Chapter 1 - What It Means To Serve

Time:

Tis her year 783

12th Day of Harvest End at Sun Apex

Place:

Dalguun City, Capital of the Dalguun Empire

The warning bells affixed to all local watchtowers of the Ambrose Guard rang throughout the city. Dalguun city was not originally a major military post but once word had reached Emperor Romero Arturo II that a large scale army had already laid waste to five other Dalguunian cities and villages along the Whisk road leading straight to the capital, he had to prepare for the worst. All troops not absolutely essential to their current posts were summoned to Dalguun city. Even a temporary peace treaty was brokered with the neighbouring Kingdom of Lavitz so troops could return from border conflicts. The largest gathering of Dalguunian military ever, prepared and waited for three days inside the city walls before the enemy was observed by the Ambrose Guard coming over the Blue Mountain ranges from the East.

The Ambrose Guard is the empire’s local law enforcement with the priority of protecting the people. “Protect the people, protect Dalguun” is their creed. Within its ranks though is an espionage sector suitably named the Ambrose Shadows that report directly to the Emperor himself. All members, no more than twelve, had been sent to gather intelligence on this unknown foreign army that was wreaking death and despair upon Dalguun. Prior information had only come from Ambrose personnel that were lucky to escape the onslaughts, and traveling merchants who were already leaving just as attacks occurred. What they were saying was unbelievable but there were common aspects to their horrendous experiences; Troops with the power to shake the ground, clad completely in unbreakable armour, and eyes of fire. Emperor Arturo only believed there was disaster approaching once there was sufficient corresponding stories supporting the notion. His response was to summon as many troops as he could to the capital as well as deploy the Shadows.

As the bells rang, the Emperor closed his eyes, sank into his throne with head drooping down, and let out a woeful sigh. The Shadows had not been seen or heard of since they had left on their mission. Though one may consider that entirely characteristic for the Ambrose Shadows. Nonetheless, the demon-like army was here and Dalguun was none the wiser of what evil they faced with only troop numbers being their advantage. And even then, were their numbers greater? Emperor Arturo cared for his people greatly. Everything he did was for the wellbeing of his people. Emperor Romero Arturo I, his father, was a traveling bard who became a hero of the people and vigilante to others. He founded a village that soon became a major focal point for commerce and a safe haven for artisans accused of heresy. Those who posed ill will to the innocent were not welcome. This village did not become Dalguun city but was the start to the Dalguun Empire. Emperor Romero Arturo II carried on this legacy. While the military prepared and waited, he continued his daily duties. One being listening to all citizens of his empire with their grievances and suggestions to make Dalguun better. This is what the Emperor was doing when the bells rang. Geraldo Quay, a local gnomish fisherman explaining the problems of recent overfishing due to the increase in population, hearing the bells and seeing the Emperor’s despair, stopped talking. He bowed, placed his hat back on his head, and left the room followed by all others who were meant to speak that day. The Emperor stood and nodded to them as they left. He saluted them with the Ambrose Guard creed, “Protect the people, protect Dalguun”. Once the room was empty, the Emperor and his key staff pushed three bricks along the wall behind the throne which opened a hidden door revealing a secret stairwell leading down. They were headed to the Emperor’s own private armoury. His key staff, made up of Felipe Andreas (Chancellor), Luca Byrne (Dalguun Infrastructure), Sydney Cranston (Scientific Advancement), and Jayla Kemp (Religious and Cultural Adviser) were advisers but at this time of impending war on their soil, they acted as serfs. Together they adorned the Emperor with full armour dyed with the Arturo colours of burnt red, black as night, and gold yellow. His weapon of choice was the halberd but always entered battle with a longsword as backup. Felipe, Luca, Sydney, and Jayla triggered another secret door of which only the Emperor walked through. It lead to the royal stables where a chestnut horse was waiting already battle ready with saddle and Arturo banner. The Arturo banner is made up of the same Arturo colours. Burnt red background to represent religion, culture, and beliefs. Two perpendicular black as night stripes intersecting closer to one end symbolising a sword with a hilt representing war and weapons. A gold yellow cog over where the stripes intersect to represent artisan technology. The one who wields this banner/flag or other form represents the people. The Emperor mounted the horse with help from the stable ward. After adjusting his armour, the Emperor let out a loud “HYAH” flicking the reigns and the horse took off out of the stables on to the street. All the paths were clear in the city. There wasn’t many civilians on the streets. Some had left heading west to the sea, others ran inside with those that hadn’t dare venture outside for the last three days uncertain of what was to come. The sun was at it’s full apex without a cloud in the sky. The Emperor wasn’t taking the direct route to the main gate. Protocol required that he circle the entire city passing each watchtower as a show of strength and determination as well as a promise to the people; “I am here for you”. Some may think that this is not only a waste of time but a stupid way to exhaust your horse but not to worry, a second battle ready horse is waiting at the gate, and the fact that it would take the same amount of time for the Dalguun military to assemble. Dalguunian horses are a relatively new breed. Fillies and mares are strong and muscley creatures while stallions are fast and agile. Both are required in battle like deciding whether to use a sword or a bow. In this case, the Emperor had said to prepare two mares. The presentation would not take long. As he galloped past each watchtower, it’s warning bell was silenced and the Arturo flag was raised above the watchtower’s steeple. Between each watchtower, there were elderly long-retired Dalguun Military and Ambrose Guard veterans standing on either sides of the street in their old uniforms from their service. As the Emperor passed them they bowed and the the Emperor bellowed the creed “Protect the people, protect Dalguun”. Another bow, another bellow. Another watchtower, another flag. The bells represent danger but the ringing ends as galloping is heard approaching and then leaving.

Military had already formed outside the gate overflowing the parade grounds in to the adjacent farmlands. Horse-drawn trebuchets and catapults lined the rear, mounted archers the centre, and mounted cavalry at the front equipped with the weapon they were each most trained with. Scattered among them were skilled heroes who had earned their titles of commanders and generals. The Emperor had arrived at the last watchtower and the gate but the bell did not stop ringing. As the Emperor dismounted his worn horse to mount his fresh horse, the Ambrose Guard in charge of the gate watchtower unhooked the bell from where it hung and walked down to the watchtower stairs. The Emperor now ready receives the bell and continues ringing it himself. “HYAH” the Emperor flicks the reigns and gallops though the gate on onto the parade grounds. The soldiers start chanting “Protect the people, protect Dalguun | Protect the people, protect Dalguun | Protect the people, protect Dalguun”. Emperor Romero Arturo II had only performed this ritual twice before. Each time hoping for it to be the last for the sake of Dalguun. He galloped up the middle of the troops, the chants drowning out the ringing of the bell. Once at the front, the Emperor rode in a few circles as the chants became cheers. The Emperor stops and faces his force. The chanting and cheering stops so only the bell ringing can be heard. The emperor with his free hand takes down the Arturo flag from his banner and wraps it around the bell and its clapper silencing it for good. A short moment passes before the Emperor bows to his force and then raises his head towards the sky. He lifts the flag bound bell into the sky with two hands and then for the last time screams the creed for all to hear “Protect the people, protect Dalguun”. As the ramped up Dalguun force cheers, the Emperor stores the symbolic flag and bell in a saddle satchel before about facing and galloping towards the enemy with another “HYAH”. The Dalguun military begin taking off and catch up to their leader. Half gallop speed is sustained so artillery units aren’t left behind. The plan was to meet the enemy as far away from Dalguun as possible as well as not to split group. There was something strange about all this. Why would an army attack the great Dalguun city in the middle of the day other than knowing that there was no chance of them losing? The Emperor’s mind became clouded with doubt but then remembered the creed and what was at stake. As the Emperor looked towards the enemy, he could see they were clad in black. They seemed to traipse over the mountain range like a river ending as a waterfall but the water flow hadn’t ended yet. The river of black armor erratically reflecting the sun catching the emperor’s eyes. He could see something else shining from the mountains though. It couldn’t be could it? A flash of red light was glistening in the trees to the north of the black waterfall. Red tinted mirrors were standard inventory for Ambrose Shadows. But what were they signaling for? The Dalguun military was already in full effect and aware of the oncoming enemy. The signaling began to resemble Gnomish light code. “General Morse to the front” bellowed the Emperor. A moment later Gnomish General Morse and his steed were side by side with the Emperor still galloping towards the mountains. “My lord summons” Morse responds. The Emperor points at the trees atop the mountains. “See that?” the Emperor proclaims. “It’s the Shadows, what does it mean?”. Morse’s eyebrows and lips wrinkle up as he concentrates on the light pattern. “Lord, they say; STAY BACK - PLAN ZETA - PROTECT THE PEOPLE - PROTECT DALGUUN… Lord, what is Plan Zeta?”. The Emperor looks at Morse eyes wide open and says lip quivering “There are no more Shadows…”

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