our riders in
black rode hard across the Rirorni Plains and the army followed. It had been
three days since they had begun their journey from deep within the Daggerspine
Mountains. From Rodeki to Sibikhas people were beginning to talk about the
riders and the earthshaking sound of the marching soldiers. No one yet knew who
they were; it seemed that there had been no moon as the armies passed near the
outskirts of the cities. Few had dared ride out to see what terror was
approaching and those that did saw only 4 riders, all wearing hooded cloaks, and
the cloud of dust which had developed over the moving troops. However no terror
came. As people of Rodeki and Sibikhas cowered in their homes they heard the
sound of the marching army pass them by. As silence settled back into the air
only the distant sound of a wolves howling could be heard. By daybreak of the
fourth day the rumors of the massive armada had already spread throughout the
lands. It was rumored that the troops may by taking the Great Eastern trade
route towards Jhelum or maybe straight across the plains into Jhans. No one
knew for sure. The only thing certain was the uneasiness and overwhelming fear
that was felt by everyone who had heard the story.
Days later outside of Jhans the massive
legion of heavily armed soldiers were encamped only a few miles from the city.
They had waited for two days for the three managers riding from Jhans to meet
them. The four riders rode out to a crest over looking scattered trees and a
city in desperate need of cleansing. They sat silently on their warhorses
scanning the horizon as a full red moon slowly creep across the pitch black sky
above them. The city of Jhans could be seen in the distance before them and the
sprawling sheep and cattle farms behind them. In the distance they saw three
cloaked figures approaching but then lost them amid the scattered tree lines.
Finally the riders reached the crest but one was missing and left behind a
lonely painted mare.
"Where is the other?"
"He said he would be here momentarily."
“We risk plenty for this assembly, you’d
think he'd arrive more promptly.”
"Patience, he has never disappointed and
his motives are always just."
“Dare I ask the purpose of this council
in the cover of night?”
"Soon all shall be revealed but the
circle must be complete'
Suddenly a blood curdling roar drowned
out the howling of distant wolves worshiping the night's red moon. As the six
riders all turned in perfect harmony they drew their blades, playing a beautiful
symphony of metal against metal that rang out across the now deathly quiet night
air. A giant beast leapt from the high grass, pounced in front of them and
skidded to a halt at the point of their thirsty blades. It seemed as though the
beast had already found his victim which hung lifelessly from his powerful jaws.
"A spy," the beast snarled as he spit his
prey out. "I will finish him later," he added as he watched his prey hurtle
into a nearby tree and slump to the ground. He then reared on his hind
legs and trudged up to the painted mare and removed a cloak from it's black
leather saddlebag. He spun the long, dark, hooded cloak in a flourishing
motion and revealed the seventh dark rider.
"Glad you could join us old friend. I
see you're still up to your old tricks."
"What are the ignorant ramblings and lies
from within the walls?"
"Some pray for salvation from those who
would oppose us."
"Others fear that our march only means
the city's ultimate demise."
"What of those that feel we come to cross
swords with them?"
"Those pathetic fools do not concern us.
No insignificant flicker of life residing within those walls and wallowing on
the filthy arena sands could ever influence or corrupt our dominion."
As the seven men strode to the edge of
the crest and looked down at their growing armada each one maniacally grinned in
bloodthirsty anticipation over what was to come.
"We will let them celebrate their
Festival of Death. Then just as the dead will rise up from the underworld and
claim their lives, at the breaking of dawn this armada will be standing outside
of our city and we will rise up and claim our glory and supremacy!"
