Rise of the Horde

The sun beat down on the long column snaking across the Ereian desert. Dust, kicked up by thousands of hooves and boots, hung heavy in the air, a shimmering haze obscuring the already indistinct horizon.

At the heart of this immense procession rode the Lazican king, his retinue a blend of silks and steel, a stark contrast to the sleek looking uniforms of the Ereian and allied soldiers surrounding him.

Viscount Redore, Baron Kasto, and Captain Mazen, the Drakhar commanders, rode at the rear, their faces grim, their eyes constantly scanning the desolate landscape. Khao'khen, leading the 1st Warband of the Yohan 1st Horde, commanded the vanguard, his warriors a silent, watchful wall.

Two days' journey lay between the border town of Takris and Ishtar, the Ereian capital. The king, accustomed to the relative peace of his own land, found the constant vigilance unsettling. The sheer scale of the escort, the unwavering attention to detail, spoke volumes about the current fragility of Ereia's new leader's control of the kingdom.

Two hours out of Takris, the first patrol appeared. Orcs, astride massive, wolf-like creatures, their crude weaponry glinting in the sun. A brief, formalized salute was exchanged; the orcs, seemingly satisfied, vanished back into the dunes. The Lazicans, initially unnerved, exchanged worried glances.

"An unusual sight," one of the king's advisors whispered, his voice barely audible above the rhythmic beat of marching feet. "Orcs serving as border patrols for the Ereian Kingdom?"

"The Ereians are clearly taking no chances," another responded, his gaze fixed on the receding orcish patrol. "Their alliance seems complex yet solid, more intricate than we initially believed."

The journey continued. The vanguard, formed a silent, efficient wall against any potential ambush. The Drakhars brought up the rear, their discipline a mirror image of the Rakshas.

The Lazican delegation, ensconced in the middle of this military behemoth, were experiencing a journey that was starkly different from any they had ever known before.

The sun climbed higher, the heat intensified, the sand stretched endlessly in every direction. The king's thoughts drifted to the negotiations, the carefully constructed peace treaty, and the uneasy alliance he was forging.

A few hours later, the second patrol arrived, far more imposing than the first. Giant, horned beasts, their riders even larger and more menacing than the wolf-riding orcs.

This time, the sheer physical power of the patrol was deeply unsettling; the Lazicans felt the raw power of these creatures, beasts that could easily cleave through the ranks of their guards. The same ritualistic salute was given, the same uneasy truce established.

"It seems we are far more vulnerable than we would like to believe," said the king, his voice low. "Their might is far greater than previously ascertained."

"Your Majesty," one of the guards said, "we are in the midst of an unusual alliance. We mustn't jump to conclusions. The Ereians are cautious, and rightly so."

The patrols continued with chilling regularity, one every few hours, a stark reminder of the precarious peace. The patrols were varied: Orcs on monstrous wolves, orcs on horned beasts, then, after a long night spent in the desert under the watchful eyes of the ever-present patrols, humans—Ereian soldiers. The frequency of the Ereian patrols increased noticeably as the column drew closer to Ishtar.

"The sheer numbers are astonishing," remarked the king's advisor. "They appear to have a substantial force permanently deployed along this route. Their dedication to defending their border is something to behold. This peace is hard-won, and deeply valued."

Night fell. The desert cooled, but the sense of vulnerability lingered. The camp was visited by patrols throughout the night, ensuring that the route was carefully guarded. The king could scarcely sleep, his mind racing with the implications of what he had witnessed.

By the second day, the patrols were predominantly Ereian, their numbers suggesting a formidable military presence and strength. As the great city of Ishtar came into view, the Lazicans were stunned.

The final patrols were not Ereian at all. They were dark elves, their dark skin, pale eyes, and menacing demeanour chilling. The sight prompted a flurry of hushed whispers among the Lazicans. This was unexpected, and something that the king had not accounted for during his preparations.

The king's advisor looked towards the king, his eyes full of concern. "Your Majesty," he said quietly, his voice heavy with concern. "This... This changes everything. The Ereians aren't just allied with orcs but with dark elves as well. We are at a great disadvantage with what we have witnessed so far. "

The king remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the approaching city. The image of the dark elf patrols would remain in his memory long after the journey's end.

The Ereian Kingdom, it seemed, was far more complex, far more powerful, and far more heavily defended than he had ever imagined. His gratitude for his choice to pursue a peaceful approach grew with every passing moment, while the realisation of the complexity of his situation grew even more palpable.

He understood now that his decision to choose the peaceful route had been more significant than he'd previously thought. The journey to Ishtar had been far more than a simple trip; it had been a sobering education in the realities of power and politics in Ereia.

The midday sun beat down on the cobblestones of Ereia's capital city as Adhalia, and Faynah, her cousin, stood before the Lazican delegation. Elara, their dark elven allies' representative, and Syvis, her second-in-command, flanked them.

The Lazican party, led by King of Lazica himself, looked imposing in his dark, formal attire, yet a subtle unease flickered in their eyes. The sheer number of Ereian soldiers subtly positioned throughout the square, their presence both visible and subtly intimidating, contributed significantly to this unease.

"Welcome to Ereia, Your Majesty," Adhalia said, her voice measured and controlled. Her gaze swept across the Lazicans, lingering only briefly on Theron. "We are honored by your visit."

The king gave a quick bow, his response equally formal. "The honor is ours, Your Majesty. We come seeking peace and lasting amity between our kingdoms."

The formalities were brief. The elaborate welcoming speeches, usually brimming with flowery language, were kept concise and to the point. There was a palpable tension in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken power dynamics at play. As the Lazican delegation was guided towards the manor, the subtle but constant presence of Ereian patrols was unavoidable.

Within the imposing manor, the Lazicans were given ample space and comfort. The rooms were furnished with luxurious Ereian silks and richly carved furniture, a clear display of Ereia's wealth and power. But even the opulence couldn't quite mask the underlying tension.

Later, in a private chamber, Adhalia and Faynah reviewed the day's events. "They noticed," Faynah stated, her expression grim. "Their king, especially. That nervous twitch near his eye… he's worried."

Adhalia nodded. "The patrols, the sheer number of soldiers… it served its purpose. They see our strength. They understand that peace is not a given; it's a concession we grant."

"But what if they refuse to concede?" Faynah asked, a hint of steel in her voice.

"Then we will remind them again, more forcefully if necessary," Adhalia replied, her voice unwavering. "This is about ensuring Ereia's security, Faynah. We cannot afford to be seen as weak."

The next few days passed in a blur of carefully orchestrated encounters. The Lazican delegation was afforded every courtesy, but the Ereian military presence remained a constant reminder of Ereia's strength. The frequency and variety of patrols – from heavily armed cavalry units to swift-moving infantry squads – were not accidental; they were meticulously planned by Adhalia and Faynah to underscore Ereia's military might and preparedness.

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During one of the many formal dinners, the Lazican King finally broached the subject of negotiations. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice noticeably hesitant, "we have reassessed our initial proposals…"

"We are listening," Adhalia responded calmly, her eyes meeting his.

"Our kingdom is still young," the king continued, his words carefully chosen, "and perhaps our initial propositions were… overly ambitious. We are willing to renegotiate certain terms." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the Ereian leaders. "We understand the strength of your nation."

"Your Majesty's frankness is appreciated," Adhalia stated smoothly. "Let us discuss the details." Elara, adept at diplomacy, stepped forward to guide the conversation towards more agreeable terms.

"The border territories, for instance," he proposed, his voice low. "We believe a more mutually beneficial arrangement is possible, one which recognizes Ereia's claim to the Tortuga Fortress and its immediate surrounding lands."

This was the crux of the matter. The Tortuga Fortress and the lands to its immediate surrounding was a source of contention, because of its strategic importance

The Lazicans had initially sought to reclaim this territory which was originally within the borders of the former Kingdom of Alberna which they have replaced, a demand that clearly underscored their ambition.

"The Tortuga Fortress shall remain as Ereian territory," Adhalia stated firmly, yet her tone was less rigid than before. "However, we are willing to explore joint-utilization agreements concerning mining and trade. This would ensure mutual prosperity without compromising Ereia's security."

The negotiations continued for days, a delicate dance of power and compromise. The initial tension gradually subsided, replaced by a weary respect. The Lazicans, initially assertive, steadily retreated from their more demanding proposals. Their initial assessment of Ereia's capabilities, reinforced by the constant military displays, had decisively shifted the balance of power.

Finally, a peace treaty was signed, one that secured Ereia's interests while granting the Lazicans a measure of economic advantage. It was a treaty born not of equal strength, but of a carefully orchestrated demonstration of Ereia's overwhelming military superiority.

Adhalia and Faynah had succeeded in their strategy: they showed the Lazicans that while Ereia valued peace, it was a peace dictated by Ereia's strength, not a concession granted out of weakness. Their plan worked perfectly. The Lazicans had learned their lesson – the newly formed kingdom of Lazica wouldn't push Ereia to the brink of war anytime soon.

The result of the negotiations worked well with Khao'khen. With the immediate threat which was the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica signing a peace treaty with them, he could now divert his and the horde's attention back towards the north of their home city. The threat of Threia would be addressed by them next.