The Eastern Horde

[THE Justin]

Waves lap against the abysmal shore, as gang members stand on the outskirts of town, many gathering as the approaching ships were seen.

News of a new army arriving in Gedas was spreading quickly, causing many to run to board up houses and seal off doorways. Yet, none had arrived, until the ships with black sails arrived upon the horizon.

The local gangs had come out in full force, ready to repulse the attacking army. However, they didn't realize how strong the assaulting force would be.

As the black sailed ships, now referred to as Black Ships, began to close the distance to the docks, they gangs became worried. The large ships weren't slowing down, nor did they furl their sails. Some men began running, but others just weren't fast enough. The ships collided into the docks, sending debris and wood flying. The first ships front came down with a -clang!-, metal hooks sinking into the cement walkway.

From this came out a group of warriors, bedecked in plates of golden mail and pikes. They charged forth, and began the slaughter of all the gang members. Some put up resistance, but they weren't armored or armed enough to cause any real damage.

The other two ships crashed and repeated the process, up and down the shore. Armed figures coming out with pikes, skewering any detractors, but not harming the civilians.

A last figure came out, his armor shining, his pike a bit larger than all others. He was obviously the commander, his bloodred robes standing out against the polished Golden armor. He walked forward, as a man attempted to make a stab at him. The Knife blade broke against his breatplate, in which the large man merely laughed. He swung downwards with the pike, severing the man in half. His blood spewed upwards, in a grandiose fountain.

The man walked forwards. His troops were systematically mopping up all resistance, killing the gangs, but sparing anyone who looked as though they were affiliated with the city. Guardsmen went un-punished, their weapons broken if hostile, left alone if neutral, welcomed if in coordination with the Black Ship crewmen.

The town's problem was being ended at the end of a blade.

The leader went up to the man who looked most senior, and saluted, by slamming a fist against his breastplate in a diagonal motion, and then nodding to him. A muffled voice came, a sound being uttered from behind cloth and steel, giving it a grating sound.

I am Unlfang, leader of the Easterlings. Where is your lord? I come to seek a parlay with him.

[Elmo]

The gesture was returned, a aged fist slamming against a battered cuirass. The hand belonged to a Commander Beliona, the captain of the watch. He was amazed, for years, since V had vanished the city had been in chaos. The armies of Orsinium had banished that for a time, only for the gangs to return. At the question of the Easterner the commander pointed to the city hall. Hanging, sickeningly was a noble. His face almost skeletal, ragged skin aged and putrid. His eyes however retained some life, a life of constant pain.

"My lord, was killed one week ago, for refusing to allow a shipment of weapons into the city... I suppose I am the nearest thing to a lord for now..."

He sighed, his grey beard drifting in the air. In one hand was a longsword, the blade bloodied. As the black ships came the guard had tried to aid, only a little effort to aid the ruthless precision of the eastern warriors.

The commmander was still amazed somewhat, golden gods, bearing sharp blades had came from darkened ships. These beasts of myth had banished all darkness in a hazy dream of crimson and steel.

"Uh, we were expecting the legions to arrive sometime today... Are you a ally of Orsinium?"

He gulped under that ferocious and inhuman gaze. A gaze, perhaps not inhuman but completely human, too human. Too real and intense. It made the elderly soldier wince... True enough he had expected a detachment from the capital earlier this day. Did these 'Easterlings' serve Valos?

[THE Justin]

The Easterling continued to stare deeply, the only portion of his face able to be seen were the eyes. They glared at the man, and when he was finished ranting, the warrior in gold finally spoke.

No, we aren't. We are from lands across the ocean to the east, and have come to stake claim.

but this Orsinium sounds intriguing. Perhaps, since we have liberated your town, you will allow us to stay. Send word for your cheiftain lord to come to meet us. And then we will talk about absorption, as our men are hungry, and many died on the ride over.

Go, now. Send your fleetest of foot.

The Easterling warriors had succeeded in disbanding the major gangs in the city within their landing. They rose the Easterling banner, which was a white elephant like head upon a red background, next to the orcish flags...

[Elmo]

The commander beckoned to a messenger, before whispering several words to the youngling. His hand waving away a young orc who, his feet a near blur as he sprant to the stables. Seconds later, atop a white horse, silver mane flapping around wildly as it rode from the city. Even now the land seemed happier, the influence of banditry gone. Citizens spoke in hushed voices to one another. Neighbourhoods joining together in conspiratorial groupings and allowing rumor to take over.

Hours later the messenger returned, not far behind were the members of a Orsinium Legion. Numbering around a 1,000 each man wore the finest of armor, bearing the heraldic sign of the Axe of Oblivion. The Axe itself, so far away in the capital was like a crown to the Orcish throne. Of course, what use was a crown, just a pointy hat. But an Axe, that was something to be respected.

At the head of the legion was a strange figure, orcish in heritage, although something different was about this one. Instead of the heavy hanging stoop of the lumbering orcs he stood tall like a human. Arms rippiling with traditional orcish strength. At each waist rested a huge lonsword, leather scabbards barely containing the obviously magical powers. His armor marked him as a commander, he walked with a arrogant swagger, his broad shoulders leading his walk.

To those who knew the lordship of Orsinium they would recognise Korag; as near a second in command as possible. He led the millitary with cold tactics and heated rage, the half-orc moved to Commander Beliona and after a brief talk the Watch Captain was dismissed. After making a note to demote the commander Korag turned to the Easterling leader.

"You want to speak with a leader? Then do so foreigner..."

Niceties were lacking in his deep tone. Not exactly rude but more uncaring, direct. Only wanting facts, things like names mattered little to him.

[THE Justin]

The Easterling Warrior turned from marshalling his men, who had begun to ascend to the walls, and helping the people with cleaning up the bloody mess that had washed down the main streets of Gedas. The people held a cautious liking of the newcomers, yet many still didn't trust them. They would, however, allow them to help.

Ulfang turned upon the great orcish man, whom stood roughly the same height, but an inch or so shorter, and looked him in the eyes. He saw devilry and half-breeding behind them, as though his father was an orc, and his mother a human. He guessed as much.

Indeed. I take it you are the closest thing to the emperor they dare send out to these parts? Understandably so. The man's voice was like a knifing wind against tin, as he spoke through the steel and gold mask, and through a layer of robes. I dare hope to say that we, the Easterlings, have come to pledge our allegiance to the lord of the Orcs here. We have travelled from across the sea, and basically wish to help in conquest, so we may take upon fiscal care of our native lands, which are also at war.

Do not take us as interlopers. We merely are here to add to your conquest. We have brought arms so that we may equip any new warriors that are necessary. You accept us as such? If so, then we shall stay here in Gedas, until your lord sees fit to send us into combat.

As he spoke, pockets of Easterlings ran past, pikes in the air, moving towards the walls. They had already began transforming the local populace into Haradrim and Easterling armor. Gedas was getting a face-lift, whether they liked it or not.

[Elmo]

Korag nodded somewhat, as if allowing a train of thought to hit the end of the line. He considered the numerous possibilities, downfalls and more. Around the war-boss his forces had spread out, each and all of them clutching weapons ferociously. They stared at the Easterlings, a air of competition rising from both of them. The ego's of the mysterious warriors and heavily armored orcs clashing vividly. Each calling to challenges and each cowed by their master.

Korag finally rose from his thoughts, hand idily rolling around the hilts of his swords. The half-breed's lips moved silently as he worded the sentence. He was a beast of war, not of diplomacy, he was a weapon, unstoppable, yet still situations such as this made him pale. Finally he seemed to reach some decision and stared down the Haradrim.

"This city falls under your control of sorts, you are responsible for it. However, aid will be provided to Orsinium, which you now serve."

His gauntleted hand beckoned to his legions, their flags flapping about in the skies. Winds wrapped the cloth around the sturdy poles. Armored beasts, encased in silent and very stylish blackened plate, orcs all. They turned and began to walk away, head back to the capital. At the last Korag turned to the leader of this band. His face was deathly serious, shadow seeming to receed into his eyes deeper.

"And to betray us, would be your end..."

On that sinister mark he moved away, soon enough the legion had gone. Leaving behind a orc, armored with the pips of a Major. At his back was a powerful axe, the huge curved head wide and sharp.

"I am here to.... accomodate you however I may, sir."

[THE Justin]

The Easterling nodded his acceptance of the orc's demands, and then continued to marshal about forces. His own captains, two from each "Troika" and "Gnasher" brigades arriving first, as they were the two attacking columns. Next, the "Dawn" brigade's head ranger came, and reported that their men had ascended the walls and were already taking potshots at retreating gangs and clans, those whom would cause harm to Orsinium.

And then finally, the newly formed "Hammerburst", "Snub", and "Longshot" brigades, all Orcish brigades formed from the populace, sent envoy's to Ulfang. He met with them, and assessed their strengths.

Good enough men. Now, lets get going. We need to shore up this place. I've heard of the cities former lord, V, from the locals. We should get to booby-trapping the gates and restoring the walls.

The men nodded and ran to their stations.