[Astrum Noir/Closed] To Free From Bondage

[Ganu_Candali]

To say that he was nervous was probably an exaggeration. Velindrel Rahnar (Spelling of Rahnarr changed to Rahnar) kept looking at the documents in his possession over and over since they came to him from Cale and Apidej. They were official orders. The seal of Dictum Veritas was pressed on the parcel. It currently sat on the single oak table in Velindrel's personal office. It was a building located within the general vicinity of the now freed Xevn township. Velindrel built a workshop for himself and Dictum Veritas in the months and weeks since he'd first arrived at Xevn. Cale himself had ordered that Velindrel watch over the operations of Xevn, and ultimately, it's lucrative mine operation.

Velindrel smoked the herb of cannibus, a popular custom in both Rosinder and Rennovatio, as he waited for the chieftain of Xevn. He was a human man by the name of Chieftain Kraus.

Velindrel smelled the smoke in the room and it helped him relax...slightly. His muscles were all knotted and packed tightly underneath the loose worker's garb he wore. He was a member of Dictum Veritas first and foremost, but he was also a member of the population of Rosinder. That's where the elf held his roots, but long ago, he'd traveled to Genesaris, and ultimately, to Terrenus where he became a government-sanctioned Blacksmith. For the people, by the people. Velindrel took a deep inhale of the cannibus herb and sighed deeply.

It had been a long work-week. First, Cale had ordered the construction of the leviathan creature that Velindrel had become famous for. As a Mastersmith, Velindrel was taking up several trade-vocations which included: Alchemy, Engineering, and Blacksmithing. Velindrel wanted to herald a new age of technological advancement on Valucre. Bare-foot, Velindrel gave up wearing shoes for some reason since his recent resurrection at the hands of Dictum Veritas.

Velindrel had one arm folded across his chest, and the other holding the cannibus herb cigarette. It was lit and smoldering smoke swelled off the tip of the blunt. Velindrel was staring at the door, he had not slept since he'd received the orders from Cale and Apidej. We are going to free Rosinder from slavery. He knew that these actions would label Dictum Veritas as enemies of the state, but that no longer mattered to Velindrel. He had chosen his path. Dictum Veritas was now his family for better or worse, and he would die for his extended family.

Finally, Chieftain Kraus did arrive. The gentlemen exchanged hand-shakes and a warm hug of friendship.

"How are you feeling Velindrel?" Kraus asked. "You don't usually smoke unless something is really bothering you."

Velindrel nodded and walked towards the document on his table, he put a hand on top of it. "This is bothering me." Velindrel said. "The hour has arrived for Dictum Veritas to march, and yet, I find myself troubled. I am to lead a squadron of troops during this march and him fortify our main attack forces. I don't feel I am ready for this job..." Velindrel said, doubt was in his heart. Whenever he closed his eyes, he always saw the face of his late wife; Madeline Rahnar. Whenever he thought of her, a shadow seemed to fall across his face. "...I am not certain that she would approve." Velindrel said, his hand still on the document. He took another pull of the cannibus.

"Do you speak of Madeline?" Kraus asked. Velindrel had been friends with Kraus for a time, and revealed to the man his darkest secrets. "She would not approve you using her as an excuse for inaction." Kraus suddenly said, which was like a slap to Velindrel's face.

"I--" Velindrel started. Then held his tongue, he knew his place before the elder of Xevn.
"You are right. I just have my doubts and fears. If things go south, I will be the one to hold responsibility over the Rennovatio losses, as well as our own." Velindrel looked away for a moment. He was being called to serve. Then he looked at Kraus once more. "You wanted to speak to me?"

"Your lieutenants have arrived." Kraus said in a serious tone. "These men will be your eyes and ears and will back you during the dark hour that Dictum Veritas shall face." Kraus said, he continued. "You will not be fighting alone. The hearts and souls of an entire nation will be backing you."

(Enter here^)

[Thoughtless Poet]

Cale approached the group camp with a steady march, his authority clear by the entourage of soldiers that surrounded him as he did so. The darkness suited him, Cale felt at home when the world was hidden and quiet. Though the burning torches that acted as camp lighting gave the camp a haunting glow, Cale was most happy with the decorum. Though he'd never display such an emotion, be it in words or body features. Rather, the stone-cold General was known for his tactful nature and coolness under pressure. He never gave an inch, was always prepared, and never caught by surprise.

With a tanned hand, he parted the flap to the main tent where he was to plan the initial invasion of Astrum Noir. They were relatively near the city, but these last-minute preparations were vital in the Commander's eyes. Making sure that the siege details had been dispensed to the appropriate groups, Cale looked about the makeshift office with interest, pretending to inspect his quarters for anything out of place. Cale quickly found himself bored once the last few details had been settled. Pulling up his chair, Cale sat at the large, regal table, accented by only the map of Rosinder scrawled out upon it. Propping an elbow atop a grassland, he sighed...shutting his chocolate eyes as quills of black hair were blown out of his eyes.

"Things are about to get busy around here. I suppose I should enjoy the quiet while it lasts." he said softly to himself, awaiting reports from the various groups that their finishing touches had been completed.

[Confused Objectives]

Kou found himself on the edge of battle once more. He was beginning to like the idea of all this fighting. It gave him a chance to release the tension a bit without getting into any trouble. Back in Ayenee, whenever he found himself in one of his moods, he would always end up being on the wrong end of the law. It wasn't like he was a bad guy or anything, he just needed to vent out from time to time and he was a man of few words. He was more of an action man at the heart of things. So he might have beaten a few people, stole a few things, did whatever came to mind just so he could get his mind off the fact that he had nothing to live for.

All of that was slowly changing now. While he was not born in the land of Rosinder like most of the members of the Dictum Veritas, he was becoming more and more incline to agree with their ways of thinking. Kou really didn't like it when people picked on the weak. It just made him sick in the bottom of his stomach when he thought about it. What was the point of picking on the weak when you can pick on the strong? They would give you the better challenge at the end of the day. Maybe people didn't like the thrill of wondering if they could win or lose. It was one of the best feelings in the world to Kou, although he rarely was presented with the challenge of death. No, even in the realm of Valucre, he found people lacking in the ways of fighting. They all talked a big game, but most could be beaten in a matter of seconds if he wanted to end it then and there.

"Kou Douteki reporting for duty."

He spoke his words as he entered the chambers of one of the General of his guild. While it might have been shown as 'disrespectful', Kou just didn't have it in him to walk into a room and stand there until someone noticed him. Instead, he spoke his words as he entered and figured the man who seemed to be resting his eyes will reveal himself sooner or later. So the youth merely waits at the foot of the door for his orders. He hadn't even been given a seat in this guild yet. He was merely a foot solider it appears without any thought of moving up in the world unless he showed action. Luckily for them, action was his middle name. All that was required was for them to point him in the right direction.

That was what this Cale person was for. The man who had the pointer.

[Zach]

Eri had much to keep himself busy to where there was little time to think or react too. He was an advocate if you had time to talk, you had the time to work and make sure things didn't fall apart. Much set-up had gone in the way of making a fortified defense around the command locale. Eri had maps and diagrams putting every location that was observed and surveyed to use. With these things in mind he used what little high terrain he could to his advantage. By grouping his soldiers in sporadic areas he was in danger of spreading his forces thin. At the same time it gave him the added advantage of herding enemy forces where he wanted them.

Of course the danger in that lie in the fact that if they were to pick off one grouping. There would be little time to re-fortify the position and counter attack. So, with this in mind he used two artillery mounts to fortify a convenient cliff, that happened to be V-shaped passage. That crevice had been rigged with land-mines that could be rigged to explode from a location on the other side through the pass. Enough to make the sides of the cliff collapse outward. Granted that his forces were some distance away, he had lee-way should the enemy be encumbered into that point. At the end of the crevice treading room was thin, and would spread those machinations to a string. At the other side was where the slaughter would begin.

All the while a number of bunkers fortified with barbed wire had been dug. Giving an ample barrier for Cale's command structure. He couldn't blame his men for hating the mud and dirt there, in a macabre sense if the enemy prevailed. Those holes would serve as the whole platoons grave. Eri himself took no comfort in such a macabre thought. Lifting a cigar out of his jacket, he clipped the tip and drew a silver lighter. The smooth vanilla scent flooded his mouth and nose quickly as he puffed. At the very least if he was to die today, he'd die enjoying his rare comforts. He didn't believe in boozing on the job, the coffee in itself was decent. Returning to the maps, his eyes slanted focusing on last minute details of where his troops were.

[-Map Coming Soon-]

[Ganu_Candali]

(We're moving on, sorry Benny but you're holding us back)

Dictum Veritas.

It was the extended family that Velindrel had come to know.

Velindrel had developed a profound respect for Cale and Apidej. So when the chosen warriors didn't arrive, Velindrel assumed that they had gone to meet up with Cale instead. When Kraus looked at Velindrel, the man had a mischievous smile on his face and spoke.

"The troops are stationed." Kraus said. "I wish I could join you in the fighting to come."

"Sire. There is no need to worry." Velindrel said. "Dictum Veritas will set our people free."

"Go see Cale. Your men will be there." Kraus said carefully adding to Velindrel's orders.

The hour had arrived.

"Very well." Velindrel stood up and placed some objects on his person. Most important, was the material for the wall-like structure he would be building around the estate at Astrum Noir. From the intelligence reports he'd been receiving from Cale's officers, Velindrel knew that Astrum Noir was a series of farms, ranches, and large estates. Many small municipal counties all rolled up into one tiny nation. Storm the capital, and one could break Rennovatio's control in the area. Velindrel Rahnar liked the idea a lot. Walking, barefoot, to Cale's tent, Velindrel acknowledged the rest of the soldiers who were still stationed at the camp, preparing. Though Velindrel was an officer of diplomacy, his blacksmith, engineering, and alchemy skills were quite useful in skirmish warfare.

Velindrel arrived at Cale's tent. Cale was already inside, as was another soldier. Velindrel nodded, with profound respect to both men. They were all extended family by then.

"Lord Cale." Velindrel began. "The preparations are ready. I will be able to manufacture the structure that you have asked of me. It shall force the enemy into a bottleneck as we have planned. There will be only one way in and out of the city." Velindrel knew that the fighting would be intense. Rennovatio would not easily give away control of one of it's extended arms. Velindrel was a builder at heart, but that heart was now burning with purpose and desire. We shall free the people of Rosinder! Velindrel thought to himself. He held logistical documents in his hand, as well as that were then placed into his travel packs. Velindrel's alchemy arm was somewhat disturbing to look at, but it was a necessity after Velindrel lost that arm during one of his many battles. The blacksmith waited for Cale and the other mobile infantry unit to speak.