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Blossom started heading towards Maddy and Gwen having over heard their shouting, as she ran toward them, Gwen stromed past Blossom and bumped into her shoulder, but kept one talking. Rubbing it she continued to Maddy and gave her small smile. "Hey Maddy, I just wanted to check up on you. I know this is pretty hard but-" Blossom's gentle words were cut off by Maddy's yelling.

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*Maddy looked at Blossom and yelled at her* Not a good time Blossom!

Blossom flinched at Maddy's shout then nodded. "Alright, I'll see you later"

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"We should really get going" there was an unusual nervous tremor in Winters' voice as he and Irida glance into the woods. "They could return at any moment and we are currently in no position to run... Or fight" Winters adds.

"Do you think that I don't already know that!?" Irida demands. She swiftly turns around and begins marching towards the caravan. "Alright everyone! Unfortunately we must get moving! Everyone gather their stuff!" When nobody moves she sighs and rolls her eyes. "Now people! Move!" She roars. She extends a hand towards one of her men, who was leading her horse back to her. She climbs back onto the saddle and begins to move around the camp. She shouts out similar commands, forcing the citizens to get back onto their wagons and horses so that they could continue onward.

Both armies do their best to fill in the missing spots. They still ride outside of the caravan while both Irida and Gwen lead the way, this time though, Winters joins them at the front. None of them offer any form of small talk, which, they all are silently relieved by.

*Tani finished burying Barry and walked over the hole. Leaf had begun placing flowers on the grave but Tani didnt stay. She was too devastated. She walked to the wagon Luke was in and entered it to rest.*

*As the caravan began to move, Maddy could no longer hear the howls of Marchhounds. She knew they were safe for now, but she still worried. She began to close her eyes but each time she began to close them, she saw black eyes staring at her.*

As the day rolled on, the caravan inched closer to its destination. Though the recent events left apprehension hanging in the air, it was peaceful. Serene. In fact, to someone who knew nothing of the deaths that hung heavy on the minds of the travelers, it would have seemed a very pleasant scene. But far north in the Iron Mountains, a metal gate stood atop its highest peak. There, the howls of the Marchounds were loudest, cutting through the air in a discordant symphony. A guard above the gate watched as a group of 15 or 20 Marchounds with riders climbed the mountain, and entered Mountain's Helm.

Megumo rode along with the other Marchounds, pulling ahead with every step. The rush of the battle was leaving him, but he was satisfied. Mostly. They still hadn't found him. But Megumo would find the traitor, no matter what it took. As the Marchound slowed to a stop, he dismounted, handing it off to another Cloak. He had not taken more than a few steps before another Cloak approached him. "Report to my Queen immieadiently," he said brusquely. Megumo nodded without comment, and pushing past the man, making his way to Talla's headquarters. He passed armored soldiers and blacksmiths, whose tools rang in steady beats. As the noise of the metal and weaponry clashed, the aura of wartime rose. A simple message: We are doing our part.

The fortress was looming. He walked across the bridge leaning to Talla's throne room. Upon reaching it, with no hesitation several Cloaks opened the massive doors, sending out a loud groan as they slid open, revealing Talla's throne room. The Marchounds lay around the room, sleeping.

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*As Megumo inched closer to Talla, she began to take deeper breaths. Suddenly she looked up and Megumo stopped walking and bowed. Talla stood up and a Marchhound next to her looked alarmed, causing her to look at it and it to go back to the way it was. She looked back towards Megumo with her sword in hand until she was only a few feet from him. Her sword was still covered in blood from her last killing spree. She then opened her mouth to speak* Rise, Lieutenant... *Megumo stood up and looked towards his queen* What brings you back to Mountains Helm?

Megumo began to speak, calmly and evenly, though his eyes constantly followed Talla's movements as she moved around the room. Constantly on his guard. While Megumo feared no man, Talla was much more than that. So much more powerful. So, he shifted his eyes to her as he spoke. "We had a run-in with the enemy, my Queen." He paused, no more than a heartbeat, before saying, "They were with the people of Telmar." He watched her, waiting for a reaction to this news.

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*Talla stopped walking around and stood silently. Megumo could hear her breathing through the mask. A single word was uttered from her, one that caused Megumo to be more alert* And? *Talla turned around and looked towards him*

He spoke. Simple words, his tone just as even as before, masking his wariness. "We tactically retreated to inform you, my Queen," he said, his eyes never leaving her. If there was one thing that Megumo knew, it was that he must never show fear in front of Talla. He would leave up the mask of formality and a refusal to waver in front of Talla, never showing his nervousness that stemmed from her unpredictability. He watched as she began to walk torwads him.

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*Talla began to laugh as she walked towards Megumo. The atmosphere changed. The Marchhounds awoke from their slumber and watched as Talla walked towards Megumo with her blade in hand* Your telling me that you, leader of "The Howlers" and grand lieutenant of our great army had the opportunity to not only find and slaughter the traitor known as "Winters", but exterminate the kingdom known as "Telmar" and in turn bring me my father's second born's head- *Talla stopped and placed her sword on Megumo's shoulder. She pressed it up against his neck. The Marchhounds sniffed the air and some stood up and began inching towards them. She then continued while smiling* And you returned home? *Megumo stared into Talla's black eyes. The red streaks within them seemed to glow.*

He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He couldn't do anything. He was truly and utterly terrified of Talla, at that moment. He forced himself to move his lips and respond, though this time, he could only hide the waver in his voice so much. "I'll order the men to find them right away." He could feel the sweat on his brow. He knew that fear was not an option, and he had already shown one weakness. He could not afford another. To Talla, everything and everyone was replaceable and expendable. He could feel the blade pressing against his neck, but the cold steel put some resolve into him. "I promise you won't be disappointed, my Queen."

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*Talla kept looking into Megumo's eyes. She twisted the blade slightly before finally removing it and calmly speaking* Perfect, then we are in agreement.. *Talla walked backwards and the Marchhounds sat back down. Megumo sighed a breath of relief and Talla turned around to walk to her throne. She then began speaking* You will inform all of our forces on the front lines to pull back. Tell them that in 4 moons, we will begin a march towards that oceanic fortress that our enemies have set up- *Talla began to walk up the steps to her throne. She turned around and sat in it, looking at Megumo while she did it. She then continued* And end this war once and for all. Understood? *Megumo nodded his head and Talla waved him away* Run along now. *Megumo bowed once again before turning around and running out of the throneroom*

Megumo kept running and didn't stop. He had meant what he said. He would not disappoint her, and he could not disappoint her. Whatever he had to do, he would do. He cleared a path easily and made it back to the gate. In his rush, he almost didn't notice that his men were waiting, the Marchound standing tall, its fearsome gaze trained on him. "How did you know?" he said, his voice coming out in a hoarse growl. "The Queen informed us of our orders," one of them said. Megumo gave no response as he began to mount the Marchound, but one single thought passed through his head-"She knew." Still not saying anything, he began riding down the mountain, signaling for his men to follow him.

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Title: Chapter Two: The Ocean City of Kestrian

*In the days proceeding the battle, everyone in the caravan was on high alert. Irida had carefully guided them through the forest, where they met little resistance. And as they began to see what looked like a clearing, they were once again reminded of the situation they had become involved in. A 24 foot tall wall made of wood stood in front of them and stretched down the treeline, marking the end of their journey... for now*

*Tani saw the wall as they slowly approached. Scratches from what looked like claw marks covered the wood. Arrows were lodged into the watchtowers. And behind it all, a giant wood pile. What it was used for however was a mystery. Suddenly, everyone stopped. Irida rode her horse forward and looked up tiqards the top of the wall and began speaking in what sounded like gibberish, but must've been her native tongue*

The smallest flicker of anxiety fills Irida's gaze as she steps off her horse and rubs a hand over the scratches. "Quid est hoc?" ("What's this?")She asks herself while looking up at the watchtowers. "Impetum? Possibile est..." ("An attack? It's possible...") She steps away from the wall and turns to one of her men, who has joined her by the wall.

"Iudices Mountain?" ("Mountain Men?") He asks.

"Quis alius?" ("Who else?") Irida replies bitterly. She nods at her army, who had began to gather close by her. "Media sunt, ex vobis reprehendo in area. Quod reliquum est quaerere regna. Danger" ("Search the area. Half of you must patrol the surrounding area, the rest go to the kingdom. Be careful") she commands. Her army does as told, they all split up. Half run off to check the surrounding area while the rest rush into the kingdom. "Exspecto" ("Wait!") She calls, which makes the second half of her army pause. She rides up to the front and puts a hand on her sword, as if she were expecting a fight.

"Haec est generalis Irida! Aperta!" ("It's general Irida. Open up!") She shouts. There is the sound of shuffling feet just outside the wall, followed by more indecipherable shouting. After a few seconds, the large wooden gate slowly began to open, revealing the fortress inside. Irida saw hundreds of men training with their weapons. It was necessary that her army kept their skills sharp. One soldier came running towards Irida and spoke to her

"Ah! Generalis! Ego sum gauisus de reditu tuo!" ("Ah, general! So glad to see your return.) Said the soldier. Irida looked at him with puzzled eyes and replied, "Hic quod factum est?" ("What happened here?") The soldier looked at her and began to speak more casually "Damnare Mountain coepi impetum in homines ante lunibus paucis. Quibus statim. In facto, alia sectiones referre remanet nisi ad militum Mountain homines." ("The d*mn Mountain Men started attacking a few days ago, but all of a sudden they just vanished. Other sections of the wall are reporting a disappearance of enemy forces as well.") Irida looked around. Something just didn't add up. Why would they pull their forces? Irida looked back up at the soldier.

"Habemus ad utilitatem illius. Horis quotidie auxilia modo mittendo quarta pars tui optima parte reparationes fieri explorate." ("We must take advantage of this then. Send out a quarter of your men to begin repairing the wall and scout thd area. We must be ready for their next assault.") The soldier nodded and began walking away, causing Irida to say one last thing. "Tribunus ne in tua vigilantia. Nos Non licet tibi amplius patitur kiosks. Quod predictus Rogerus?" ("Captain, dont let your guard diwn. We mustn't let another Kios Massacre happen, understood?") The soldiers nodded and began walking away. Irida turns around and eyes the army behind her. "Et alia media ad possidendum regnum. Accipere ceteri omnes Lorem longissima" ("Reclaim the other half and return to the kingdom. Rest up, you all had a long journey") she tells them before returning to the caravan. The second half of the army takes off into the woods, disappearing amongst the trees.

"No need to worry" she lies to the citizens. "We are nearly there, it's just pass these few walls." She climbs back onto her horse and ignores Winters, who was starting at her intently, obviously waiting for an explanation. She says nothing and leads the caravan towards Kestrian.
(Credit goes to RoyalGecko for helping me write this)

Leaf had been sitting beside Maddy after the aftermath of the attack, neither said anything, but rather sat in the silence of the wagon and the ambiance of nature. As they rode in their cavern Leaf noted that there were lots of people with injuries and she had to wonder how many people were suffering like this. "Irida, are. . .are there any medics around besides Blossom and myself? Or did something happen to them?"

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*As the caravan moved into the walled area, Maddy saw as soldiers came up to the group to make sure they werent Cloaks, with the exception of Winters. Irida continued to lead the group through until they were all inside. The gates slowly closed behind them and they waited in ominous silence. The Irida yelled at the other opening and a second pair of gates opened, revealing to them Priatorian Territory. In the distance, th hey could see the large oceanside kingdom of Kestrian. The caravan began to move again through the gates, which once they were fully away from, were closed behind them.*

Blossom looked up at the huge kingdom in the distance with wide eyes. "This place is huge." Blossom looked at Leaf and Star. "How big do you think it is up close?"

Leaf shruged and Star responed with, "we're about to find out, don't loose your head."

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There were a few shouts of welcome from Irida's army, all spoken in the strange unfamiliar language. Irida responds to their shouts by nodding her head half-heartedly at them. You don't need to be skilled in reading people to tell that Irida had exhausted herself from the long journey. Now that she was certain that the danger was behind them, although it was unclear how far away, she seemed to allow herself to lower her guard, if only slightly.

In response to Leaf's question, Irida turns her head slightly, staring at Leaf out of her peripheral vision. "We are awaiting reinforcements from our homeland" is all she says before turning her head to face towards the road again. Her grip had tightened on her reigns. A gesture that only Gwen and Winters had caught. They were smart enough to not acknowledge it. "Aperite portas, suus 'Generalis Irida!" ("Open the gates, it's general Irida!") She shouts out again once they reach the next wall.