northern marches. In this one thing the Keltar, the Zodrian and the Eru have been united. Although we battled amongst ourselves over the years, one truth remains. The Ulrog are the spawn of Chaos and all they breed are death and destruction.
The time for our commonality has passed. The house of Grannak has been betrayed and those that rule the Keltar are slowly shifting my kingdom down another path. Greed and power corrupt the kingdom and you can no longer count on your enemies in the western mountains to protect that border for you.
It is an absurdity of our long struggle that we also counted on each other for an unspoken, mutual support against the Ulrog. This support will be suddenly and completely withdrawn, leaving your western flank exposed and a pathway to this palace wide open.”
The generals in the room scoffed and exchanged worried looks. King Macin stroked his chin and stared at the giant.
“I’m puzzled why the heir to the throne of your kingdom cares to inform me of its treachery against mankind, but I must therefore conclude you are no longer the heir to the throne. If such a disclosure is truth, you are no longer welcome in Keltar. The company you keep speaks volumes to that conclusion.” stated Macin.
“You deduce correctly.” replied Granu. “I am an outcast.”
“Is your exile a ruse by your father to throw us off guard? To split our attention between the West and the North so we are more vulnerable in both locations? Have you succeeded in even fooling the great Ader?” mused Macin.
“To what end? We see the buildup of the Ulrog horde as well as you. We need only sit back and wait to watch our hated cousins annihilated. Why attempt subterfuge against you now? If we attack and win, we only weaken ourselves and extend our forces outside our beloved mountains. The Ulrog would find you gone and Keltar ripe for destruction.” answered Granu.
“If you are exiled, how came you by this information? What plan were you privy to that speaks of an attack from the West and not the North?” asked Macin.
“I was privy to nothing.” replied Granu. “And blinded by love and loyalty for so long that I did not see the demise of my own standing in Keltar as it charged at me like a mountain ram and bowled me over.”
“Then how do you come by these assertions?” questioned Macin.
“I’ve had nigh on five years to mull over my brother’s motives and plans. It took most of that time to come to terms with how much he betrayed me. I wandered the edges of my kingdom spying on troop movements and the happenings within Keltar. I contacted those of my brotherhood who were not sequestered or jailed. Many have gone missing, but a few bowed down to Fenrel and were assimilated into his corps. They appraise me of his activities and those of the world in general. I base my conclusions on a knowledge of my people, the Ulrog and most importantly my brother.” stated Granu.
“And you wish me to take an entirely different perspective on the war, based on your recommendation?” asked Macin. “I am to ignore the advice of my General Staff and all the learned military men of this kingdom and accept the musings of a titled prince of my enemy?”
“I ask you to listen carefully to what your generals already told you.” stated Granu.
The giant turned and faced the room.
“General Wynard is it?” asked the giant of the Zodrian.
Wynard nodded his head.
“You witness this buildup of Ulrog along the Northern Mountains?”
Once again the general nodded his head.
“What are the tactics of the groups you face?”
“They are the usual Ulrog tactics.” replied Wynard. “Packs of Ulrog spill from their mountain holes and raid northern units. Supply trains are set upon when they get the chance, and even more rarely the occasional town or hamlet is raided.”
“These are the tactics the Ulrog have always used are they not?” questioned Granu.
“Yes.” answered Wynard furrowing his brow. “What
The time for our commonality has passed. The house of Grannak has been betrayed and those that rule the Keltar are slowly shifting my kingdom down another path. Greed and power corrupt the kingdom and you can no longer count on your enemies in the western mountains to protect that border for you.
It is an absurdity of our long struggle that we also counted on each other for an unspoken, mutual support against the Ulrog. This support will be suddenly and completely withdrawn, leaving your western flank exposed and a pathway to this palace wide open.”
The generals in the room scoffed and exchanged worried looks. King Macin stroked his chin and stared at the giant.
“I’m puzzled why the heir to the throne of your kingdom cares to inform me of its treachery against mankind, but I must therefore conclude you are no longer the heir to the throne. If such a disclosure is truth, you are no longer welcome in Keltar. The company you keep speaks volumes to that conclusion.” stated Macin.
“You deduce correctly.” replied Granu. “I am an outcast.”
“Is your exile a ruse by your father to throw us off guard? To split our attention between the West and the North so we are more vulnerable in both locations? Have you succeeded in even fooling the great Ader?” mused Macin.
“To what end? We see the buildup of the Ulrog horde as well as you. We need only sit back and wait to watch our hated cousins annihilated. Why attempt subterfuge against you now? If we attack and win, we only weaken ourselves and extend our forces outside our beloved mountains. The Ulrog would find you gone and Keltar ripe for destruction.” answered Granu.
“If you are exiled, how came you by this information? What plan were you privy to that speaks of an attack from the West and not the North?” asked Macin.
“I was privy to nothing.” replied Granu. “And blinded by love and loyalty for so long that I did not see the demise of my own standing in Keltar as it charged at me like a mountain ram and bowled me over.”
“Then how do you come by these assertions?” questioned Macin.
“I’ve had nigh on five years to mull over my brother’s motives and plans. It took most of that time to come to terms with how much he betrayed me. I wandered the edges of my kingdom spying on troop movements and the happenings within Keltar. I contacted those of my brotherhood who were not sequestered or jailed. Many have gone missing, but a few bowed down to Fenrel and were assimilated into his corps. They appraise me of his activities and those of the world in general. I base my conclusions on a knowledge of my people, the Ulrog and most importantly my brother.” stated Granu.
“And you wish me to take an entirely different perspective on the war, based on your recommendation?” asked Macin. “I am to ignore the advice of my General Staff and all the learned military men of this kingdom and accept the musings of a titled prince of my enemy?”
“I ask you to listen carefully to what your generals already told you.” stated Granu.
The giant turned and faced the room.
“General Wynard is it?” asked the giant of the Zodrian.
Wynard nodded his head.
“You witness this buildup of Ulrog along the Northern Mountains?”
Once again the general nodded his head.
“What are the tactics of the groups you face?”
“They are the usual Ulrog tactics.” replied Wynard. “Packs of Ulrog spill from their mountain holes and raid northern units. Supply trains are set upon when they get the chance, and even more rarely the occasional town or hamlet is raided.”
“These are the tactics the Ulrog have always used are they not?” questioned Granu.
“Yes.” answered Wynard furrowing his brow. “What
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