NOVEL NEXT 70
The Golden Herd finally marches. From the west is me and Lak. Then from the east is Kal and Druig. Dorn will be held in reserve in case something unpredictable happens inside Laurelorn or from outside. I have also divided the shadow divers to split into two teams. One to scout inside the forest. Another to scout the outside in case of the Empire doing some winter march. I made even more shadow divers for the latter group as they are the most crucial to inform me in case something unexpected happens.
My herd’s current population is almost 8000. With more than half of that marching to Laurelorn. 11000 if counting Valeria’s herd that went to east. The massive increase in fertility from the last fight really bounced the number up. I have contemplated whether to also bestow the fertility increase from Necrosis Pox immunity to Valeria’s herd but decided against it. They need to get to Cathay as soon as possible and that will be even slower with higher numbers. Not to mention the food necessity. I have made the plant growth on my domain to overdrive just to keep up with the increasing numbers. If I can claim Laurelorn and put another of my divine domain there, food will not be a problem anymore
The march to Laurelorn is slow. The entire forest is almost drowning in marshes. And from Kal’s experience, the tuskgor cavalry will not be effective at all from all the trees and the marshes. I also decided not to bring the chaos mammoths either, if there’s still more of those corrupted dryads and ents, the mammoths will just get slaughtered.. In return, we bring all four Cygors. They might be blind but Lak and her shamans can mark targets with their magic like what they did when dealing with the Grail Knights
Other than that, it is quiet. Too quiet. Even Kal hasn't reported any sighting or battle against any Nurgle daemons or any of the forest corrupted spirits.
“Eonir. Any chance there is still some resistance much deeper?” I ask to the Eonir captain that volunteer to be our guide along with few other Eonirs
“Tor Lithanel has endured longer in the War of the Beard as you know it. It should still endure.”
War of the Beard. That should be the war where the alliance of elves and dwarves broke, followed by the great war between both and Malekith’s rebellion I think. So that should be more than 3000 years ago.
“Anything else you can say about your kingdom?” He think on my question for a while before answering
“We.. have a temporary encampment on Amber Hills near Altdorf. They should know that there is no news from the capital or the capital was attacked a few days ago. They are authorized to request Altdorf for support or hire human mercenaries as they see fit in case Laurelorn is attacked.”
I paused at his words. Oh fuck
“Tell me everything else. Now!”
—
“Fuckin piece of… They are bigger now. Fuck.” Bertrand whispers to the witch hunter and the wizard professor beside him. His supposed wizard division is camped near Silver hills, directly bordering Laurelorn just west of Salzemund. He decided to scout in advance and the two tagging along not ever leaving him alone.
Yesterday, Bertrand decided to go to Laurelorn. It isn’t a bad decision as Nordland did request for help and he can pose as an advance party to investigate. But now though, seeing the Golden Herd is here again and bigger has made him question his decisions.
“What do you mean they are bigger?”
“Rhya, that is so much Warpstones.”
The witch hunter and the professor said respectively. Then a loud horn blares and the sound of hooves marching follows.
“Oh Gods! They are invading Nordland!”
“No. Look.” Bertrand calms the professor and points out that the Golden Herd march into Laurelorn instead.
As the Golden Herd march, Bertrand taps the professor’s shoulder and gestures that they should return to camp.
“Faris, you reckon you can convince Nordland to send an army?” Bertrand start as he walks
“Maybe. I am not too versed with Nordland politics, though from what I heard from my coworker, they will like the chance to get the Eonir to be in their debt. Why?” The Witch Captain answers.
“Middenheim will not send an army. Not with the Winter Solstice in two days. Maybe you can convince Nordland that you have found the source of the last incursion and a chance to get Eonir indebted to them.” Bertrand continues
“And if we succeed, this will count as our success, the university will have increased funding! And the Warpstones..” The professor chimes in
“If.” Faris cuts and rebukes the professor. “And I should ask you Bertrand, what drives you in this?”
“What the fuck that supposed to mean?” Bertrand stops his step and looks back
“I have read the report. I assume this is not your chance for petty revenge?”
“PETTY! This is our chance to stamp the Golden Herd’s remnants!”
“Your chance.” Faris rebukes again calmly. “And what if it is never a remnant?” Bertrand’s fury rises at that remark
“Are you suggesting that…”
“Yes!” Faris shouts back. “What if you fail when you return with just one arm? If you fail then, then the Golden Herd was never a remnant, and you will risk Nordland’s army for this?”
Bertrand takes a deep breath as he thinks. He did encounter the golden werewolves near Drakwald and the Grail Knights did say that they will hunt the supposed remnant of the Golden Herd in Drakwald. But here they are so far northeast.
“You must be glad I am sober now.” Bertrand said and relent for now
“Oh, don’t worry, I intend to keep you that way as long as we are working together.”
“But..”
“But nothing.” Faris said to the Professor. “I see how you look at those Warpstones, professor. You of all people should know the risk of that.”
