From over the hill the man could hear the sound of horses at full gallop, he could see the massive cloud of dust that poured into the air from their hooves. He stood staring, waiting to see what was charging toward his farm with such earnest. After a few moments he saw the first rider, a massive man with arms like tree trunks dressed in the armor of the empire. The rest of the leader's host followed close behind as he bore down on his mount to press it for more speed. The farmer caught only a blurred glimpse of the men as they charged down the road, but could see plainly the bright red banner one of the horsemen carried. The orange and yellow helm that adorned the banner let him know this could be only one man, Tobias, High General of the Kalbrockian Empire. He bowed in respect as the men passed, unnoticed by the dozen or so riders as they rode with purpose toward the Citadel.
Tobias rounded the corner with such speed his horse lost its footing and began to fall, he quickly pulled upon the reins, shifted his weight, and righted the mount. He jabbed the beast's side with his spurs to encourage it to race faster. His men, now fifty lengths behind, struggled to keep pace with their general as he rode toward the black gates of the Citadel.
As the old general drew closer to the gates one of his men sounded a horn, the deep bellowing of the alarm echoing like an unnatural beast in pain. The gates before him opened so that he did not need to break stride and he rode straight into the courtyard. He pulled up on the horse, kicking up a wide cloud of dust, as he approached the marble stairs that led into the inner keep. Tobias dismounted with cat like grace, and in one fluid motion was already several paces up the stairs when his mount collapsed in the dust dead. The rest of Tobias's company rode in through the gate as the general passed through the great rune covered arch and into the keep.
He made his way rapidly down the dimly lit hall taking no time to notice Asara's aid Guideon who was running to catch up to him. Guideon used both hands to pick up his robe as he ran so as not to trip upon the folds of cloth, he caught up to Tobias half way down the hall.
"General," Guideon said in between breaths, "the Empress is in her sanctuary awaiting you."
Tobias did not break stride, still looking straight ahead. "I take it since she has summoned me out of retirement all is not well."
Guideon hurried to keep pace, adjusting his hat as it slid sideways off his head, "The campaign into the Ultwere has failed miserably, the army has been destroyed and her generals have deserted or been slain."
For just a moment Tobias paused, looking at the much smaller man, "I am surprised you still live toad, news like this usually whips the Empress into such a rage she is apt to kill anyone." the general straightened his head and focused upon the stairway down to the sanctuary. Guideon paused at the top of the stairs as Tobias descended.
"I have a talent for survival and going unseen general," Guideon called down the stairs. He watched as Tobias disappeared down the dark stairwell and whispered words of luck to the general, words Tobias could not hear.
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