City of IF

[Chinaren]

The Jut (High level terrain):

























Centic Lands (Terrain known so far):































Chapter 10.5 Unrest.


The man strode into the room. Sweeping his dark cloak about him he looked around, green eyes darting this way and that through the eyeholes in the black mask he wore. Seeing nothing to arouse suspicion, he sat down on one of two plain wooden chairs that were drawn up around a small table. He studied the figure opposite. The person was shrouded head to foot in a voluptuous hooded robe, which revealed nothing of the person underneath.

The man breathed deeply and leaned on the table. “So, here I am.”

“Here you are indeed,” the robed contact answered. The voice was disguised in some fashion, so even the gender of the speaker remained undetermined. “What have you to report?”

The spy tapped his finger on the arm of the chair. “As uncouth as it may seem to discuss money…”

The other person made a movement and a small bag landed on the table with a dull clink, cutting off his sentence. The man picked it up and weighed it in his hand. Finding it to his satisfaction he secured it in one of his pouches.

“You aren’t going to count it?” Asked the disguised employer.

“Oh, I trust you,” the spy answered. “At least I trust you wish my continued employ, and short changing me a few coppers wouldn’t be beneficial to either party now, would it?” He smiled slightly.

“It has been some time since our last meeting, I trust you have been busy, and not squandering your hard earned gold in the taverns?”

“Haha. I am an austere man with few needs, though those do require a certain level of income to maintain. To each his, or her, little vices.” He fluttered his gloved fingers.

The hooded form nodded, but said nothing else, waiting for him to continue.

“To the south Karak and Gerwain have begun their incursion into The Jut. At first they met with some success, the heavy horse of Gerwain sweeping through several villages and crushing the opposition easily in the northern forests. The lands of the Swarm though, consist of substantial areas of marshland and swamp, as well as uneven terrain, and the allied troops have had less success of late. The Swarm are adept at striking from cover and then retreating quickly. The Knights of Gerwain find such tactics frustrating, and have thus far failed to make the progress demanded by Keldric, who rants and raves in his throne room. His courtiers have taken to hiding in the drapes as he passes, so I hear.”

The individual nodded, absorbing this news.

“Ironically, Karak’s infantry and light cavalry have had more success. They are able to maneuver faster and more easily, and hence respond quickly to these ambushes. However, these troops are in the minority still, and the invasion doesn’t go as well as the alliance would wish.”

“What of the north? The self styled ‘Northern Alliance’? How do they fair?”

The man sat back in the chair, making it creak. “It is still early days. By dint of great effort, and not a few lives lost, the troops have finally cleared most of the Creep. I heard that a single Centic, some kind of giant ant creature, delivered a message to the Northern alliance leaders. However, what was in the message, and what the response was I have been unable to determine. Still, the armies have now entered Centic territory.”

“Resistance?”

“Very little so far. The troops are advancing cautiously, using fire along a wide swathe of the advance to try and flush out any enemy. There has been one small encounter, with more of the giant ant creatures, but they were quickly overrun.”

“What is the terrain like in Centic? Such intelligence is nearly impossible to come by.”

“Mainly moorland, uneven and slightly hilly. Some rocks. There has been no evidence of houses, or indeed any structure. A wild and untamed land.”

“Interesting,” the disguised shape mused. “What else?”

“Ah, you are getting your monies worth today!” The spy laughed. “Also to the north word comes of a Centic ambassador, traveling through the necromancer lands. He has just come from Vestrel, and I hear that the troops of that country are marshalling for an attack on Iswyle whilst the dragons concentrate on the Centic border. Meanwhile to the south-east, rioting has been reported in Farn, and the Tzar has had to send extra troops to reinforce the main cities. Rumors persist that the riots have been stirred up by the elves, who wish Neil-So to remain busy whilst their armies are engaged with the Centic.”

“Finally, in the center of it all Eldra sits and watches. The armies of Yroth are on high standby, but so far have made no move. It is said the Queen is waiting to see how things progress, poised to strike when an advantage is clear.”

“A wise move,” nodded the figure.

“So, there you have my report.” The spy stood and bowed. “I trust the information is to your satisfaction?”

“It is indeed. I also trust that such information will not be repeated to… other parties. I would hate to think you are playing more than one side.”

The man laughed again, slightly nervously. “I will hold your words close to my heart. For now, this business has been beneficial to both of us. Until next time.” He turned and left, closing the door behind him.

The hooded figure remained seated for a minute more, then slipped out of another door in the side of the room. The cloak remained in place as they climbed down the steps of the inn and disappeared into the crowded streets.


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Another half chapter then. Just to keep you up to speed!

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[D-Lotus]

Always entertaining to hear a report from the front lines! It makes things more realistic.

[Jack_D.Mented]

Cool. I like it. Very much a fan of this tale, C Man.

[Kalanna Rai]

Glad to see things are moving again...good addition C'ren.

[Lilith]

ahhhhhh! *kicks back with some iced tea* finally! after almost of two weeks of trying to read this and all the distractions, I have caught up!

An interesting tale, if truth be told China. Can't wait for more!