Sword of the North (KdM Map Game)

Description
Follows the journey of Empress Aurelia of the Holy Roman Empire to find a fabled sword from the lost ages of the Roman Empire in 1328 to 1330.

Chapter 1: The Germa[n]lorian
(unedited version)

...

1328.

“Everyone here, quiet.”

I told my men hiding with me in the bushline. They did so without question. One of us made a sound that could alert those mysterious people traveling down the road with what may seem like a cart. They looked like traders, but the clothes they wore were suspicious. It was a good think I silenced it before they passed by the bushes my guards and I were hiding in. My blue eyes peek out to take a good look at what is inside the cart, only to find it was heavily obscured by a red cover sheet. If it were not for the mysterious people in strange clothing, I would have sent one of my eight guards to check it out. But now that I have a good look at them, they matched the description of the Daeva.

I have heard stories about the Daeva, they hailed from the East. This Second Daevite Empire was led by a ruthless and cocky tyrant that likes to kill for fun. She was the one that personally slain my husband, the previous Emperor, in battle and carried his head across the lines. I was so overwhelmed with anger and hatred that when the delegates in Berlin were deciding on a new Emperor, I stepped into the room with guards behind me and called the title to go to me. They were skeptical, but when I promised to rid the world of the scourge, I do like to think they saw the determination in my eyes and voice.

But now that they are here… I want to take revenge. But… there was always the possibility of other scenarios that come into play. I do not want to be as reckless as those before me. I took a deep breath and stepped out from the bushes, my men were flabbergasted at first but they knew to follow after me no matter what.

The Daevite cart stopped, holding their swords on their belts. They did not draw them, that is a good sign they are not willing to fight. I scanned the group before us. There were about eight of them, we had the advantage in numbers if they try anything.

I cleared my throat, grabbing their attention. “You are in foreign territory, are you sure you are not lost?” They say nothing, so I pointed to the cart. “What is in the cart?”

Again, nothing. It was not until we heard a shift inside the cart. Our eyes widened, I shifted my question. “Who is in the cart?”

On queue, a couple of Daevites draw out their swords. I see the fear in their eyes, but I simply raised my hands to at least let them know we aren’t a threat. It is not working.

I just sighed, “Oh, so you can understand me?” I shook my head, now taking on a more authoritative tone than before. Whomever is in this cart, captured by the Daevites, it is nothing good. “Release them.”

Suddenly, one of the Daevites cracked and charged forward with a cry. Several of my guards rushed forward to protect me. The Daevite was quickly cut down. I just sighed again and I slide my sword out of its sheath. A couple more rushed forward to avenge their fallen comrade.

I still want diplomacy to rule the day, even from my deep desire to impale them with my blade. But as soon as one of them in the back threw her spear at me, skimming pass my golden locks. I felt a sudden wash of anger come over me and pointed my sword forward. “Too late for diplomacy now, seize them!”

I rushed forward. One of my guards tried to grab my shoulder guard to stop me, but I shrugged him off as I followed the rest of my men that also rushed forward. The rest of the Daevites begin to draw out their swords. But one had the misfortune of being caught off guard to my oncoming shoulder bash, sending him into a wheel of the cart. He tried to pick up the sword he dropped, but his fingers barely touched the hilt before I send steel deep into his chest.

I heard a quickened step behind me and turned to narrowly avoid a swing from one of the Daevites. I spun around and slashed my blade across his chest, he collapses to the ground a twitching mess. Disgusting.

I found myself staring at him. From the stories I heard that the Daeva were all devils and demons, this one looked too young. Tears were pouring down his face as he spouted nonsense at me. I did not understand what he was saying, but I knew from the tone that it sounded like a question. Suddenly it hit me, “Why?” He said.

I opened my mouth to answer in my own language before I felt a sharp sting across my left arm. I elbowed the person behind me in the gut and slashed him in a sudden spout of anger. He crumbled the ground quickly. I looked down to my now bloodied arm. It hurts more than the time I was stung by bees when I was little. “Still not good enough...”

One of my men came to my aid. '''“Your Majesty, you are hurt! We must return to-” '''

“No.” I held my wound to stop the bleeding and looked to the cart, '''“We are not done here, yet. They should be released as swiftly as possible, and I want to be the first person they see.”'''

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” The titles were interchangeable. I motioned for my men to open the cart, and they obliged while I went and patched my arm. The keys were easily found on one of the wounded bodies and they opened the door to the prisoner cart. Still clutching my arm from the slight pain, I looked inside and saw a small hooded girl.

The small hooded girl had a whole color scheme of grey. Her grey cloak and hood covers over her silver hair. Her blue (aquamarine?) pupils stare back at mine in fascination. Probably staring at my armor and regal look. Her face looked a little familiar, but I pay no mind to that much longer. She looks frightened and confused on where she is.

'''“A little girl? We killed all these people for a girl but not that sword we were searching?” '''A voice quipped behind me. The hooded girl retreated back into the shadows cage in fear.

“Quiet, Sir Manfred.” I told him harshly. He was lucky that I am not a tyrant, or else I’d execute him right there. He was always the snarky one in our little group. I turned to the little girl and lowered my body around her level before I held out my arms.

“Hey, we are here to help…” I say in a soft soothing voice, one a mother would make to her scared child. “It is okay, we are the good guys.”

Her face is less frightened and full of confusion, but after several repeats to appeal to her, the confusion soon turned into curiosity. I reached out my hand in offer of friendship. She slowly, but timidly, stepped out of the cart and reached out to touch my hand. She flinched as I closed mine around hers and welcomed her into an embrace. I felt all the fears from her drift away and I felt a sense of calm washing over myself as well.

I pulled back from the hug and looked into her eyes. They were young and innocent, reminded me of myself.

“Hello there, what is your name?” I still maintain my soothing voice. Her face is confused, perhaps she does not understand German. I repeat again in (broken) Latin, same thing. Trying another tactic, I put a hand on my breastplate “Aurelia.” then put a hand to her shoulder, “Yours?”

Her eyes brightened, like a spark of understanding ignited between us.

“Ember.”

(Word count: 1337)