Rise of the Horde

The chamber buzzed with a nervous energy. A dozen figures, all clad in the regalia of the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica, huddled around a large table crafted from reclaimed stone. Maps of the region, intricately detailed and painstakingly crafted, lay spread across the table, each one a testament to the meticulous planning that had led to this moment. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the murmur of voices, each syllable weighted with the responsibility of their new nation.

"The Kelan Union and the Federation of Duridarr are locked in a bloody stalemate," said a man with a sharp jawline, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, "They are like two dogs tearing at each other's throats, oblivious to the bigger picture."

The others nodded in agreement. The war between the two Eastern powers had been raging for months, a carefully orchestrated distraction that had allowed the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica, under the shrewd guidance of their unseen leader, to solidify its position.

"Our Lord's strategy has been masterful," stated a woman with a calm demeanor, her voice a low, resonant purr. "He has played the Kelan and the Duridarr against each other, ensuring that their attention is firmly fixed on the East."

"We are fortunate," said another, a young man with a thoughtful expression, "that the two are so deeply entrenched in their own internal conflicts. They have no interest in our newly formed kingdom."

"Yet, that is a precarious position," the woman with the calm demeanor cautioned, "We are still vulnerable. We must remain vigilant, ensure that our defenses are unyielding, and exploit this window of opportunity."

"We must expand our influence," the man with the sharp jawline said, his gaze hardening, "Expand our borders. Secure trade routes, establish alliances. We cannot afford to be stagnant. We are a nascent nation, and our survival depends on our ability to grow."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. The idea of expanding their territory, of taking land from their former enemies, was a sensitive one, but the need for it was undeniable.

"Yes, but expansion must be gradual, strategic," said another, "We cannot afford to antagonize either the Kelan or the Duridarr, not while they are still at war. We must be patient, play our cards carefully, and wait for the right moment."

"The Kelan and the Duridarr are weakened by their internal conflicts," added the man with the sharp jawline, "We can exploit their vulnerabilities. We can secure our borders, strengthen our alliances, and prepare for the inevitable moment when we will strike."

"Such a moment will come," the woman with the calm demeanor nodded. "We will strike, but not without careful planning, not without securing the support of our allies, not without ensuring that our victory is absolute."

A sigh rippled through the room, as the gravity of their situation settled upon them. The fate of the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica hung precariously in the balance, its success intricately tied to the unseen hand that guided them. The future was uncertain, but they had faith in their leader, in their strategy, and in their collective will to thrive.

"We are Lazica," the woman with the calm demeanor stated, her voice ringing with confidence, "We are a nation forged in the fires of conflict, a beacon of hope in a world steeped in chaos. We will survive. We will flourish. We will triumph."

The others echoed her words, their voices a chorus of shared ambition.

The chamber fell silent as a figure clad in the deep blues and golds of Lazica's regalia rose, their eyes fixed on the map of the southern border. "Our allies in the Ereian Kingdom have informed us of a shift in power. The new regime controls one of our gateway forts to the south. A show of strength is required, a statement of our sovereignty." The room stirred, a hum of anticipation filling the air.

"What of our defenses?" questioned a voice from the circle, their eyes narrowed in thought. "Our forces are strong, but the Ereians are unpredictable. We must ensure our borders are secure before we consider any show of force." Heads nodded in agreement, the weight of their decision-making heavy on their shoulders.

"We must also consider our allies' interests," added another, their voice steady. "The Ereians may be a wild card, but we cannot ignore the potential benefits of an alliance. We are a young kingdom, and strategic partnerships could be the key to our survival." The group pondered this, the intricate dance of politics and strategy playing out in their minds.

The future of Lazica hung in the balance, the southern border a key piece in the puzzle of their kingdom's prosperity. The unseen leader's strategy had brought them this far, and their faith in their collective ambition remained unwavering.

******

The chamber pulsed with an unsettling energy, a subtle thrum that resonated through the stone walls and hung heavy in the air. Khao'khen, his face a mask of stoic determination, paced before his assembled allies. The flickering candlelight cast elongated shadows, twisting the faces of the Ereians and dark elves into unsettling shapes.

"The news from Nassor is… troubling," he finally said, his voice low and gravelly, "A new kingdom has been formed from the ashes of the former one. They are a new power that we know nothing about. The newly establish kingdom was yet to make their stance towards us clear. Chances are still fifty-fifty."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. Adhalia, her eyes like polished obsidian, met his gaze with a quiet intensity. "It was inevitable, chieftain," she said, her voice a silken whisper. "They are newly formed power, and I am certain that they are craving to prove their mettle to be acknowledge by the other powers. Although we are not certain of their plans, the House of Darkhariss is prepared to deal with them."

Faynah, the elder of the two, nodded slowly. "They are but still a fragile power, chief," she said, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves. "Their strength lies in the fact that we know almost nothing about about them. They are still a mystery to us, but a mystery that we can certainly uncover."

Elara, the dark elf, leaned back against a stone pillar, her eyes narrowed. "I have no interest in the struggles of the humans" she said, her voice laced with a hint of disdain. "They have always been at each others throat ever since the dawn of time. I with my sisters will only provide our aid when they come to threaten the lives of the common folks which will then invoke our agreement with the Queen."

"Is that how you wanna do it?" Khao'khen pressed, his gaze sharp.

"The agreement... We will honor it to our last breathe" Syvis, Elara's companion, interjected. "We will do what we can... As ,long as we are capabale to do so."

A heavy silence descended on the chamber, broken only by the crackle of the candles. Each member of the alliance, their faces etched with a blend of concern and determination, understood the gravity of the situation. The new kingdom of Lazica, with its stance still unknown towards them was considered a threat.

"We must act," Faynah finally said, his voice carrying an undeniable urgency. "We must strike while they are still vulnerable, before they can truly solidify their power."

Adhalia's lips curled into a smile. "It is a good strategy," she agreed, her voice soft but dangerous. "Lazica is a fledgling bird, its wings still weak. We can clip them before they learn to fly, but are we ready to go for another long campaign?"

Khao'khen's eyes narrowed. "We are not" he answered, his voice low and intense. "Yohan is at risk... We can't embark on another campaign till we deal with the troublemakers to our north."

*****

Although Khao'khen wanted to expand the territories under their influence, he was not in the right circumstance to do so. To the north of his base, enemies were threatening its safety. The city of Yohan was at the risk of being conquered.

The Threian kingdom, in their arrogance, had sent scouts to gather intelligence, but Yohan's sentinels, stealthy and vigilant, had intercepted and eliminated them with ease, leaving the intruders' bodies as a warning to any who would dare threaten their sovereignty.

Khao'khen can't leave the Threains to do as they wish with his base. He must put them in their place first, before he could safely expand his control to more lands. Galum'nor had sent him numerous messages, asking for the horde and his return because of the troublemakers, but their campaign of the Burning Sands was yet to be finish.

And now, with their campaign finally coming to an end, he can now swing back towards his base and deal with the troublemakers who had come to seek their death. Khao'khen although not very confident in Adhalia and Faynah's abilities to manage the new Ereian kingdom, he had no other choice but to trust their capabilities, as he retraced back his steps along with the horde, back towards Yohan.