Just Another Day

A third of the raiders had now fallen just in trying to reach the Fernwick clan. The leaders of the various parties began to wonder if perhaps why the Fernwick fell was due to distance from the other Imperials rather than slovenly rule.

They came across a few abandoned villages as they made their cautious march toward the Fernwick capital. Finally, the raiders came across the central grove where they was sure to be other Imperials.

Indeed, they did. It was the rebels who had overthrown the fundamentalists. Among their ranks stood warriors from the Blade, Weolcen, and Scissortail clans.

One of the rebels strode out a few paces to face the raiders.

"Where are the Fernwick elders?" asked one of the Falnor.

"Safe. Unharmed beyond bruised egos," replied the Fernwick rebel.

"What do you hope to accomplish by all this?" the Falnore gestured to the Ferals. "Siding with these... Kurach."

"To survive," the rebel said flatly. "It's working so far. Gryphons and hounds haven't really bothered us in a few months."

"You expect this fleeting freedom to be permanent?" the Falnor narrowed his eyes.

"It could be for all of us, if you join us," the rebel offered. "This could be ended quickly."

"Unlike you," the Falnor glared, "we do not cower before our enemies."

"Instead, you fall before them," the rebel glared.

"You will be the one to fall at dawn tomorrow," the Falnor responded curtly and the raiders began to recess into the forest for the next day's battle.

With a resigned sigh, the rebel turned to his new allies. "Tomorrow, then."

"We'll send the message," a Blade warrior nodded.

The Ferals and rebels returned to their camps to wait for dawn.