Chapter 59 - Search

            

            The sun has shone brightly upon the hills.. The day was getting only started now.. The air was clear, cold and crisp. It was really

            nice on the lungs.. Nature had its own will..

            

            Don't.. be so bold, lady, Larchen croaked..  The investigator was busy enticing him in their corner of the camp... The "temperature"

            were rising...

            

            Why not ? She asked...

            

            It's just.. wrong, isn't it ?

            

            .....

            

            Alright, cheer up man.. Keep on the march... Survivor shouted.. You'll have a taste of violence soon enough, pray you live to

            see other days..

            

            The lad were dancing naked in front of his face, Don't, do that.. Larchen warned... What are you doing... ?

            

            You are such a sour puss Larchen, so be it...

            

            Larchen said hmhm, i've to go.. to war council... excuse me..

            

            ..

            

            So, what do we do now ?

            

            Keep the amry marching around, i'll take a ship downstream.. We'll look for the lady's missing sect member.. You

            don't need to do anything much, just appear very serious, act all ceremonial to keep up appearances until

            i return...

            

            ...

            

            Hmm, Larchens group approached a farm building, it had a mill and a fenced grass field for livestock. It was set

            near a crossroads of dirt paths.. 

            

            So she's here ? Someone asked...

            

            Let's look around lady said.. There are some guards here....

            

            They approached the house quietly.. Then disabled the guards in a few moves.. 

            

            There is no one here... 

            

            It looks like the hostages were moved.. lady said, i can see the signs..

            

            To where ?

            

            I don't know, let's keep going.

            

            They moved across the plains hurriedly, it was finally getting dark.. See that start above ? We can use it

            to find our way...

            

            Its cold, and we are exposed... Can't we rest and start early tomorrow ?

            

            And let smo cut our throats in our sleep ?

            

            Fine let's go... Some cleark were taking notes... of their journey.. If we keep on the path, we may get noticed

            by the main tribe..

            

            If we do, we'll just deny anything and act like merchands..

            

            Well, we appear to be good for now,  surroundings are secure..

            

            Hey, you, wake up...

            

            Wha ? The guard were just rising back to consciousness.. 

            

            Where are the hostages taken ? Answer correctly or else... the soldier had raised a dagger...

            

            Fuck off.. The guard said..

            

            The soldier has hit him in the chest with  apalm move, the guard has spurted some blood... Your choice, if

            you want to be let wandering into cold forests.. we'll let you go..

            

            Whatever, they were taken to a main safe house, with better security..  You bastards..

            

            Well, either join us, or we let you go, as i said..

            

            The guard looked around, then said.. i'll join..

            

            ...

            

            The army were hitting the opposing army with a couple of salvos every once in a while, and acted as if they were

            charging.. Then they stayed their ground..

            

            Although it was some what funnny, it was only a matter of time until other side figured out Larchen was awol.. Once they did

            they were surely to attack at full force..  The orders were clear, no engagement.. More or less numbered seemed the same,

            the armies were standing across each...

            

            There were some cavalry this time, on both sides.. The region had horses.. So both side made use of it.. The siege machines, arrows,

            balistas, napalm fire had flown overhead toward the native army.. The cultivators were casting long range spells, on both sides as

            if the same kind of weaponry.. 

            

            The tension were rising...But so did the advancement and training opportunities, it was plenty..

            

            

            ....

            

            This is the place, i can feel it.. They approached a safe house in dark. 

            

            Zucau, is that you ? Lady asked. They found a few refugees, and a few items of medicine, there also was a 

            athletically muscled yet still somewhat beautiful woman..

            

            Ah.. Lady, is that you ? She seems to have barely registering what's going on.. Her memory struggling to place the events at

            this late hour..

            

            I didn't think anyone would come afer us, after we were ambushed..  I thought you'd forget about me..

            

            Well, the sect had sent me to investigate.. luckily.. Larchen were generous to help.. Let's quickly flee and gt out o here..

            

            Let's Larchen said, we've wasted enough time..

            

            

            ....

            

            The armies were still sporadicaly exchanging long range fllak, as they approached the camp..

            

            Ah Larchen..

            

            What is going on ?

            

            I don't know, they appeared outof nowhere as usual.. quite a large host..But we've delivered some damage.. Did you

            find your hostage ?

            

            Indeed, let's get the hell out of here.. We'll march the army back to the castle...

            

            ..

            

            So, Zucau, anything helpful youcan tell us ? Before you two go back to your sect ?

            

            

             Well, ive spent a few months here, and they sometimes let us chat to locals.. I even gotten rid of some enemy cultivators..

             But from what i can tell, the upper management, although they have only handful of rare troops are fully intent on mobilizng

             all their forces against you.. I've seen lots of army movement, you'll have a bad time..

             

             Lady frowned.. Why are they not fighting each other ? Surely, the feuds and stuff...

             

             Well they are still there, so you must concentrate on them.. That is probably why they were so eager to do battle...