who is this scorched king, who is he to require anything.". The scorched kings envoy smiled again, "Do not mistake the scorched kings requirement as something you can dismiss. I have come to call on your people in an upcoming campaign."

Some of the Imperial guards were coughing at this point, doing their best to be respectful of the Emperor but their giggles were showing through. Titus himself gave a puzzled look and started to smile himself. This smile led to laughter from all sides. The lead one spoke, enraged by the laughter, "You think this a joke?! Do NOT test me!" The man was huffing at this point, red in the face with anger. He began to open his mouth to yell again when Titus drew his sword. The mans escorts drew their swords. Titus didn't have to say a word before the guards drew their weapons as well. Titus walked towards the man with his sword pointed directly at him. He spoke with a thunderous tone, "Listen here, little man. I do not know who you think you are but you have no authority here, nor does your pathetic king." And with a smile, he thrust his sword right in to the mans mouth. His blade pushing through the back of the mans head. The other foreigners stared in shock at the sudden shift to hostilities. It was somewhat obvious what things were leading to this but, it happened so fast. "The rest of you." Titus said as he slowly drew his sword from the now dead mans mouth. "What is your afterlife like?"

One of the Imperial guard began laughing as he looked down to see a stream of urine running down one of the foreigners pant legs. Fear was ripe with these men now, for good reason. Titus sheathed his sword. "Men, show them the fastest way out.." He turned around and took a few steps before stopping, "to their afterlife." and then continued walking. All he could hear is the muffled screams an unique sound of bodies hitting cold stone floors. 

This was... an informal declaration of war.

-Eastern frontier, seven months ago-

Soldiers fists rose in to the air and armored boots stomped the cold, dry ground. Their breath was visible as they cheered "General! General! General!" Beyond the cheers lay a field of battle, littered with the dead. Goblins and men alike moved through the field, looking for imperial survivors and making sure that the enemy forces were dead. The General moved through his ranks, shaking hands and patting people on the back, most of which were bloodied and bandaged with some still carrying injuries from prior battles. 

The General stood at the top of the hill where the artillery spotters coordinated from. He could pretty far in all directions from here, eyeing the retreating enemies from the battle. "All this bloodshed for a land bridge and some mountains." He said softly. His second in command spoke up, "All this bloodshed for the empire, sir. These mountains make for a good barrier for the empire and this basin below would be a excellent new province." 

"A new province indeed, what do you think they'll name it?" the general asked.
"Maybe they will name it after you?" his second replied.

The two shared a laugh and continued their over-watch before marching could be heard behind them. "Sir! is that another full strength army?!" The general looked in awe, "That's incredible, does the emperor want this basin that bad? to send two armies to take it?" Before they could continue their conversation a rider came through the woods behind them. The General wiped his hands that were stained with dirt and blood. "Rider, what news from the empire?" The general shouted. The rider stopped at the two before the man dismounted. "The fifth army is here to relieve yours. The Emperor has recalled your army, appears your deeds have not gone unnoticed." The generals second in command clasped his hands, "Finally a break from this damned winter." It wasn't right to the general though, something just didn't seem right, to recall an entire army right in the middle of a campaign. 

Months later, the army had finally marched home to the applause of a proud nation. Red flower petals rained down on the troops and children ran to the soldiers with flowers. Titus met the army at the head of the city, near the barracks itself. Titus began to embrace the general and upon release, bowed to the army. "My emperor, 3rd army has arrived as you commanded." Titus gave a warm smile. "Tell your men they have a three month leave. There is a new campaign in the works and I require my best general to do this." Titus motioned for the general to follow him and as the two walked, the emperor spoke to his as if they were just friends. "So... Atriaus, how is the life of a general treating you?"

The two walked off, continuing their small talk until entering the capitol building. The third army had dispersed and began their three month leave. Short as it may be, any time away from the front is always a blessing.

-City of Atrius, present day.-

A guard, clad in blue, walked down the spiraling staircase in the prison section of the barracks. It was cold, wet.. dark.. only countered by the flickering light from a small hand held torch. These stairs stretched pretty far into the ground until the guard finally reached a well lit room at the base. In the room were three guards, all tasked with keeping the prison maintained. 

"Is someone rotating out so soon?" one of the guards asked. Another with a raspy voice answered, "No, he is here for Quintus." That first guard just leaned back against a wall and sighed. The three guards stepped aside for the arriving guard, opening the doors for him. Inside those doors was a secondary processing room which had yet another guard, holding Quintus by a rope around his wrists. "Well, here you go.. again." The arriving guard just smiled, "Yeah.. this is the what, fifth time this month?"

Quintus made no surprising moves or said anything as the guards watched him leave the prison. After the long walk up the stairs and exiting in to the sunlight, th guard released his wrist binding and motioned towards the distant capitol building where Titus himself was waiting. Quintus walked slowly, his head low and muttering to himself, reflecting on certain prisoners that had been nothing short of assholes to him. Citizens would scoff at him when walking by while some of the younger ladies stared in awe. 

When he arrived at the steps, Quintus bowed before the Emperor who then motioned him into the building. Thin but tall windows let plenty of light in to the potted plants and vines that ran down large white marble pillars. Titus cleared his throat then began to speak "So.. Quintus.. First an army officer, then a gladiator and finally a mercenary? where will your life go next Quintus..". Quitus spoke in a low tone, almost under his breath, "I am not sure."

"Well, Quintus, if you continue this path, you're going to end up in a prison for life or worse.. Is that what you want?" Titus asked.

Quintus rolled his eyes and released a very obvious sigh. "Please do not tell me you brought me here for a lecture." 

Titus had a slight smile as he looked around the mighty halls. "Do you remember running through these halls when you were but a child? All those dreams you had... 'Father! look at me! I'm a famous hero!'.." He said.

"Well, Emperor, things change." Quintus replied.

Titus sighed this time. "Look, you were my son before I took the throne, and you still are."

Quintus pinched the bridge of his nose before lowering his hands. "I.. Look, when you were a senator, things were easy! once you took that position people started expecting things from me." He said. His voice started to shake a bit, "Didn't you consider that?"

Titus stopped walking, and began looking around to see if anyone was watching. "Listen, you've reached a point where people only expect you to be a man. You do not have to take my place on the throne, it is either who I select to be my successor or who the senate elects. you know this." he said. It was easy for people to forget these things though as the son of a king is always known as a prince. Titus knew this as well but has always tried to push Quintus from that mindset. 

The two continued walking through the halls before arriving at a large room. In it was a large desk and numerous other pieces of furniture, all of which looked very expensive. Titus motioned to a chair, "Take a seat Quintus." He obliged and sat down. "Now, Quintus, I have something you can do for me." Quintus looked at his father then down at a paper that Titus was slowly sliding across the table. "You've always enjoyed travelling beyond the borders and this is a good chance to go out and maybe make a better name for yourself?"

Inside was a message from the Manram, an invitation to a week of festivities. "See? nothing you can't handle." Quintus eyed the paper. "But, wouldn't it be more prudent for you to go?" Quintus asked. "No" Titus replied. "There's far too much to do here. I have a capable son that can take care of this.. do I not?" Quintus wasn't sure how to react at this point, what emotion to show? He loved his father and his country but just wasn't sure what to do in life. He had done the military life.. became that hero in his childhood fantasies. Killed in the name of coin.. but nothing really called him.. Maybe this would be a good chance to try something new. His father obviously had faith so Quintus took a deep breath. "All right father, I'll do this. When do I leave."

Titus sighed in relief. "Immediately."