[u]An unwelcome return[/u] Andris Mandarass (Andrew Manshrew) Fajera Mandarass (Diana Mandarass) Nizaar (Alun) Saahir Mohiuddin (George LeWest) Hamsa (Lucy) Kabeera (Mary) Hishma (Elizabeth) Andromeda. It seemed a lifetime ago since Andris had last seen his home city but soon he would be back. It may not be the return he expected, but all that mattered to him was seeing Fajera and his nieces again. The remaining alliance army marched behind him, they were approaching the city gates, but something was wrong. Any other time the gates would have been opened by now. He stopped and raised his hand signalling the army to stop. As Andris approached the gate a lone Uzgobian Soldier came into view at the top of the gatehouse. “Who goes there?” commanded the Soldier. Andris shouted back “It is I, Lord Andris of House Mandarass. I demand you to open the gates”. The Soldier seem shocked to hear this. “Lord Mandarass? We all thought you were dead”. Andris was confused “Of course I’m not. Now open the gates”! The Soldier was hesitant and showed no signs of obeying Andris’s command “I’m afraid I can’t my Lord.” He finally said, “The city is under martial law and we have strict orders to not let you in.” Andris didn’t understand what was going on, he needed answers. “Under whose authority”? “Under mine and more importantly the people of Uzgob.” Came another voice from atop the wall Andris couldn’t tell who it was until Nizaar revealed himself standing alongside the Soldier. “Nizaar?” said Andris “I don’t understand?” Nizaar replied “While you were off in Telmarion, fighting your war. I had a meeting with the council and we agreed that for the sake of Uzgob and its people, that you are no longer fit to lead us”. Andris couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was even worse that it was coming from his best friend. His rage was building up inside him. Nizaar carried on “Don’t worry about your family, they’re safe. I’ll take care of them as they were my own. Now, as acting Lord of Uzgob I demand that you and your army leave these lands, or I will be forced to make you”. “Nizaar! You traitorous bastard! I won’t let you get away with this!” Andris shouted “No doubt I will.” Replied Nizaar. Though he sounded sombre, his face was without emotion “But I do so knowing that I did it for the betterment of Uzgob. Archers!” Suddenly a dozen soldiers with bows came into view all of them firing at once. Andris immediately reacted “Shields!” he shouted whilst raising his shield to protect himself. The rest of the army did the same, though some in the front lines were too slow and were felled. Andris knew they were outmatched. “Fall back!” The army slowly moved away from the city, making sure their shields were raised at all times to protect them from the constant barrage of arrows, until they were out of range of the archers. Andris could not believe what had happened, his advisor, his closest friend, his mentor, had betrayed him. *** As the hours passed Andris grew increasingly worried about his family. He had to get into the city, recue his family and then leave Uzgob before the Concord reached Andromeda. A seemingly impossible goal, but he had no choice, he would not abandon them. Andrew called to the soldier nearest to him who responded without hesitation “Get me Maror and Lady Grim immediately, tell them I have a plan to get into Andromeda” “At once my lord” the soldier said before quickly setting off to carry out his king’s order. Eventually both Lady Grim and Maror arrived to listen to what plan their leader had come up with. *** “The main aim is to distract the army long enough for me and Lady Grim to enter the city, so I can get my family.” Said Andris as he gave them a final rundown of his plan. It had taken a while, but he had finally gotten his commanders to agree to his plan. Maror was reluctant to abandon Uzgob while Lady Grim was reluctant to undertake the insane strategy at all. However, Maror was eventually brought to see reason while the promise of more gold was enough to convince Grim. “Maror you’ll lead the army. You’ll use Lady Grim’s mages to attack the walls, forcing the army to come out to face you then you use the rest of the army to confront them. All I need you to do is hold out against them for as long as you can then head to Fort Scarab. Saahir and Queen Freya will meet you there with the ships ready to sail.” “It will be done.” Said Maror. I will ready the men. “Lady Grim let’s get going.” Said Andris as he readied his weapons “Just to let you know Lord Andris” Lady Grim said “If Maror is unable to hold the Andromeda host at bay I have ordered my men to retreat. I do not care how much money you offer me I will not risk my men’s lives for some suicidal folly” She finished sternly. Andris was silent for a while before he finally replied with “Understood” He could only hope that Maror would succeed with holding back Nizaar’s forces, without Grim’s mages, the plan would be doomed to fail. With that Andris and Grim made their way towards the city. *** More time had passed, and the battle was underway. Without mages of their own the Andromedian host was unable to defend against the Grim company mages, and as Andris predicted, they were forced to leave and engage Maror’s forces. Andris and Lady Grim continued to walk around the walls of the city while Andris ran his hand along certain parts of the wall. “Are we close?” asked Lady Grim as she kept watch for guards. Fortunately, with most of the cities host at the gates, it was unlikely they would be spotted. “We should be.” Replied Andris “I remember when my father showed me and my brother this entrance when we were young. With this we should be able to get into the castle without that much of a challenge”. “Well you better find it soon otherwise the castle will be teeming with soldiers.” Lady Grim exclaimed as she was getting more agitated by the minute. Eventually Andris managed to find what he was looking for; a stone with one of the ancient banners of the founding families of Andromeda. Andris pushed the stone and the passage opened. [u]A family reunion[/u] Soon Andris and Lady Grim found themselves in the castle library. The bookcases filled the room and were twice the height of a normal man. Luckily not a soul was in there, otherwise the mission would be short lived. “Where do you think your family will be?” asked Lady Grim. “If I know Fajera, she’ll be with the girls and keeping them safe” answered Andris. My best guess would be that they are in the girl’s bed chambers. It’s not too far from here but we need to be careful”. Lady Grim nodded, Andris closed the passage way by placing a copy of ‘The Witch of the Grey Tower’ on the bookshelf in case any guards came in. After this the two of them headed out of the library, making sure they were out of sight. Fortunately, it was soon made clear that the castle was almost completely deserted asides from the occasional guard. All of whom they avoided with ease. Eventually Andris and Lady Grim arrived outside the bed chambers. However just as Andris reached for the door two of the royal guards turned the corner and spotted them. At the very least this confirmed Andris’s guess that his family was inside. What other reason would two of Uzgob’s finest have for being here instead of being on the battlefield. There was no way they were going to get pass them without a fight. As the guards drew their swords Andris drew his, readying himself. Lady Grim managed to stop him. “Let me deal with them.” Lady Grim. Said as she extended her hands. Within an instant a wave of pure force erupted from her hands, hitting both men in the chests and sending them flying. Both hit the floor in a crumpled heap. “They will be asleep for a few hours.” Lady Grim assured Andris “They might wake up with a headache but it’s no different from a weekly trip to the tavern.” “Impressive” said Andris “But we must hurry, I am certain someone will have heard that”. Andris opened the door with his swords ready for what could be on the other side. The first thing he saw was his heavily pregnant wife, along with Hamsa and Kabeera beside her. Andris immediately dropped his swords and approached Fajera. After being separated for so long Andris and Fajera embraced before kissing one another. Andris was relieved to see them safe. “Thank the Gods your safe.” Said Fajera. Andrew then gave both Hamsa and Kabeera a hug. “I am so glad you are as well.” Replied Andris his eyes starting to water. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be back sooner, but I’m back now and I will make sure to keep you safe”. “Uncle, who is this?” asked Kabeera asked as she stared at pure red-haired woman that stood at the door. “This is Lady Grim.” Said Andris as he pointed towards her. In response she merely rolled her eyes and gestured at Andris to hurry up. This man was wasting precious time and risking her life. “She’s a…friend of mine and she’s going to help us escape” At the word friend Lady Grim raised her eye brow. “Why?” asked Hamsa. “What’s wrong?” Andris looked over to Fajera. Fajera could tell what was wrong from his face. He looked at both of his nieces and took a breath. “We need to leave the city all of us”. “What?!” exclaimed Hamsa. “But why?!” said Kabeera. “The concord’s army is on its way here and when they do they will attack and destroy the city, we need to leave before that happens”. "What about the soldiers”? asked Fejera. “I think they’re a bit preoccupied with the army outside”. Said Lady Grim as she turned to face Andrew “we need to go now” She exclaimed before turning around and heading towards the library. She wasn’t going to wait any longer. “We need to get to the library and once we’re out we will head to Fort Scarab.” Andrew explained “Where’s Hishma?” he asked Fejera. “She’s with Nizaar.” Said Fejera. Said Andris froze as he realised what this meant “Very well. I’ll find her once we get you to the library.” As he said this he picked up his swords and led his family to safety, praying to the gods they wouldn’t be spotted. [u]The final lesson[/u] Lady Grim was already at the entrance of the passage when Andris arrived. Despite the huge danger Andris had placed her in she wasn’t going to straight out abandon him; he had both paid and treated the grim company well and he deserved better than that. As Andris made his way towards the secret passage a voice called out behind him. “Despite everything, it’s good to see you again Andris”. Andris turned around to see Nizaar and Hishma with their swords drawn. “Hello Nizaar.” Said Andris “Hishma” Hishma said nothing. Lady Grim prepared herself for a fight, electricity sparking from her hand. “No!” shouted Andrew “Get them out of here.” “But what about you?” yelled Kabeera as tears filled her eyes. How could everything of gone so wrong so quickly; the war, Uzgob’s famine, Nizaars betrayal and now this. “Don’t worry Kabeera.” Said Andris trying to reassure her. “I’ll be right behind you.” Fejera quickly joined his side to give him a kiss. “I love you” Andris said as he looked at her face for possibly the last time. Fejera placed one of his hands on her stomach. She said “Come back alive for our baby’s sake.” “I will”. Said Andris. He looked to Lady Grim. “Keep them safe.” Lady Grim nodded as she quickly escorted Fejera and the girls through the passageway. Andris then turned his attention to Nizaar and Hishma as he did he sheathed his swords. “So, this is what it’s come to?” Said Andris “Holding my niece against her will.” “She’s here out of her own free will” Nizaar replied “Is this true?” Andris asked Hishma. He could see her hesitate, there was conflict within her, but she eventually said “Yes.” She looked over to Nizaar “You know what you have to do” he said Hishma readied her scimitar and charged at Andris. She took a swing but Andris was able to dodge them easily. Hishma kept swinging her sword and soon her emotions were getting the better of her. “Why are you doing this Hishma?” Andris begged “Nizaar said that if we stop you then we can stop this war and have peace!” Hishma replied tears streaming down her face “Did it ever occur to you that I all we wanted was just to have our Uncle back! I just wanted the family to be together. Instead you abandoned us, left us so you could pursue your own ambition of becoming king. You are no better than that snake that sits on the throne”! She kept swinging her sword, but Andris proved to be too quick for her. “Why won’t you fight back”?! She yelled She swung her sword towards Andris but then he grabbed it with his right hand. Soon blood was oozing from his hand and dripping off the sword. Hishma was shocked, even Nizaar was a bit surprised. “Because a Mandarass doesn’t fight his family, but if you truly think this will bring peace do what you have to do”. Hishma could feel Andris’s grip loosening. Soon the scimitar was free and Andris’s neck was exposed and open. He made no attempted to block or move out the way, he simply stood there waiting to see what his niece would do. The truth was she didn’t know what to do. Eventually her hand loosened and she dropped her sword. She collapsed on the floor and began to cry. Andris lent down and gave her a hug to comfort her. “I’m sorry.” She sobbed. “It’s okay now” said Andris. “Go find your aunt and sisters, I’ll be right behind you.” Hishma wiped away her tears and nodded her head. She grabbed her sword and headed through the passageway. Andris drew his swords, blood still dripping from his hand. “Now it’s just you and me” Said Andris. “When was the last time we did this?” asked Nizaar sombrely as he examined his blade, the curved blade glimmered in the candlelight. “What feels like a life time ago.” Andris replied as he walked towards Nizaar with fury in his eyes, in response Nizaar walked back. Both men walked until they were in a circular clearing that was the centre of the library; a space large enough for both men to fight unhindered. “May the best man win”. Said Nizaar. “The same to you”. Said Andris. Both men charged at each other. Swinging their swords and deflecting the others blows. They were both a mirror of themselves when it came to the fighting style. They’re sword’s locked. “That was a pretty impressive move there”. Remarked Nizaar, half praising half mocking. Andris gave a bitter smirk “Thought that impressed you.” The two of them swung swords again. Andris managed to cut Nizaar’s arm, but it was barely a flesh wound. Nizaar managed to thrust his sword into Andris’s left shoulder but his armour took most of the force. The two of them were trying to catch their breath. “You’ve gotten better.” Said Nizaar. “What can I say” panted Andris “That’s what fighting a war does to you. But why”? “Why what?” Nizaar replied. Why did you betray me, betray Uzgob.” Andris demanded as he lunged at Nizaar again. Because Uzgob needs a leader who has her best interests at heart. I once thought you were that man, a man of honour, who would do anything for his kingdom. Maybe you were once, but now…” Nizaar paused as he ducked a swing from Andris “You led Uzgob into a war, you plunged Formaroth into chaos and for what? Just so you could become king” Nizaar struck at Andris missing him by an itch and hitting one of the books behind him, sending pages flying through the air “A title you had no claim to. I may not like the idea of being ruled by a De Reimer, but I would never lead my own people into bloodshed out of spite, the true reason you started this war” Andris sighed deep down he knew that there was some wisdom in Nizaar’s words, but his stubbornness had gotten in the way. Had he truly been thinking of Uzgob’s best interests when he started this war? Would things have been better if he had just accepted the De Reimer’s rule? Suddenly they both heard a war horn from outside the window. Andris knew what that was Maror was signalling the retreat. “Looks like your running out of time.” Said Nizaar, his eyes were much redder then they had been previously. Andris agreed with him. “Then let’s finish this.” The two men gripped their swords and both let out a might yell and charged as each other. Andris swung his sword down with his right hand and Nizaar swung his sword upwards with his right hand. Their swords found their marks. Andris’s sword cut deep into Nizaar’s face severely cutting through Nizaar’s right eye. However, it was nothing compared to the damage Nizaar’s sword did which found itself slicing into Andris’s right arm. Andris could feel the cold steel reach the bone. Both men recoiled in pain. The pool of blood on the sandstone could be mistake for a butcher’s floor. Nizaar staggered back in pain, trying his best to stay standing, blinded by his own blood. Andris in contrast had dropped both his swords and was bleeding heavily from his arm. Even with only one eye, Nizaar still had a clear advantage. However, this was Andris’s chance to escape; Nizaar was distracted, and with that wound he wouldn’t be able to pursue Andris. With his remaining strength Andris bolted for the passageway, just before he left he took one last look at Nizaar, before replacing the book and disappearing down the passageway. Suddenly a bunch of royal guards burst into the library. Seeing the carnage within the room they quickly turned to their attention to the closing passageway. “Let him go.” Commanded Nizaar “He’s no longer a threat.” “My lord are you ok.” Asked a guard. “I’m fine, the magister will patch me up” Said Nizaar “Turn your attention to the city we must be ready for the Concord’s arrival”. “At once my Lord.” Said the guard. The guards left the room except for one who was tending to Nizaar’s wounds until the magister arrived. Nizaar looked down at the floor before finally uttering “The student has become the master.” [u]Farewell Uzgob[/u] Andris was making his way through the passageway, he was losing a lot of blood and every step now seem like he was carrying an elephant on his back. Finally, he saw the light. Once he reached the end he could see Fajara, Lady Grim and the girls. The last thing he saw was the sheer look of horror on their faces before everything went dark. Andris woke up to the hot sun of Uzgob. He tried to look around to take in his surroundings, but he could barely move, he seemed to be tied down to maybe a cart as he was moving, he could only seem to move his head but from he could see was nothing but sand for miles and miles. He looked down to himself and that’s when he saw the bloody bandaged stump where his arm used to be. “He’s awake!” shouted Maror. The cart slowly came to a stop. “Thank the Gods” said Fajara. The others rushed to his side. Andris could see that they were relieved to see that he was ok. “What happened.” Asked Andris. “You…” Fajara stammered as she struggled to find the words. Hishma decided to help her. “You were losing a lot of blood” She said “The Grim company mages tried their best to seal the wound but…it wasn’t enough, the blade cut too deep for even magic to heal. We had to cut off your arm in case it went septic.” Said Hishma. “They saved your life”. Said Lady Grim who pushed her way through to Andris we can’t have you dying yet, we still need to be paid”. She said with a smirk. Though her statement was true she was glad that Uzgobian lord had survived. “We’re almost at Fort Scarab just try to rest”. Maror said as he started issuing orders to the rest of the army. Andris closed his eyes and fell asleep. A couple of hours had passed and Andris woke up to the salty smell of the sea. Andris was able to sit up to better take in his surroundings. He was at the port of Fort Scarab. The port was a near impenetrable fortress and had defended Uzgob from naval assaults for centuries. In the distance he could hear the unmistakable sound of fighting. he could see many ships already heading out to sea. Each ship filled with what was left of his army. “Hell of a day huh?” a voice asked. Andris looked around to see Saahir standing behind him. Andris weakly mustered a smile in response “Yeah, hell of a day.” Andrew tried to stand up, but it only took a step or two before he started to fall, fortunately Saahir was able to catch him. “Easy their friend.” Said Saahir. “Where’s Fajara and the Girls?” asked Andris. “There all on a ship and they’re waiting for you.” Said Saahir As Saahir tried to lay Andris back down a soldier quickly approached the two of them. “Captain Mohiuddin, nearly all the ships are out to sea the last one is just waiting for you two. But we need to need to hurry the Blackwell army are almost though the gates.” “Thank you Soldier. Let’s go.” Said Saahir. Saahir helped Andris stand up and they slowly made their way to the ship. Soon the ship was in sight and they got ready to board. But before they could a deafening crashing sound came from the gates; the Blackwell army had broken through. Andris knew that the ship didn’t have a chance to escape unless someone stayed behind to distract them. Andris drew a sword from a nearby sheath and slowly walked to towards them. He stopped to turn to Saahir. “Tell my family I love them.” Andris continued to slowly walk towards the Blackwell army who were mascaraing the keeps garrison. Andris could barely stay awake but he knew he had to do this. A sharp pain struck the back of his head before everything went black. Andris awoke to find himself on a ship with Fajara by his side. “What happened?” asked Andris. “Saahir hit you on the head”. Said Fajara “He had you taken on board and stayed behind with his crew to hold off the Blackwell forces. He saved your life.” Andris couldn’t believe what he was hearing. First his mentor betrayed him, then he lost him home and now his closest friend had sacrificed himself, so he could escape. These last few days had been among the darkest of his life. He was a dishonoured exile with his enemies now ruling over his home. He had lost so much. At the very least by some miracle his family was safe. For the first time in his life Andrew had no idea what he was doing, or where he was going.