HOWLS OF CREDENCE

"Philip's forces consist of him, his six captains, his eight fortresses, and his nearly hundred thousand troops." the voice was mechanical. The surrounding space was dark, it appeared to be a secret meeting, "his allied tribes and nations that may provide up to thirty thousand soldiers with around twenty or so commanders, volunteers that can rise up to fight for him are estimated around ten thousand... And I estimate a further twenty thousand or so reserves," the sound of parchment turning,

"In conclusion the total army he has at his disposal numbers around a hundred and sixty thousand or so, troops consisting of all sorts of creatures and beings, and then around sixty vice-captain level officers, inclusive of his allied forces, followed by around ten captain level commanders and then him," the voice paused, and then continued.

"His captains are a mystery, we have little to no records regarding three of them, known only are their faces and names, and then we have barely enough information regarding the rest," the sound of a displeased hmm could be heard.

"His second in command Azmia, maintains the academy located at the tri-border where white wolves so often train. She is said to command powers concerning time, although she has not been known to set foot outside her area, relying on advanced Astral projections to interact, it is claimed that she is one of the best Astral projectors in the entire order. Although we need not face her, the academy is rumored to be impregnable, if it stands Azmia may interfere, and her powers can indeed prove fatal. the academy is not just an asset of Philip but of the entire order and as such its defense takes priority."

"The second captain we have some information regarding is Azul, he is a dragon, but we know not much, his powers are said to rival the great demons."

"Then there is Nylah the daughter of the night, she is said to be the most disciplined of all his Captain, her element cosmos, we have seen her fight in various expeditions and her victory has always been absolute. Her soldiers are the most trained perhaps in the entire order, so much so that her forces have earned the title of the fang of the wolves, there mere mention embeds fear into the enemy. Nylah is said to wield power from artifacts controlling various entities perhaps the toughest opponent if you intend to face Philip."

"His fortresses surround his domain, located strategically, designed to defend even if the entire empire attacks him.

There is although an opening, a ninth fortress at some distance from Alfana and the academy, the biggest trouble there is not Philip or his forces, but rather the Crimson Blade Zasha, as it is her fortress and it falls under Philip's area, she is nonaligned with him, but rather serves the White wolf directly. An attack on her would incur the wrath of not only master Philip but also Mistress Sabine and Master Edgar or so the report says. This would be followed by the main force that is directly under the grand master and as such it would be foolish to take that approach that said Zasha and her knights alone can take on entire armies, their battle potential ranks them to deal with S-class monsters and beings."

"And what of our forces?" a familiar voice spoke.

"Your majesty, with your fifty thousand shades, my master's three hundred thousand with his thirty commanders and our unlikely allies with their hundred thousand that they promised to provide, our forces number around four hundred and fifty thousand with forty-five commanders."

...

"Can you call him for me?" Philip spoke smiling gesturing towards the gentleman in front, Azul nodded and soon returned with him by his side, pausing his conversation with Azmia, Philip addressed the newcomer.

"Those are some extraordinary shoes my dear." Philip smiled.

"By your grace my Lord, I am humbled" The man in front bowed wearing a delighted look.

"Are they new?" Philip inquired, "I have been meaning to get a pair myself and well, I am a man who values where he plants his feet," Philip said beaming.

"My Lord has a good eye, they are custom made, from the finest leather of the black unicorn," The man spoke with slight pride.

"Ah that's why" Philip nodded, "they appear delightfully comfortable."

"They are my lord, if you so wish I can have a pair crafted for you as well, it shall be an honor." The man was bursting with joy.

"I would be delighted," Philip answered looking him in the eyes, "but isn't that sole a bit worn out."

"My Lord has a sharp eye indeed, the sole you see, I believe my cobbler mixed it up with the other shoes he was repairing, although this fits quite well too," the man spoke slightly embarrassed.

"Ah, I thought so," a slight disappointment on his face.

"My lord, I will personally ensure that such a mishap does not happen with yours," the man reading Philip's gesture quickly mentioned.

Philip smiled brightly again, "Then I shall trust you with the task my boy"

"It would be an honor," the man answered, and with a bow he nearly skipped across the hall with joy.

A child approached them,

"Master Philip," he began, "I was wondering, between the two of you... who might be older?" he spoke like he appeared, a young gentleman.

Philip laughed so did Azmia,

"of course, Azmia is older than me" Philip answered, "as far as technicalities are concerned."

"I knew it," The child exclaimed, as with a courteous bow he walked away.

...

Filled with rows of disciplined beings all looking at the throne that sat across the hall, the space was lit with stars on the ceiling and fires on the sides,

"Power... power is what commands superiority," his fangs could be seen,

"The cycle of life flows with power, from animals to men to beings greater," his voice filled with silent rage.

"Power is what holds truth, and power is what decides what is right..." a flare in his eyes that could set the world ablaze.

"And it is by that, that I command you and it is by that, that I am commanded," he paused, calming down.

"It is when some imprudent worm, a lowly primate, a filthy human, claims a seat of power that I am enraged. With his lies and trickery commands not power but fools everyone, and it is those lies that must be crushed."

Master Edgar addressed a room filled with his captains, having returned from the hearing. Anger on his face plainly visible.

"What my husband is saying, is that Master Philip cannot be trusted with the position of being a master in the order," A woman, with pale skin and long blonde hair, seated beside Edgar spoke, glancing at her husband, bowing, and addressing the gathering. Her features cast an alluring spell on all that saw her. And her voice magical, she hid her face with a veil that covered her nose and lips ever so elegantly, her eyes enticing-ly provocative. The lady known as Tariyel, the elven queen.

Tariyel was of the dark elves of astral realm. Known for their beauty, power and wisdom, she was the voice of her husband, his councilor and strategist.

"Master Philip is the weak link within the order, from ascendancy to his rule all are but screaming questions. The grand master is being riddled by the human but worry not children. I have read the weaves of time and they flow opportune. Prepare and wait, children, prepare and bide our time."

The words of his wife calmed Edgar as he looked upon the commanders of his forces. A gentle smile on his lips now stood stark to the ferocity that engulfed.

It were the final days before the departure from Caelum, the captains under Philip were preparing as they were to return to their stations, the evening sky painted the lands in a mystic shade.

"Lady Tariyel", Philip spoke looking up from the book he was reading, calmly turning around to face the elegance that was the lady. The lady stood translucent, smiling at Philip...

"An astral projection," Philip said a disappointment in his face, "how I had wished to meet you in person."

"Perhaps Master Philip should keep his wishes contained, they might be more than he bargained for." Tariyel spoke with grace yet the venom in her voice plain to see.

"I will heed your advice, my dear. Now to what do I owe this pleasure?" Philip spoke calmly, a smile slipped on his lips that always did when he took up a challenge.

"I come here to ask you old friend, when our ambitions are the same, why do you go against me?" The astral projection walked around the room, looking with curiosity, her fingers grazing the surface of objects.

"Our ambitions, my lady, are similar at most, we do not seek the same things," Philip spoke, as his smile shrank a bit.

"Still, it beckons that we work together," she replied looking up at Philip.

"Lady Tariyel, you and I are different, I am a mere human, while you an immortal Elven queen. It would bring disgrace upon you and your husband if we were to associate," Philip answered, the atmosphere in the room was like a game of chess and Philip had just moved his knight.

Tariyel smiled, reading the situation, "I remember like it was yesterday when you fancied me, Philip. Your words wound," The move countered with a pawn.

"Ah," Philip gently smiled, "My dear, we humans may heal slower, but we heal better when it's the ewounds of the heart."

"I wish you would join us, Philip," Tariyel voiced gently, now facing him.

"You have your husband, why don't you play your games with him?"

Philip moved aggressively his rook to back his knight.

"Edgar is a jewel, I intend to work with," Tariyel replied with equal aggression.

"Edgar is hasty, he is blinded by pride," Philip answered taking a breath.

"Philip, of the mind and heart you lack the heart," Tariyel replied in a gentle yet venomous tone.

"And you my dear, half of both," Philip looked her in the eye.

"Better half of both, then one whole. It is a shame Philip, that it has come to this," she turned around, "Oh and Edgar is wiser than you think," Tariyel breathed calmly as she gently bowed her head,

"I am sure, he is," Philip worded.

"It has been a pleasure, Master Philip."

"The pleasure was all mine."

And with that the figure that had appeared vaporized and vanished.

Leaving Philip alone in the room, as beyond the window, the sun set on Caelum again.

It had been a long time since Philip had lost his calmness like this. He shook his head before returning to his book.

...