Omens

Aghul village - Fang

Koshnem stood alone in his hut looking over the map of Arcadia he had acquired many moons ago from an Atsigani sage travelling through his lands. It was one of the most detailed works he had ever laid eyes upon, not only depicting most of Central and Eastern Arcadia geographical features but also showing realms, tribes and clans divisions across the land.

It had served him well all these years. Recentely he had one of his people add the drawings and details for the Stone City.

The news from Gra'akast were strange but positive for the most part. A foreigner, an Helian of all things, had been chosen as the new Prophetess. This had been a surprising development. An enemy of their faith becoming Sister Locust. There was something unnerving about it clawing at the back of the Warchieftan's mind. As if fate or the gods themselves had started to pull the strings of the unraveling events. But still the Sand Horde was being raised and the Ozainae army was on the move.

Soon the call would come for the Odonine to join and make good on their part of the treaty.

Koshnem looked at the map of the land. With the rout of the Odsier tribes the eastern plains laid open to them. The Helians claimed dominion over three areas only yet. The Stone city itself to the south, Aquilo in the foothills of Fang and the oddly named Bootlegger's Pier to the far East.

After their victory against the Odsier the clans had returned to enjoy the spoils of war. All clans bent the knee to him now without reservations. Even his most ardent critics had to admit that his planning, scheming and leadership had delivered the biggest victory for the People in living memory.

Many would not want to leave the mountain fastness again so soon. But knew they had no alternative than to heed the call if he ordered them to march again. Koshnem word was more than iron now, it was Law.

He clapped his hands twice, and from outside his hut an old man in a dirty wolf pelt tunic entered. Under his right arm he carried a blackrock warbler, and in his left hand a wide wooden bowl.

The omens needed to be read despite his mind being made up already. It was tradition, after all.

The Bonecaster placed the bowl on the floor and crouched beckoning his Warchieftan to come closer. He raised it above his head, than to Koshnem chest and bid him to bite through its neck, tearing the head from the body.

The wings flapped madly, and blood gushed as the Bonecaster held the spasming animal over the bowl, watching as the last of its lifeblood stained the wood. When last drop oozed from the warbler's flesh he lifted the bowl to his lips. He looked up at Ulric and nodded his head with a bloody smile.

The warlord spat the bird's head aside and slowly rose from his haunches. He grinned. He would not empty Fang of all his warriors this time. News of the coming war would soon reach the reavers of Hel's Maw to the north and even the remnants of the Osdier tribes and they could easily turn their eyes to the Odonine lands for plunder and Vengeance.

No he would leave some loyal clans behind to ensure all they achieved in the last few months was protected.

He would first take Aquilo and its steel making secrets for the Odonine. And than he would march his men to join the Horde outside the walls of Ostiarium.

"Send a message to Shalia Nix." He ordered. "Tell her I need her by my side..."