Burning Islands

Burning Islands is a part of Tales of Arkain.

## Synopsis

The Redfist welcomed one of the Royal Navy guests during their genocidal campaign in the Orc Islands.

## Story

Lord Admiral Marcus Vergen sat uneasily in the rowboat as his men rowed to the shore. The entirety of the horizon seemed to be burning and this had stopped the powder-keg that was going to blow only a week before. Remnants of the Imperial Army that refused relocation orders, the Imperial Navy wanting to bring them in, the new but old Royal Navy and Army, and even a ridiculous amount of pirates and mercenaries. Though they did all have one thing in common even though most parties wanted to kill one another, they wanted to kill the orcs first. For the first time in centuries since the first Orc Invasion the 'Orc Islands' were vulnerable. Even though it was not the most prudent course of action the greenskins had to pay. But different powers being what they were all involved squabbled and lost their chance. Vergen's furthest scout ships had spotted a massive tidal wave heading towards the northwest islands, right where the islands first started poking out from the sea and where many ships of the Orc Fleet lay in wait, keeping an eye out for any response from Toran or Pyrru. It was only a few hours after that when the first fires could be seen miles away and it kept getting worse as the days wore on. Some of his captains had reported in that they could see meteors and storms of fire, easily said as the work of elite mages.

Just a few hours ago he had received word that almost all of the islands were on fire with only a few of the smaller ones not so, probably still containing some sort of Orc presence. And now it came to this, he had been invited to come to the nearest large island and he wasn't even sure what to call the landmass. The pirate baronies had been wiped out with the arrival of the Orcs, centuries ago, and the Kingdoms never had much control over the free ports and did not care much for them. But it is history that is no longer relevant as he and his men come ashore.. The Admiral and his men walk their way up the bloody beach filled with charred bones and a smell like rotten eggs. Even the sand could be said to be desolate with some areas looking like small fields of glass. His marines began to murmur and held their weapons tightly even though all that was left of the orcs was the dead. Half an hour of tense walking later they met up with red armored scouts telling them they were heading in the right direction and would not say more. The atmosphere became tense among the men but they kept their discipline. Fifteen minutes later they had caught sight of their destination, a camp if it could be called such could be seen ahead and the destruction only lessened slightly around the gathering. The first snippets of conversation could be heard and did little to put any of the men at ease. "--thunder clan presence confirmed wiped out, the last of them tried fleeing to the water and swimming, Captain Andrews reports the waters ran red and no survivors."

"The last of their shipyards has been confirmed destroyed, Lord Marthen sends his regards sir." At a close but still 'safe' distance the Royal Navy detachment halted and waited to be addressed. They warily eyed the figure in the center of the camp that most parties seemed to be addressing and giving reports to. "Crusader Kalvin reports that one of the Goblin outposts is harboring Orcs in the northern islands, he is standing by for your word sir." The figure in his plain but crimson plate looked up to the burning sky before responding, "Kill them all, we're burning them all out." The man clad in red responded with a salute and 'sir!' before walking away from the camp and pulling a crystal ball like object from a pouch meaning to communicate magically. "Duke, most of the hydromancers are still exhausted but the most senior among their number report they are ready for orders." The man stared ahead at the flames, "Grand Pyromancer Zelech, tell them to go to the areas that still need pacification. I don't care if they grumble about being ordered around by a mage with a different affinity, get it done." With a bow and a 'sir' the archmage walked off.
The figure finally seemed to notice or spare them a thought. "Ah, the 'Royal Navy' has arrived I was wondering when you'd respond to my request. You are late." Vergen stepped forward with two of his marines covering his sides and spoke, "Forgive me, Duke Redfist but the past few days have been trying and your unknown messengers gave the men quite a scare." "I have requested your presence only to inform you of one thing, I will be taking on any of the deserters that wish to join me in my crusade against the orcs. "Vergen clenched his fists and responded, "That is not in your power to do so, those men desert-" Finally turning around and closing the distance between them the Duke spoke, "No, those men decided to get revenge for every soldier every brother they lost. They could have easily taken their ships and run but they stayed in these waters and wanted to kill the orcs so don't you dare. "The admiral's party began to feel a chill upon their spines as some of the crusaders watched them with manic eyes, waiting for the order to tear them apart. The Duke leaned in close, his blank dead eyes easily seen through the helmet, "You no longer have the authority to bring them in, you gave up your position in the Imperial Navy 'Fleet Admiral' when you followed the rest of the Kingdoms into this reorganization. My men are already negotiating with the Navy and what's left of Army Command to transfer these deserters to my command." Duke Redfist turned and walked back to his previous position in the camp, "My Crusade was authorized by High Command months prior and we only just learned that you and your fellows broke away. Don't add oath breaker to the list of your grievances. So, be glad we finally took care of a centuries old problem."

Vergen spoke quietly, "Very well, Duke Redfist I will leave you and your men to your... work." The Admiral and his marines slowly began making their way back to the larger nervous party but the Duke spoke once more, "Oh and Admiral there's one thing I forgot to mention." Vergen rejoined his men and turned back towards the Duke and the cruel man spoke, "The Golden Guard were only a few days behind us so there's a good chance they've already landed in Kerrel. Better hurry." The Admiral went pale and immediately rushed his group back to the waiting rowboat on the beach. The Duke looked back up to the burning horizon and said, "Continue." "Mattson reports that all of the wyvern breeding grounds have been destroyed." "Gerald reports that the kodo breeding grounds have been destroyed as well." "Skullblade confirmed destroyed, Tiggens says their beasts couldn't save them." As the men continued their reports a leather clad messenger approached with more reports and gave word that none of the courier boats have been harmed. He left with more written orders and did not tarry. One of the men in the camp opened his new report and his surprise could be seen as his back straightened, "My lord Duke, Crusader Fields reports that he has found the Goldaxe clan's personal treasure trove." Duke Redfist held up his hand for the other reports to stop, "Anything else Jacobs?" The man nodded, "Yes sir, Fields said he would be on his way with a few items of interest in a few days... and by the report's date he should be here in a few hours." The cruel man nodded and gave new orders, "When we are done here I want representatives from the Kingdoms, even the fallen ones, to meet us on the mainland. We will give them back their trinkets. Keep a small portion for the crusade's treasury we may need it in time. I don't believe I need to explain to you all why we're giving the secessionists back their trophies, fighting will begin between Imperial Forces and Royal ones in a few weeks time if luck is on the common man's side it will be months." He grunted annoyed, "With the Golden Guard here now we will have to move quickly, their arrogance will no doubt cause things to deteriorate even quicker." A chorus of, 'yes sir' responds throughout the camp. "Continue." "Commander Fox reports that a small group of Orcs have managed to escape with the help of goblin merchants, he has not pursued but has already given orders to various scout units to keep an eye on them. He says it might please you for the scurrying rats to lead you back to the hive." The men quieted without word from the Duke and he responded, "What clan?" "From the mongrels markings the Commander reports Deathbreeze sir."

"Very well." Again the reports continued and the horizon burned with no end in sight. Another messenger came by, this one in an obvious hurry and not stopping at the circle of men but going straight for the Duke with a hurried pace he took a scroll from the bag strapped over his shoulder and handed it to the Duke. With obvious exhaustion and excitement the man spoke, "My lord, scoutmaster Ryans reports that he has found the warchief. His party will be on the move soon and Ryans will follow." Redfist looked through the report and replied, "Excellent, rest yourself and then continue with your tasks." The messenger saluted and headed off. "Astromancer Myers, I want you to gather intelligence, seek out the Kingdom Magi and glean information from the more secure Royal garrisons. The orcs are desperate now and will most certainly do something stupid." The bearded magus bowed and stepped away from the camp before disappearing in a flare of light and a sound of thunder, teleporting away. "Commander Thorn, I want you to search for -allies- it is likely you will have no luck with any human faction. Once we begin on the mainland I want you to take a taskforce and reach out to the dwarves. They could easily spare troops of higher calibre even if it is not directly authorized by the high king." The veteran commander responded, "Of course sir, they won't know what hit them." He gave out his orders and the reports continued, the horizon continued to burn, and the orcs continued to die but one thing echoed in the cruel man's mind the one thing that has plagued his mind for twenty years. With a gaze of hardened steel Duke Volarian Redfist spoke to himself the enemy's name, "Rangul....."