Reginald woke up the next day to the sound of metal clanking. He jumped up all of a sudden by the sudden noise and stood up in a state of confusion.

"Secretary Reginald is that you?" Said a voice. Reginald looked around and realized he was in the west gatehouse. He remembered that he stayed there all night waiting for the riders to return from their battle.

He looked to his left towards the heavy iron gate to see a warrior bearing the banner of Parpanuan on his breastplate. Upon further inspection the man was not in good condition. His helmet had been removed exposing the man's long greasy hair. His face was stained with dry sweat and splattered with blood. His armor was all dented and banged up.

"General we have some urgent news to report." The man said with his fingers sticking through the gaps of the gate.

Reginald looked outside to see the rest of the army waiting outside. He recognized these men. These were the riders that went to the west. But only a fraction of them were present. And by the looks of it were in just as bad a condition as this one was.

"Oh you're back." Reginald said. "Hold on just a minute I'll get the gate open." Gripping the gate winch he pushed the circular contraption keeping the gate closed. The gate would slowly rise up as he pushed the winch clockwise.

It was very early in the morning at this time so the sound of the big metal door echoed throughout all the city alarming everyone of the riders return. Some of the people would come out of their homes still in their night clothes to see Thier heroes return home.

By the time Reginald opened the gate all the way a crowd had been mustered around the gate house. But instead of a triumphant parade of gallant men the people were surprised to see the defeated riders enter the city in shame of defeat.

The people spoke among themselves as the once proud rider army sadly marched through the streets their heads held low as the people stared in awe at the damaged armor plates and torn up banners waving in the morning breeze.

"What happened out there?" Reginald asked someone within the ranks. "Why are there so few of you returning? And where is Marshal?"

The soldier wrapped his arm around the generals shoulder and leaned in to his ear. "I don't want to cause a greater panic so I'll just whisper it." The man said.

Reginald's eyes grew wide at the news. "You can't be serious?" He asked in disbelief. "This is terrible! We must inform the chancellor at once!" He said. He grabbed the man by the arm and rushed to the meeting chamber.

"Ow ow ow, sir! Sir my arm in wounded! Can you let me go?"

Two hours passed since the men returned. And most of the council had been assembled. Absalom was the last man to arrive so didn't bother with the role call.

"This had better be important mister arms secretary. I was having a rather pleasant dream." Fletcher said rubbing his eyes.

"It is." Reginald replied. "We have some terrible news from the borderlands." This perked everyone's interest like morning coffee.

"Terrible news from the front?" Absalom asked. "You mean our riders were defeated? By western infantry militia men?"

"Not westerners mister chancellor." Reginald corrected. "Go on man, tell them what you told me earlier." He said practically pushing the witness forward. The man looked up at the councilmen with a sudden sense of fear coursing through his viens.

"Well go on now, don't be shy." Timothy said trying to speed things along.

"Sashans! Sashans attacked us!" The man snapped. "They came out of nowhere, hoards of them! They're camel riders swept through the camp in the blink of an eye! We had no choice but to retreat or face total annihilation!" He said panting like a dog.

The others looked at one another with great concern. Nigel and Fletcher looked at each other with the same expression. 'We were right'.

Absalom turned around as he exited his seat at the table. He looked down from the balcony behind him as he stroked his beard in shock. "So it's war with the south then." He mumbled to himself.

"What are we gonna do from here?" Raphael asked.

"I don't know." Fletcher said breaking the silence. "Never before had the men of the south and west joined forces against a common enemy."

"It might not be the same coalition though." Robert said. "There is no proof that the southerners are in league with the west. This could be two separate issues going on at the same time."

"That makes precious little difference who's fighting for who or what cause when there are nearly a hundred thousand men on our front doorstep!" Fletcher yelled slamming the table. Everyone was shocked at Fletcher's sudden emotions as he was usually the calm and collective one of the group.

"I'm sorry." He said with a sigh. "It's just that I don't know how we can turn this mess around. The Owaha sultanate alone has tens of thousands of men. And that's not saying anything about the Caliphate or the Pharohdom."

"We still don't know for certain which southern nation it was that attacked our boys yesterday." Reginald said. "As this man said before, the Sashans wore no banner. No resemblance of their allegiance."

"So, maybe it's not all out war with the south?" Katherine asked.

"Nothing is certain." Nigel said. "But like I was telling Fletcher yesterday, my spies in the south realms have gone silent. And I mean all of them. Even the ones within the ranks of minor warlords. Nothing."

"Well that's not very assuring." Abraham said leaning back in his seat.

"So, we know the southern peoples are up to something, but wether or not this silence is related to the attack is unproven?" Raphael asked.

"True it is not proven, but it is a pretty good assumption." Nigel replied. "It just makes sense. Why else would they silence my spies if not to keep this invasion plan a secret?"

"So worst case scenario, we have half the world out against us, best case scenario it's just the west that against us, and some southern mercenaries." Abraham said trying to clearing things up.

"Not some, an entire army of mercenaries." The witness said. "Their numbers covered the entire hill our camp was stationed near. And who knows how many more were on the other side of that hill."

While the rest of the council tried to make sense of all this Absalom stood there on the balcony looking down at the city. He could hear everything they were saying. He could hear how the southern kingdoms deliberately attacked, allegedly. And he knew that if this coalition got much bigger it would be game over.

He wouldn't hear from the north men for some time still. But he wasn't sure wether or not to reach out to the easterlings either. He had already summoned the Mogenite hoard to his aid. If the kin found out about this they would absolutely turn away from him. The Mogenites were the terrors of the east. No easterling would ever want to fight alongside them.

"Let see the numbers again." He said turning around back to his seat. "Timothy, did you get the annual census yet?"

"Yes mister chancellor, lady Katherine and secretary Robert got me the results just last night." He said.

"I think I left the document at home. But if memory serves me right, I believe the population rests at one million two hundred eighty nine thousand people. Nearly three hundred thousand of which are strong enough to bear arms." He explained.

"But that estimate was including women and children too lad." Robert pointed out. "Most of our strong men are already in service with only a couple tens of thousands other able bodied men working the mines and construction crews.

He's right. We shouldn't use that statistic untill it is absolutely necessary." Katherine added.

"Right. We don't want to lose any women or children to a battle." Reginald said.

"So our current army size still stands then?" Absalom said.

"Yes sir, with ten thousand basic infantry, nearly five thousand men in the iron division. And whatever is left of the rider division." Reginald said.

"Speaken of which, where is the rest of the riders lad?" Robert asked.

"Yes, you never told me what happened to Marshal." Reginald said looking at the witness.

"Well, commander Marshal fell in battle." The man began. "But I think the casualties were pretty high. I don't know the casualty calculations are for the commanders to figure out."

"Well do you know how many men came back with ya lad?" Robert asked leaning his arm on to the table.

"No less than a couple hundred I guess." The man said.

"That sounds kinda right." Reginald replied. "I saw the survivors outside the wall this morning and by my estimation I would say... Somewhere around two, five hundred men?" He said flexing his facial muscles as he thought.

"You mean to tell me that out of three thousand men, only one sixth of them made it back!?" Absalom asked leaning forward. He couldn't believe the statistic. That was a terrible casualty rate.

"And what of the other three thousand riders?" Timothy asked. "Have any of them returned yet?"

"I... I don't think so no." The witness said.

"Get them back right now!" Absalom said spring out of his seat. "The plan was to strike the enemy flanks and encircle them. If one flank has already fallen."

"Then the other side will be walking into Thier own deaths." Reginald finished.

"Precisely." Absalom said. "Reginald get those men back home before it's too late!" He bellowed pointing out the door.

"Yes mister chancellor! Right away!" Reginald snapped with a salute. He dashed out the door to the stables as fast as he could leaving the other secretaries to continue the meeting without him.

Absalom plopped back into his seat as he saw Reginald leave the room. "Ok, so. Assuming all goes bad, at least we know we have to population to fight off this offense. Raphael, how go the defenses?"

"Yeah about that. We have decided to get rid of them." He said calmly.

"You what?!" Absalom snapped out of anger.

"The enemy can storm these walls any day now and you throw out our catapults!?" Abraham yelled.

"You better have a good explanation for this lad." Robert said with his arms crossed.

"Yeah, why would you do that?" Timothy asked in an angry tone.

"Because we're replacing them with something better." Raphael said with a smile on his face.

"And what exactly is this new weapon?" Katherine asked.

"I'm glad you asked!" Raphael replied.

"Imagine this, your on the bulwarks. The enemy is coming in with a massive siege tower." Abraham could only imagine the thrill of the battle he explained.

"They're getting closer and closer to the walls, when suddenly, boom! A crack of thunder echoes across the land. And a ball of lead as big as your head goes soaring across the sky. It heads straight for the siege tower and in one single blow, smashes it to pieces!"

"That sounds incredible!" Abraham said.

"Oh it is incredible. And now it's a reality." Raphael explained. "As we speak my inquisitors are building dozens of these new weapons and will be installing them in ever tower. And as soon as they are done we will be training some soldiers on how to operate these new weapons. Then nothing will ever come close to reaching out walls."

"That sure sound fascinating. But do these weapons work?" Absalom asked.

"I wouldn't be replacing our catapults if they didn't work." Raphael explained. "As long as the black powder for them stays dry everything will be just fine."

"Black powder? What is that?" Robert asked.

"Well, it's a bit complicated. But in simple terms, it's a chemical mixture that when done right makes a literal black powder. This powder is highly flammable and explodes pretty easily." Raphael explained.

"The idea is, we fill a large tube big enough to fit a man inside. Throw a large metal ball in there, light off the black powder, and the force of the explosion will shoot the ball into the air at incredible speeds. It will also make a thunder like sound when it goes off. I can't wait to see the look on the westerners faces when they hear this thing go off."

"That certainly sound cool." Abraham said.

"I also have ideas for building a hand held version of this weapon. If this works we can make the use of full body armor completely obsolete!"

"Well, good work Raphael. Let's see if your new invention works out. Cause if it doesn't our blood will be on your hands." Absalom warned.

"I promise it won't disappoint." Raphael replied.

Katherine looked around the room all of a sudden. "Hey, has anybody seen Cardinal Ferdinand?"

The others suddenly noticed he wasn't present for the meeting. "Yeah where is he?" Timothy asked.

"I heard him say something about not wanting to be a part of any war council." Robert said. "If I were to take a guess as to where he is, he's probably at the cathedral tending to the poor right now."

With the meeting adjourned Absalom went to the cathedral in the middle levels of the city. It didn't matter wether or not the Cardinal supported the war or not. As part of the council it is mandated that he at least be present for any and all meetings.

Though try as he might to approach the grand church the people would gather around the chancellor at all angles. The chancellor hardly ever steps outside the high district. So the people were surprised to see the chancellor walking among the common folk.

He walked up the stone steps of the church and threw open the large decorated doors. Sure to Roberts word the Cardinal was here. He stood at his podium with several dozen other people sitting in the pews.

Everyone turned to see the chancellor walk inside the church and were just as shocked as the crowd following him.

"Brother Absalom. How kind of you to gift the people with your presence." Ferdinand said with his hands in the air.

"Cardinal Ferdinand, we did t see you at the meeting this morning." Absalom said walking closer to the podium.

"Mister chancellor sir, surely you recall as a cardinal I have duties outside the realm of politics." The Cardinal rebutted.

"That may be so. But as a member of the council you should know to be attendant when duty calls." The chancellor replied.

"Oh wait a minute wait a minute. I think I know what's happening here." Ferdinand said with a smile. "You forgot what day it is did you?"

Absalom looked around to the people for a moment. "I don't understand what your getting at." He said quietly.

"Mister chancellor, today is Sunday. The day my brothers and I hold our weekly service." Ferdinand explained. "Don't tell me you forgot that the divine master has forbidden the act of political affairs on his holy day have you?"

Everything just then came to him. Ferdinand was right. Of course he wouldn't attend the meeting on the Sabbath day. He could get expelled for that.

"My word, you are absolutely right." Absalom said resting his hand on his forehead. "I am terribly sorry. I forgotten all about the Sabbath day."

"No need for apologies mister chancellor." Ferdinand said. "No man can keep the full word of God after all. And might I say, there looks to be an open seat in the middle row to the left if you so wish to stay for the service."

"I would love to attend your service." Absalom said feeling a little embarrassed having scolded the Cardinal over a misunderstanding. He took his seat and listened as the Cardinal preached the word of the LORD.

Meanwhile on the other side of town Fletcher had returned home early.

"Father, you are early." His son Wylat remarked.

Fletcher gave a big sigh and marched into his son's room. Wylat followed him and was confused as to why his father was packing his belongings into a bag.

"Father what are you doing? What's going on?" He asked in a frightened tone.

"You are going to be going on a little trip is all." Fletcher replied. "You're gonna be going to the grey mountain."

Wylat was even more concerned and confused now. "I'm going where now? Father why are you doing this? Had I done something to offend you?"

"Not at all my son." Fletcher said with a sigh. "Listen. Things are happening and I fear we may not survive very long here." He explained pausing the packing. "There is something you need to do for me."

"Anything father. Just tell me what's happening."

Fletcher paused for a moment before speaking again. "I fear the council is no longer capable of protecting our way of life. But there is still one man who will know what to do. Wylat, you are fourteen years old now. And soon you will take over my place as secretary of foreign relations." He explained grabbing his son by the shoulders.

"I must give you a very important task. A task that can determine the fate of our people. You are to head for the grey mountain, and seek the grey mane."

"But father, the grey mane is just a legend. A myth." Wylat argued.

"He is not a myth!" Fletcher snapped. "I have had council with the grey mane many a time. Much of my wisdom has been passed on from him. He is as a real man as you and I."

"But father, I have never made such a journey before." Wylat said worried for his safety.

"I said the same thing on MY first travel." Fletcher said with a chuckle. "But fear not. It is in your blood. Your grandfather once visited the four corners of the land in his time as a diplomat. And so did his father, and his father before him. And now to time has come for you to begin your journey. To carry on the family legacy as chief diplomat for Parpanuan."

"But what of you father? Why don't you make the journey?"

"I will be needed here as soon as our allies arrive." Fletcher explained. "But you are the only one I can trust with such an important mission. And I know you can do it. Do you trust me son?"

There was a moment of silence as Wylat pondered the task at hand. He knew it would be dangerous. But his father knew him well. He would never lead him into something he could not handle himself.

"I will not return without the grey mane by my side father." He said with what little confidence he could gather.

"That's my boy!" Fletcher said embracing his son tightly who would return the favor.

"Now come, we have much preparations to do."