Story Of Arcturus

The story of Arcturus 1: By Daniel Minter.

1206 Sezonia Years

The streets of Sezonia were filled with shouts and cries. Civil war had racked the country, and its people's. Food was in short supply, the Diplomats fought with the Antagonists in a bloody battle that had led to the burning of much of the country's food supplies. Swords clashed as the Antagonists led an other raid, in an attempt to capture the capital city of OutCrop. The King and his Royal Army of the Diplomats stood at the walls, muskets fired from the King and his army.

The antagonists had been moving in large numbers whilst on horse back, they had been backed by Asentha with their arms and horses.

The King knew this would now be the final stand. From the south the Antagonists had taken everything up to where they stood now, and below the country Asentha backed the rebel party with arms and weapons and offered no mercy to Sezonian Diplomats who tried to flee.

The King charged with his cavalry into the bloody battle. Muskets fired, swords slashed.

But still the King fell.

1920 Sezonian Years (714 years later)

Arcturus ran down the cobbled street, a rifle over his back, a leather jacket littered with bullet holes on his body. He was soaked in blood, none of his own, however, but that of he that wore the jacket prior.

The sounds of shouts behind became louder. The sun was hot and Arcturus felt the sweat pouring down his back, sweat mixed with blood. He had to make it to his house before they came into sight. It was the only option now, he would be killed on the spot other wise. The Asenthan police gave no mercy to those who still took sides with the Sezonians, as the rebel group had become to be known, nor anyone who even appeared to be siding with them.

Arcturus had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And when bullets are flying you don't normally stop to see whose wall of sandbags you jump behind. It just so happened he had jumped right into the Sezonian rebels fighting the local police.

Hence why he now ran.

There would be no telling of his side of the story or what had happened. If he was court, he would be killed on the spot.

He approached his door. Slamming on it he shouted in a whisper “It's me! Open up, they are after me” from inside the noise of a little old lady coming down the stairs was heard, and then the click of the door. Arcturus wasted no time. He fell through the door almost pushing over the old woman.

He slammed the door behind and helped the old lady to her senses.

“I'm sorry mother, the police are after me!” He said to the old lady who could not speak but instead nodded her head and her deep brown eyes said all she needed to to comfort her child. After that Arcturus ran up the stairs and went into his room, bare as bones with just a bed, clothes draw and a desk with its chair. What wasn't bare about the room was it being filled with drawings and diagrams of different sorts. The many notes scattered over the floor from the desk. Arcturus ran through the drawings and notes: they all were workings about Sezonia, the lost empire, and Sezonia the rebel group. A name stood out and was scribbled over and over onto the many pages: Flanimal. That name was ancient, the last it was heard from was over 700 years ago, and the last traceable accounts of the name disappeared about 800 years ago. But it was very important. Arcturus knew that much, they were related.

He ran to his window and looked out into the street. The window just about fell off the wall when he leant against it. Down below the police ran down with their rifles and carried on down the street. Arcturus sighed with relief, but it was short lived. They would find him with in the month.

Many of his friends had been killed by the police, they were descendants of Flanimal, and thus were always hunted for. But the government never revealed that their heritage was the reason for their being hunted.

Flanimal had had a secret wife, a star person or light person. Her name was and still is unknown except to a few. Although Flanimal never saw it, he was father to a child who lived with Paiteric after both Flanimal and the unknown wife both went missing. Flanimal and his wife were both star people, and when they were killed by their enemies, the returned to stars. But the child lived on and had many children. Of which, after many generations, came Arcturus.

There was also other tribes of Sezonia, the Flanimals were just one of many. There was descendants from one called Max, who came to be known as Maxinites. There were those of Isabella, who became known as Bellinites.

All that aside, Arcturus knew he needed to flee soon. But his aged parents would not see a day after he left, they would be the ones the Asenthans would take out he rage on. He left his room in haste and went into the room of his father. His father lay on the bed, sickness and old age had become of him, his eyes lit up on seeing Arcturus.

“My son? Is that you my son?”

“Father, it is I. I have terrible news” Arcturus said as he sat down next to his father.

“What is it Arcturus?”

“Father, they have finally found us. The Asenthan government now is tracking me, I fear we do not have much time.” Arcturus said as his mother too entered the room.

“You must flee then, do not worry about us. They will not find us before we pass on to death.”

“Father, I do not want to leave you, you need me!” Arcturus said “How will you live with out money and food?”

“Do not worry, we have all we need, and besides, your younger brother lives near by and shall care for us, but you must flee”

“Where shall I go?”

Arcturus look at his mother who rasped something and then pointed at a coin she had. Arcturus went to her and looked at the coin. On it was the words “Sezonia the Great Empire Will Rise” it was an accent coin from before Sezonian was even an empire, when it had battled Asentha the first time, when it had battled Dragon Blood the first time.

“You have brothers of Sezonia” his father said “Flee now to the barrier mountains, you will find the Sezonians not far from there”

“Thank you father, I will return once this is over” Arcturus then hugged his old parents and left with nothing but a day pack. He fled down the streets and onto the roads heading for the hills.

Many miles away, the Masked Creatures looked down from the high up Barrier Hills that separate Sezonia/Asentha from Dragon Blood. A high ranking Creature took his scope and looked down onto the plains below scanning the landscape for any more enemies or allies. He took them down from his eyes and passed the scope to his attendant, a much younger masked creature.

“I see five eyes” the high ranking Creature said, mostly to him self. When translated this means he saw two people, but possibly one more. “Five eyes, inner motion” they were moving toward the Barrier Hill.

“Should I warn the others?” The attendant said In perfect English.

“No, they are peaceful, let us not be hasty”

The soldiers of the Masked Creatures then moved toward a rock cliff, and, at the snap of his fingers, the high ranking officer opened the cliff face and they walked into the goo lined walls. It then shut behind them, not a trace left.

The three people below were in fact Sezonian Rebel fighters. They had been fleeing after an attack on Asentha went horribly wrong and they lost two soldiers. They now headed to cross the border to find refuge in Dragon Blood. Dragon Blood it's self was still in chaos. It had been badly effected by the Sezonian civil war, and then the Asenthan occupation.

They were however letting in refugees. And so the trio of fighters crossed the harsh tundra plains in hope of entering Dragon Blood.

Among them was two descendants of Isabella, Bellinites. Although they did not know how close they were to Lady Isabella of old, they did know they were Sezonians by blood. Their names were Atria and Caph. They were joined by yet an other Sezonian by Blood, a much more royal blood line: a Flanimal, a descendent of Flanimal himself. He was Arcturus.

The tundra was harsh. They hadn't spoken to each other for the whole time of the journey except for the gesture to follow.

Arcturus was not used to the speed at which they ran across the plains. Although all people who had star or light person blood in them possessed great powers, it had been so mixed that the powers were almost completely dormant.

With in an hour the group made it to the base of the Barrier Hills. They slowed to a stop and Atria and Caph sat down on a rock to wait for Arcturus to catch up. They had gained close to fifty meters or more on him and he had started to walk, instead of run, up to them.

“Get a move on!” Caph shouted at Arcturus “The Asenthan Government will have guns on us with in the hour!”

Arcturus slowly made his way to the rocks that Caph and Atria sat on. He too took a seat and removed the cloth that had covered his eyes and face from when he escaped the city.

“I'd put that back on if I were you” Caph said “The mountains will call for it”

“Don't be harsh” Arcturus got a surprise, he hadn't heard Atria speak yet.

“I'm not, I'm telling him the truth”

Arcturus stood up “Ok then, let's go” he said trying to win their respect.

“Don't be a fool though” Atria said “What's your name”

Arcturus sat back down “Arcturus Flanimalus of Sezonia”

“Hogwash!” Caph said “there aren't any descendants of Flanimal that stuck around after the invasion by Asentha, most of them are dead by Asentha during the battle and the rest killed shortly after. Anyone who survived would have fled by now”

“Well it's true” Arcturus said.

“Well I'm Atria Bellinite of Sezonia” Atria said “and this is Caph Bellinite of Sezonia”

“So these hills” Arcturus said “we going to climb them?”

“Yep, up and over” Atria said “other wise it's a long walk around. You got a gun?”

“Yeah, a rifle. Why”

“Legend has it the masked creatures still live in the hills, but no one knows for sure” Atria said but then Caph butted in.

“People go up” Caph said “They don't come down”

"Very reassuring" Arcturus said "shall we carry on?"

The team now began the steep climb up the blue face of the barrier hills. The rocks were steady and large so that the team of Sezonians were able to stand and hold them as they ascended. The sun had been high when they began the climb, but by the time they were at what they perceived to be half way, the sun was starting to stoop lower into the sky.

At the half way ledge, they rested in the shade of a large bolder. Arcturus slept for an hour and woke to the others beginning again for a much steeper climb. Although they avoided the snow peaks by the gap in between the two peaks, it still became colder as they got closer to the tops. This was a big difference, from the beating sun along the tundra and base, to the now colder peaks that could even produce snow.

Arcturus had in this time begun to notice the beauty of Atria, she was a decedent of Isabell(a) and so much would be expect, but Arcturus hadn't noticed such when he had been running long the tundra and exhaustion had led him to hardly lift his head. But now in the cooler air and climbing he did indeed notice as much. But he hid so much for a better appointed time.

When the trio had reached yet an other ledge on which they sat, they began to hear the noise of death, that is, the legendary cries of the Masked Creatures. The first time it sounded they all jumped, Arcturus even went as far as to pull his rifle from his side. But by the tenth or so time they simply ignored it.

Caph had given a good explanation of the masked creatures and what they did, all the gory details.

Arcturus urged the other two to keep moving, hoping to out run whatever masked creatures roamed in the hills. But the other two, especially Caph, said to stay longer just to tease Arcturus who was so on edge compared to the very laid back Bellinites.

As Arcturus sat there, behind a great rock directly opposite Caph and Atria who were resting in the sun, a noise came from a group of shrubs just a few metres from their rest stop. Arcturus aimed his gun at the rustling and nervously kept an eye on it, not daring to look away.

Then he caught a glimpse of it, the pale skin of the Masked Creatures, slime covered and wrinkled. He gasped and ran over to Atria who looked up.

"What's up?"

"Over there, a Masked Creature! I swear I saw it!"

"How far off?"

"Far off?! It was right there!"

Atria at once stood up and shook Caph awake and then whispered to him what had gone about. At first he didn't believe it, but Arcturus explained it so well there was no doubt in Caph's mind what Arcturus saw was indeed a Masked Creature.

"We keep moving, we need to get on other side before they strike" Caph said "let's keep moving"

But as he said so, an arrow flew through the air and hit just a meter from the trio. A masked creature stood from his hiding place, the string on his bow still vibrating from the shot arrow.

It wasn't an attack, it was a signal for one. And so masked creatures slowly appeared all around the rocks with bows and swords in hand. Their primitive weapons had taken a different turn in advancement, they were more advanced than guns but appeared as the common bow and arrow.

Arcturus raised his gun and fired a shot that rattled the air. The shot flew into a masked creature who stood on a boulder. Caph grabbed him and Atria and pulled them in behind a mound of dirt that faced the enemy as the creatures fired arrows at the intruders. Arcturus fired three more shots at the now advancing Masked Creatures, who advanced slowly beating their swords against their shields. The shots flew into the creatures who fell and who's fellow soldiers took no note of.

Caph, noticing they were cornered and had no rout of escape, pulled a pistol from his belt and decided to shoot a hole in the enemies advancing front line. Six shots later, the line of creatures had a hole in which the leaders attempted to reorganize to fill. Arcturus sent a bullet into the head of one of the leaders. And at that shot, the creatures slowed to an almost stop, some seemed to be confused at the death of their leader. Then two more shots and a reload from Caph and the creatures stopped. A leader came from behind them, walking forward to come up to the trio.

"Don't shoot!" Caph shouted at trembling Arcturus who's finger was shaking against the trigger. He hadn't ever shot to kill anyone before, and this scene was far from a courageous battle between good and evil. In fact, this squeamish was unite cowardly on both sides part.

The leader Masked Creature walked up to the trio and bowed to them before he spoke from a meters distance. Caph, as leader of the trio, stood and bowed to receive what ever the Masked Creatures has to say.

"Asenthan travelers, you have been mistaken to take this route" said the Masked Creature "this land is owned by the tribes of Masked Creatures. You have now become guilty of the death sentence"

At that, Arcturus raised is rifle and aimed at the masked creature. But before he pulled the trigger, the barrel was forced down by Atria's hand.

"My lord, you are the mistaken" Said Caph "we are not at all Asenthan, and we cross these mountains as refugees in an attempt to make it to Dragon Blood"

"If you are not Asenthan what are you?"

"We are Bellinite" replied Atria.

"And a Flanimal" shouted Arcturus from behind the mound of dirt.

"One of you is a descendent of Flanimal?" Asked the Masked Creature.

"That would be I" said Arcturus.

"So, you then are a descendent of the father of SamBlueman, and of Chelsea?"

Arcturus looked confused "sorry, I don't understand"

"It is better you don't. For secrets like such are best kept, for soon those who know such will be called on" the Creature looked up "tonight you will look upon them but won't see"

Caph shot a glance at the confused Arcturus who was about to speak that told him not too.

Caph now spoke "Sir, these myths and stories you clearly speak of do not concern us. But we do request that you allow us to pass"

"Myths?" The Masked Creature laughed "my friend you are ill informed. Even those of Gaia speak of these things, but yes for the brother of DragonBlood and the Husband of the Light People, we shall let you pass"

"Of who do you speak?"

The Masked Creatures pointed at Arcturus "He will one day understand, now go on before I change my mind"

And so the trio scrambled the next few kilometers up to the top and then down the slope on the other side as fast as they could. They constantly looked behind for fear they were followed.

Once again on the tundra, this time in the land of the Dragon Blood Empire and not Asentha, they rested at a small stream where they drank their fill.

"So what did that guy talk about?" Asked Arcturus.

"It's all gibberish of the Masked Creatures, they don't have any truth left in them" Caph said "don't pay attention to it"

"Oh, ok" Arcturus said and kept drinking.

"Well, there is a legend about how Flanimal was really brother of Samblueman and that his wife was a light person-" Atria said before Caph cut her off.

"But that's rubbish" said Caph sternly "we will no longer speak of it"

And so the night as the trio slept under the stars no more talk was heard of the day's events.

On the morrow, they woke once again to carry on their long trek across Dragon Blood land, which could be easily entered by the enemy forces of Asentha. But inside the city of Dragon Blood, or at least a town, they would be protected by the police.

(The long walk in the hot suns across the tundra was uneventful, and so I will not exhaust you with meaningless details of the expedition.)

Once the trio reached the capital city of Dragon Blood, the sun having gone up and now already dropping low into the sky, they for the night slept out side the gate so as not to be walking in the city where they could run trouble at night.

They woke early so to get in before the sun was strong. Going through the many stages of their entrance into the city proved easy. At the first telling they were Sezonian, and once proving as much by their passports, they were let in to be assessed at a later date by the minister of immigration.

They were given pass for thirty days plus seven. This was time enough to go through the process of immigration.

All of the trio were surprised at the simpleness of their escape, and put it down to a mixture of chance and the Asenthan Kings badly thought out plans, although, as we will see later, it was not a badly thought out plan but one of sneakiness.

But as for now the trio entered the city free and looking for lodging and then food. On coming by a local inn, whose name was that of the Jewels Miller after its owner, Jewel Miller a man of fourth or fifty so less than half way through his life; on coming by this they entered and ordered from the owner, of whose name we have already come to be acquainted with, each a meal and three bottles of blue wine.

After the hearty meal and filled with good wine the now friends, for those who you escape death and then drink with certainly are worthy of the title friend, the group decided that it would be best for them to go their separate ways, Caph and Atria who were brother and sister to each other went off one way and then Arcturus went an other.

They separated in the context to go find their way, for if one should fall then they would not all have his fate, but if all should find their way of a new life in dragon blood then, hope, they would meet again.

Arcturus, rather jolly, decided it good to go and find him self an acquaintance in the city of dragon blood. He decided if he were to get a job he would need to ask around to see who was offering a low pay job in order to get some money.

Now in order to fully understand the situation, the world in which the nations of Asentha, Sezonia and Dragon Blood along with Gonubie and the Masked creatures; in this land in which the prior belong, it is very different to the one you and I sit in today. You, the reader, I suppose live in what those of the Dimension Sezonia refer to as Dimension R. But that is a long story which is of no use to us. The fact is that in this world different to ours, customs are very different. The customs of honor and monarchies with absolute control, these still existed and as you can imagine so did all the things you read about in knight tales. Except it is now filled with weapons as guns, and vehicles (although not cars) and modern things setting this city in a 16th to 18th century city.

Arcturus went to the next bar or local hang out he could find. One entering he sat him self down at the counter and ordered something to drink. He struck up a conversation with the man seated next to him. This man was a pure Dragoner (Someone from Dragon Blood) and had a mix of blond or ginger hair, although the color was mangled with grey and mud, and was very muscle and stood his head and shoulders above all the other ones (who although living in Dragon Blood were clearly not pure in blood).

"you better watch your back" said the man as the two chatted, a most unusual sight as Arturus was completely the opposite to the man in front of him.

"How do you figure?" Asked Arcturus

"I figure because I see two men at a table who are watching you to rob you after they have slit your neck"

Looking around Arcturus saw a group of five other Dragoners around a table two watched him closely.

"What am I to them?"

"You your self said you are new in town, and that you know not what to be weary of and what to embrace"

"So they will kill me because they can"

"Indeed"

"But as I had been saying, I need a job, I have enough money to-"

"Shhh! I told you, you will be dead by the sun rise tomorrow if you don't shush"

"I can last to the end of a month, but as I have fled and am a refugee I am in need of both solace to stay and a job"

"I know a man" The Dragoner stopped and thought "I know a man, who is in a well paying business"

"Well what is it?"

"He is an.... Exporter and importer"

"Of what?"

"Exporter of money, importer of information"

"A spy you mean to say!"

Once again the Dragoner shushed Arturus and then carried on.

"Yes, but not for a government but instead he is a spy for hire. He has information and sells it to all who will pay for it"

"So what have I to do with him" Arcturus was unsure if he wished to be involved with this man, but the pay sounded good and he needed to live.

"You have been in Asentha recently?"

"Indeed"

"On what terms?"

"I don't wish to compromise what terms, for fear we are over heard"

"Any how, you could become a spy for him, get paid to spy on Asentha. You already have an ID and passport, it would be easy to get you in again"

"The terms I left will not allow me to do so, I am afraid you can not help me"

"Damn, oh well, I will tell you of an inn where you will find an owner who will help you more"

"Yes, thank you"

"The Inn down the road on the right, Farley's, Charlie is the owner and he will give you rest and also an opportunity"

At that Arcturus left to find the inn for it was late and he needed rest. Arcturus went to Farley's Inn and had a coffee before he took up a room for the night and slept. It was then as he sat thinking about where he would go now, he decided that Asentha was the reason for all his struggles and that probably his parents would be killed by Asentha. So he decided he would one day take revenge. He didn't really know how he would do so, he thought about a resistance, a coup or a way to humiliate the country. But what he could not think about that was of any reasonable consequence was the opportunity presented to him by the Dragon Blooder, that of becoming a spy.

So he slept on the idea, dreaming about his revenge on the enemy Asentha.

When he woke, there was something that was happening in the street outside his window. He went to it and peered out to perceive that someone had been wounded and was being carried through the streets.

As curiosity led him, he went down from his room then laid the inn keeper before advancing toward the street. The wounded man was being helped to a near by hospital. He looked like he had been tortured. Arcturus went out to speak to the crowd that was gathering,

"Who's he" said Arcturus "what happened to him"

"He's a spy sent into Asentha, almost was killed when he was taken and was again almost killed on his escape"

Arcturus found this man as the personification of endurance and loyalty to Sezonia, even if he was a Dragoner, for what this injured man had done was to spit in the face of Asentha.

Arcturus pondered this for the rest of his day, as he strolled the streets getting acquainted with what he thought would soon be his new home. However, as he walked he pondered once again what the man at the bar the night prior had said about the business of spying, and Arcturus began to see it in a different light; It was not just about the money, but also about the honor and glory, and most of all: revenge.

As Arcturus was pondering thus, he bumped into a man in a white cloak.

"I'm so sorry sir!" Said Arcturus "I did not see you there when I looked down and when I looked up it was to late"

The man then replied in a voice deep and smooth "It's ok Arcturus, go in peace" the man then gestured behind, and after Arcturus looked behind him and back to the man, he was gone. All that lay was a small scroll (as was the custom for books and letters to be held as) and it glowed slightly a white light. Arcturus bent down and picked it up, but as soon as he touched it it stopped glowing. The letter read as follows:

Dear Arcturus,

You may not know of it yet at this time, but you have been tasked by yourself to free Sezonia. We are not superheroes, nor magical, but simply by chance we have preserved the ways of the Dimension Jumpers and the Light People.

We have discovered where you must be in order to witness an event that is being ordered as you read this, we hope our spy's are right.

Go, go to the leader of the spy's

- 'M'

- By order of 'C'

Arcturus read the letter three times over. It was evident that the writer and man he had bumped into had been ether a Star Person who had been sent on a mission to free Sezonia (as the Light/Star people and Sezonia had been allies from way before year 1206) or a Dimension jumper who had discovered, via time travel or possible a parallel dimension, what was about to happen and for the good of the jumpers, decided to advise Arcturus.

Arcturus didn't question the authority of the letter one bit, he was much to excited by the prospect of working for the Dimension Jumpers, who would pay him well in gold. Or the Star or Light people, who would pay him dearly in the powers that the fallen Stars hold.

Either way, he had already decided he wished to be a spy, so this only boosted his confidence this was the right choice. But he dared not tell anyone about this, for fear if it was the Star People, their spy's were watching him.

He was convinced of the authority of which he was commissioned to free Sezonia.

Arcturus went straight to the house which held the spy organization. He had kept a slip of paper the Dragoner from the bar gave him with the address.

He knocked 5 times and then waited as the eye slider opened at two piecing eyes looked out.

"Who goes there?" Asked the hardened voice of which belonged to the hardened man who held the door.

"I am Arcturus, of Sezonia, I wish to speak to he that is paying generously to spy's on Asentha?"

"I am he, you shall not enter, but wait here and I will return"

The man then shut the slider shut and a few moments passed, before again the slider opened.

"Do you ok, I'll pay out ten thousand gold if what I hear I like" said the man as he reappeared.

"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, but I came to ask for a mission, not having any information on Asentha yet, but willing to get some" Arcturus said, thinking to him self: "especially for ten thousand gold!"

"I see, so you want some starting money then?"

"That would be great, but I didn't expect to get-" Arcturus stopped as he saw a sword and bag of money fly under the door.

"Here's some money to get started, but I'll take it out your pay" said the man, then he mumbled "or bleed you for it" although Arcturus couldn't be sure, or believe, what he had said.

Arcturus grabbed the sword and money, the sword was a very expensive replica of a light sword, or so Arcturus thought, although he was mistaken.

Arcturus then went back to his lodging and spent two more days in Dragon Blood, buying with the 200silver he had been given, a horse and a much better rifle. On the third day he set off back once again into the desert...

The trip was not as long or hard on horse back, after an half hour and one he had gone across the border of Dragon Blood back into no mans land. In three hours he was once again into Asenthan land, although he did not go through a border post, but through a hole he had found in the fence on his first trip.

Arcturus now found him self looking quite Royal as he rode upon a rather fine glistening brown horse, a long sword hanging from his side, and a expensive rifle hung over his back. His clothes had been changed to much finer ones, and he wore a brown leather jacket just as Flanimal, Isabella, Max and Mathew of long ago had done. In fact, his appearance got him many salutes from riders by, as he looked like a Asenthan Royal Guard except for not having the blue cloak, which he had refused in his mind to have upon him.

Secretly, Arcturus had in his bag, held by the horse, a red cloak such as the Sezonians had worn and which had been started by Flanimal when he appeared before Ps and attempted to destroy the evil creature, and also when he had battled with Sirius; or so the myths and legends went. Arcturus found them far fetched and rather unbelievable for he would have seen many scars on the world. But his latest encounter with the man he had bumped into had given him a new sense that the Dimension Jumpers and Star people's existed.

Arcturus rode down the sandy rides slowly, but he soon heard the sound of much faster gallops coming from behind him. He turned to seen a plume of dust rising in the distance and a black horse with rider coming before it.

To avoid annoying the rider, who seemed to Arcturus to be in quite a rush, Arcturus pulled to the right side and off onto the desert plains where he waited for the rider to pass. But as the rider got closer, he Slowed and Arcturus could see clearly the man wore the cloths of a great general, with a fine black leather jacket and also a mask and a fine chest plate and leg armour that shone a black silver.

The great General pulled slowly up to Arcturus, who he mistook for a soldier doing rounds, and saluted before speaking.

"My good soldier, would you mind accompanying me down this rode, riding ahead of me, for I fear that a group of rebel fighters wish to take my life"

"Sir, I would be happy to!" Said Arcturus trying to sound as natural as possible although his heart beet like a drum within.

"Well then, ride ahead 20 few paces and call if you see anyone who appears to be laying in wait"

So Arcturus, shaking, went ahead the twenty paces and looked out for any one who could be an enemy. It wasn't an easy job, every farmer or rider past he would raise his hat into the air to warn the prince, then both would draw either rifle or sword as they rode past. However, for the most part no trouble came to them both.

However, once about half way into his journey with the Great General, Arcturus spotted ahead the glimmering of swords and rifle barrels in some near by bushes on his left (and on his right was desert where he had paid little attention to).

He knew that people don't hide with rifles and swords on bushes if it is not for someone's down fall. So on seeing it at fifty paces ahead, Arcturus just about had a fit.

He stopped the horse suddenly and fired a round out of his rifle into the air to Warne the General, and the horse reared and Arcturus levelled his rifle at his opponent. The General too had pulled a rifle from his back to his front, and his sword he held out to charge into battle.

The enemies in ambush must have seen they had been spotted, for Arcturus was greeted with an array of bullets flying into the gravel and sand around him. Arcturus fired his rifle, once, twice then four times at the enemy.

The General shouted from behind and Arcturus led his horse in a gallop back to the cover of some boulders. The General was already there and fired from his rifle five shots that sent shrapnel and debris up into the enemies ambush.

"I must keep on my journey, but they must be held" Said the General "For fifty gold will you fight for your master?"

Arcturus was well pleased at the offer, the General must have been either sure of Arcturus' death or in not time to bargain "Yes sir!" Said Arcturus "I will fight until not one can return to tell the tale!"

"Good my young soldier, you would make a great man in my army! So please come to my home after this is over, here" The General handed Arcturus a note of an address "Find me and you will be given a place in my corps"

And so the General rode into the desert, followed by a few bullets but undeterred until Arcturus had become again the purpose of the enemy's shooting. Arcturus dismounted from his horse and ran to the rocks where he levelled his rifle and fired into the bushes.

Soon, however, the enemy saw that it was pointless to stay hidden. So close to ten soldiers in blue armour ran from whatever cover they had put up and came to find a ditch in which some took cover to fire while others went behind rocks in the desert. While they ran in formation Arcturus shot one in the hip, and he fell to the ground. It was only one of eight enemies, which Arcturus was surprised to be wearing Asenthan armour although they wished to fight an Asenthan general. But Arcturus had no time to think as bullets shattered against his cover.

Arcturus knew that their rifles only had six rounds left after they had used fourteen and that they had no extras. He had seen on the body of the fallen one no sign of extra bullets or magazines.

(Now we must remember that in Sezonia there never was or is, such thing as an automatic gun, all fire single shots and have to be cocked after every shot. Thus bullets go a lot slower)

Arcturus knew he had only to hold for 42 more bullets before it would came to close quarter combat in which Arcturus had a sword, and the enemy had but his fists. So Arcturus would have only but to keep them shooting and not moving.

So Arcturus fired back the odd shot and the enemy fire continually in an almost musical pattern.

The enemy soon caught onto what Arcturus was doing and Arcturus found home self slowly being surrounded as the soldiers moved closer in to finally kill Arcturus. Arcturus was not quick to run, every move an enemy soldier made Arcturus would fire. He killed two with a bullet to the first in the right lung and the second with a shot that hit the kidney. Both fell and died where they fell.

Arcturus now only had to fight off five enemies, two on his left and three on his right. Then to on his left hid behind boulders so that they could only fire to keep Arcturus pinned to a spot. But the other three kept attempting to move forward onto him. But Arcturus was a good shot and kept the two hiding pinned down too while he also fired at the ever advancing enemy. When one enemy went for a run towards Arcturus boulders while he was distracted, Arcturus spun around and shot hitting him in the lower part of his rib cage, shattering a rib it hit into his lung and collapsing. So he too fell and eventually died with no help from his comrades.

Arcturus had lessened the advance with that kill, which the enemy had not predicted. So he now had time to flee if he wished. But Arcturus had to kill them all, as he had promised the Great General. And so Arcturus kept firing, for he had many rounds on his horse stored.

The four enemies had finished with Arcturus resistance. One from the left fired a shot Arcturus had not seen coming, and it hit the rock Arcturus leaned on and spun into his left shoulder. The wound bled much and the pain was immense, but Arcturus knew it was not fatal.

But this was what the enemy wanted, a time when Arcturus was not in full concentration. So all at once they ran at him and with his arm, Arcturus could only shoot two shots before they had reached him. But one of the two shots had hit a man in the lower leg, which exploded on contact with bone and brought the man down with a thud.

But the three soldiers were soon two on top of the boulder and one to his right who fired a shot that landed in his shoulder that had not been hurt, then an other that hit his upper leg as he fell. Arcturus then fell onto his back a pond fired a shot into the man who had felt his chest between the rib cages and into the heart. He fell and was dead before he hit the ground.

Arcturus now had the two who had climbed to the top and now shot down at him from above. Rolling to the cover of a ledge, an other shot landed in his lower back but miraculously hit nothing but muscle. Arcturus was in much pain, but knew if he let down his gun he would die. But as he went to cock it, he discovered a bullet had compacted into it and it was useless.

Devastated, in pain and in a pool of his own blood, Arcturus pulled from his side the sword of medium length that resembled a light sword. The two enemies dropped to the ground and hit the floor ready to shoot Arcturus dead. Arcturus held the sword in front of his face as the crack of guns was heard.

But the bullets didn't hit. And as Arcturus opened up his eyes he saw that in front of him was a shield, see through and glowing white, that had squished the bullets flat before they had fallen harmlessly to the floor.

The sword was in fact that of a light sword. One most properly used by a Royal of Sezonia, or a Light or Star Person or a Dimension Jumper. And it lay in the hands of this boy, for a was only twenty, who was Arcturus.

Stammering to his feet, Arcturus raised the sword and held it in battle formation. It no long created a shield but instead it glowed at the edge like molten metal, exempt a white blue color.

"For Sezonia!" Arcturus said as he heaved with all his might the sword down onto the breathless and shocked enemy soldier who was cut through the back on one side and into the chest, slicing the lung and heart and many organs.

Arcturus now turned to the other on who stood dropping his weapon in fear, and was run through with the sword.

Arcturus then fell himself to the ground. He fainted.

Arcturus awoke to a soft voice over him. He moaned as he awoke from his slumber, opening his eyes. Around him were soldiers in only black silver armour. He was in pain but the pain felt relieved. He saw he was on the floor where he had fallen after his battle. He had many bandages on him, but there was no permanent damage besides that which would be scars and weakness in bones.

The one commanding the soldiers was just beyond Arcturus. It was a young woman, which surprised Arcturus, who wore armour and a sword on her side. The small band of soldiers had just broken camp and we're getting ready to leave. Arcturus clearly had been luckily to have fallen into the path of a merciful band of soldiers.

The leader was stunningly beautiful. She had long brown hair, but which had been platted in the style of a princess. She wore the armour of a princess too. Her chest was covered with armour that only went just above her breasts and then her stomach was covered in armour that flexed. Her waist had on a belt of gold and gems, just as her necklace around her neck. Her legs were not covered at all, as was custom in both Sezonia and Asentha for female royals and nobles, but instead a piece of armour that was like cloth but as strong as steal hung down from her belt center 40cm and was 10cm wide, to cover her. This was on the front and back of her belt and was covered in many gemstones and patterns edged with gold.

Arcturus sat up at the sight of the princess of Asentha. There could be no mistake that she was Senta, the great and beautiful Princess. The princess had been banished to live in Gonubie to the south and the foreign lands to the south east by the King. For she had fought along side Sezonian Rebels and the King had disowned her for her unprejudiced behavior.

For some reason she had come back to Asentha. Possibly to once again speak with the King.

Arcturus sat there waiting to be noticed, but the soldiers would only cast glances witch they would retract when noticed. Arcturus thought that they clearly had been ordered not to communicate with the one whom they had found.

But soon the Princess walked up to Arcturus and held down her hand to help him up. She wasn't in a overly pleasant mood by the look on her face, and as Arcturus perceived this much, he simply took the hand and was helped to his feet along with much pain from his wounds.

"Millions of Thanks your highness!" Cried Arcturus "I can not thank you enough p, for you have saved my life in coming and tending to my wounds"

She looked at him, unimpressed. Then she spoke "For your service to my brother I thank you, you killed eight of my enemies." She paused to let Arcturus have a moments of joy and excitement to learn that the great General was in fact a Great Prince. Then she sighed and carried on "but, I am afraid, that we have no room for yet an other wounded in our band, nor any supplies to give. So I thank you and that is all. For my which is Senta, is not very well accepted in Asentha and a letter on my behalf would only bring you pain"

"No, no, but give me just a letter to aid me a second time in joining the army of your brother, perhaps if you and he are aligned in quest he would accept it as honorable and a creditable recommendation" Arcturus saw that if it were true that the princess and prince were together that two recommendations in his army, one by both, would for sure give him a position in which he could find wealth and information to sell.

"If you request it, I will not prevent it from being given you" Said the Princess as she went and wrote for Arcturus a letter as he wished, to who ever he wished, which said that he, Arcturus, was recommended by The Princess of Asentha, Senta, in the army of Asentha as an officer of rank.

After handing it to Arcturus she passed him also a bracelet of gold, silver and copper with the word "Strength" engraved in it in the Asenthan language, which implies not physical strength, but power or influence. This Arcturus received gratefully.

But as the Princess was breaking camp, and Arcturus could not come along as a soldier due to his wounds, he thanked her and then she and her band departed in the direction on the greener left side of the road, heading west to the sea and capital of Asentha.

Arcturus was left with some food and water, but not much, and pondered what had come his way. He had been given a sword with great power, and a great two recommendations and also the key to great wealth from the one who hired him. However, along with that he had an adventure before him, and isn't that what every young man wishes for.

Once left alone again, Arcturus sat next to his horse with his rifle in hand. Most of his bullets were spent, but the least twelve or so would do some good if bandits came his way. However, no such event happened, so that at night fall Arcturus slept sound.

When morning came, Arcturus felt he was well enough to ride. Though, if he had been in his home or a hospital he would not have deemed himself so, but circumstances forced him to make it to safety.

So Arcturus mounted his horse and rode, still in great pain, away in the direction he had taken. But he still had no idea where he could find rest and help, he was new to this part of Asentha and he knew that Asentha didn't treat kindly to foreigners, much less Sezonians.

So while riding, Arcturus pulled from his pocket the note that the Prince had given him.    He read the address, he knew the area, and so he turned his horse slightly northward and rode across the tundra plains to come to the Princes home.

It was afternoon by the time that Arcturus arrived at the city of OutCropAbove, now not just a small town in the desert, as it had been in Flanimal's day, but a huge city of cobblestone buildings and roads. It had become very green in the desert, and farms had started around it.

Arcturus rode into the city and looked around for street signs to show the way. All the buildings of brick and stone were tall and streets narrow, so Arcturus found it hard to find his way after being in desert for the past few days.

But with in the hour, Arcturus rode to a more lush and green area of the city to the north, and there he found the brilliant yet modest abode of the Prince. It was a wonderful building, made of marble and blue rock, so that it had a brilliant shine. It's entrance stuck out from the long rectangle which housed the rooms, and the entrance had pillars of pure white marble with a spiral patter around them as they held the overhang. Behind it was the huge building, with many rooms and two stories.

Arcturus knocked on the large double doors of solid marble wood, made by rowing a tree called the White Wood, which, instead of carbon based, was a limestone based plant which would grow as marble but with wood like features.

Arcturus waited for a response to the door. But none came. He knocked several times, thinking that surly someone must have been home, weather servant or cook or a visitor. But the time passed and Arcturus decided to be nosy and peak in. He looked through the windows by the door.

Arcturus stumbled back in shock.

The house had been turned upside down, tables and curtains displayed sword marks and chairs and objects had been snapped and smashed. The walls had been scrapped so that plaster and wallpaper covered the floor.

Arcturus shouted out into the house, to ask if anyone was there, hoping he was mistaken as to what must of happened. When no one answered, Arcturus kicked the door in, breaking the lock but doing little to the beautiful door itself.

Arcturus drew his light sword, of which he now placed much confidence and which gave him much courage. Arcturus walked through the house quietly, to make sure he wasn't seen by an enemy of his new found acquaintance,  for he took that he en the side of the Prince who's name he did not know, and his sister, Princess Senta.

As he walked around the rooms, looking for signs of survivors, he found it strange that there had clearly been a battle, but no body's were left behind.

Then the sound of talking and horses were heard outside.

Arcturus ducked into a room, with a window that pointed out front, and pulled his rifle with twelve shots left from his back. Moving the curtain away slowly with the barrel of his gun, Arcturus perceived twenty men coming up from the road, going past the wall, and towards the door.

Arcturus at first was relieved, but caution told me better. Battles don't happen and finish for no reason, whoever it was coming, they might still be on a mission whether good or bad.

Arcturus looked closer at the twenty men coming towards him, not one resembled the Prince whom Arcturus had met. But one did wear Princely armour, or at least a officers, but it had on it the Asenthan blue stripes.

Yes they all had on cloaks and all wore over there stab proof black vest, that covered there chest and stomach, a black silver chest piece and stomach piece. Their arms were covered in armour but Arcturus could still see that they were well built fighting brutes of men. Then there legs were covered in armour.

One of them had, on one shoulder, a shoulder piece that went up and the end with many spikes, a daunting armour piece.

But everyone of them had in a bright blue, vertical stripes down there chest piece and two down their arms. The sign of Asenthan soldiers of the King.

Arcturus decided to find out who they were and not hide, so as they came to the door, Arcturus went to the hall and hid behind a bend in the hall to a passage.

"Who goes there?!" Arcturus shouted as the men entered. The men I identify raised guns and swords.

"I said, Who goes there?!" Arcturus shouted again, but the men just carried on coming closer guns and swords drawn.

"I warn you" said Arcturus a third time "that if one takes an other step, I will kill all of you!"

At this the soldiers fired at the direction of Arcturus, bullets flew into the plaster and sent chips and shrapnel flying in every direction. Then Arcturus jumped out of his hiding and fired a shot from his gun while his enemy reloaded. Then, as he was a fast shooter, he fired three more shots just as his enemy, having started hiding in door ways and behind toppled furniture, started to shoot back. Bullets whizzed past Arcturus head and he jumped back.

Arcturus then ran down the passage he had found, shouts of his enemies soon came behind, and then lead flew down after him. Arcturus ducked behind a tabled and Fred at the incoming enemy soldiers. After three more shots, two had fallen who had been in the front. One had taken a shot to the lung, after the bullet had moved apart two ribs, and the other man had taken a shot to the knee, but had still fallen.

Arcturus knew he only had five bullets now left, so he shot two more after a longer aim time than before, these two both hit. One man was hit in the jaw, and fell presumed dead, the other to the upper chest and lower neck, killing him right away.

The enemy was running at him now, and was only ten paces, so Arcturus let his in drop and raised his sword to battle.

He was fired at with three shots of the men as they slowed to shoot the uncovered young man. But Arcturus raised his sword and it did as it was told, displaying a shield of see through blue plasma, which squished the bullets. Now Arcturus was face to face with the leader, who fired his gun, missing terribly, and then slammed his rifle against Arcturus' sword. Arcturus held the gun and its holder back, and then dodged left towards another enemy, but slicing his first opponent across his two legs, felling him.

Then the second, who had a sword, sent a slice into the side of Arcturus. Arcturus spun to take him on, and wielded his sword twice at the second man wounding him on the thigh. But the from behind Arcturus was hit on the shoulder by a third enemy, sending Arcturus to the ground, but with one last swoop of his sword, he caught his third enemy in the stomach.

Arcturus then fell to the floor, throwing his sword left and right at the imposing enemies, who fought him until they seized him. Then once again, not from being weak, but from lack of blood from the three sword wounds he now had, one on his side, one on his shoulder and then one more now coming across from the neck and then sliding down across the chest.

Arcturus woke in chains, in a wooden cart with a roof, being transported by horses and surrounded by a troop of soldiers who wore on them the Asenthan armour. His wounds had not been cared too, but had clotted a little and rest had revived his blood.

They were on a dirt road, somewhere in the forest with tall trees. The only place that came to Arcturus mind was the southern part of the Sezonian province or state and the top of the main state of Asentha. All the rest of Sezonia was covered in lush green bush or tundra, not tall dark trees nor such cold.

The cold. Arcturus looked at the trees, they were covered in snow. They were inland too.

Besides the soldiers there were four other carts with bars and made of wood, prison carts. And then there were two supply carts.

The trip, to where ever they were going, was very long. It ended up taking many days, and for the most part was uneventful. But Arcturus observed his jailers and all he could of what was happening. A day after he awoke, the soldiers were changed at a camp hidden in mounds of dirt. The new ones were much stronger and well built, the appearance of a Dragoner. It got cold as the band climbed inland and up snowy mountains that lead to the foreign lands to the southeast.

The soldiers that were now on had larger weapons, the weapons of brutes. And they wore coats for the cold. But a select few hadn't changed, and seemed to dislike and stay clear of the brutes. These few that didn't change, and were made up of slinky assassin looking soldiers, then a few of the first that seemed to fear everything now and then about four, who Arcturus never saw well, who stayed at the front and looked to be the leaders.

Arcturus was fed every time the band stopped. It was a good warm meal, but Arcturus was still very cold. Luckily, a jacket was passed to him and to any other prisoners in the other carts. For the toilet, Arcturus would either pee in one corner during the trip, or for bowl movements he would wait for the night when the band stopped, then he would go through a gap at the far end of the jail.

The other carts. Arcturus never heard from them at all. He thought they might be banned not to speak, so he to kept quiet.

During the trek two soldiers and one prisoner, whom Arcturus did not see, died. One soldier fell into a ditch and impaled himself on a pointed branch, he was left to rot. The other fell into the fire getting to close, he was left in it to burn. And the prisoner, a woman to Arcturus alarm, was executed by being tied to the bottom of the cart as it went along. For what, Arcturus didn't know. Her body was thrown to the side.

It was day five, that is since Arcturus woke up but could more possibly have been day ten to fifteen. It was day five then, that an event changed everything. Arcturus had just about given up hope of escape and release when that event happened.

The day was passing as every other day had, Arcturus would look out, watching the jailers with their shot guns and giant swords, then he would sleep. He would think about all that had happened and run it over in his mind over and over again. He thought of his parents. How much he had matured since then!

As he was thinking, the cart stopped, it wasn't usual to stop like they did, and to keep standing. Arcturus peaked through the gaps in the wooden cage he was in. Outside the soldiers held out their shotguns, large ones, and pointed towards the forest around them.

They had been spooked before, and once found two bandits, but they now had fear in their eyes. They weren't expecting something less than the force of over fifty fighting men.

The sound of a horn was heard, it was some way away but heard. The soldiers that guarded Arcturus came in closer to the carts, ready to face an enemy on all sides.

Then guns fired from the bush and snow. Bullets exploded out of barrels that protruded from the shrubs and snow. The bangs were enormous and bullets flew into the Brutes, who had already started their return fire. The brutes shotguns exploded even louder and they dived to the ground and behind carts and boulders. But they were surrounded on every side. The fire from the bushes kept coming, and the brutes, who fired and shouted out their lungs did what appears like nothing to the hidden army in the bush. But instead, with in a few seconds, twenty were lifeless body's on the ground, staining the snow red.

But the firing continued and so did the shouting.  And so the hidden army kept fighting too.

But from behind there must have been a second band of soldiers, also with prisoners, and from behind a mass of overly muscular brute like soldiers came up the hill on the road and in the forest.

The firing continued as it had before, but on seeing reinforcements, the original brute soldiers charged upon the hidden army. Now the battle began. From the bush rose only about forty soldiers with rifles and swords who braced, with a battle cry, moor the incoming enemies.

The brutes fell upon the hidden army, and the guns fired all at once, sending a huge wave from both sides to the ground. But that was yet an other twenty of the brutes, and reinforcements were being held up by the hidden army below.

So the hidden army charged in onto the jailers, with swords they charged from all sides slaying their enemy with battle cries! It wasn't with much sword clashes before the brutes were in retreat, but opposite to the reinforcements.

The hidden army now smashed open all the prison carts, the supply carts and the one cart that held the leaders. Yet the leaders cart had only one in who had not fled. So they bound him and dragged him with them as the smashed open all the prisons.

Arcturus had his broken open too, and he climbed out a small hole into the arms of soldiers who wore, not the blue of his jailers, but a red like the Sezonians. But they were not Sezonian rebels, they were different in appearance. Still very Asenthan.

Arcturus was led out, wounded on the way by stray gun fire for brutes who were trying still to take back the prisoners. He got three pieces of shrapnel in his arm, shoulder and leg. He still hobbled into the forest with soldiers who had freed him also running now from the scene of the battle, clearly their objective achieved.

They didn't stop running, many of them bleeding or being carried away by their comrades, for close to half an hour. By the end it was more of a fast walk with moments of extreme running as they heard noises behind. Only about fifteen where with, plus about ten prisoners, but they met up with about fifteen more on the way heading east.

The forest went on and on, and the snow did too. But soon they saw smoke rising from some mounds of dirt and wooden log cabins just a few hundred meters away.

The last stretch Arcturus ran as fast as he could. As he approached the cabin and bases he collapsed at the entrance out of exhaustion.

He was dragged by two soldiers into a buried hut that looked like a dirt pile. It was warm in side and a fire at the far end, that pointed east, lit up the room in a orange red light. The roof was lined in moss, same with the walls and floor. And in between, planks of wood held warn away logs in place. Arcturus clearly perceived it was a very old, but well built non the less, house. Every now and then a few drops of dirt would fall through a crack somewhere in the roof. Arcturus was led to one of the three beds at the opposite end to the fire, were he was put down by the two men who had carried him. He lay next to an other two injured men. Then the door closed and the cold wasn't felt anymore, only the warmth of the fire.

But with in ten seconds the door opened again, and four people were dragged in on soldiers shoulders, then put on mattresses on the ground. Most were prisoners. The door opened about three more times before Arcturus, in the warmth of the room, fell asleep. For he hadn't slept right for most of the trip in his jail.

When he awoke the room was full. However most people had started to sit up and some talked in a whisper while others just were left alone in thought. But others hadn't sat up and some hadn't woken, instead, an elderly man walked around with a hobble giving them water and medicine.

Arcturus thought this must have been the army of Asentha, which he wished to join. So he gestured for the old man to come to him.

"Good sir" Said Arcturus "I am ever so grateful for all you and your people have done for me, a prisoner. However, I wish now to speak to you leader as I have much to thank him"

"Her." Said the old man "and yes... You will see her, I'll let you. But tell me, are not of the prince Seth IV house then?"

Arcturus now knew to who he was serving. He replied, "No, I just was taken as I had come to join the princes army. I had recently almost lost my life in his service and he had told me he would allow me to join his army"

"Ah, so you are one of the recruits. Very well.. I'll take you to her"

So the old man hobbled to the door, opened it to the cold outside, which was blowing a storm. He pointed to a underground shelter with light glowing through the windows, and the shadow of a figure on the walls.

Arcturus now realized that he had lost everything that was on his person, including his sword which he had mysteriously found in the jail with him. Why it was put in with him, he put it down to someone who wished for his wellbeing, or someone who didn't realize what it was.

But now it was once again gone! And he soon perceived that it has been left in the cart. His last hope really was that whoever led them, had taken it with.

So Arcturus went into the storm, coving himself with the jacket which he had been given in the jail cart. It was dark, as grey clouds blocked out the moon and stars of the night. Arcturus came to the leader's door. The wind had started to get stronger as he knocked three times and then waited before knocking five times, growing impatient as the storm grew.

Soon, however, the door opened and Arcturus ran inside shivering, before he could even see who it was. Once in, and warm, he resided how rude he had been to barge on in and turned to apologize and offer his excuse. But on turning, he was shocked again. And the look on her face also revealed shock at who she was seeing before her.

"Milady! Princess Senta?! The Princess of Asentha?!" Cried Arcturus in shock, although she wore very different clothes, he still recognized her.

Indeed, she was no longer equipped for diplomacy nor for a mission or journey. She no longer wore armour that complemented her beauty, but she was still beautiful. Yes, she wore now a chest piece that went right up to her neck, and wrapped over her shoulders and then carried on down her back, and connected on the sides and at the shoulder straps. Her breast were well hidden from notice under the black chest piece. Her stomach had on also a piece of armour that under lapped the chest piece, so no gaps could be seen. The stomach piece was solid and connected to the chest pieces back part around her waist. Then her waist had on a strap that was joined to the stomach piece, but allowed for more movement from it under lapped the leg armour that shielded the sides of her thighs and then also was the armour also under her lower leg. To cover her, hung from her belt a half oval shaped piece of armour with gems on it, which hung down 30cm over her and went to a rounded point. This was repeated at the back.

But on top of all the armour, she wore a fur jacket, which was reasonable for the cold.

"You are the man from the desert!" Cried she "how have you come into my camp when my soldiers protect it day and night?"

"Your soldiers took me in, I was on the prison carts going up to the south west"

"How did you come to be there" she said dazzled "but first, please, take a seat" and they both sat near the fire and talked. Arcturus told her the whole story, that is, the whole story from after they met the first time. He withheld that he worked for Sezonia and Dragon Blood, as he didn't know who represented who I this complex mission; did she work for Asentha? Did his jailers then also work for Asentha? Why did they both fight then? Who's side was the prince on? But Arcturus did not ask any yet, instead he just explained the happenings.

"Well" she said once Arcturus was finished "I must say that you have had quite a trip! But you mention your sword" and she reached into a bag and drew it, giving it back to Arcturus who thanked her.

"So now" she continued "you must be wondering what happened to the prince who you met?"

"Very much!"

"For a start, the one who you speak of is Seth IV, I take" she said as Arcturus nodded his head "and the point of that attack on who you have named "Jailers" was an attempt to free him"

"So he is here?!"

"I said attempt. But we lost to many men and still couldn't get him back. But we might try again when we have recovered" she sighed.

"But who are this weird people who have the Asenthan sign but yet fight against Asentha" asked Arcturus.

Senta looked at him, confused "you mean you have no idea what is going on"

"No" he said.

"You just decided you thought the prince was a nice guy and you could "join his army" and get rich as an officer"

"Yes"

"You don't even know who he is and what he fights for?"

"No"

"You confuse me and puzzle me much Arcturus (she had gotten his name as he spoke to her earlier) but at the same time your loyalty and courage make me honour you and think very well of you"

"Thank you Milady"

She laughed "I can explain but very little to you, but you need to know for who you have proven willing to live and die for, kill and save for, but also who you oppose. You are fighting for me, Princess Senta, and my brother, Seth IV. We represent freedom to the Sezonian state from the King Seth III and my other brother, Prince Aseth, who rules the Sezonian province or state. For we have been fighting those who have been killing Sezonians in the streets, and now have created a rebellion, a army and a new leadership ready to take place as soon as Aseth gives up Sezonia from under Asentha."

Arcturus gasped at this realization and fell back to the ground off his chair.

Senta leaned down and helped him to his feet, Arcturus treasured the short feel of her soft hands.

"This might shock you" said Senta "And if you refuse to fight for people who are not Asenthan like you and I, that is your choice. But I and my brother will not stop opposing the King who oppresses many"

Arcturus was still speechless for a second, then he could speak, but he decided to keep his cool and not get overly excited "Milady, I never told you of the events before I met you and your brother. For I feared to blow my cover, I am a Sezonian! I came back into Asentha as a spy for Dragon Blood who wishes also to free Sezonians and the Sezonian state. But now I will fight for this army, who is already fighting for freedom before even Dragon Blood"

Now it was Sentas turns to stammer back and display sure surprise on her face. For a second she too could not speak. Then she said "Arcturus, you are a mystery! My gosh I can never tell what you are and what you will do and say next. But all I can say now is, is that, I willingly welcome you to the next Sezonia!"

Arcturus thanked Senta very much, then they spoke well into the night about the army and how it all worked and started. Then Arcturus was slowed by Senta to stay in her "bunker" as they had started to call it, however he would have to sleep on a stretcher at the other end of the bunker...

When morning came, the storm had ended. Arcturus woke but presented he was still asleep as he peeped through his eyelashes at Senta as she got dressed early. He wasn't one to normally do silly things like that, but he couldn't help himself.

Once he stopped pretending and really got up, Senta had laid breakfast for him and her, and so hey are together as the discussed what was to happen next.

"We can't move on with our plans without the prince, he's basically in command" said Senta.

"So the number one priority is to get back the prince before he reaches... Where" said Arcturus.

"Where, I don't know. But I think it was to be a secret prison in the foreign lands. But yes, you are right to say that we must get him back, but we lack the number of soldiers to do so"

"I now have back with me" said Arcturus "a sword of light and a rifle, give me a small band of soldiers and maybe I can earn your favour..." He paused slightly "and love, if I bring you back your brother" at which he smiled and Senta gave a smile as well as she spoke:

"That was subtle" she smiled "you seem to have escalated to the next level our acquaintance quite fast. But that aside, as it is no time for such things, we must take back the prince, and maybe I will favour you more if you return my brother"

Arcturus smiled and agreed, and skit was settled he would set off promptly.

Senta stood in the barracks with Arcturus, before them were twenty soldiers who Senta had hand picked for Arcturus band to free the prince. She had selected them early and now was introducing Arcturus to them.

"Out of this group we have your five officers, Jammas in strategy, Janna in diplomacy, Trenz in weapons dev., flamzen a field officer and Hasten a field officer. They will help you when commanding troops and when executing your plans. Along with that we have your fifteen other soldiers, all are well trained, armed and loyal."

Arcturus listen intently to Senta, and then examined his officers, like he thought the commander should. We must remember Arcturus was young and inexperienced. He knew little of commanding an army.

He looked at Jammas, a young man and rather smaller built compared to his companion officers. He had brown hair than hung over his forehead very scraggly, in a almost grubby way, and a moustache he was failing at growing. He wore a leather chest piece strapped onto him and a size to big. His cloths under it were brow and worn. He had a few things on his belt, but mostly notepads and pens, defiantly not mags or even lose ammunition. But despite his completely out of place look, his determination and loyalty which was written over his face, gave Arcturus no doubt he was a loyal fighter.

Next was Janna, a young and smaller girl. She however wore on her metal armour that fit tight. Her hair was tied back in a pony tail at a modest length. The way she stood straight up however had respect and obedience personified.

Trenz was somewhat like Jammas in appearance at first. He had brown hair, but it was spiked up purposely. He wore metal armour that fit close enough, but not quite. He had a belt that carried a number of different daggers and two swords, along with note books and pens. His face was different though, it was much more well formed than Jammas, and maturer although he and Jammas would be the same age.

Flamzen was much older and had an orange tinge to his hair that went down his sideburns into a neatly trimmed beard. He was the only one who wore full armour on his chest that fit well. He had on very neat clothes too.

Hasten was blonde and looked rather full of himself. He was well built too and had on leather armour. He was the one Arcturus didn't fully trust.

"They all look like good and loyal soldiers, I am privileged to lead you all into combat" said Arcturus.

"Yes, and all have rifles and swords ready for them as well" said Senta "when will you leave commander?" she said commander in a joking way.

"I guess right away, we will need to catch up to the cart, so it's best to leave now"

"Very well, do you need horses?"

"Don't worry, it will only slow us down in our mission through deep valleys and high mountains" At Arcturus descriptions Senta smiled.

"Very well, I'll let you set out then!"

And so Arcturus set out with his men into the snow first heading towards where Jammas predicted their objective, which was the enemy, to be. So they set out into the snow on their mission.

The snow flakes now fell softly into the ground below, each on different. The snow was still soft and beautifully white and pristine. If it had been any other time, Arcturus may have stopped and waited to just look at the beautiful scene around him, but instead they were huffing out plumes of steam as they walked up the mountain, exhausted but not stopping, not defeated just yet.

They had been climbing for some time, and the slope was slowly getting closer and closer to 90degree angle. They were now crawling up, scarred to fall and tumble to the ground injuring themselves. With in a few minsters from that, they were literally climbing up a rock face, using foot and hand holes and finding ledges to rest.

But finally they made it to the top, where all twenty one stopped and just enjoyed the view of the snow covered tree tops.

Then came the fun part. They now unloaded their guns from the packs and placed mags into them, ready for combat. They didn't plan to meet the convoy of Asentha Aseth ruled brutes, but just in case they would be ready.

They were now walking along a ditch in the side of the road. It was growing dark, so Arcturus ordered they had to dig into the deep snow and start fires in their snow burrows. So they all went down a bit and started to dig into the snow, ice and dirt in the mountain face to make a barrow out big enough to crawl in, and just long enough for all of them to fit. They then placed snow at the long entrance to make it just a small hole to enter. Then, once it was all done, they all piled into it and then the nightly storm started, blowing a gale and so much cold that they had to pile the bags up at the exit to stop cold air coming into the long, and rather haphazard, bunker.

But the night brought no incidents and all slept well with the warmth from each other.

Morning came, and they set out again. The cautiously walked along the ditch to the right side of the road heading up. Every now and then they would break and eat one of their oats, nuts and dried grape bars covered in honey, the perfect energy food for soldiers on long trips. (This later became mass produced and sprees through out the dimensions)

Soon they realized they would be nearing the rather slow moving convoy. So the went with more caution than before. Slowly they crept along, making no sounds at all. Then they spotted the carts moving.

"What are we to do" asked Jammas "shall we ambush?"

"No, we will creep from behind and take them all out" said Janna.

"Better we trap them" said Trenz and Hasten.

"I have a better idea" said Arcturus "it involves a costume..."

Jammas ran back to the group waiting in a ditch. His face shone with excitement and anxiety.

"What did you find Jammas?" Said Hasten "You better have gotten what we need"

"I did, and it's exactly as we wanted it" Jammas read his notes "a group of four are behind about twenty meters, that's going to be our target" he then carried on reading: "a curve in the road is coming up, that's our opportunity. And we have guns so that's our means"

"Right, so." Arcturus thought "Flamzen and Trenz, you each taken five and got on either side of the road. Then when the corner comes you come out, just in front a little so as to block escape, and kill everyone of the four. Hasten, you will join Trenz as a second in command should anything go wrong" this was met with a 'yes sir'

"Now" continued Arcturus "in new at this, but I think I have a plan. When they have killed the four, we shan't wait for the enemy to notice. We must act quick" this was met with quiet cheers "So Jammas and Janna, you will each go right in with you each most favoured soldier and take the clothes from the four killed and put them on. Mean while our two prior groups will move around in order to be a little way ahead of the enemy. Then when Jammas and Janna go in they must figure out where the prince is. Once it is known, I and the remaining three will stay as back up as you free him and run for the ditches here." Everyone nodded "then, if they chase you, I and my small group will fire from near by to distract so you can get a head start. If you hear gun shots, Flamzen, Hasten and Trenz,  then you come forward and go in so as to stop the whole convoy and give the others a run. Then you too must flee"

And so it was decided on the plan, and everyone except Hasten liked it. But Arcturus saw that Hasten didn't like anything anyone else said. And so, the plan was executed.

Everyone moved into position. And as the convoy moved round the bend, Hasten, Flamzen and Trenz and there seven moved forward to block the path. At first the enemy was surprised.

"What do you want?" Said one of the four enemies "we slay bandits"

"You are mistaken" Hasten said getting very close to one of them "we are Sezonians, and we want your clothes" and at that he ran his sword through the man who dropped dead. But his companions fired three shots, wounding two men of the rebels who fell to the floor. One with a bullet to the hip and the other to the upper arm. Then the rebels raised guns, hit the floor and fired a few shots that killed two, one with a shot to the stomach, chest and thigh and the other with just one shot through the left side of his stomach and then a shot to the head. The third fell with a stop to the knee and shoulder. Then Jammas and Janna ran in from behind in a ditch, and started to strip them of their clothes and armour, putting it on. The third who was just wounded tried to fight, but with a blow to the head from the handle of Janna's sword he was out.

Then the four rebels in disguise went forward and turned the corner.

Jammas and Janna walked around the different carts, looking for the prince. They finally came to a cart where they spotted him. Go close to the cart, Jammas whispers t the prince.

"Sir, it's us. We were sent by you sister, we need to get you out of this cart"

"Jammas? Quick, you have the Key in your pocket!"

Jammas looked into the pocket of the dead brute who once wore the clothes he now did. And indeed, inside was a key.

Jammas didn't hesitate, he quickly unlocked the side door and waited for the right time before he slipped the prince out. But they were spotted. From behind Jammas heard a shout and then a gun shot. The whole convoy soon exploded in shouts as soldiers ran to attack the,. Jammas and the prince ran towards a boulder, behind Jammas could hear Janna and the other two soldiers firing back and then the brutes shots. Then a scream as Janna was shot in the breast. Mama didn't know if it was by shrapnel or by a direct hit, but the rinse was number one and so he kept running.

Janna had been shot in the breast, but only by a bullet that had bounced off the ground into her, but blood gushed and she fell. The other two soldiers grabber her arms while they two fired shots into the brutes. But the brutes armour was thick and only five were but wounded by the rebels bullets.

The rebels who had Janna couldn't run fast enough to the boulders let alone to the ditch. The brutes closed in fast until they were almost on top of them. An other rebel was shot in the leg and fell also. The last soldier held his position as he hit the floor behind his two comrades and fired to hold off the brutes.

But just then, from behind, Arcturus and his men open fired from behind some other rocks, sending bullets into the heads of four brutes who were closing in on Janna and her two soldiers.

Arcturus himself had killed on of the brutes and stood holding his gun in the air and cried: "For Sezonia!" Before he levelled his gun and shot dead annoy her Brute with a shot in the back of the brutes head. The others also fired shots, as the Asenthan brute soldiers turned around and took cover as they returned fire.

Arcturus wanted to run into the battle, but he knew it was counterproductive. Arcturus also had wounds that weren't near healed and couldn't live if he took just one more. So instead he hit the ground and kept firing as the last soldier of the four who freed the prince, took his chance and through Janna and the other wounded onto his back and ran into the ditch where Jammas was with the prince.

Janna was losing a lot of blood, the bullet had hit deeper than expected and close to the heart. She lay in agony as Jammas ripped off her chest plate and then her clothes to check the wound.

What he saw frightened him. The bullet had been like many knives and had it just hit her breast, but worse also the rib cage below which was torn to pieces so he could see the bones. But the lung was not punched which was a great relief, as she breathed normal and the shrapnel was in sight.

Jammas didn't know what to do, he looked at the prince for help. The prince sensed this and got downing is knees to help out as well. But then the prince felt something wet on his back, and turned to look at his lower back. He now had a turn to freak out. His left side of his back had a ten centimeter long metal spike stuck in it. He feared it had gashed his kidney.

He fell onto his stomach and Jammas looked at it to in horror. Mean while the other soldier had smashed his leg bone when the bullet hit it. Be lay with shards of bone piecing through his leg. Jammas just about fainted at the amount of wounds and blood before him. But he pulled himself together, he needed to get help first.

Meanwhile Hasten, Flamzen and Trenz had launched their assault and all their soldiers ran over the sides of the road, guns firing wildly as enters into combat with the brutes who had their backs turned. Then the soldiers dropped their guns and took sword against their enemy jailers. The swords clashed, a few last guns fired sending a few more soldiers of both sides to the ground. Then it became a fight with sword to the death. But the brutes would easily overpower the rebels, except that from the other way, Arcturus and his few would keep firing to even the battle field. However, four other guns hadn't fired yet and Trenz noticed that the surcharge where Jammas and Janna were hadn't brought any shots against the enemy.

Trenz had on him a brute who was a head above him, but he kept up the fight pushing against the brute with his sword. Then he finally got a swing to the brutes leg. And in a second a bullet was lodged in the brutes tail bone and flew out the other side. He fell dead. But for good measure, Trenz cut off his head on the spot.

Trenz now ran to go check on Jammas and Janna, going behind the fighting and keeping low. He then dived into the ditch.

He looked up to find a crying Jammas attempting to stop the bleeding of Janna's breast with her own shirt, meanwhile keeping the prince Seth IV from death by giving him water and trying to stop the bleeding. But the metal still stuck out he princes back.

Trenz saw right away the situation was bad, and the only other person not at deaths door was tending to his shattered leg, which most properly would have to be amputated later.

Trenz looked Jammas in the eye, and Jammas relaxed to see him.

"I'll get Arcturus!" Said Trenz running out of the ditch toward Arcturus outpost where Arcturus and his men kept fighting their enemy.

"Die!" Arcturus shouted at the top of his voice as he fired an other shot at a brute about to kill one of the rebels "die you brutes of men, you disgusting excuses of humans! Go and-" Arcturus saw Flamzen looking at him "sorry" Arcturus said "little carried away"

"Arcturus, I have bad news" said Flamzen "Janna is hurt bad in the chest and rib cage, the prince has fallen on a spike and the other soldiers are either wounded or missing of the four you sent. All except Jammas who is trying to keep them alive"

Arcturus grabbed his gun  "where are they? We must get to them and take them away from the battle scene"

"Over there" Flamzen pointed to the ditch "I'll come with you"

Arcturus and Flamzen ran across he battle field, bullets whizzed past them a few times, but they got across with no bullets stuck in them. Once over the road they too dived I tot he ditch with Jammas, Janna, the one wounded rebel of no known name but then the one who had pulled Janna and the wounded into the ditch was no where robe seen.

"We are missing one!" Said Arcturus "where did he go?"

"I dint know" said Jammas in a shaky voice as he watch blood slowly filling the bottom of the ditch "he just got out the ditch and left!"

"Forget him Arcturus, he's most likely safe" said Flamzen "let's focus on the wounded"

Arcturus quickly looked over the different wounds. Janna was in a bad way, and had lost so much blood that Arcturus was almost sure an artery had been at least scrapped or something like that. Janna would have some nasty scars if she came through, and a lot of surgery to fix up her rib cage which had taken a lot of small pieces of lead that needed to be taken out. Her life was threatened by lack of blood.

Next was the prince. He still had the metal spike stuck in him, but blood loss was small because of that. The main concern was if it hit any organs or punched the intestines. Then an operation might be needed. The best choice was to leave the spike in until they got near a professional medic.

The soldier who was shot in the leg had lost a lot of blood, but because the bone had been hit, miraculously the artery hadn't been hit. But the bone was so shattered that he was in agony and his leg would need to be amputated to stop blood poisoning and because it would not be possible to repair.

"Ok" said Arcturus "I'm no medic, but I think I know what we should do, or at least I have an idea of how to save the lives of those wounded here"

Jammas and Flamzen looked at Arcturus as a last hope for these men and woman.

"But first we need to get everyone away from the battle, Flamzen, go back and get Trenz too. You both will carry them away towards the camp, then we will operate on field"

Just then the sound of hooves were heard coming up the road. Arcturus stuck his head up to see Senta riding with a band of soldiers all with a new red stripe painted on their armour.

"Senta!" Cried Arcturus, and she looked toward him and ran her horse over to the ditch while the others grabbed their guns and fired onto every enemy brute they saw, before taking to cover.

Senta dismounted and flung herself into the ditch, which was now quite full.

"Your friend said my brother and some soldier were wounded, we have come to help with the retreat!"

"Thank goodness!" Cried Arcturus "there is no time to waste, put all of the three wounded here over your horse and flee!"

Senta and Arcturus took the wounded and placed them on the horse before The horse galloped down the road.

"Now to get us out of here Milady" said Arcturus to Senta who had left the horse to run a little way and then to fetch it later.

"I will call a soldier!" She got up and signaled for one of the horsemen to ride over. The horseman did and the Senta and Arcturus got on it.

"My friends, we must save the wounded" said Arcturus to the commanders left in the ditch "but now command a retreat, but take the wounded with you!"

"Yes sir!" They all said as Senta and Arcturus rode off down the road.

As Senta and Arcturus rode down the road to catch up with the wounded, they could still hear the sound of the battle behind them.

"You have commanded them well Arcturus" said Senta "Maybe you will make an officer in the force when we return. But now we have no choice but to stick to the mission, I am afraid it has to be"

"I know Milday" said Arcturus "but I wished to stay with my few loyal fighters, now being slay by the brutes of our enemy"

"As I said, you will be an officer who will earn the loyalty of your soldiers. You fight along side them, they will respect you"

"Thank you Milady"

They rode up to the horse with the wounded on it, and quickly got them off and onto a soft patch of snow where they started to tend to the wounds.

"Janna needs the metal taking out and all bleeding parts to be cauterized" Said Senta "Arcturus make fast a fire and heat the end of my sword"

Arcturus did so and heated it while Senta looked at the prince "he needs to be left as is, we don't want bleeding" she said "oh my brother, we will not let you die"

Then Arcturus gave her the sword and she slowly burnt all the wounds on Janna that bled the most, for a great deal of flesh and skin had been torn off her to show the bones, so some areas were left so they could heal. Then Senta got some needle and thread and stitched, as best she could, the flesh that was not ripped completely off back over her ribs after pouring much alcohol onto it.

Arcturus then poured some alcohol onto the soldiers leg wound as well, to prevent infection, and then a little around the spike in the prince back.

"What do we do about his leg?" Arcturus asked

"I don't want to amputate it, it might still heal but will be very weak. Let's place the bones in place and the set it and then wrap it up"

So that's what they did, the placed as much of the bone in the right place as possible and then poured alcohol over it as well before cauterizing some of the arteries scratched and then they wrapped it in a bandage with sticks on the side to hold the leg straight.

"We don't know how deep the spike goes in" said Senta "it could have missed everything vital"

"So we risk it?"

"No, we will wait. Only snap the end off at the base to stop it getting caught on anything"

Then from up the road Arcturus spotted the last soldiers slowly pulling back but still shooting as they went. Arcturus saw it was time to go, and told Senta the same. So putting the wounded back on horses Arcturus and Senta rode down the road, going the long way to camp. Soon they were surrounded by more horses with injured soldiers on them and they all rode down.

Meanwhile Hasten had taken to leading the rest of the offices, and the ten odd not wounded soldiers, down the Mountain towards the camp. They ran through the woods being shot at by the brutes who chased after them instead of the horses. Every now and then Hasten would order everyone to take cover and shoot back at the enemy to stop them for a while.

But the wounded of the ten grew, and with only six soldiers and four offices they soon had every officer carrying a wounded soldier. But luckily the brutes stopped heir chase once the storm of the night started.

But that wasn't the end of he problems for the group fleeing down the mountain. They had lost two more soldiers to death, and now had only eight all together and we're stuck out in the nightly storm.

The day broke. Light rays shone through the trees and over the snow. It was as if the sun was chasing away the storm, and now there was no trace of it. All except the battered men and woman that walked, coated in snow, into the camp where fires warmed soldiers holding hot cups of coffee.

At the sight of the survivors from both the battle and the storm, with them two wounded, the soldiers of the camp ran to give them coffee and food and warmth next to the fire. But at the same time, some searched the faces for their friends, but didn't see them. But they refused to even think their friends were dead, instead they believed they were wounded and being taken back on horse back.

Hasten took command of the camp straight away. Flamzen and Trenz were his advisors. This was the rulership until, or if, the Princess Senta and her brother returned.

The camp, after hearing stories of what had happened, sat anxiously waiting around fires for the return of the others.

The horses had been abandoned, all except two which carried the wounded. Other wounded were on healthy soldiers backs or, those who could walk, stumbling to safety. The storm had been harsh, and they were lucky to have been so fortunate that they didn't have great losses.

Arcturus walked with Janna of his back, taking turns with Jammas who had come with the other injured ones. Senta stood beside them, her brother on her back. He was in bad shape, his wounded looked possibly infected. That was a point of great concern.

"Let's stop for a second" said Senta dropping the prince onto a pile of snow and then looking at his wound. The prince was not conscience. Senta looked at the wound intensely, she wiped away tears, thinking about if he died.

Arcturus gave Janna to Jammas and then went to Sentas side.

"We need to remove that spike" said Senta "we don't know, it could be quite shallow in him" but the infection will kill him"

"We will get him AntiBiotics at the camp, I'm sure you have some, but I agree that the spike must come out now. We will care for the infection later"

Senta grabbed the spike, looked at Arcturus for the go ahead who nodded, then pulled slowly the spike out. The blood and pus coated metal came out four or five centimetres and then it ended. It was out.

Senta and Arcturus both gave a small sigh of relief. Then they had to stop the bleeding that had started again. They got a cloth and stuffed it into the wound, trying what ever they could to stop it bleeding more.

"It could have hit an organ" said Arcturus "should be try an operation here?"

"No, let's just try to stop it bleeding to much, then operate in the camp"

So they carried on, but Jammas and Arcturus gave Senta a break and both carried the prince and Janna.

About an hour or two later, the wounded soldier convoy entered the camp. It was much less a excited welcome but more of urgent action to save who they could. The camps doctors hushed out while over soldiers carried stretchers to the wounded to take them to the medical barracks.

Arcturus and Senta followed the prince while Jammas went off after Janna. The prince went into Senta's house where the doctor would help only him. Prince Seth was laid on the bed and the doctor called an apprentice to help as he began an operation to stitch up any cut organs. But on seeing the infection he hesitated.

"The wound is not great at all, with care he will live through it. But the infection could kill him" said the doctor as he injected into the prince three needles. A shot for having been wounded with rust metal, a shot of antibiotics and then a pain killer. Then the doctor set up a hap hazard drip, but carful not to get any air bubbles, and started to give the prince fluids and antibiotics in them on drip.

The doctor got a sterile cloth to clean the wound out, before examining it. He decided to let the infection subside first before he covered up a potentially deadly infection.

Senta and Arcturus left the room for a while, Senta was quite distraught at all that had happened, especially how her one family member, her brother Seth, the only one who had not forsaken her could be dead with in a few days or even hours. Although the wound was not terrible and the infection was still minor, which Arcturus knew but he also had come to know, sometimes people don't need facts, they simply need comfort and time.

Arcturus and Senta, you must say a surprising friendship, sat together around the fire sipping hot coffee with Hasten and Trenz. Hasten and Trenz were quite filled with enthusiasm to go back and slay the whole convoy of enemy soldiers, but Senta repeated again that they had lost enough soldiers to their endeavour against the prison convoy.

"But they must only have fifteen left!" Said Trenz

"Yes, and we must hit before they get reinforcements. Or we must kill the messengers who order for the reinforcements" said Hasten "Because they still have seven or eight of our loyal rebels who are prisoners"

"Yes, but they will only end up in jail" said Senta "and we will demand their release when we rise to power. It's not worth having ten killed for the survival of seven or eight"

Arcturus was of the opinion of Hasten, wanting to get right back into the battle scene. He was young after all. But because he knew of the princes injury and after having seen many wounded and slain on the field of battle, he understood Senta's point. And because of his loyalty to Senta, even over his loyalty to the cause, he stayed quiet and just nodded to Senta's opinion.

"Well then, what do we do... Your Highness" Hasten said.

"We need to first get the prince in a state ready for the taking over of Sezonia" said Senta "then we must carry on on our main mission, that is to take Seaonia back" she then looked to Arcturus to see what he thought.

"I agree" said Arcturus "We need to wait for the prince to get better before we can even hunk of what to do next"

"And your opinion matters... Why?" Said Hasten harshly, which lead to Trenz shrinking back a little and shrugging his shoulders to Arcturus to say he didn't know what Hasten was at, not that he agreed.

"Why?" Arcturus said, thinking of his reply himself "why...because..." He was about to butcher up an answer when Senta butted in.

"Because both I and Seth, prince Seth to you, have received recommendation that he should become a General in the group, and I have already accepted him as thus but I wait for Seth to agree also"

Arcturus was quite surprised at this, and Senta carried on "in fact, you have a letter with you don't you?" And she looked at him.

Arcturus pulled the letter Senta herself had written, but she didn't say so, and read it out. Hasten and Trenz were quite surprised at the good comments about Arcturus and his very great recommendation by a "unknown general" which was Senta. In fact, Arcturus had read it yet and was quite surprised himself.

And so, looking at Senta and asking if this was for real which was replyed to with a nod and smile, Arcturus became a honorary General just waiting for the Prince to reconsider him and agree.

Meanwhile, many miles away in Asentha's Capital, the King was siting on his throne as a messenger ran in holding a report.

"A report from Aseth, your highness!" Said the messenger as he came up to the throne "it is most urgent!"

"Read it" said King Seth III.

"It's is from Prince Aseth, and reads as follows: The prince and his fellow conspirators were taken by force at their home and were put onto the prison convoy to the deep woods prison. However, your plan did not predict the princess to return to Asentha, nor for her to have come with a small army. They attacked us with their hundreds of soldiers and took the prince and the prisoners from us. We chased them down until the soldiers could not keep up with their superhuman speeds.

Because of their extreme power and numbers, I recommend you send all your army to mobilise against the rebels.

Signed Aseth Asenthus"

The King thought for a moment, then shouted "what do you wait for?! Mobilise the entire army for war, we will match upon the rebel soldiers and destroy them"

The messenger ran down and out of the throne room to go give the orders.

With in the hour, the King looked out his window onto the courtyard to see hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of soldiers awaiting his orders, lines of cavalry and archers separated the different companies of soldiers. The King quite enjoyed the immense power that Asentha wielded. But the King swung the power like a child with a toy.

The King walked onto the deck to inspect the soldiers.

"This will do" the King said to a general who stood next to him "now, move them to block the roads to OutCrop. And the rest, leave them ready incase of a coup and that Sezonia tries to break free"

"Yes sir, right away" and the general walked off. Then the soldiers turned and started marching in their groups to ther different units, some boarding light flyers and others on foot down the roads.

The King smiled at opportunity of yet another turn to use his great army.

Arcturus stood at Senta's right hand side as they stood before the crowd of battered and wounded, bruised and cut all over, as they lay out what the plan was. They had finally come to the stage where it was not possible to stay in the camp and wait for all to be fighting ready.

Time had come for the next stages to take place.

The prince had just recovered from an operation to finally stitch up his wound, the infection was gone after some heavy antibiotics. The Prince stood, resting against the flag pole on and off,   Next to Senta on her left and stood next to her, where as Arcturus had stayed a pace back and then the other five commanders stood behind again a pace.

It was all quite formal, as Prince Seth and Princess Senta had decided that if they were to form a nation it would require more organization and order.

Prince Seth IV laid it out plain: They couldn't let the wounds of some stop the movement of the mission. They had to keep the mission moving while they still had time, for soon the King would be onto them and their would be no element of surprise after the assassination of Aseth.

Princess Senta they spoke. They were to pack up the camp right away, loading the horses with supplies and then move north. All the log cabins were to be burnt down as they left, and all dirt bunkers were to be blow up and caved in.

The meeting soon broke up and all of the rebels went and did just as they were told. Arcturus didn't have many supplies except his light sword, a rifle and a few rounds along with his fur coat. He rounded all of these up from his room in with the commanders (where he had been staying for the past weeks).

Arcturus then went into the armoury which was being taken apart and packed onto a few donkeys. Arcturus, now well respected after two weeks of being a high officer, stopped a soldier and grabbed a chest plate of white silver that had lines of red all down it. He hadn't had any armour that was "his" given to him yet, and so he decided why not grab a piece and ask Senta later for it.

Arcturus put it on and pulled his robe over his left arm and shoulder and covered half of the chest piece.

Arcturus then went out to find the commanders taking their desiccated horses. Arcturus went and asked where he could get one, and one was then pointed out to him, which he mounted and walked to the east exit of the camp (which pointed to the mountains and where the convoy had been fought against).

He stopped there and waited for the other commanders and pulled up next to Prince Seth IV, who was clearly still in pain from his wound.

"Does your wound give you trouble still Sir?" Arcturus asked.

"Yes it does Arcturus"  replied Seth IV "But I can still put up a good fight, don't you worry. My younger sister should be here soon, just waiting for her before we start to move out"

Just then Jammas and Trenz showed up, wearing on them some suspiciously new looking armour.

"Hello Arctururs" said Trenz giving a causal salute "and greetings to you Sir"

"That's nice looking armour you guys have all acquired" said the Prince "Wouldn't happen to be from my armory?" And the prince gave a small chuckle that was stopped by a groan of pain.

"It is ok if we grabbed some space armour Sir?" Asked Jammas

"Yes it's fine, take it as payment for your service to the force. It's been a while since anyone got payed for anything"

Trenz then pulled a helmet from the side of his horse and placed it on his head.

"What do you think Arcturus?" Trenz asked.

"Looks very Sezonian" Arcturus replied "as a matter of fact looks like a royal guard helmet from the old Sezonian army"

"Yes, the gold and red stone is very refined and strong, also the shape is very proper. Possibly was worn by one of Flanimals guards" Said Seth IV.

"Well, here comes Janna" said Trenz "Janna! You ok to make the trip?"

"I'll be fine Jam" said Janna riding up on yet another horse "And no, you can't take a look at the wound"

Everyone laughed, except Trenz who missed the joke while looking at his helmet.

"Janna," said Arcturus "is Senta almost ready?"

"Yeah, she's just packing up the papers"

Senta then appeared out of her bunker placing two large boxes onto a donkey connected to her horse. She then chucked a match into the door way before mounting her horse and riding up to the group. Meanwhile the other soldiers designated to burn down the camp also took it as a signal and with in a minuet all logs were on fire.

"What are we waiting for?" Senta said riding up "let's get going"

"Ok boss lady" Arcturus said with a grin.

And the group rode off heading a long line of horses and donkeys numbering about twenty, along with people on foot two.

 The group rode north east for the first two hours, to get around a mountain, before circling back north west to avoid crossing the foreign lands or DragonBlood to the north east.

Arcturus led the back of the line, making sure no one fell behind, and he was joined by Flamzen. They didn't speak much except for causal jokes and observations. Arcturus and Flamzen were acquaintances but never were good friends, however with Jammas and Trenz Arcturus became good friends, and now that Jammas and Janna were dating it was reasonable that Arcturus was friends with Janna as well.

After four hours the convoy stopped for a break and rest, and Arcturus went up to the front and conversed with Jammas about plans and tactics incase of an enemy ambush. They were quite in depth of strategy when a young soldier came up to pass word to all commanding officers that a scout team was being sent to check the whole area for enemies.

Arcturus said that it was good and carried on talking.

That scout group was made up of six soldiers, all of whom had been selected by Prince Seth IV. They were to scout around on three patrols, one to the west and around north, one north and around east, and one east and around west going behind the camp.

The group that went west and around north was made up of two soldiers who had fought with Arcturus in the freeing of the princes. Their names were Jackson, a weird name in Sezonia, and Denis, which too was a unusual name.

They were good friends and loyal soldiers to Senta but less so to Seth IV, although they served all Sezonia officers loyally and well. It was indeed easier to obey Senta than the prince, he was older and less relatable to the younger soldiers however served well as a role model and a farther to the whole rebel army.

Jackson and Denis on their round had in all honesty not expected to come across anyone else, and defiantly not one of the enemies of the Sezonian rebel army.

So they walked properly, in their loyalty to their master, but still not mentally on guard because of their lack of expectancy.

However, as the walked on through the tall trees and low shrub, in the snow which had fallen earlier that day, they heard from the brush the noise of chattering and the smell of smoke and meat was present.

"Shh, do you hear that?" Said Jackson as the approached with rifles slung over their shoulder and behind their backs.

"Yeah" said Denis "Should we check it out, it's most likely just a few mountain hermits or climbers or travellers"

Although they were confident it was nothing of any consequence they still pulled their guns over so they had them pointed forward ready to engage an enemy in combat.

They approached the brush to get to a point where they could see who and how many people were there.

They circled around and came to a iced over ledge that provided a high view over the brush and what ever encampment was set up in it.

The two Sezonian fighters stayed low and peaked over the ledge down onto a small fire surouned by five armed soldiers and five tents. The tents were dark green and white camouflage and the soldiers wore plain military clothes and then a chest plate each. The clothes were worn already and covered by a coat. But still Jackson and Denis could see the blue bands of Asentha on their uniform and chest plate.

"It's Asentha!" Denis gasped in a whisper "They have tracked us down at last, the-"

Keep quiet though!" Said Jackson "There are only five, an easy fight. If we both hit one of the soldiers while in cover here, for sure we will hit one if not two more as they approach and then the odds will be upon our side"

"That's true, let us kill them now and bring their gear and any captives back to the prince and princess and then receive a award for the destruction of our enemy" Said Jackson already aiming his rifle at the head of an Asenthan who stood with the fire between him and the ledge the two Sezonians lay upon.

"I will take the one at the back" said Jackson "you take the one on the right"

Denis now aimed his gun at his assigned enemy.

"Take aim, fire!" Denis shouted as the crack of two guns firing, both with two shots in quick recession.

The two Asenthans dropped on the spot.

Instantly the other three grabbed for their rifles and ducked into dips in hearth or behind logs to hide from the incoming fire.

Denis fired then an other shot that splinted a log that one man hid behind, and then Jackson shot two shots that flew into and through a tent one man hid behind.

Then the Asenthans fired back. One shot and then two more flew wildly against the hill that's ledge held Denis and Jackson. The Asenthans still didn't know exactly where their opponents were.

The Asenthans ducked back into cover, one making it early behind his log while his two friends fired their shots. But one of the two still shooting was late and wash it in the chest by a quick shot by Jackson. The bullet ripped into the Asenthans armour chest piece which squished the bullet into it the armour indenting into the mans ribs. The Asenthans rib smashed and he fell back into cover of his tent in agony and out of the battle.

The other soldier behind the left hand side tent then thought it good to take a potshot at his newly discovered poison of the two Sezonians. He jumped out and fired a pistol four times into the hill side, only once getting near so to the Sezonians so to make them worry.

Then Denis took a shot that hit the ground in front of the Asenthan and caused him to fall back before scrambling for cover while Jackson took a shot that almost hit the mans leg.

While the two Sezonians were uncovered, the Asenthan behind the log stood and shot a bullet at Denis. Denis had on only his clothes and leather mail that he had scavenged. The bullet grazed his back and took an amount of leather with it.

Denis, instead of ducking down, turned to the enemy and shot two shots in quick recession one which too only grazed across the man, on his shoulder.

"We have used little less than half our bullets" Jackson said as they fell to the ground again to take cover from a barrage of enemy fire.

"We still have 14 left" said Denis "we only need two"

Then Denis stood and fired a shot through the tent a man hid behind. Then man fell and he was clearly seen falling out of his cover. He clenched his lower arm which spilled blood over the ice.

"One more left!" Said Denis just as a bullet flew into his the side of his leg, just above the knee.

Denis fell, his leg had lost all movement the bullet had sliced a cut into a tendon and sprayed lead into an artery.

Denis cried out as he hit the ground and as Jackson sent a bullet into the jaw of the Asenthan that had shot Denis down.

By now the other scout group that had started east had come within eat shot of the battle that took place. The scout was two soldiers named Sezla (meaning "For Unity of Sezonia" or literally "Sezonia The/One" (the meaning oneness) ) and Senlia (meaning "Asentha's Rest").

The two young girls were casually talking about things of no impotence when they sound of gun fire was heard. At first neither took not and laughed it off to imagination and paranoia, but soon the sound continued and both knew something was up.

They ran at pace towards the sound, both with their guns up and ready. They flew over the hill to see the scene as Denis fell and the Asenthans jaw was blown out by Jackson.

"Die!" Screamed Jackson as the shot rattled the air and hit the Asenthan.

The. He fell down to see Denis who's leg had poured blood all over the snow staining it red.

"Hell!" Groaned Denis "The gun wielding madman got me before I could, damn him!"

Sezla and Senlia saw what happened and rand own the hill to help. Jackson turned and Denis looked up and a brief sense of relief at some back up swept over them, but only for a moment.

"Sezla?!" Said Jackson "There is no time to wast we have to-"

"What happened!?" Interrupted Senlia "You all could have been killed"

"We ran into some people who we couldn't leave for fear they would find the,ss of our forces and report it" said Jackson "they were Asenthan scouts, and someone in Asentha will soon find them missing and a whole army will be upon us!"

"Is anyone of them alive?" Asked Sezla with little care for a response of the opposite.

"I think two are just wounded" said Jackson "we should grab them"

"Should we exicute them now, incase they escape?"

"No!" Said Senlia looking at Sezla repulsed and surprised by the cruelty of Sezla "We shouldn't kill our captives!"

"I agree with Senlia, sorry Sezla, but we need them for information" said Jackson.

"Torturing them will be fine too" Sezla said to annoy her friend "We will go bring them up" and the two girls ran down with their rifles pointed ready to go check for enemy survivors.

They walked over two bodies, the first two killed by Denis and Jackson, before coming to the two wounded. They went to the one who was still grabbing his arm and now rolling around.

"Garb his gun and I'll search him for other weapons" said Sezla as she emptied the mans pockets as he still moaned with pain. Senlia picked up the mans rifle and slung hers over her shoulder.

"Catch!" And Sezla chucked Senlia a grenade that at first caused surprise.

"Ok, now let's take this guy to Jackson" and Sezla prodded the man with the rifle end "get up or we kill you here' it's easier for us if you just die but if you want to get up we might grant you a favour" and at Sezla's words the man made his way to his feet before dropping and being caught by Senlia. He had lost enough blood that he could hardly walk.

Sezla went under the mans right arm and Senlia under his left as they carried him, past the two dead bodies round the fire and then passing the log, where the sign of death was present in the amount of blood and a limp leg, but they dared not look upon the man who had taken such a bad wound that it would be even more disrespectful in Sezonia culture to remember the dead by the face they bore after they had died.

The two girls took the Asenthan soldier up to Jackson and Denis. Denis couldn't move his leg but, thanks to a quick fire and a hot knife, Jackson had stopped a lot of the bleeding.

"We got one of the two" said Sezla coming up to them and placing the man down "we will go back now. How is Denis?"

"I'm alive" said Denis

"Yes" said Jackson "as he said, he's alive. But the bullet is still in his leg and I suspect a tendon might have been cut if not severed completely, a wound that would put him quite out of action for a long time"

"Just don't die on us" said Sezla "we'll go back and grab the other guy and then burry the bodies"

"I am not burring any bodies" said Senlia "Besides, Jackson would be much stronger"

"I will take that as a complement" said Jackson "but it is no time to joke and complain around those dead by our own hands, and those who might die if our hands fail to save them"

Senlia and Sezla went back down and grabbed the other Asenthan soldier who had broken his ribs and seemed to have fainted in his shock.

"He might have internal bleeding" said Senlia "might need emergency surgery"

"Agreed, let's get him out of here"

Senlia and Sezla pulled him also up the hill to where Jackson was with Denis.

Jackson was attempting surgery on Denis but the agony expressed on Denise's face was even painful to watch.

Jackson was using a pair of pilars he took from the wounded Asenthan to pull out the lead ball. Suddenly a look of relief and success as he pulled the lead ball out of Denise's leg and placed it in Denise's hand.

Through pain Denis smiled "I'm gonna keep this one"

The burring of bodied took an hour as all three firm Sezonians dug three separate four foot holes. Then then took off the dead soldiers body's all belongings and sorted them into a pile of useful and personal. The personal they placed into the hole with the bodies and then hung the dog tags over a large pole that had a nail in it as a hook.

Then then covered the holes and placed a rock over each grave, the wounded Asenthans watched on.

Then they raided the camp and took, in back packs, all they could that was worth anything, before setting off towards camp, Denis with his leg in splints incase it was broken too and then on a stretcher. The two Asenthan captives were lead, the one wounded in the arm walking after a brief cauterising of the wound. The other one was helped to walk holding onto the shoulder of Sezla.

With in the hour they made it to the camp, where they were welcomed with both relief and surprise and curiosity. To see the scout group suddenly appear from nowhere with two captives and one of their own wounded was surprising and the subject of all chatter.

The camp had decided to stay the night where they were and search for the missing scouts in the morning, but with the new occurrences a day longer would even be suitable.

Prince Seth came immediately out of his tent at the word that some thing had gone down with the scouts. He came out to find Jackson helping Denis to a medic who was examining his wounds, but also that of two other men who wore Asenthan armer. Then over them stood the other two scouts, Sezla and Senlia.

A few of the other officers crowded around the injured and also questioned Jackson as to what had happened. But Jackson wasn't telling anyone anything right then.

Arcturus had been sitting writing a recount of the events he had come through so far, and also he had wrote a number of statistics down about the small army and its condition. He had been writing a letter to the two friends he had made on his adventure out of Sezonia when Jammas came into Arctururses tent.

"Arc, somethings gone down" Jammas said "We have three wounded and two aren't ours"

"Who is it" Arcturus said standing up ready grabbing his rifle.

"The two guys from the raid on the convoy to free the prince, and two girls you don't know"

"Let's go" and Arcturus cocked his gun and walked out his tent with Jammas.

He came into the light and looked at the crowd growing around the group laying on the ground, as no medical tent had been set up yet.

Arcturus spotted the prince walking over to the group on the floor and then kneeling down and talking quietly with an uninjured man.

Arcturus walked over with Jammas. The prince looked concerned, but not worried. Jammas pointed to the two girls that stood near by, who were too part of what ever happened. Arcturus nodded and they walked over.

"Somethings very not good" Arcturus said as they approached.

"Greetings soldiers" Arcturus said as he approached the Sezla and Senlia.

"Sirs!" They said, and the two stood and saluted Jammas and Arcturus, wiping away the previous concerns to look strong before two officers of rank.

"At ease, it's fine we are just here to figure out what's happened" said Jammas "give us a run down, from your point of view"

"Here is not exactly the place, no need to get rumors started, with all respect sir" said Sezla as Senlia shrunk back at her friends slightly disrespectful attitude to officers.

"Well, if you say so" said Jammas look to Arcturus who shrugged his shoulders.

Jammas led the way to his tent where they took seats that Jammas brought out, mainly made of logs. Arcturus sat, finding the since while Jammas brought himself a chair rather awkward.

"Ok then, from the start?" Said Jammas

"But first" interrupted Arcturus "I want to know if what I have perceived is in fact true, do we currently have two Asenthan Royal army soldiers in our camp?"

"Yes, sir, you have thought right" said Senlia

"Indeed, start the recount of events freely, do not be afraid to hide details"

"We were a scout group sent to inspect the area for enemies, however we doubted we would find any." Began Sezla "we were to go from the east 'round south and up the west side of the camp. It was as we approached the west that we heard the unmistakeable sound of gun fire, which we knew we must at least inspect"

"Although it may have been better to call for reinforcements from camp, being with in five minuets run of camp" said Jammas "but I respect you decision"

"Personally I would have done the same" said Arcturus "even if Jammas would have told me off, just saying" Jammas shot him a glance and Arcturus shutup.

"Carry on Sezla" said Jammas.

"As I was saying, we heard the gun shots and ran to it. It was over a hill to get to where the shooting was and we ran up it and looked over without rifles ready"

"It was then we saw Denis get shot" said Senlia.

"Yes, just as we looked down to see Jackson on the floor shooting and Denis fall." Said Sezla "But as Denis was still falling, Jackson, or I believe to have been Jackson but it could have still been Denis as he fell, fired a shot that killed the man who fired at Denis and sent him to the ground"

"How many enemies were there?" Asked Arcturus

"We later came across two body's around a camp fire and two still alive behind two test plus the one we told you had been shot by Jackson"

"Or Denis" said Senlia

"Yes, or Denis. As I was saying..." Sezla carried on "from there we ran down to see what had happened, and found Jackson attempting to help Denis who had fallen.