The Heart of Dishonor chapters 7

"Since our recent campaign began February this year, we have liberated Keshir, Sethir and all provinces of Co’til that lie north of the Lom river. At the moment the armies lie thusly," he said and began pointing to the map.

"Octania has fourteen divisions of six hundred soldiers each, four of which come from the Grand Duchy of Lecoy, guarding various fords and bridges of the northern Lom. We also have four full-sized warships and several smaller frigates in the north branch of the river, although we have not yet achieved naval superiority in the southern branch. Every remaining Western kingdom has committed two full divisions, with the exception of Lomstaag and Tenal, who could only field one division. Collectively the Westerlands have armed nine warships and a score of smaller craft, which are currently engaging Shadow worshipper transport frigates offshore."

"Sybürmia and Brosurg are holding down the Great Bridge in southern Heinsydil with eleven divisions of seven hundred, eight from Sybürmia and three from Brosurg. Altogether we have managed to prevent an enemy force of any considerable size from crossing either branch of the Lom River."

Oni asked, "What can you tell us about the Shadow worshippers themselves?"

Maceol thought for a moment, then said, "They are a very pale-skinned people, and burn easily in the sun. Their government is a delicate power struggle between hostile lords and feuding covens of warlocks. Ten years ago, a great majority of them were subdued by a coven of warlocks whose name roughly translates as Shadow’s Chosen. They are presumably behind the recent hostilities."

"These ‘warlocks’ you speak of. What are they capable of?" asked Archdeacon Gelir.

Maceol slowly answered. "They are wielders of great magiks, terrible magiks. I once saw six of them, huddled together, spinning a ball of black cold which they cast into our ranks. I saw twenty men as the ball passed through them, diminishing as it gave its cold to our soldiers, and their faces, frozen by an instant of unbearable pain, dead in the black boulder’s wake. Our battle Seers have no defense against it but to grow life in its way in a frantic attempt to steal its deadly cold, and the glorious metal armor in which we hold so much pride holds little protection against such a perversion of nature. Individually, the warlocks cast small bolts of frost, aimed at the chest to constrict the lungs of our men and prevent them from breathing. This malady, called Warlock’s Grasp by the soldiers, sometimes lasts several days and results in a slow, painful death for the victim. Fortunately, the Seers of the Valley of Life have worked with our own Seers to create a tonic to restore life to failing lungs." At this, a rustling murmur went through the Seer delegation, for they had not authorized the battle Seers to ally with the heathens that refused to acknowledge the Mother Temple.

"What does their army consist of?" asked the Duke of Rikalia.

Maceol answered, "They have knights, as we do, though theirs pay as much heed to the principles of honor as the paladins of Lyn’quo do. These knights command large numbers of well-armed and armored spearmen and archers. However, a small portion of their armies fight with no armor and rusted weapons, and fight with fear in their eyes, fear not only of the army before them, but also, I think, of the warlocks behind them."

Oni asked, "They are mercenaries, then?"

Maceol shook his head sadly. "No. Slaves."

Lakent rose and stated, "Men taken from their homes and made to fight."

"Aye.