[center][b]Astraea, Ethean Empire[/b][/center]

There was a chill in the air, the kind one would not normally expect given the time of year. A gentle breeze from the east chilled those standing atop Astraea’s walls even further. Those who stood watch could feel a storm coming, and not the figurative kind. There were some, however, who did sense the brewing of a figurative storm as well.

Emperor Orion looked out beyond Astraea’s walls as he commented “Should we weather this storm all will be well.”

“And which storm is it that you are referring to?” Brygus inquired. Orion shifted his gaze to the form of his right hand man. Brygus was a giant of a man, standing at almost seven feet, and his form was even larger when he was in his armor. It was a rare sight to see the man without his armor on. Many in the court had never seen his face.

“Both” Orion replied after a moment, allowing his gaze to shift away from Brygus. The two men watched the ruins that lay beyond Astraea’s walls in silence for a moment. Finally Orion broke the silence. “What’s the situation?”

“We have several hundred infantry occupying the ruins right now” Brygus reported. We’d have found the Eye by now, I’m sure, except the nomads keep raiding our soldiers’ camps. Thank the world-mother there were only a hundred of them in the area when the Bannik informed you of the Eye’s location.”

“Were?” Orion asked.

“Aye. More show up every day.” Brygus shifted his stance slightly, allowing his arm to rest on the hilt of his falcata. “There must be at least a thousand of them in the area now. By tomorrow there may be two thousand. I’d send more infantry out, but we only have a hundred more here anyways. As it stands the nomads have managed to take the southern most reaches of the ruins and appear to be conducting their own search for the Eye.”

“That confirms it” Orion said as he stroked his chin. “The Bannik told everyone about the Eye’s location, not just us. Foreigners will come for the Eye, and the nomads will try to stop them. We cannot let this opportunity go. Even if we lose the Eye it will be worth it should we make contact with the outside world.”

“We have five hundred heavy cavalry here already.” Brygus stated. “And the rest should finish mustering within the next few days. We should also have a thousand infantry ready soon as well. If we have enough time we may be able to gather two thousand.”

“Excellent” Orion said. “Soon we will march towards victory.”