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The Hamlet, Guest Quarter

The event that circulated between Grimwald Ironbark, a lowborn former thief that was forced into military service, Partishan Simr Lars, a veteran from the start of the Scarlet-Civil War, and two unlikely guests of anthropomorphous creatures, with rabbit-like features, were safely transferred to an empty structure, dispersing a crowd of curious onlookers and concerned men in the middle of the hamlet.

With the assistance of Commandant Oraas Dem and his fellow officers to restore order, they were given a brief explanation to the situation that had happen. Some were dumbfounded, giving odd stares to the newly, appointed guests, but the commandant wasn't going to let a simple misinterpretation sour their first contact.

"Have them brought to that building over there." Dem ordered to a nearby officer, pointing a the empty structure. "Have the men refurbished the room and provide whatever service for our guests."

"Understood sir. Who do you want for the translator?"

Dem had the choice concerning for the official translator:

Simr Lars wasn't well liked among the men except for his fellow Partishan. Although the man had a strong, cynical views toward others, he had experience under the belt since the start of the Scarlet-Civil War, negotiating with a variety groups of people of the years. It would also bring favor to the Partishan if the commandant decide to choose him.

On the other hand, there was Grimwald Ironbark, the former thief who intervened to save the rabbits from Partishan Lars. Disliked in the hamlet due to the fact that he was born in the territory of the Scarlet Order, he was considered a scoundrel and a lazy worker at best who only care for himself. That was until today when he stood alone against a Partishan. The commandant wasn't ignorant to know that the rabbits had taken a great liking to the former thief. That meant the rabbits would be compliant and relax to someone that they could trust.

It wasn't a difficult decision and Dem chose the former to the official translator of the rabbit folk.

"Have the former thief be briefed on the situation." Dem said to the officer. "Tell him that he has gotten a promotion."

"Understood sir. I shall tell him right away." The officer made a quick bow and left to deliver the news.

Since the bold attempt made by the former thief, Grimwald was now at the spotlight of the Partishan's scrutiny. Although the rabbits were grateful for the rescue, the Partishan were not as humble to the humiliation that was brought upon Simr Lars, and with the thief being the official translator was another insult to his insatiable ego. The Partishan would never forget and forgive the commandant's choice of representative.

--

While the commandant was about to personally notify Lady Valice of House Reva of the development that has happen in the hamlet, Grimwald, along with a friend Ernest Vunti, were at the front of the not-so empty building, getting ready to become the official representative of the hamlet.

"Never thought I see you moving up the ladder at a short time." Ernest declared, looking up at the building. "What on Savior's might are you thinking facing of a Partishan like that. You know that they will not let this go."

"Thanks for the amount of support." Grimwald said, sighing. "I will never understand why the commandant picked me for this task. I have never done this before."

"Maybe you shouldn't have got involve with the rabbits in the first place." Ernest added, turning his gaze toward to Partishan Simr Lars in the distant. "You'll do fine. I think you do better job than that blighted arse of a white-tin can."

Grimwald couldn't help but smile to that. "The look on his face was priceless." He sighed once more. "Well...here I go. Time to go to work."

"Good luck to your fortune." Ernest said, clasping at Grimwald's arm. "I'll see you back at the barracks once you're done."

Grimwald chuckled. "After this event, I don't think I can ever return to the barracks."

"Guess you have a fair point."

As Ernest headed back to the barracks, Grimwald was left alone with a heavy responsibility. He was incredibly anxious, fearful that the job would be like the rest of the many failures of his life. He wasn't a good worker or a good man. He wasn't even a good soldier to begin with. He was just another discarded piece of flesh with no one to care or matter except for his friend, Ernest.

"Once more unto the breach, dear existence of mine," Grimwald breathed deep. "Once more into the breach."

Grimwald entered the front door to find most of the room to be in a mess. The men that came earlier were in a rush, cleaning the area in time before the Lady arrives to the scene. They weren't as much as attentive to the former thief, and had little words to say. All of them were too preoccupied in their task.

Passing through the cleaners, Grimwald moved into the next room where the two rabbits dwell in their moment of rest. It was no doubt that they were the very same rabbits that caught Grimwald off-guard last night, with the female rabbit pointing her bow against his skull. It was of a certain relief that the rabbits didn't speak in the human tongue. He wouldn't want the repercussion from the officers if the rabbits told them about his brief capture.

The female archer-rabbit perked her long ears to turn around to see Grimwald in the room. "<Look who is here. Are you staying at our side for good, smooth skin? Are we gonna have that metal freak as our translator?>"

Grimwald was weirded out that he was able to talk in their animal language. Someday, he would like to know the reason on how he was able to acquire this strange ability. But for now, he was content to exploit the situation at hand.

"<You do not need to worry about the Partishan.>" Grimwald said. "<At the moment, the commandant has chosen me to be your official translator. I hope that you will have me and that may the two sides bring some sort of progress.>"

The archer rabbit couldn't help but to snicker at the introduction. "<Since when did you become a diplomat. Oh that is so rich.>"

"<Don't antagonize him any further now, my dear>" The black sage-rabbit said, sitting down on the chair with a cup of warm, herbal tea. "<Let us not forget that if he hadn't intervene then we would be having that brutish thug as our translator.>"

"<Guh, fine. You got a fair point.>" The archer-rabbit waved her paw dismissively. "<What I do to put a bolt in that tin's can head. I'll bet he would think twice than to meddle with us.>"

"<I think that would anger him even further.>" Grimwald retorted.

"<Now there is a statement that I can agree with.>" The sage-rabbit took a sip from his tea. He then placed the cup at the table and took a stand. "<You have our thanks and the thanks of the Rabbit clan. Might I ask what is your name? Last night was but a sudden brief, and we didn't catch your name.>"

"<The names Grimwald, but you can call me Grimm for short.>"

"<Grimm, sounds...very grim indeed.>" The sage-rabbit said, hearing the archer to be in literal pain. <What is wrong, my dear? I thought it was a 'hopular' statement?>"

"<Please...stop. I cannot bear it any longer.>" The archer gritted her teeth.

"<Oh, I do apologize. I didn't mean to 'rabbit' in.>" The sage-rabbit smiled.

"<Oh my god! Stop!>" The archer-rabbit groaned.

Grimwald couldn't help but to shake his head. "<I guess he does that a lot?>"

"<Ugh, you have no idea.>" The archer said. "<I have to listen to his god-awful puns all the way from here. It has been a constant nightmare for me.>"

"<I guess that would make a lot of sense. You're friend sure is 'hopping' mad about it.>" Grimwald declared with an evil smile, seeing the archer in a fit of rage, and unleashing to what might be a memorable moment in his life. "<Guess being a translator isn't so bad after all.>

---

Wolf Outpost, Outskirt,

Partishan Valeran eyed on his small telescope, watching at the far distant. The beast outpost was only a couple of miles, and that the travel would take less than half an hour to reach to the destination. The original plan was to wait for nightfall and surprise the wolves with an all out attack. Although the wolves outnumber the humans from three to one, Valeran was confident in the ability of his chosen musketeers and his fellow Partishan brethren.

The wolves in the outpost were composed of young inexperience fighters, mixed with a low number of veterans to fill in the rank. Their walls were in dire need of repair and morale was at an all-time low. The Partishan alone would have easily dealt the garrison without the aid of the musketeers, and take the outpost in less than an hour.

Beside the musketeers who were efficient in long range tactics, none of the beasts had ever face the Partishan that were created for the purpose to eliminate and destroy any hostile with extreme prejudice. Along that came with their combat skills, they also possess several traits unique to the battlefield. One such trait was Blood Vision, a secret practice that was able to siphon the memories and language through the consumption of blood.

The amount of liquid to consume varies to the result. If it were a dry or a single drop of blood, the Partishan would be able to visualize a faint glimpse of the person's past. However, if it were to consume a cup, then the Partishan would not only see the past in perfect detail, it would also be able to speak in a new language without any form of consequence.

Partishan Valeran had consume the blood of a wolf-prisoner just before its due expiration, and fully comprehend the strength and weakness of the outpost. He also know the wolves had detain several human prisoners, with most of them belong to the Empire while the rest were but a few numbers of the barbaric Red Horde, a group of fanatics dedicated to the Scarlet Order.

With extensible knowledge that surround the outpost and the bold confidence in the men, the mission would be nothing more than a swift and simple conclusion without any insufferable casualties.

Although, it was a wish that Valeran hoped to be true, the large trail of smoke that loom in the outpost said otherwise.

Still planted on his telescope, Valeran could see the ruin and the destruction where countless corpses were laid just outside of the outpost. He couldn't be sure if the bodies belonged to the wolves, the humans or some unforeseen element.

"Looks like a tremendous pile of mess over there." Partishan Reeve approached from behind. "I did not believe it myself until I saw the state of the place."

"How in Savior's shield did this happen?" Valeran asked.

"Fate is a cruel mistress. Everywhere we go bad luck seems to follow." Reeve chuckled. "Whatever the means of the prisoners, we will not go empty-handed. We cannot return to the hamlet unless we bring some sort of good news."

"For that, I am with you on that notion." Valeran lowered his telescope and went down from the hill, with Reeve following behind. "The situation has change for the worse. I and Partishan Decimus shall take a couple of musketeers to check the outpost while you and Partishan Oerin will wait for further orders."

"As you declared, however I still insist to take in charge of the investigation. The sudden loss of our only beast translator would be catastrophic."

"No amount of honeyed words would I refuse the Butcher of Calan Vor the chance for glory." Valeran explained. "Sadly, I fear that I must steal the prize from you. If any of the beasts have somehow survive then I want to know what happen in person."

The two were down on the plains where Decimus and the musketeers stood ready in wait.

"Bah, I cannot ignore the facts to your plan. If it were up to me none of the beasts would be willing to cooperate." Reeve tapped on his chest. "Impart from memory."

"Impart from memory." Valeran replied, tapping on the chest.

--

As Reeve return to the rest of the group, Valeran and Decimus along with three musketeers set out their destination to the outpost. The journey was eerily calm and quiet with no danger in sight. It took less than half an hour to reach to the outpost where they first encounter the nearby corpse.

The awful stench was coming from the body. A single dart of arrow wedge deep into its skull. The corpse was of a beast with tattered clothes, and they begin to notice the grotesque decomposition, rotten and defiled with an unknowable disease that none dare approach.

Continuing through the path, they found more of the dead animals that was similar to the last. All rotten to the core, decaying with bits of bone and flesh. The musketeers grew anxious and worry. No body should decay at a rapid pace. It would have taken at least a couple of month to become mere skeletons.

While they finally stood at the broken gate, their eyes were fixated upon what lied inside.

In the center of the place was a huge, monstrous creature with black onyx feathers. The monster looked like a crow, a raven, but ten times the size of a giant. It laid dead on the ground with arrows and swords and spears sticking at the monster's back.

Partishan Valeran took further step to get a closer look of the thing while Partishan Decimus followed. "This...this shouldn't be possible." Decimus spoke, shaking in disbelief. "What manner of abomination would create such a thing?"

Valeran didn't know what to say or to respond at that matter. He was at a loss for words. He knelt to one knee and reached out his hand to touch the feathers. He felt nothing. Nothing but the cold darkness that escape from him. Nothing of its dead purplish marble eyes staring at him, reflecting of his own image.

Valeran quickly stood up to his feet and turn his focus to the nearby room where the human prisoners were located. "Decimus, take a musketeer and head into that prison cell. See if any of the prisoners are still alive. The rest of you. Split up and scour the place. Find me a wolf that is still breathing."

"Are you sure it is safe, sir?" One of the musketeers asked worryingly. "Won't more of these things come back?"

"Doubtful." Valeran quickly replied. "Whatever force that come to this place is long gone. However, that doesn't mean you should relax about it. Be weary to your surrounding and don't act anything foolish. Is that clear?"

"Yes, my grand. I understand." The musketeer bowed lower to the Partishan and begin his inspection.

The outpost was thoroughly searched from top to bottom, assessing the extent of the damage. In the conclusion, most of the wolves that have garrison were dead by either the decaying mob of animals or the black monstrous-size crow.

It was no surprising that Valeran and Decimus sense an unfamiliar energy that surround the outpost. A horrific power had once touch the area, sapping all of good life. As a Partishan, it was their sacred duty to eliminate the threat of any unnatural forces. However, it wasn't their world, and it wasn't their problem. All that they care about right now was to save and salvage as much of the Empire's interest.

Decimus and the musketeer returned from the prison cell to report that only the members of the Red Horde were dead, and couldn't find the rest of the imperial forces. Valeran was quite pleased to the news, believing that the imperials have somehow survive the imminent thrall that bestow upon the wolves. That also meant they were out there in that unknowable bastion of iniquity.

While planning for their next move, a musketeer quickly called out. "My grand. We found a survivor!"

The survivor was an injured wolf who was hiding beneath the wreckage. It had brown and white patch of fur with yellow golden eyes.

Valeran approached the wolf who was already detain by the musketeers. He then kneel down on one knee to make eye contact. "<Do you understand what I am saying, wolf?>" He said, speaking the tongue of the beast.

The injured wolf was a bit surprise that the human could speak in its language, but nevertheless nodded at the question.

"<Good. Now tell me what happen? Who or what have done this to you?>

The wolf averted its eyes on the ground, feeling the mix of pain and weary. "<They come in droves. We...we couldn't stop them. All of my friends are gone. Everyone that I cared about. They cannot be stop...they cannot be stop...>"

Valeran could tell the wolf had suffered a great deal of punishment. "<How many more are left? Which direction did they go?>"

The wolf then turn focus on the human. "<Heading straight into our territory. Please, you must warn them. They will be slaughtered.>"

"<Do not worry about a thing, I will deliver your message to them in person if I must.>" Valeran said with a smile, seeing the wolf starting to relax. "<Before we head, do you know what happen to the prisoners that you kept? We know that some of them have escape somewhere.>"

"<Do you mean the smoothskins with grey coats?>" The wolf replied. "<I...I saw them. There was a prison break a day before those these monsters arrived. I think they went further due west into the forbidden forest. Why? Are you here to get your buddies back?>"

Valeran did recall of a black forest from earlier. "<That doesn't matter anymore. Thank you for your honesty. I'll be sure to have someone mend the wound.>"

"<Oh thank you...thank you...>"

Valeran eyed at the musketeer that was behind of the wolf, and made a quick nod. "Do it."

Without hesitation, the musketeer pulled out a knife and sliced the wolf by the throat. Blood gushes out from the neck as the wolf tried to speak. It didn't find the words to come out and fall face first into the dirt.

Decimus, unmoved by the execution, gazed at Valeran. "Any luck?"

Valeran smiled and pointed towards the black forest. "The wolf said that our fellow imperials have gone into those woods. Let us return to Reeve and get this job done."

"As you declared. Did the beast have anything else to say?" Decimus queried.

Valeran shook his head. "Nothing of importance. Just mere trivial matter.