WWN+-+The+Works

The Works
"Their army lies just within my grasp, and I am commanded to stand down. Of all the insufferable incompetence..." High Lord General Drayton Slade let his eyes run over the winter-barren battlefield, crushing the parchment in his hand. Not two miles downstream, an army numbering near twenty thousand had put up a formidable encampment, and smoke from their many fires rose high into the star-strewn sky.

"They are laughing at us." Gamorai ran a hand through his peppered-brown hair. "They know we won't attack them this night, so they set up and play cards to our misery."

"They will never be safe so long as they rest upon these shores." Drayton turned to his Captain and tilted his head. "Where is Lady Acaeden?"

"With the wounded, Sir."

Closing his eyes, Drayton took a deep breath, held it, and released it slowly. "Tell her I appreciate her aid."

The Song Healer, Lady Elspeth Acaeden had come down from her throne in Nys to aid the wars. For all her help and dedication, Drayton was greatful a hundred fold.

Allard Gamorai bowed low and swift to his General. "Aye, sir." As he turned on his heel to leave, he stopped at the sound of a distant whistle. A familiar fear sickened his throat as the sky suddenly lit with a burst of brilliant colored light. "Sir, the Works!"

The Works, as the men called them, were nothing more than super-potent fireworks laced with acid and magic. The Mandosian Army had laid siege to the cities in southern Havenland during the spring. They brought with them despicable men called the Inquisition. They kidnapped women and children, tortured and killed them, searching the countryside for the legendary Veil Maiden. They brought terror and destruction everywhere they went, spilling blood and wrecking hell across Havenland's bounty.

"Ready the men. We ride out this night."

"Not to question you, but isn't that against orders, Sir?" Part of what Gamorai said was meant jokingly. Since the first snowfalls, Drayton had been forced to take measures that severely undermined his honor. Against Lord Cyprian Reldier's orders to stand down when out-matched, General Slade and his army had fought against countless foes. He had fought for so long now to keep the Kadmians away from Bel Aman'dur, but now... "If we do not take them out this night, then they will march on to the Capitol in the morning.Ready the men, Captain."

"Aye sir." Gamorai bowed and rushed to do his General's orders.

Above, the sky lited with vibrant colors and fire. Those same works had set the autumn fields ablaze, burning miles of desperately needed crop. Once the army and the people began to starve and flee the southern reaches, it was only a short matter of time before the true fires of hell would be unleashed.

Royden di Celeskold, the Emperor of Havenland, was murdered during the Festival, along with several of his servants. The queen is now a prisoner to Cyprian's whims. The Crown Prince, Aedraldor is missing. Even the Princess, Drayton's betrothed, Lyrandra, kidnapped and ransomed, was saved and forced to flee her home. Drayton's own half-brother, Reidlirion, had been taken captive and held for treason.

The works of the Kadmians. Now he, the High General of Havenland's armies, bound by honor, is forced to take orders from an usurper.

But Drayton Slade did not serve the throne. He served the people and the lands. It is what his father would have done before him.