[h2]Open Plains of Wegweis, 20 miles from the Border to Gattania[/h2] [h3]Late Morning, Day 1, Season of Summer[/h3] [hr] [u]Kurt Brassbeg, Veteran Soldier of the 18th Line Infantry "Brave Grey Gooses"[/u] [hr] To each side of the horizon, all that Kurt could see were the kneeling men of his regiment, the other regiments, the cavalry and the artillery corps. Noble folk, artisans and commoners alike, kneeled in the mud of the early day, as the priests were giving the first blessing of the day. Wearing the robes of the church, great hats made out of the fur of white wolfs, and filling the air with the scent of resin, fir needles and fresh blood, as their incense burner were swinging in one hand, and the holy books in the other. [b]"Wulfen, thy pack has assembled..."[/b] The voice of the priests cut through the warm morning like a knife, as it seemed like total silence held sway over the army, and not even a single soldier dared to even raise his breath. Like a large organism, the mass of blue coated soldiers, officers and personal let the silence exist for a few more moments, before the voice once more was raised. This time, thousand of voices had raised it, pushed it over the silence, and cutting it once more. [b][i]"...TO ENDURE THE COLDEST WINTER..."[/i][/b] In one single movments, Kurt raised his arms to reach for the shoulders of his men next to him, as did they to his. Once more, like one gigantic organism, the army would do this movment, each man, now forming a thick wall with his men to his side. Slowly, the body would move, silent circles, as Kurt could feel the breath of the whole army on his back. They all were one! [b]"...thy blessing be upon us..."[/b] Once more the priests spoke up, and Kurt could get a glimps onto the archduke himself, kneeling in front of the army, his arms around the shoulders of his generals. In the distance slowly a drum was beaten, and men began to growl out the ancient chants of their god, the faith of the white wolf. The beat would increase ins speed, as a horn would join, then another one. Then, once more, the army would raise its voice. [b][i]"...THY BLESSING BE UPON MIDDENLAND! THY BLESSING BE ON THE CHURCH! THY BLESSING BE ON OUR BELOVED ARCHDUKE!"[/i][/b] [h2]Open Plains of Wegweis, 20 miles from the Border to Gattania[/h2] [h3]Late Morning, Day 1, Season of Summer[/h3] [hr] [u]Boris Weißbacher, Archduke of Middenland, Leader of the "Grand army under the banner of the white wolf"[/u] [hr] The old and grey man, with his long hair bound to many braids over the back of his head, and his long beard in an impressive assembly of knots, wore the uniform of a general, showing his lifetime of war and battle. Kneeling in the wet mud of the early morning, he payed little attention to such minor inconveniences. The priest in front of him was young, and clearly was shivering from nerviosty, as he dipped his hands in the bowl of warm blood, coming from a fresh sacrifice to Wulfen. A warm smile moved on the old Archdukes face. [b]"At ease, boy...Wulfen can smell fear, so never dare to be afraid!"[/b] The young priest nodded, as his face turned more pale. Both hands now drenched in blood, be began to draw lines on the Archdukes face. Before kneeling deeply, and slowly retreating. With that, Boris raised from the mud, and his generals followed. Turning his head, he stared over his army, still kneeling. Men, assembled from all over Middenland! Gattania might have fallen to madness and death, yet Middenland would make sure to see its corpse not defiled! [h2]Open Plains of Wegweis, 4 miles from the Border to Gattania, 18 miles from the Camp of the "Grand army under the banner of the white wolf"[/h2] [h3]Afternoon, Day 1, Season of Summer[/h3] [hr] [u]Hugo Todbringer, Hussar-Captain of the 1st "His Highness personal Hussars" [/u] [hr] Middenland was not known for its horsemen, yet the 1st Hussars saw themselves as the elite of the Grand army. Sons of high Ranking nobles, these bored brats were faced with an almost nightmarish turn, when they were placed under the Command of Todbringer! Hugo parents were of minor nobility, and their name long forgotten, yet he was a soldier, and as would not tolerate anything else but soldiers under his command. Yet still, countless requested to placed under his command... For Todbringer promised glory! Hugo and his men had volenteered to scout ahead near the border, and the sight of what they saw were...discouraging. Far in the distance, where the nation of Gattania once lay, was a blasted wasteland, unable to support any life! But at night, the grey would shift, and the light of strange colors could be seen in the distance. A light that had effects on his men! Two had been found yesterday morning, cutting their own throats with their sabers, and a third one had gone insane before the first prayer. As such, Todbringer had ordered that all men now would bind their eyes before sleeping, and that looking at the south-west at night, would be punished with 5 lashes with the short whip. Today´s lack of deaths had proofen this to be effective. "Sir! A wagon has been spotted!" One of the hussars had quickly moved close, as Hugo was still cutting his impressive black beard. "Good...IN THE SADDLES YOU DOGS!" His roaring voice was feared among his men, and a few moments later, thirty hussars were once more on the move. The carriage was soon reached, and Hugo had his hand on his blade as he stopped the wagon. "Halt! In the name of the Archduke! State your name and your intentions..." It was then when Hugo noticed the woman in the back...far to delicate for the clothing she wore. "Mylady, please excuse the rough tone! Hugo Todbringer, Captain of his personal Hussars, at your service!" Taking off his head, it was quite clear that he had a keen eye on discovering nobility... ..that or the fact that he was also famous for his path of seduction and bastards!