The Grand Nicholia-Abiottis War (IC, MT-PMT, Semi-Open)

[Sperland]

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The Dodecahedron

"We need to attack those primitive eejits to defeat them properly" Said Marshal Labhrás to Napoleon. "Attack is the best form of defence you know." "OK how many men do you need?" asked Napoleon. "At least 100,000 men, 5,000 vehicles at leasy 350 of them tanks. We also need air support so that would include 2,000 aircraft." Replied Labhrás. Napoleon wistled "Wow how much money will that cost? And how do you know your forces won't be outnumbered and defeated?" asked Napoleon. "Simple" answered Labhrás. "Allies. I am also very good at making use of my forces."
"OK I will ask them to help"

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TO: The Coalition
From: Sperland.
Encryption: VERY HIGH

Hello. As you probebly know by now Azi Altul is starting to look like a real problem. We propose an invasion of all there territory. If we win we could split the land up between us. The drones are looking scary at the moment so we need to split there forces apart. Please respond.

The 10th army of 50,000 men, 14th army with 8,000 men, 7th lion tank army of 205 tanks and 4,000 supply vehicles and 150 Katyusha 19 rocket launchers were sent to Grand Nicholia with an escort of 40 corvettes and 5 destroyers.

[Grand Nicholia]

"Sir, another letter!" said a servant. "Another letter?! Give it here, boy!" said thee Minister of the Military, Charles

CODE: SELECT ALL
TO: The Coalition
From: Sperland.
Encryption: VERY HIGH

Hello. As you probebly know by now Azi Altul is starting to look like a real problem. We propose an invasion of all there territory. If we win we could split the land up between us. The drones are looking scary at the moment so we need to split there forces apart. Please respond.

"That would be a terrible idea to attack their homeland! Are the insane! Time to write another letter!"

To: the head of Sperland
From: The Ministry of the Military
Encryption: MEDIUM
Attacking their homeland would be an insane idea as they are here by the millions! Imagine what they would have there! We can not grant permission to youu to attack them!

[Sperland]

"Sir, another letter!" said a servant. "Another letter?! Give it here, boy!" said thee Minister of the Military, Charles

CODE: SELECT ALL
TO: The Coalition
From: Sperland.
Encryption: VERY HIGH

Hello. As you probebly know by now Azi Altul is starting to look like a real problem. We propose an invasion of all there territory. If we win we could split the land up between us. The drones are looking scary at the moment so we need to split there forces apart. Please respond.

"That would be a terrible idea to attack their homeland! Are the insane! Time to write another letter!"

To: the head of Sperland
From: The Ministry of the Military
Encryption: MEDIUM
Attacking their homeland would be an insane idea as they are here by the millions! Imagine what they would have there! We can not grant permission to youu to attack them!

Napoleon read the message and smiled. He wrote a letter back.

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To:Grand Nicholia
From:Sperland
Encryption VERY HIGH
You seem to have doubts my friend. That is understandable. I wonder Do you know what blitzkrieg is? It is very affective against an underdeveloped nation like theirs.

[Grand Nicholia]

"Another letter!" said a letter. "Man, another!" said Charles

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CODE: SELECT ALL
To:Grand Nicholia
From:Sperland
Encryption VERY HIGH
You seem to have doubts my friend. That is understandable. I wonder Do you know what blitzkrieg is? It is very affective against an underdeveloped nation like theirs.


"Time for another letter!"

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To: The Head of Sperland
From: The Ministry of the Military
Encryption: VERY HIGH
WE SHOULD ONLY HAVE A DEFENSIVE FRONT, NOT A OFFENSIVE PERIOD THEY ARE ATTACKING COMMA WE ARE NOT ATTACKING THEM PERIOD NO PERMISSION FOR THE ATTACK PERIOD 

[Sperland]

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To: Grand Nicholia
From:Sperland
Encryption:VERY HIGH
You think I hadn't thought about that? We need to repulse their attack.

[Claanyad]

Somewhere North of Grand Nicholia
The Royal Northern Fleet, led by Admiral Loui Burgiak, had moved into position 20 miles off the northern coast of Grand Nicholia. The Fleet was one of the most accomplished within the entire Royal Navy, having served in three theaters of major conflict within the past five major wars. It is not the largest fleet, however many consider it to be the most advanced. The Fleet's flagship, a massive Lenin-Class Aircraft Carrier, HRS Rollo I, sat in the middle of fleet. Her deck was bustling with activity, as the sailor on board preparing the conflict ahead.

In the bridge, Admiral Loui Burgiak sat staring at the table in front of him, laden with maps, satellite information, and intel reports. His Vice Admiral, Vladimir Gorbachev, stood next to him examining the information as well. Other colonels and officers stood around the table. Admiral Burgiak was not in his usual, medal-clad white uniform. Instead, he was dressed in his blue camo, with a cap on his head. This was his uniform for war. "Gentlemen, the King has authorized military action in GN. At the moment, we are the only Balashovian military force in the region, and the King has ordered bombing raids on enemy positions until we get sufficient ground troops in the area. That could be up to 3 weeks however, and his Glory doesn't wish to solely rely on aerial attacks. So, he has authorized the use of strategic spec ops missions using units from the Black Battalion. Our orders are to move the fleet within 15 miles of the coast so we can begin aerial scouting missions, bombing raids, and shelling campaigns. We have no set plan for spec ops missions at the moment, but expect to hear word in the coming future."

"Sir, what about the enemy. What intel do we have on them?" said Gorbachev, after looking up from a map.

"Satellite intel reports as well as corresponding information from GN troops have revealed that we will be encountering highly advanced drones as well as great number of savages. However, we must not underestimate this force. They are brutal men, of great stature, who ride fast on mounts and use swords. This we will use to our advantage. I believe they are of greatest threat, and the drones may be using them to attack. If we can stop their advance through the country side, we can potentially turn the tides of the fight. When we move into position, and once we find where they are, we can use our firepower and aerial control to stop their advance and hopefully reverse it and send the savages back to the land they crawled from."

"Very well sir, I will relay the information to all the officers in the fleet. We should be within position by night-fall. As well, we will prepare our troops, airmen, and sailors for armed conflict. I imagine they will be excited."

With that, Vice Admiral Gorbachev and the rest of the officers in the room saluted, and the admiral saluted back. "Dismissed, officers. Good day."

The officers began to filter out of the room, leaving only the admiral and his support crew in the bridge. The admiral retired to his officer, with a dossier composed of maps, intelligence reports, and messages. He sat alone, looking over this information. Is this going to be an easy victory... Or will these savages pose as much of a threat the GN officials say. he thought, And what about these drones. What role do they play? Are they sentient, are they being controlled by a radio signal from somewhere? I need to find out..

The Sea, North of Grand Nicholia, East of the Great Northern Fleet

As it so happened, the Clányan force was also around 20 miles from the Northern coast. With the discovery of the Balashovian fleet off the coast, the Lord High Commander was called from his cabin to the bridge to observe the situation. He had barely the time to dress or wash, and as he came onto the bridge, he was still putting on his jacket and donning his cap.
"What have we got, Lord High Admiral?"
"We have a small problem. We have found a fleet a few miles away, around a peninsula from our position. They're reasonably sized - around around the size of the escort which was supposed to be sent to find us. The scan of the area proved... inaccurate. We can't distinguish exactly how many there are."
"Have they given the code?"
"No, sir. They are staying silent. We can assume that they know we here, but for how long, I am unsure. What is sure is that they are either enemies, or allies who have not been given the information needed to be identified from enemies. In any case, we cannot make the first move. It is too risky. To get around to Sichou, though, we'd need to pass by them, and due to the fact that we don't know if they're hostile or not, that may be a problem."
The Lord High Commander furrowed his brow. "This is most difficult. Can we open communications? Perhaps a letter should suffice?"
"We can try, sir. But there are other pressing issues."
Cáðéit Cecáðéit Cascus crossed his arms, "Go on."
This time, it was the Communications Officer who spoke up, "Sir, we have received another message from Grand Nicholia."
The Lord High Commander sighed and put his head into his hand, "Please tell me it's not coded again."
The Communications Officer shook his head, and handed Cáðéit Cecáðéit Cascus the letter.

EMAS GNIHT SA EROFEB

Dear Ms. Adams,
Your student Gabriel was late again, because he at my office on the What. He was. Well, he had the. Flu, a very bad code. You must no he is healthy and will not have soon, again. And yes. You can. Say that he can enter. Classroom since he has been to Sichou.
Sincerely,
Dr Bencher

"It says, 'what was the code again? Yes, can enter Sichou.'" The Communications Officer piped up.
The Lord High Commander screwed up the paper and threw it on the ground, "I give them perfectly clear instructions and they disregard them? Why don't they have a record of incoming and outgoing messages? I have made perfectly clear to my troops, but apparently that will not suffice? What kind of sábíl? What kind of plenyad is this to them?"
The Communications Officer sighed, "I'm not sure, sir, but there is yet more. We have no confirmation that the Nicholians actually asked Sichou for the permission for our troops to enter their territory. If they had provided a copy of the communiqué, then we might have more idea where we stand in Sochou's view, but at the moment, we have nothing."
The Lord High Commander pounded his fist on a nearby table, "What sábíl are these Anglo-Saxons playing at?" He nearly screamed, causing a few nearby officers to jump in fright, "Is this some kind of trick? Are they actually competent, because I'd hope so if we are fighting with them!"
"Sir, we cannot blame them. They do not know all of our needs..."
"But they can at least remember our passwords, or allow our men into neighbouring territory with a guarantee! Húð damn the Emperor for letting this madness ensue in the first place - if he hadn't given his daughter to these Anglo-Saxons, then we wouldn't be in this mess..."
"Sir, we are at war," the Lord High Admiral interjected, "And for the moment, we are on the side of the Grand Nicholians, and unless that changes greatly, we follow our orders - to eradicate the Abiottis forces, and any allies of them that get into our way. Don't ruin this operation now, sir. We can still land, and we may yet have action to face with this fleet on our radar."
With that, the Lord High Commander paused and then nodded, "Alright. Comms Officer, send a message to the fleet - ask them who they represent and whether their intentions are hostile. Lord High Admiral, navigate the fleet closer to the potential enemy. We want to show them that we are not hostile. Fly the colours, but ready the guns in defence. Send a small force, maybe two destroyers, on ahead to scout their perimeter. I shall send a message to Grand Nicholia asking them to drop the escort. If the fleet over there is allied, then they are enough of an escort that we need. Otherwise, we don't want them getting caught up in a firing match before we are sure they are hostile. All of you, to your stations. Understood?"
"Yes, Nomol!" Everyone on the bridge shouted in unison.
"Good. Let's get this show on the road."

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UNIDENTIFIED FLEET - THIS IS CŚM NEFEN OF THE CLÁNYAN HIGH COMMAND STOP REQUESTING IDENTIFICATION STOP SENDING TWO DESTROYERS TO YOUR POSITION TO IDENTIFY STOP DO NOT FIRE UPON OUR FORCES STOP

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NICHOLIAN COMMAND STOP
CŚM NEFEN - DISREGARD ORDERS FOR ESCORT STOP WE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE OURSELVES STOP WE SHALL DOCK IN SICHOU WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS STOP THANK YOU FOR THE CORRESPONDENCE STOP

---

The fleet began to push southward towards the coast line, led by the HRS Rollo I, steaming toward certain battle and bloodshed. A coded message was sent out from the HRS Rollo I, to the command of the GN military, as well as to the other coalition forces in the area.

TO: Commands of the Coalition
FROM: Admiral Loui Burgiak, HRS Rollo I, Commander of the Royal Northern Fleet
ENCRYPTION: VERY HIGH
Commanders,
The Northern Fleet of Balashov is en route to our final destination, 15 miles off the Northern Coast of Grand Nicholia. We are the only Balashovian Military force in the region at the moment, and ground troops and reinforcements won't be here for three weeks. Our King has authorized military action against our enemies, in the form of bombings, aerial attacks, etc. We request that we be provided with all available information about enemy location, size, strength. We will also conduct aerial surveillance of the region. Please let us know where we can concentrate fire and attacks, so we can provide the most aid.

Admiral Loui Burgiak
Commander of the Royal Northern Fleet

The Emperor was the one who received this, being the Highest Commander of the Clányan Forces. He folded it and put it on his desk.
"And, you are sure that the Lord High Commander has not received this?"
"My Emperor, if they had, they most surely would have contacted you," Leðarh Ceŧcaren Yadscus, the Emperor's manservant in the Ombalichite Palace, replied.
"But they are so close. How did they not receive the correspondence?"
"I am unsure, but whatever the reason, I think we can trust your Nomol to make a good decision."
"That may be true. Nevertheless, we have to tell him."
"My Emperor, the quickest a letter like that would travel would be an hour or two. And it was an oversight on the part of the builders not to attach other forms of long-range communication. I shall send a telegram, but it may already be too late by the time we reach him."
The Emperor sighed, "Alright. Send the letter anyway."
He just hoped it would reach them in time.

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CŚM NEFEN - IMPERIAL HIGH COMMAND STOP DISENGAGE WITH THE FLEET TO THE WEST OF YOUR POSITION STOP THEY ARE ALLIED COMMA FROM THE BALASHOVIAN ROYAL NORTHERN FLEET STOP DISENGAGE STOP DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ATTACK STOP

[Grand Nicholia]

"You must write a letter to the Claanyadian fleet! About the conformation of the allowance to enter Sichou!" said a servant. "Ah okay give me a paper." said the Minister of the Military, Charles. "You also need to read a letter they sent." "Okay. Give it here."

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CODE: SELECT ALL
NICHOLIAN COMMAND STOP
CŚM NEFEN - DISREGARD ORDERS FOR ESCORT STOP WE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE OURSELVES STOP WE SHALL DOCK IN SICHOU WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS STOP THANK YOU FOR THE CORRESPONDENCE STOP


"Time to write a letter!"

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TO: THE CLAANYADIAN FLEET
WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR DOUBTS ABOUT THE FACT IF YOU CAN ENTER SICHOU PERIOD YOU CAN ENTER SICHOU AS WE HAVE ASKED PERMISSION PERIOD ALSO YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE WRITE THOSE LETTERS TO CONFUSE THE ROBOTS IF THEY GET THEIR HANDS ON THE DOCUMENTS PERIOD

[Balashov]

20 miles North of Grand Nicholia, West of the Claanyanii fleet
Admiral Burgiak stood in the bridge, on the HRS Rollo I, peering through a pair of binoculars. On the horizon, through his lenses, a fairly large fleet had appeared. Two destroyers cruised towards the Balashovian Fleet. All troops were at battle stations, preparing for the combat. However, the order to hold fire was issued, as the Admiral did not want to attack first. "Vice Admiral Gorbachev, the unknown fleet has sent destroyers to our position. Are all sailors at their battle stations?"

"Sir, all troops are active and ready, waiting on your order to fire." responded the Vice Admiral.

"Hold it for now, I want to find out the origins of this fleet."

Admiral Burgiak faced the communications officer in the bridge, "Officer, prepare to send a message to this fle-"

As he said that, a message came through the ship's comms system.

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UNIDENTIFIED FLEET - THIS IS CŚM NEFEN OF THE CLÁNYAN HIGH COMMAND STOP REQUESTING IDENTIFICATION STOP SENDING TWO DESTROYERS TO YOUR POSITION TO IDENTIFY STOP DO NOT FIRE UPON OUR FORCES STOP

"By the King's grace itself, its the Claanyanii! We have support! Officer, with haste, compose a message revealing our identity. Go fast now, before shots are fired! Vice Admiral, order all battle stations to stand down."

Vice Admiral Gorbachev quickly left the room to deescalate the situation, while the communication officer picked up the radio transmitter:

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CLAANYAD FLEET - THIS IS THE ROYAL NORTHERN FLEET STOP OF THE ROYAL KINGDOM OF BALASHOV STOP WE ARE FRIENDLY STOP WE REPEAT DO NOT ENGAGE STOP WE REPEAT DISENGAGE STOP ADMIRAL BURGIAK STOP COMMANDER OF OUR FLEET STOP WISHES TO MEET WITH YOUR COMMANDER OVER

Admiral Burgiak stood, staring at the destroyers as they approached. Their hulls churned through the waves as they steadily bore upon the Royal Northern Fleet. He saw on the deck below that the Balashovian sailors and soldiers began to disengage from their battle stations. The royal crest of Balashov flew high on the masts of all the ships. The Admiral only hoped that they would receive the message or at least see the flags before firing upon his fleet. If they did not, a major disaster could potentially destroy war moral before fighting even happened.

---

Donestk, Balashov
The 1st Royal Fleet had departed from the port and began its journey to Grand Nicholia. Their estimated time of arrival - two and half weeks. 400,000 Balashovian ground troops were aboard these ships, along with a number of sailors and additional servicemen. HRS Zuri the Great led the charge across the seas. She was a massive Lenin-class aircraft carrier, much like the HRS Rollo I. Her grey hull cut through the waves as the men onboard waved goodbye to the shores of Balashov, not knowing if this was their last time seeing them. The sun sank in the western sky, silhouetting the skyline of Donestk and the forest around it. Soon, the bustling of the city was gone, and only the meticulous and constant sound of the ship cutting through the dark sea was left. In the bridge of the HRS Zuri, Admiral and commander of the 1st Royal Fleet, Yuri Malkovik, sat with a glass of whiskey in his hand. A cigar hung out of his mouth, tiny bits of ember falling off onto the steel floor below. Across from him sat General Leonidas Malkovik, his brother. Both men were of large stature, eating standing around six feet, four inches. Admiral Malkovik was clean shaven, representing the cleanliness of the Navy. His brother, General Malkovik, had a well-groomed, dark beard. He too sat drinking whiskey, but did not smoke a cigar. "Brother," the admiral spoke up after moments of silence, "we plunge into the darkness towards an uncertain future. Take a cigar, for only the man upstairs knows how many more times like this we have together."

"Gahh..." the general said, "you always have to be so dark and gloomy. But, alas, you speak the truth. We must enjoy this long journey together, as you say, 'we plunge into the darkness' blah blah blah." The last line reeked of sarcasm, yet these two men loved each other more than anything else in the world.

General Malkovik cut and lit a cigar, put in into his mouth, and took a long drag. Blowing out a long trail of smoke, he raised his glass, and the two brothers clinked them together, in a toast to the heavens.

[Grand Nicholia]

"My Superior, the armies are advancing, the armies of the enemies that is!" Said a servant to the king. "I am aware of this problem, send for more men, at least....... Wait send for the 500 left over men of the Montconnt army!" Replied Nicholas XVI, King of Grand Nicholia said as he looked at the dreary rain outside. "Why them, they are so few!' Asked Sergeant Julian Cacou. "They are the only ones available as the rest of the armies are stationed somewhere else." Said the King. "If you wish for them fine, or we could draft men...." Said the Sergeant. "No drafting" said the king. "Also, send word to the allies to hurry up!"

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TO: THE REST OF THE COALITION
FROM: HIS EXCELLENT MAJESTY, NICHOLAS XVI
QUICKLY SEND YOUR TROOPS TO THE LAND PERIOD THE ARMIES OF THE ENEMIES ARE ADVANCING QUICKLY  PERIOD TOTAL WAR IS EMINENT PERIOD

"Also, it would be wise to send word to the Hexagon to start building a statue of Montconnt, now"
Said the Sergeant, who was also a friend of Montconnt.

[Azi Altul]

As Azan walked through his bloody forests, with his warriors and their women surrounding him, watching him, he had to hide his limp. Raull followed him closely, supporting Azan's body with every step. He soon found himself in the forest clearing, and released a battle cry to attract his warriors attention. They all looked towards him, highly attentive, hanging onto his every move.
"Today, my fellow warriors, we have faced a great, and tragic defeat. The Rider, he who rides,our great lord, has deemed the fires that would have been breathed from or fallen enemies inefficient. The metal men, a gift sent from our lord, has given us the means we need to gather our enemies, a force by the name of the coalition." His warriors burst into cheer. "Soon, we ride into battle. Soon, all the kingdoms of man will gather into one field, one open field where they will burn and the fires of the heavens will meet with the fires of the earth. When our great lord returns with his hordes, I, Azan the destroyer, son of Ruthis the brutal, will bring in the mantle of his greatness, and topple the heathen empires. From fire man was raised, and in fire they will fall"
His men roared, and he lifted his sword above his head, with great strain on his back. Raull let forth a powerful howl, and all wolves around the camp followed pursuit. The night was filled with the cheers of men and the howls of the wolves, and their howls could be heard from the royal palace. The royal palace that would soon be toppled.
"Travvy, I desire to contact the coalition leaders. Please, take a letter, and sent it by bloodhawk."
"Yes, R†hul," said the quiet, young girl. Travvy was a slave, taken from the city of Maleek, who spoke many different languages, and even knew how to read and write. Of course, as she was an attractive young one Azan had captured himself, he had taken her as a mate. He knew she had contempt for him, but that was alright. She knew her place.

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To: The coalition
From: Azan, the R†hul of the Southlands
I, Azan of the red forests, invoke the ancient rite of trial by battle. I direct my challenge towards any man who wishes to die with honor, in defense of their country. Any leader among you may elect a champion to face me, the Altan's champion, in open battle. The victor remains favorable in the eyes of the old one, and with thus, the outcome of the war will be determined. No heathen weapons are fit to trial by battle.

[Grand Nicholia]

"Sire, we have heard of a useful tool of the savages, a translator by the name of Travvy. I propose we send a raiding party to ether capture or kill Travvy. If successful it will slow them down by months!" Boasted a proud Minister of Intelligence . "Interesting idea, but we would need to keep it silent, because the public would be outraged if we kill Travvy." Said the king. "Ah, I can keep under the rug...." Said the Intelligence Minister "Okay then." replied a suspicious king.
LATER THAT EVENING
"Men are we ready!" Said Captain Trevor Grande, leader of the 20 man group sent to kill Travvy in the dead of night. "Yes, Captain!" Replied the men. The 20 man boarded a BTR-80 and headed for the enemy camp. They arrived there soon and dismounted the BTR-80 and headed into her tent.....

[Kaboomlandia]

The government of Kaboomlandia has entered the war on the side of the Coalition. As their plane with their men lands, the theme from "Rocky" begins to play.

[Azi Altul]

As Travvy lied sleeping, with Azan out hunting, she found herself awakened by 20 men, who had somehow snuck into her tent. They aimed a gun at her, and she cried out, but they covered her mouth. She bit down on her assailant's hand, and slammed her head into his chin. She held her hands up in defense, and whispered violently, "Wait, I can help you. I'm one of you, I'm a Nicholian. That... beast, stole me from my home when he killed my family. Please. I know their culture, and I know his mindset. Please, don't kill me." She let one tear fall, just for dramatic effect. She refused to be die, and would live no matter what she had to do.

[Grand Nicholia]

As Travvy lied sleeping, with Azan out hunting, she found herself awakened by 20 men, who had somehow snuck into her tent. They aimed a gun at her, and she cried out, but they covered her mouth. She bit down on her assailant's hand, and slammed her head into his chin. She held her hands up in defense, and whispered violently, "Wait, I can help you. I'm one of you, I'm a Nicholian. That... beast, stole me from my home when he killed my family. Please. I know their culture, and I know his mindset. Please, don't kill me." She let one tear fall, just for dramatic effect. She refused to be die, and would live no matter what she had to do.

Captain Trevor Grande gave the order to stop killing the Girl and informed her that she is no longer Travvy and is now Madame de Forqular. He added "A home has been provided for you at Forqular and you are no longer Travvy and that you are Madame de Forqular. Also that you will be kept alive if you help the Government with the Savages! Even though you are a Nicholian we can not have Azan know you escaped with our assistance, because he won't be to happy to lose his mate." He accidentally yelled. He and the 20 other soldiers escorted her back to the BTR-80 when....

[Azi Altul]

As Azan gathered supplies for his hunt, he heard a man yell. It was around Travvy's tent. He whistled to Raull and ran towards the source of the noise, and found a group of 20 men talking with her. In a spat of anger, he lifted one man up and threw his body to the ground, stomping his head in. It made a great strain on his back, but he barely noticed in his rage. As the next man rushed him, Raull intercepted him and ripped his thigh out, producing large, shrill screams. As Azan brought his fist up to crush the next man, someone jumped on him from behind, kicking a small foot into his injured back. He was down immediately. Two men kicked him when he was down, but Raull made short work of them. The other men ushered a small, feminine shape away from him as Raull wrapped himself around Azan's broken body. He heard loud shouts and more wolves running, but the men were gone. Azan felt like his eyelids could not be heavier, and soon he fell into darkness.

[Grand Nicholia]

The 17 surviving men took a two hour drive to Fort Saint Conus. Which through computers they sent message to The Hexagon of Travvy capture. The Ministry of the Military was pleased with report and sent a helicopter to take Travvy to the Hexagon for interrogation. The Heicopter arrived quickly after a 1 hour drive and she was lifted to the Hexagon.Trevor Grande joked "Looks like the wolf lost his concubine for good, unless he takes another!"

[Claanyad]

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To: The coalition
From: Azan, the R†hul of the Southlands
I, Azan of the red forests, invoke the ancient rite of trial by battle. I direct my challenge towards any man who wishes to die with honor, in defense of their country. Any leader among you may elect a champion to face me, the Altan's champion, in open battle. The victor remains favorable in the eyes of the old one, and with thus, the outcome of the war will be determined. No heathen weapons are fit to trial by battle.

This was the message, sent by the barbarians, which had been received by the Emperor. He looked over it, then began to stroke his chin. He knew that he had some very good mêlée fighters in his realm, but were they good enough? He sent for his beśáfad, a man whose name was simply Getúmen. The Emperor had never asked for more, since Getúmen had saved his life once. But as he arrived, the Emperor called him to sit.
"I have received a message from the barbarian hordes of the Southlands. They wish to have a 'trial by battle'. I can only assume that they want a mêlée duel to take place. Getúmen, I know you are a decent fighter - will you travel to their camp to face them in this trial?"
Getúmen was silent, but he nodded. He picked up his tacal, a spear with a head for slashing and a hilt for stabbing, with a guard for the hands. It was made out of ombalichite, steel and plated in gold. Finally, Getúmen spoke.
"It will be done, my Lord."

Addressed to the barbarian, Azan, the R†hul of the Southlands,
From Emperor Cacsus VII Cecerv Cívereś of Clányad

We accept your offer of trial by battle. As Clányaní, we are no strangers to honour, and would sooner die with honour than live with dishonour. Though we shall continue fighting if this battle is lost, we shall definitely agree to many of the demands which you will pose. I am sending by beśáfad, Getúmen, to fight you in open combat. I trust you will find a tacal, the ancient symbol of our people and the greatest mêlée weapon in all of Clányad, to be acceptable for this trial.
Emperor Cacsus VII Cecerv Cívereś of Clányad

---

The Lord High Commander looked over the fleet, hoping to Yúrh and the Pantheon that they were non-hostile. As he was watching the fleet, a message came through, and a cheer erupted from the bridge of the CŚM Nefen.

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CLAANYAD FLEET - THIS IS THE ROYAL NORTHERN FLEET STOP OF THE ROYAL KINGDOM OF BALASHOV STOP WE ARE FRIENDLY STOP WE REPEAT DO NOT ENGAGE STOP WE REPEAT DISENGAGE STOP ADMIRAL BURGIAK STOP COMMANDER OF OUR FLEET STOP WISHES TO MEET WITH YOUR COMMANDER OVER

The Lord High Commander smiled, then ordered the Communications Officer to send a reply.

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UNDERSTOOD STOP SENDING THE LORD HIGH COMMANDER OVER TO MEET WITH YOU STOP HE SHALL ARRIVE IN ONE OF OUR SHIPS STOP PLEASE PREPARE BOARDING RAMPS FOR EASE OF ACCESS STOP

[Grand Nicholia]

Trakky was taken to the Hexagon for questioning. The interrogator was Psychologist Owen Gregio. Whose first questions was how old are you? How long have you been with the savages? Gregio waited for Trakky to the answer these questions...

[Azi Altul]

Azan awoke in the healing water of Cahor, a natural hot springs found in the red forests, thought to have godlike healing qualities. His back ached, but the burns had been healed, by forces he did not dare to question. Raull was asleep above him on dry land, but at Azan's awakening, he lifted his head and licked Azan's cheek. As Azan rose, he donned his ironwood shoulder-pads and kilt, and retrieved his fascis. A letter was lying next to his wolf, marked the the seal of some member of the coalition. With the metal man's aid in the translation, he discovered it read:

Addressed to the barbarian, Azan, the R†hul of the Southlands,
From Emperor Cacsus VII Cecerv Cívereś of Clányad

We accept your offer of trial by battle. As Clányaní, we are no strangers to honour, and would sooner die with honour than live with dishonour. Though we shall continue fighting if this battle is lost, we shall definitely agree to many of the demands which you will pose. I am sending by beśáfad, Getúmen, to fight you in open combat. I trust you will find a tacal, the ancient symbol of our people and the greatest mêlée weapon in all of Clányad, to be acceptable for this trial.
Emperor Cacsus VII Cecerv Cívereś of Clányad

Perhaps I have misjudged these men, thought Azan. They seem to understand honor well enough, and they are proud enough to meet me in open combat. Azan was sure he could take this man, of course, even while still sore, and they probably knew it as well. He would take his fascis into the battle, and would rip the heathen warrior's heart from his chest.

He hoped the man would come soon, one to one combat was Azan's specialty.

[Azi Altul]

As the heathen warrior started his journey, Travvy was being interrogated. She answered willingly. She was 16. Azan had taken her when she was 11, when he invaded her village. She had first been claimed at the age of 13, as that was the earliest age girls were viewed as clean in the Altan society. He had made her one of his thirteen wives, but she had held a special place next to him, as she had the ability to read and write, a skill not taught to the savage society. Azan wasn't a bad man, she insisted, he was just born into the wrong society.

[Grand Nicholia]

As the heathen warrior started his journey, Travvy was being interrogated. She answered willingly. She was 16. Azan had taken her when she was 11, when he invaded her village. She had first been claimed at the age of 13, as that was the earliest age girls were viewed as clean in the Altan society. He had made her one of his thirteen wives, but she had held a special place next to him, as she had the ability to read and write, a skill not taught to the savage society. Azan wasn't a bad man, she insisted, he was just born into the wrong society.

"How have you been able to learn many languages?"

[Azi Altul]

The Altans raid villages all the time, and Travvy had convinced Azan to bring her the raided people's books back with him. She had managed to decipher most of their languages, and found the cultures very interesting.

[Grand Nicholia]

The Altans raid villages all the time, and Travvy had convinced Azan to bring her the raided people's books back with him. She had managed to decipher most of their languages, and found the cultures very interesting.

"Do you have any noble blood?"

[Grand Nicholia]

The Altans raid villages all the time, and Travvy had convinced Azan to bring her the raided people's books back with him. She had managed to decipher most of their languages, and found the cultures very interesting.

"Have you ever had contact with Azan, as in intercourse?"

[Azi Altul]

Travvy laughed. "No, I have no royal blood, not in your terms. My village consisted of only around two thousand people."
At the second question, Travvy looked at her interrogators with disbelief. "I've already said he claimed me. I'm one of his wives, what kind of a man would he be if he hadn't taken me?"