The merciful warlord
Hello true believers, Animeman73 here. It’s time for another story in my Roll of the Dice challenge. This time the dice rolled up a 3 which means my friend from Discord Blazinmike came up. His Genre of choice was fantasy, the word of choice was warlord.
And now it’s time for me to go to work. And so, the mold is set, let the tale begin as the Roll of the Dice challenge rolls on.
“The old world's doomed Hugh, destroyed by our pride and underestimating the Mage Kings. But there is hope with the new world.” Said the male warrior dressed in white gold colored armor a sun symbol on his chest plate.
The blonde priestess beside the warrior nodded her own face full of sad resignation.
"We will stay to contain the explosion, but you Hugh must go on. Solarin and the other Gods have placed their mark on you and your descendants. You. Have. A destiny!” she stated.
The figure was about to ask something when he felt a force pulling him away.
The man named Hugh came to as he yelped and bolted upright in bed. He was panting his face and body covered in sweat. He looked around his environment.
It wasn’t his quarters on his airship nor a room at one of the many palaces or inns he’d been in. Whatever building I’m in the construction looks new, he observed.
And then the full weight of memory crashed on him. Fleet commander Hugh Velstand’s hands went to his face. “Nora, Norris, why?” he moaned.
He looked out a nearby window. Outside he saw the various new houses and buildings constructed a short time ago. “Yes, that’s right we somehow made it back to Sanctuary.”
And then he looked around. “Nadia, Leos, Liara.” He called.
On cue a door opened and a woman with boyish short red-brown hair entered wearing a roughhewn dress. With her were a little boy of ten years and a girl of eight. “Father,” the children called.
“Husband,” The woman added in relief.
Hugh embraced the woman and his children. Finally, when he released them, he asked, “How long have I been out?”
“Over a day and a night. You and your crew’s injuries were quite severe.” The woman explained.
“Where are the other priests.” Hugh asked.
“Mama says they’re resting after healing all the owies you got.” The girl commented.
“Father, what happened?” Leos asked at once curious and afraid.
Hugh searched for the words and came to a decision. “I’ll tell you and the rest everything. But first are any of my crew up and about?’
“Here Commander," came a new voice.
A man entered dressed in a chain mail shirt, grey trousers, and worn leather boots. The auburn-haired former fleet commander recognized the curly maple brown-haired man. “Jonas, I figured you’d be up and about first. You always were a hearty one.”
The bushy mustache man smirked and nodded his agreement. “Though in honesty I wish I hadn’t, the wife gave me quite an earful.”
Hugh chuckled before his face turned serious. “Damage report, what’s the state of the Deliverance?”
The Engineer shook his head in sad resignation. “In a word, busted. She won’t fly ever again.” he stated in a grim tone.
Hugh grimaced and muttered, “Thank you girl, for getting us back home.”
Hugh looked at his family. “Nadia, Leos, Liara where are my clothes?”
“Washed and repaired husband, but getting all that blood out was no easy task.”
Liara asked, “What about those bad Mage Kings papa, are they gone? And where are Lord and Lady Brannoc?”
Hugh shook his head. “I’ll tell you and the others later.”
He then flashed his children a matter-of-fact look. “I should warn you what I’m going to say is not going to be easy or pleasant.”
They nodded knowing they needed to be brave in the face of dire news. Jonas said, “I need to get back to the wife and my own children sir.”
Hugh raised a hand. “There’s no need to call me sir or commander anymore Jonas. I fear that Moon Sage fleet is no more,” the war hero stated.
He muttered under his breath, “As seems to be the case with so much in my life.”
Jonas shook his head. "With all due respect, I’ve known you since we were both rough and tumble teenagers. And you’ll always be my Lord and commanding officer.”
The engineer left. Hugh couldn’t help but flash a smile despite the grim circumstances. “Unwavering loyalty as always old friend.”
Hugh’s wife and children returned with his clothes. They left the room and allowed him to don his dark green shirt, trousers, black boots and long coat.
The man got up and thought, after being out for a day and a night I must be a mess. Still, considering my injuries it’s expected.
The man sighed and thought. “Is this what you talked of Uncle when you said all leaders must one day face an ultimate test?”
There came a knock at the door. Hugh walked to the door and opened it. At the door was a man with greying brown hair. While his face showed age, there was still a strength within him.
Hugh smiled and bowed in respect. “Earl Kennanbriar,” he said to his father-in-law.
The man put a hand on Hugh’s right shoulder. “You and your crew gave us a scare and quite a bit of work boy. But I am pleased to see you up and about.”
Hugh sighed and shook his head. “I wish it were under better circumstances milord.”
“The Mage Kings are gone but Nora and Norris sacrificed themselves.” The older man noted.
Hugh's mouth dropped open in surprise. “How did you guess?’ He asked.
“Age and observation dear boy. But now is the time for you to step up.” Nadia’s father explained.
“Do you still think I can be a great leader milord, after everything we've sacrificed?”
“Sometimes boy sacrifice is necessary for the actual greater good. And I still see great things for you, my daughter, and my grandchildren.”
Hugh nodded and said, “Thank you milord, but I cannot do this alone, I fear. I would ask if you would stand with me and the others. I will need your wisdom in the days to come.”
“I will stand beside you as long as I can.” Kennanbriar assured.
“I’ll stand with you too husband,” said Nadia who was waiting in the living room with their children.
Hugh was about to say something when he heard someone pounding on the front door of the building. “Hugh, Hugh ere you in there boss?” came a voice very familiar to the former fleet commander.
He rushed for the door and opened it. His former second-in-command from the Deliverance was panting as if he’d been running. “Brock, what’s going on?” he asked.
“We got a problem commander. The scouts reported a bunch of nasty looking barbarians have infiltrated the valley. And those bastards look like they’ve got a Blood Shaman,” the blonde man stated.
A surge of memory came to Hugh. I remember, Nora and Norris came to me in that dream. They warned the first twenty years after the cataclysm would be brutal ones.
Blood Shamans and leftovers from the Mage Kings trying to seize power or revive them. And it looks as though they were right one last time.
Hugh came back to himself. “Mister Warrens, have some of the men get the civilians to a safe place. Get all the men who can fight together. We meet these intruders as soldiers of the Moon Sage fleet!
"I know you’re a married man now and your wife’s expecting. So, you can feel free to go with her once you’ve rounded up enough men.”
The blonde soldier shook his head and flashed his crooked and deadly smile.
“With all due respect Hugh, we've been best mates from our times on the streets as lads. You saved me and our mates from the gallows several times. After all the right you've done by us, we're not deserting you now!"
Hugh clasped hands with the man. “In that case get your two-handed axe ready. Things are about to get bloody!”
“Right with you sir!” The chain mail shirt clad soldier acknowledged.
The man ran to get his weapon. Hugh turned to his father-in-law and family.
Earl Kennanbriar handed him a long sword and a medium shield. The shield had a picture of a white full moon against a blue background. Hugh strapped the sheath to his belt and looked over the blade.
It looked sharp and well-tended. He gave it a practice swing and nodded.
“I have to go. I have to protect what I have left.” He told them.
Nadia flashed a smile of understanding. “Go fight for us father.” Leos answered.
Liara flashed a predatory smile and squealed, “Lop off some of the bad guys' heads for us papa!”
This took Hugh by surprise. Nadia explained, “She’s been taking sword lessons as has Leos. It seems you’ve had quite the effect on them husband.”
Hugh nodded and scrambled out of the house. By the time he reached the front gate for the large town of Sanctuary a large force of men had joined him. The men were either guards, or soldiers from the Deliverance and all looked ready to fight.
“Don’t attack until I give the word!” He commanded.
Hugh looked up and called out, “Guards, open the gate!”
The guards at the station nodded and did as commanded. Hugh and his troops marched out on to the vast open plain.
In the distance he saw the mountains that teemed with strange energy and minerals. To his left a large forest lay beyond. He turned back towards the only way in or out of the valley.”
"Head for the halfway point between here and the valley entrance, move!" he ordered.
The men began a steady and orderly march in the direction of the valley entrance. A half hour later they reached the halfway point. The men got into a battle-ready formation.
Hugh saw the cloud of dust heading towards them. Hard men in bear and wolf skins approached. One rather large man had a necklace adorned with beads shaped like skulls.
As they approached the big man stepped forward. Hugh felt the power that emanated from the barbarian leader. The large man raised a tree trunk arm bringing his own men to a stop.
Hugh walked forward and snapped in a commanding tone, "Begone blood magic users! You stand on ground sacred to Lord Solarin and the Gods of light! Your dark magic isn't welcome here!"
He saw the leader's eyes held a fire in them that screamed fanatic. The barbarian leader and his men laughed in derision.
The black-haired Blood Shaman snapped, "You are a fool to show your face murderer Hugh Velstand! The spirit of Count Merick Jarvin, or King Ulvian Starbreaker came to me! All will die and this valley coated in blood for the Mage Kings return and ascension!"
Hugh’s face darkened in anger. “So, you serve the Mage Kings! Your masters are dead and yes, I slew Jarvin, their leader! After all he did, he deserved no less!”
The Blood Shaman pulled from his side a nasty looking flail. The head crackled with electrical energy.
“You killed my master, his fellows and stole their ascension to godhood! You stole my destiny to become one of their high priests! Now you and everyone in this valley will die!"
"Your blood sacrifice will feed the spell that will revive our Lords! And your filthy old Gods will get relegated to nothing!" The leader sneered.
The former fleet commander readied his sword. “Your masters are dead and will remain so! And you'll die with them if you stay on this path barbarian!" he warned.
The barbarian leader snorted in derision. "You can't defeat my fighting prowess and blood magic skill. Necro King Matthias has shown me the way to revive my Lords!"
"Why are you telling me this?" Hugh Velstand asked.
"Because dead men tell no tales!" The Shaman growled.
"For Necro King Matthias, and the Mage Kings!" The barbarian shouted before he pushed his steed to gallop forward.
The barbarians roared and charged. "Attack!" Hugh shouted as he rushed forward.
The men let out battle cries and rushed forward. If that shaman lasts in this battle, the bloodshed and death will make him stronger! I have to kill him now, Hugh thought remembering his courses in tactics.
The leader rode up and swung his electrical flail at Hugh. The war hero put up his shield. The barbarian let out a pained yelp as he got shocked by the electrical energy that struck the shield.
Hugh smirked, remembering the Magesmiths that had crafted his shield. And the elemental protection it had. He swung his sword at the barbarian who danced back.
The shaman swung his flail at Hugh. But the on-foot soldier knew how to handle mounted warriors. He slid away from the angle of the attack and caught the Blood Shaman in the face with his shield.
Hugh slammed the hilt of his sword into the exposed ribs of the barbarian. The impact caused the man to gasp, cough, and lose his balance. The muscular shaman toppled from his horse to the ground.
Hugh then let out a roar which scared the steed into scampering off. Now the odds are more even, Hugh thought as he kept his shield and blade at the ready.
The Barbarian stumbled to his feet and turned an enraged gaze on the soldier.
"You robbed me of my horse, you're a dead man Velstand!" The barbarian roared.
“Shut up and fight!” Hugh snapped in annoyance.
The two combatants circled one another. The barbarian readied his flail. Hugh readied his shield for another blow from it. But then the barbarian said, “Flail to sword!”
The flail became a long sword that belched black colored energy. A Change Weapon! Some of the Mage Kings' handiwork, Hugh thought.
His medium shield took another blow from the weapon. This time the blow didn’t hurt the barbarian. The war hero kept blocking the blows as he searched for a weakness.
Then he noted the man was tiring. As Uncle Marcus taught me, never be too aggressive. Save your strength for the right moment, the former fleet commander thought.
All around him the sounds of battle roared. The clashing of weapons and people screaming and dying. Hugh tuned it out and concentrated on his opponent.
The warrior swung his sword again. But this time Hugh slid in, only to get a hard knee to the gut which knocked him backwards.
The war hero gasped and coughed as he kept hold of his weapon. He heard someone walk up to him.
“Now I kill you and sacrifice all here for my lords. The great Necro King Matthias will restore our blessed Gods!”
But Hugh raised his medium shield and flipped the secret switch on it. The hidden blade slid out at the bottom of the medium shield.
Hugh stabbed forward. His reward was the sickening sound of the blade penetrating flesh and bone. Along with it came a loud scream of pain.
Hugh shook the white spots from his eyes in time to see a surprised barbarian leader staring down at him. The hidden blade impaled in his bleeding chest.
“You blaspheme this place!” Velstand snapped as he swung his sword.
The blow lopped off the head of the Blood Shaman. The other barbarians noticed what had happened. Deprived of their leader the surviving brutes turned tail and ran for their lives.
Hugh sank to his knees his ribs still sore. Yet his ears rang with the sounds of his men cheering in victory. Someone came up beside the former fleet commander.
"You want that we should get after those bastards?” Hugh heard Brock ask.
He shook his head. “Nay friend nay. Their leader is gone and they’ve had more than enough.”
Hugh got to his feet. “Looks like you took a nasty blow from that Blood Shaman. How about we have the priests look at that?”
Hugh shook his head. “Later, there are others who need it worse than me. Brock a question if you will.”
The former second-in-command looked at his superior. "What is it mate?" he asked in puzzlement
"If all the old civilizations are gone and it's a new world what does this mean? Am I now little more than a petty Warlord?" Hugh asked his tone a troubled one.
Brock thought about the question. "For the moment, yeah you are a Warlord. And in my honest military opinion, we're going to have to secure the immediate area. And we're one day soon going to have to confront this Necro King Matthias."
Hugh sighed feeling like he'd let down Nora and Norris. But then Brock called, "Hey-hey-hey, no gettin' all over yourself like that! A Warlord you may be but petty nothing! You inspire hope in these people and us, you've got the ability to become much more."
"So, you think I can turn this little domain into much more?" Hugh asked.
Brock nodded in confirmation before he spoke. "It won't be easy. We'll have to train the civilians in fighting and look for ways to secure the region.
"We'll have to send out scouts to see if there are any villages around and if they're friendly or not."
Brock thought for a long moment. "I've read in some of the history tomes every great nation has to start somewhere. And it starts with that one merciful Warlord who seeks to be something bigger and better."
Something bigger and better, Hugh thought as ideas began to come to him.
"Thanks Brock, you've given me some things to think on. Now see about cleaning things up here."
Brock looked around at the men. "Well, you heard him lads, some of you see if you can round up those loose horses. Others see to finding anything on the dead enemies and see to our wounded!" Brock commanded.
Hugh closed his eyes his mind racing.
If I must become a Warlord, then I will seek to become more like what you were Nora and Norris. I'll build a new civilization out of the fires of Lavokia's great cataclysm. I will become that merciful Warlord who builds a better world!
Hugh felt a new sense of determination fill him. With his family, friends, and community he would become that one merciful Warlord.
Well, there you have it folks. Another Roll of the Dice challenge story is in the books. I would’ve had this done sooner but I had some minor technical issues on my computer I had to sort out.
But now that this is over how was it? Did I do good, could my work use improvement?
Please let me know with a likeyou’re your comments. Constructive criticism is always welcome on my work.
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The Roll of the Dice challenge continues. Until next time I’m Animeman73. Stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all.
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