The Great City

Prologue

    How long would this war continue? When would it stop? How was he going to have his nation outlast it? King Harland stroked his red beard as he listened wearily to the conversation.

   "We have to bring the Fourth Division through the southern passes." Lord Denzing said. "If we can just distract them there our front might be able to find a weakness."

   "The Fourth Division wouldn't survive, they'd have to deal with enemies far more experienced than themselves." replied Lord Tenri.

   "They don't have to do anything sincere, just enough Gorilla warfare to distract the right flank."

   A page came up to Harland, "Your Majesty, I bring a message from the steward."

   "Yes son?"

   "The Callers have arrived."

   Harland felt some of the tension in his shoulders fade away. "Tell him I'll send word in a moment when the war room is ready for them."

   "Yes your majesty." The page bowed as he backed out of the the room.

   Harland stood up and spread his arms, silencing the room. "The Callers have arrived. Remember our conversation a few weeks ago. Don't give them any information they don't already know until we have them." With that he called an attendant to his side, "See that the War Table is covered."

   "Yes your Majesty." The Servant bowed as he stepped back then began talking to some other servants at the sides of the room.

   All the Lords present spoke quietly to each other and to their personal servants. Finally a large slab of smooth granite with interactive carvings was lowered by heavy chains onto the War table which was made out of the same smooth, carved rock. When that covered the map and everything on it Harland called over a messenger, "Send word to the steward, let them in."

   "As you wish, your Majesty." The messenger bowed as he left. Only the most trusted servants were allowed in the War Room and they were kept back away from the table. Just far enough that they couldn't tell what was going on. The Lords also spoke quietly and just around the table. They all had chairs but usually stood around the table. If any of the servants got too interested they would have to make themselves stand out.

   Now, however, Harland and all his lords sat in their receptive chairs. A moment later the double doors to the room opened. Harland motioned for all the servants in the room to leave, accept of course for the lord's personal trusted advisers, as well as the many golems watching silently from partially inside the walls. They were permanent summons, as long as the gems inlaid in the walls were still filled with energy. The perfect guards for this kind of thing. But they were expensive so Harland was forced to use people usually.

   The steward came in first followed by three well armed people. As the Steward moved to stand at the side of Harland the three visitors walked calmly up to the table in the center of the room. A few of the nobles sitting around the room could almost see their backs.

   The one in front had a straight double edged sword that glowed slightly red. Beside him was a man with a massive hammer on his back that also had a faint red glow. The last didn't have any weapon but she did have gloves on that had metal plates built into it all over. The tips of her fingers also had a dark red glow but for her it continued up fading until it vanished at her elbows. A deep red for all of them, the color of Channeling.

   The first one spoke, "So how have things been?"

   Harland paused at the question, "As well as can be expected."

   Lord Denzing spoke, "Let us skip to the important part, we still have a lot to take care of today."

   "Agreed." Harland said, "You know we want to hire your services. First, can your reputation be trusted? Do you stay true to each contract and see it through despite better offers?"

   The Woman stepped up, "You see, those who change that easily don't get many offers unless someone is completely sure they have enough and are actually willing to pay that much. We're high class mercenaries, for us everyone wants to be the first to have us on their side. If your not the first to take us you can't just pay us off. Makes everyone put their cards on the table from the beginning, then we can just pick and choose."

   "I see."

   The first Caller spoke again, "So then, what's your offer?"

   "Do you know of the people who made your sword?"

   "The Dosevellian Smiths, one hundred years ago. It's obvious by the insignia on the hilt."

   "Their descendants have recently rediscovered some of the old secrets as well as some new ones. They also have skill to match. Several blades were made over the course of last year that easily rivaled some of the ancient artifacts.

   "Those Smiths are currently taking refuge in our country. They  asked that we protect them so that they can practice their skills at some of the many magical focal points in the land currently. In return they agreed to make some weapons and armor for us. They have yet to do so as we have not yet given our orders."

   "So your saying that if we join your side of the war you'll have them build a specific set for each of us?" The woman asked.

   "Yes." Harland said.

   The Callers seemed to grow distant. A slight purple glow danced at the edge of their irises. They were plane dancing. Finally their eyes refocused. The first one said, "How long?"

   "How long do you usually work for?"

   "A few months, sometimes a year."

   Harland thought a moment. He looked around the room then back at the Callers. "Usually your paid in money or materials. This is quality equipment. Three years." A few lords nodded in agreement.

   The Callers plane danced again. "Two." said the one with the hammer. His voice deep but not low.

   "Two and a half."

   "Done." said the woman. The Callers still had a spark of purple in the corners of their eyes. Or maybe they'd had that the whole time.

   It made Harland think about learning how to use Telepathy with his lords so they could have a much more efficient way of communication. But no, learning any kind of similar magics took a lot of time. Time they didn't have. They were effective enough with words anyway. Still.

   "Very well." Harland said. All the noblemen looked satisfied, along with the Callers. Things had gone very well.

   "I trust," The first Caller said, "That you know what will happen if you double cross us."

   "We would never go against our word," Harland said, "you need not worry about our end."

   "Well then," The woman said pulling out a scroll, "Lets talk specifics. This first agreement means that we're 'on the same side' and won't fight you for 30 months. Now we need to decide what all the nitty gritty details."

   The rest of meeting went very well. Harland had hope again for his nation. This trio were like an entire army by themselves. They had been on the winning side of a smaller war to the south. Things hadn't looked very good then. But that was before the battle that this group was now known for. The attack on Fort Slaizar. That day they'd been sent ahead with some other mercenaries. They were meant to sabotage the garrison for the real forces.

   But when the real army got there, they found a place so littered with dead that the Callers, the only ones that survived, were camping in a cave. Apparently a massive army had been stationed there for a time. The scout reports had been horrifically delayed.

   With the Callers on his side, Harland actually felt like he had a chance. After that day he felt confident that he could keep his nation from falling under. He could protect all those who depended on him to defend them.

   The next year his nation was gone.