[BigJMoney]

I hope these aren't bothering people, but I enjoy this.

Month 3 – The Year Of THE HAG

Mercenaries are a dangerous risk. They will appeal to your desire to wage war, and then at the last minute, you will find they have been hired by your worst enemy. The surprise is, of course, the worst part about it. It’s one thing to have your plans delayed. It’s another thing to fight an unanticipated battle against someone you had expected to have on your side. Fortunately for Erkeborn, Gynter Blukraft’s men showed up when he expected them. These Sonnenkinder were not as well equipped as the Ulmish regular infantry, but there were a lot of them; in fact, they more than doubled the size of the prophet’s force when they arrived. The time of waiting was over sooner than anticipated. The lords were squeamish at first with the prospect of relying on mercenary forces, but when the men showed up, fully equipped in battle dress, the hearts of the people were filled with hope, and the lords breathed a sigh of relief. The next month would be spent waging war in the Iron Range. After that area was under control, the amount of laborers would be increased, the supply train would prosper, and the Great Keep would be able to equip the Ulmish armies much better. This was a good thing, because there was no lack of recruitment and training. Over the past few months, news of Yohlla the hag had spread across many lands. It was said that merchants of the Wailwind Waters were now giving thanks to her and offering small sacrifices in hopes of calmed weather for increased profit. Pagan nomads out in the deserts in Linshire were settling down and forming communities centered on tribal worship. They believed that their prayers weakened the power of the magical beasts that attacked them, giving them the power to conquer them.

One more preparation was being made. There was an old man who lived by himself higher in the mountains than even the Great Keep. Yohlla went to speak with him. Erkeborn did not know what happened there, and he did not ask. He did notice, right before making preparations to leave for war, that this old man had taken up residence inside the Keep. He would have to ask Yohlla who this man was, and how he could help their people. As the army marched south, he prepared himself to ask her about the man. “I am surprised you have not asked me about the man I went to visit high in the mountains, son.” said the hag before he spoke. “It is important, though, and I will tell you. That man is the only one left of my people who knows one of the greatest secrets, the secret of the mystic forge.”

“Mother, when you say, ‘your people’, who are you speaking of?” asked Erkeborn, obviously distracted.

“Who do you think?” she questioned him, “When you look at what I do, and what I spend my time on, who would you say are my people?”

“I would think you mean our people, the people of Ulm. I just never heard you say it that way before.”

“Well, this man is what I call a true son. He has kept the secrets that others have forgotten. He is one of my people, but truly, all of you are my people. Anyway, did you ever wonder why I think it is important that we go to war at all? Some of us will die. You might even die, and your beautiful wife would be broken by it.”

Erkeborn was still a bit distracted at the way she was speaking, so he answered the question slowly, “Our people wish it. They long to inherit the land. Besides, look at the way these other people live. They are nomadic, and they cannot produce from the land what the land tries to give them. They are irresponsible and dangerous. Finally, I do it because you ask. You perform miracles and you are the savior of our people.”

Yohlla nodded while he spoke. “Those are all noble reasons, but there is more to it than that. Why would I save my people, if they did not need saving? That is an important question. More specifically, however, we are taking these lands to the south, because I believe there are old sites of power that we must rediscover. It is only by discovering these sites that my true son can do what he needs to do for your people.” Before the prophet commander could respond however, a rider appeared on the horizon. It turned out to be Bune the scout. After another month of investigation, he had found that in the thick forests of Robber Home, beyond the mountains to the south, there was hidden a great silver mine. Erkeborn rewarded him this time with a purse of gold. A lot more gold than that would be produced, should he be able to wrest that mine from the pagans.

“Bune, what kind of forces must we contend with there, so we can take that mine for our people?” asked the commander.

“Sir, I do not know. I saw no men in that forest, but there were evil things there. There were large horned serpents, and wicked looking women spoke words to control them. They worshipped a god there, too, but I do not know his name.” The scout appeared disturbed but tried to sound confident.

Yohlla dismissed the scout and spoke to her prophet, “I believe these creatures are lamias. They worship a false god now, but if they were to become my people, they would aid us in battle. They would make a unique ally. I also suspect they guard secret sites there besides simply a mine of silver, but I cannot know this for sure. Do not disturb them now, though, because they are powerful magic creatures and your men are not ready.” You must consider preparations.