Crymson

Old memories flood Hali's mind from Heinrik's rebellion. "A day of vengeance has been had, but it's not over. On to Veletz. We shall avenge you, Sigismund, my old friend."

“Not even magical fortresses can save them. Creator have mercy on the alliance for we will not.” Hali once again added a missive to his collection. 

Hali nodded upon reading the missive. “A reasonable offer from a reasonable man, as I anticipated. I doubt it will shift the minds of those who have waited too long though.”

Hali shakes his head, having heard stories of sky gods freezing time during battle over lesser instances of magical defenses.

Hali raises a mug from Numendil. “The wages of their depravity shall be annihilation.” 

Hali snorted upon finding this missive. “Already back to old tactics so soon? Seems counting losses taught your alliance nothing.”

“I do hope these Yachtmen displace the drowned rats that pass for Ferrymen these days. They’re clearly superior and better folk to boot.” Hali stated, upon reading another perspective of the recent battle.

“I wonder if they will surrender now? After all, they expected us to surrender after they won a single major battle.” Hali mused over a mug of ale.

Hali grins, adding another missive to his collection. “It’s like I’ve always said. They parade atrocities as victories because they cannot win actual battles.”

Hali wonders if orcish shamans have developed some sort of ventriloquism to participate in conversations miles away. “You love to parade the slaughter of innocents as victories, when you aren’t disavowing your own troops. We’re still ahead in actual battle victories.”

Hali tacks this missive above his barracks bunk as well. “Veletz will continue to mewl that we started this war, but then they must’ve believed that their bloodlust would not have consequences.”

Hali shook his head. “I admire the effort but even beating Veletzers over the head with the reality of honor won’t suddenly give them the ability to comprehend.”

Theroden chuckles. “And Canonists say we’re the uncivilized ones. It is no wonder that Veletz is called anathema.”

Hali’s face formed a bitter half-smile. “It is nothing new for the crucible of war to separate those with true hearts from the soldiers of fair weather. I am glad that reason still has a voice. To treat with  the alliance is tantamount to kneeling to the betrayer himself. I find it odd that the children of Krug believe their foes will and should surrender, when it is said that their way is either to succeed or to break. One should expect that one’s foe will match one’s own resolve.”

Hali pins this note up above his space in the barracks. “More should be said about the wisdom of dwarves. Of all the reasons given for why we must halt this horde of blackguards, these are central truths. Veletzian nature has been proven before.”

Hali smiles upon reading the missive in the tavern in Numendil. “Let the brigands whine about ‘honor’ all they want. Veletzers have never known the meaning of that word anyway.”

Too late..... He'd been too late.

Narn'amae had not intended for his wanderings to carry him so far away for so long, but they had. There were no excuses, nothing that could salve the wounds of shame. He had considered not returning at all, but that would only be another failure. He might not be able to see it now, but there would be a future for his people. They would rebuild, as they always had. There was hope in the words he now read.

CrymsonBlade

Glynfir Aevaris

#58421

A certain Adunian squire nods solemnly upon reading the missive while sitting in the White City's pub. "I am glad to see others reach the same unfortunate but necessary conclusion that my comrade and I reached after dealings with Lurin."

A new name is affixed to the missive; Glynfir Aevaris

Theroden smiled sadly. "At least some have not taken leave of their senses. Sad are the times indeed when folk make excuses for slavers and brigands. The honorable will stand together, though the realm may collapse around us."

Narn'amae gathered more arrows for the next bout, pondering the true meaning of "The Wilds know ne honor."

Theroden shakes his head. "Of all dwarven shortcomings, their greatest flaw is that they continue to misjudge their situation. They think we will back down after such an egregious crime? The AllFather's judgement shall be ten fold."

What is your name, hero-to-be?

 Hali Black

What is your age?

 59

What is your race? 

 Adunian

Where do you reside?

  Numenost

What powers do you have to fight against this great evil?

 Courage and honor

 What is the meaning of a free-spirit, in short words?

Finding purpose no matter the changes in life.

Theroden nods solemnly upon hearing of the recent skirmish. "The same bloody lesson must be taught again and again, for dwarves are slow learners."