The village chief Eysilck sat on his table, vexed; The federal lords have been pressing hard on him with heavy taxes. Taxes were the politically correct way to put it. But in actual fact the federal lords were blackmailing the village in order to build their own strength and boost their individual standings in the court of Migurid. These “tax” are none other than to seal the mouths of the lord, from reporting the open secret from the king; That the village is engaging in trade of war supplies with the other faction. In truth however, all knew what was going on, including Rudifus himself, but as all of Kingdom Migurid are receiving “taxes” from the village itself, no one spoke of this grave crime. Chief Eysilck was once advised to stop paying the heavy taxes altogether to the federal lords, but if he had done so, the federal lords will address this issue in the court and there is no way the king will deny it due to fear of rebellions or doubts casted upon his moral standing. In short, the ace within the federal lords is their power to dump their poor facade of ignorance or if shall the king deny, they will be able to garner enough doubt on the king's real holding in the religious position he solely claimed; It is a win-win situation for them. Caught in this imperial hypocrisy where each turn will bring danger to his village, chief Eysilck had no choice but to give into the demands of his superiors. Thinking back, he regretted stepping into this quicksand, all because a moment desperation, a moment to save his...
“Sir!” Chief Eysilck was interrupted in his thoughts by a man standing in attention in front of him. He had been too involved in his work and thoughts to have notice any changes in the room. Seated on a high chair, right in front of him was the overview of most of Oriyus. Save from chimneys and scout towers some distance away, his view was above most in town.
“What is it now Edward? Have you send away the missionary from the capital?” Said chief Eysilck, face still half buried onto his desk, focusing on Edward.
“Ogre scouts! They have come to seek audience on behalf of their lord.” Said Edwards, half shaking in his voice and too distracted to listen clearly to his lord's question.
“What?! Ogres?! Send for the rangers and alert the guards!” Reacted a shocked Chief Eysilck.
“Sir, it appears they do no intend to engage in battle. The scout came armed only with a dagger and a letter personally signed by their admiral.”
“Oh? Tell them their audience is rejected but keep the rangers in firing range until orders are given out.” Said a much more calmed down chief Eysilck.
“But sir, you do not understand, they...”
“Foul ogres, I do not wish to converse with the likes of them.” Interrupted chief Eysilck. After finishing his sentence, chief Eysilck finally fully lifted his head fully to view his village. But, at that instance, his jaws hung in place. From his window, he saw not only the village he ran for so long, but in distance he could see smoke. No not smoke, dust kicked up due to marches. Hordes and hordes of ogres so massive that the sides of the army could not be seen from his angle through the window, and all marching towards Oriyus.
***
“Bishop Tyreal, I'm in Oriyus now. As expected, chief Eysilck has rejected my audience and asked his men to send me away.” A man dressed in green robes with white overs spoke to his pendant.
“Very well, do you have other things to report on?” A voice lingers in the man's head.
“Yes, it appears that even without your intervention, the ogre's are seemingly laying siege.” Replied the man.
“Oh? Even the gods are on our side it seems. Very well. Do not worry my beloved devotee, I would send men to protect you. Remember we only need the people in town to feel threatened for our... arrangements to work. The safety of your life as well as theirs is ensured. If that is all we will end this conversation.” Said the bishop Tyreal.
“Very well. “ Replied the man.
After the communication through the pendants were over, the Bishop Tyreal laid his arms on his arm rest, smiling and whispered to himself “The gods are on our side... For we are the gods.”
***
The villagers on the square was told to leave and stay at home. None was allowed to enter the square as guards, humans and ogres alike stood watch. Near the centre, two chairs were laid out some distance apart, facing each other. On one side was the village chief Eysilck with armoured men beside and behind him. Opposite him was the ogre admiral, who looks almost human from far and around him were mages though fewer in numbers compared to the guards around Eysilck. The mages, although huge compared to the humans, were significantly much smaller in size compared to most other ogres and the admiral himself was almost human size save for being sightly taller and muscular. For a long moment, there were silence. Children stare out the peek holes on their windows, some humans shaking in sight of the gigantic ogres, while other fled in the smell.
For most, it is the first time seeing ogre admiral himself; The admiral hardly leave his throne in the heart of the woods. But when he does, nearly half the population of warriors and mages follows him, much like now. But for chief Eysilck, this is not the case.
“What is it you want foul ogres!” Exclaimed Eysilck, breaking the truce as the guards from both sides prepares to draw.
“Worry not insolence humans, we do not wish to speak to you as much as you do not wish to speak to us.” Replied the admiral.
“Haven you caused us enough troubles? You're no less than your old man! A malicious low life of the woods.” Said an angry Eysilck, perhaps half being reminded of his past and guilt. His insulting words caused some mages to groan but before they turn this conference into a bloody outbreak of violence, the admiral barred them behind with his arm and sighed.
“If not for the present situation we will not take this insult laying down.” The admiral whispered to himself.
***
Perhaps untimely, the three friends arrived back in town moments after the curfew was put onto the village. With patrols and sentries everywhere, Xiven along with his two injured friends have to resort towards sneaking around, especially when some of the guards were ogres and especially with the guilt item he holds in his possession. But evading an army of guards was not possible even for Xiven, who was adept at stealth. The trio was discovered and though being able to escape by himself, Xiven chose not to as he does not wish to leave his friends in jeopardy. they were held down by guards, some ogres, some familiar faces and brought to the town square.
***
“You cannot be serious! You mean the calling was started?!” Said an agitated Eysilck, who was half surprised and half agitated.
“We do not interest ourselves in lying to the likes of you humans. If not for the seriousness of the situation this town would had been trampled flat just by the nerves of you hurling insults in my face earlier.” Threatened the admiral.
“Admiral! We have discovered these three loitering suspiciously in the village, and on this human we sensed a strong scent of... Cze.” Grunted out an ogre who unknowingly interrupted the conversation as he pushed Xiven to the floor.
“Cze?” Whispered the admiral in a questioning tone before moving to examine the Xiven on the floor. Sensing something from Xiven's backpack, the admiral reached into the pack and finds the ogre-face mask in his hands. “Eysilck, what is the meaning of this!” Roared out the angered ogre, who seemingly know of the truth.
Chief Eysilck was honestly taken aback, but he know what he must do; He must protect Xiven, he must not let another villager come to harm... Not again... “Release him, I'd investigate this matter to the bottom and offer you a full explanation.” Said chief Eysilck in a much more humbled tone.
As it seems, it was already impossible for Xiven to feign any more ignorance but unfortunately, Xiven was not ready to be caught. Taking the chance when the admiral was listening to chief Eysilck, Xiven rolled forward so that his arms can be free from the suppression, jumped up on his suppressors and landed a kick on the admiral's chest. The kick itself obviously did not do any damage but it did cause the admiral to slightly lose his balance.
“Liselle, take Chron to your home! two of you'd be safe there!” Yelled Xiven amidst the chaos before turning back to face his to-be assailants.
“But...” Said Liselle who was unwilling to leave Xiven behind alone.
“Go just, I'd be alright. Both you and Chron are hurt, theres no way you'd stand a chance here.” Answered Xiven before Liselle could finish.
It was perhaps, a really bad move. The mages panicked on the sight of their admiral being attacked and drew their weapons while the guards took that as a signal of offense and too, drew their weapons. The clash was inexorable as the two sides charged towards each other. The spark has just landed on the oil drum.
PS: Paragraphing is dead not never coming back
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