As the Stags Ride

Heading south along the route, the Liberation army doing the routine scavenging to find food and resources that will benefit the cause.

Which the scouting party lead by the scoundrel Garrett spotted a mercenary in the distance. Walking while disappointed and disparaged. Which the merc notice the scouts, and did not recognize the purple banner of the liberation. He did recognize one of the scouts.

He approached and called out, "Commander Garrett? Is that really you?" which Garrett replied cocky, "Depends on who's asking. Wait. You're from the Stags."

The merc replied, "Sure am. Was just a lowly grunt when ya left. It warms the heart to see ya remembered me. But it's an awful shock seein' ya here. Commander. We all heard you was dead."

Garrett was startled, but said, "I guess I can't blame people for thinking that. How is everyone? Guy still running the show?"

The merc said, "What, ya didn't hear? Whole band got routed by Cornelia. We never stood a chance. I was lucky to make it out alive. Truth be told. As for the captain... he fought 'em tooth n' nail to the very last but got captured along with some of the other boys. N' apparently now he's fightin' for Cornelia. If you can believe it."

Garrett reacts to the words, with great distain, "Guy would ever." yet the merc continued, " I figured they'd make an example outta him, show us what happens if ya fight back. But now he's runnin' the whole region. Damn near fell over when I heard about it."

Garrett was now baffled, "That doesn't sound like him at all."

The mercenary then said, "Thing mighta gone south after ya vanished, but I'll always hold those days with the Stags real close to the heart."

Garrett then put a hand on the shoulder of the merc, saying, "I work for the crown prince, we definitely could use a strong arm like yours." as he recruits the mercenary and eventually other Stags with food and money.

With that new intel, Garrett went to the prince and the Ranger to update them on the new Cornelia leader, former mercenary Guy,

Garrett said smugly, "I've known Guy since my old merc days. We even formed the Stags together with my sister."

Prince Elias replied, "All the more reason we should stay and find out what's going on here." and Garrett put on a real smile for a change, saying, "I appreciate it, Elias. More that you could possibly know."

Elias gave the order to Ranger Jeod and the Liberation army march on through the southwest region. When they got close and started seeing more banners of the wolf.

As nighttime came, Elias pulled aside Garrett to ask, "This former companion of yours, Guy, was it?" Garrett replied, "From by days with the Stags mercenary band. Yes, massive guy with an even more massive heart."

Elias was curious, and asked "Tell me, Garrett. What spurred you to desert your company"

Garrett leaned back with gaze at the sky, "It wasn't my call, really. My sister just up and disbanded it one day. Said she was sick of the light wages and the heavy baggage." which made Elias ask, "Baggage? What did she mean by that?"

Garrett then looked at the ground with regret on his face. "Me apparently. My incompetence was single handedly dragging the entire operation through the dust. Her words, not mine." Garrett then turns to face away and said, "So I saw red and stormed off for good. It was all I could do not to scream in rage."

Garrett continued, "Turns out sometime after I left. Guy took the reins and got the Stags back galloping again." Which prompted Elias to reply. "Hence they still endure, despite your sister's best attempts to disband."

Garrett still was worried, saying, "Push comes to shove though. Guy would never join arms with Dessel. Not by choice. He was long tired of living by someone else's creed. Even when we first formed the Stags. He craved independence over all else. So, I'll talk to him, man to hulking man. I need to see for myself what fashioned him a mere dog in Cornelia's lap."

With that morning came with men getting some rest and began the march on through the region began. As the Liberation army mowed down many of the Cornelian forces that stood in the way. As the Jeod directed the soldiers to fight and win back the land in the name of Aether Empire.

After freeing few towns and a harbor, the army comes across the enemy main encampment. With Prince Elias at the forefront, leading the charge. The men come out victorious and sent the Cornelian soldiers reeling.

After the skirmish, there was the large man trying to get up. He was massive man that even made Prescott look small. Presumed the leader named Guy. Elias approached him, which the large man groaned, and said "To think there would be a cavalry unit that strong to face Cornelia. If this was still my mercenary band, we would have not tried to take that cavalry charge head on.

Then Garrett walked up, smug as ever for a scoundrel. He said to Elias, "I'll handle this." and he walked over to the hulking man that was hunched over unable to stand have getting hit by a horse at full speed. Garrett said, "You've taken quite the fall from grace, big Guy. But I know you wouldn't fly the banner of the wolf without good reason. So c'mon, out with it."

Then the hulking man said, "Careless fool..." Swing his axe at the scoundrel. However, Elias was there and used his shield to parry the axe and strike him with his sword with a slash. The large man fell backward with a thud. Which then prompted Elias to say, "Keep your distance, there is something I wish to try." Then the prince activated his amulet of Terra, and great light flashed.

With that bright light, the big guy writhed but remained as is, then he said, "Garrett?" Then the party went on to explain the situation. Which listening now, the big man name Guy said, "I was buryin' my axe in some lousy Cornelian neck. When I was taken down but not killed. They got their hooks sunk in me. I was promised wealth and power. Which I took it to survive, I played the lap dog and ended up as the stray dog out in this remote region."

Then Garrett spoke up, like the cocky scoundrel he is. "You've got no choice but to even the score, then. They take a finger; you take the whole damn hand. Join us, Guy. Spill their blood under the Liberation's banner."

Hearing that made the big man upset. Guy replied, "And rub shoulders with the rat who left me in the cold? Quit kiddin' yourself. Days gone, you n' me coulda had a real go at it. Even without your sister leadin' the charge. But now? I don't even wanna look at ya."

That made Garrett remorseful, stuttering, "Guy, I..." then Garrett composed himself and explained, "I was frustrated, my sister tossed aside like it was nothing... so I left. Wasn't interested in clipping anyone else's wings, you know?"

Guy replied, "And what, that's supposed to make me forgive ya? You dumped us in a ditch when we needed ya most. Garrett, if only you knew the kinda dirt we ate crawlin' out..."

Which Garrett interrupted, saying, "You've got the right of it. I'm in no position to ask favors after what I did. But the truth is, those days we spent playing the fool were some of the best I've ever had." With that Garrett got to one knee with a plea, "I'm sorry Guy, I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for."

Then Garrett and Elias began to leave, and the prince signal his men to arrest the big man. Then Guy said, "Hold it. Just whaddya mean, "playin' the fool"? You are the one who was squeezin' out half-brained ideas like they was yesterday's lunch."

Garrett with his scoundrel words said, "Harsh words from the man who thinks hatching a plan means a trip to the chicken coop."

With then Guy replied, "Missed this somethin' fierce y'know. Maybe I woundn't mind givin' the ol' Stags one last hurrah after all."

With that victory was confirmed, and recruiting useful soldiers continued.

Then we see a keep inside a walled city, and the commanding soldier Liam walked up to Lily in the foyer. He said, "So the foal has finally ceased braying, hm?"

Priestess Lily replied, "What are you planning to do with me?" and Liam replied, "I should think that you'd already know."

Which Lily stomped her foot and said, "I've no intention of helping you. If that's what you are imply." and Liam replied, "Your intentions matter not. Though I must say, it came as quite the surprise to hear Prescott had set off for your derelict town. Emperor Dessel has tendered a fine reward for you and I'll not allow it to be snatched from beneath me.
I haven't an inkling how he persuaded you to follow him, but his aims are scarce different then mine own. I'd advise you against harboring any false hopes of rescue, girl."

Which Lily said, "My hopes are true as the morning sun. They'll come."

Liam chuckled and said, "Yes, yes, a commendable show of defiance. But our mercenaries will have made short work of your friends. Worry not, you'll be freed from your burdens ere long. Once you've fulfilled your purpose, that is. In the meantime... do behave yourself, would you?" and Liam walk out of the room leaving Lily alone to fret.

Prince Elias knew the next region was definitely going to be difficult, but Prince trusted his advisor Ranger Jeod to get them through the swaps and wandering woods. Yet they still needed to get through this area first.