11 The Fog of War

Shadow was a name that struck and veneration at it's mention. The team of four consisting of an Archer, Barbarian, Shadow Thief, and Holy Knight was already the stuff of legends on the continent and in the Adventurers Guild. They were the only Platinum rated team in active duty, as the Guild Leader's team had already retired and now handled administrative matters as senior officials. The Adventurer's Guild had a strict ranking system for adventurers, and the more precious the metal, the more epic the team. Copper ranked adventurers were a dime a dozen, good for small quests like killing a wild beast. Silver ranked adventurers saw a massive decline in numbers, since such skill entitled being able to kill the types of beasts Copper adventurers killed as a team single handedly. Gold rated adventurers could be counted in two hands,and the separator here was that they could use magic, and were far more powerful than Silver adventurers. These were the guys going out to slay dragons and wyverns. Any one of them could capture a city with their individual might. As for Platinum ranked adventurer teams, there were in fact only two. Such existences could summon the rain and call the wind. They were the very bedrock upon which the Adventurer's Guild was considered an independent major power and not questioned by the various empires. These two teams could floor an entire empire on whim, after all. Even though the blood emperor was strong, he was only as strong as any one of the shadow team's members. If they ganged up on him, or one of them stalled him as the others took action, it would be a disaster. And there was still those old codgers in the Adventurer's Board, who shouldn't be underestimated due to old age. If adventurers weren't serving the people and uninterested in politics then the various empires would have long since ganged up on the organisation to eliminate the threat.

A shirtless man ran through the Dire Swamp like a steamroller. Next to him an armoured man rode a white stallion and kept up pace. In the trees above a man leapt from branch to branch, carrying a large bow slung on his back. This team covered ground quickly, and any beast in the swamp that felt the intimidating aura coming from the barbarian immediately retreated out of their way. In no time at all, the edge of the swamp came into view and a vast plain of tall grass emerged. The man jogged to a stop and the horse was reigned to a trot as the other man jumped off the last branch to join them on the ground. The barbarian's shadow warped weirdly and shockingly stood up! All four members of the team were accounted for. Orlov the Barbarian King who would rather wrestle an alligator than rule his nomadic people. Sir Ainsley the last Holy Knight of the Ancient Holy Empire, cursed with immortality by a witch and locked up underground, he was freed centuries later by the third member of the team, It the Shadow Thief. A man who had trained his stealth to the very pinnacle, he was a burglar, tomb raider and a grave robber of the highest order. He had even stolen the royal treasury of the Blood Emperor right under his nose. Although he was not incredibly strong comparatively, he could burst out of the shadows with a surprise attack for a critical hit if it came to a battle. A shadow thief in the open was nothing, but in the dark waiting for prey it was a death sentence. Whilst raiding an ancient ruin he had accidentally freed Ainsley. The last member of the group was Telerin the Forest Ranger. A hermit who had lived in the forest so long he could communicate with nature, he had long since honed his archery to the point he could imbue magic and nature's blessing on his arrows. he could even communicate with small beasts and forecast the weather. His sharp eyes would never miss the smallest detail and death accompanied anything at the end of his aim. This unlikely band of heroes regrouped at the edge of the grass plain. "It would rather not meet blood emperor again." the shadow figure said in a whisper. "We are the closest to the scene of the treasure descent, we can pick it up and leave before that old dictator even gathers an army" Telerin replied. "If we can even approach it you mean." Sir Ainsley rebutted. " Hmmn I'd like to see this weapon I can't lift." Orlov said in disdain. He then broke off into a run again, splitting the grass apart as he went. "It doesn't like this." the shadow said before turning into a black streak that dissipated into Orlov's shadow on the ground. "So impatient" said Sir Ainsley as he held out his hand to his friend. Telerin met it and was hoisted onto the back of the horse before it rode off to catch up with the man ahead.

Meanwhile on the other side of the swamp, a large army of 50,000 men carrying banners and clad in armour approached. "Your Highness we have arrived at the Dire Swamp! Permission to set camp?" a guard reported to the old man in shiny blood red armour. He was riding a muscular black stallion wrapped in golden chain-mail that stood out. "No, we proceed until the sun sets, we will camp inside the swamp at that time." came the cold reply. "Bu...As you command." The guard was about to say that the swamp was not a safe place to camp, but recalled who this was. If they weren't safe camping with the Blood Emperor then what was safety even?

"Land Ahoy!" came a shout from the watch atop the sail of the large ship as he pointed out. A hunchbacked man slowly approached the bow of the ship and looked ahead. A tall jagged mountain could be seen in the distance, looking like a small hill from this far. "Double time! I want us docked on that mountain by nightfall!" he yelled. "Yes Captain!" all the crew immediately responded and a commotion ensued as the ship increased its already fast speed even more. The hunchbacked man retired to the captains cabin where a young girl lay on a red couch eating some grapes on a silver platter. He bowed toward her slightly and said " We will arrive at World Edge Mountain by nightfall, the treasure is as good as yours my Queen." He only received a smile in return but it was enough. The dark fog of war was already gathering.

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