The Ravaged Swamp

The Liberation Army made its march through the wandering woods and could see the swamplands ahead. It was quite the difficult task to march through the woods, let alone guide a small army through. The wandering woods was a place that maybe little children cry and grown adults fear. As it was a place that many get lost easily and never to be seen again.

The rumor was it was a path to the elven land of Ese Unarith. Which most humans in Aether has never seen an elf. In Ese Unarith is the location of the High Council and headquarters of the Rangers corp.

Ranger Jeod and Prince Elias were leading the march and had scouts checking the area to avoid running into impossible terrain or a hidden army lying in ambush. One of the scouts had reported a couple of soldiers of the Cornelian faction. They seem to be scouting but not for the Longshanks banner. Some individual in fact seems to be who they were searching for.

Elias and Jeod decided to get closer to the enemy scouts to listen in the conversation. They watched the two Cornelian scouts approach each other in the woods.

One scout asked, "Found her yet" and the other one replied, "Afraid not. Nobody's seen so much as a hair of this so-called elven witch."

The first scout spoke again, "Then we'll just have to keep looking. Round up every one of her soldiers from her band, if we have to, we will flush her out."

With that the scouts went off in separate directions to continue the search. As the first party, Elias took his small team and headed across a river on a rugged bridge. There was a large hut near the river with a steep cliffside of a mountain in background of the hut.

The place was big enough to operate as a barracks for a small army. Sitting at the front door of the place was an orange tabby cat. Elias walked up to it and said, "It's not every day you get stared down by a cat."

Suddenly like magic, a flurry of crows formed and fluttered rapidly and quickly. In the flurry was an elven woman. This made Elias astonished, as he let out a yelp in panic. Thus made Jeod come running over.

The elven woman spoke, "Hm. You don't look like any Cornelians I've ever seen." and that made Elias reply, "We're not, actually. And who might you be?"

Elven woman said hesitantly, "I'm ... Rika, a simple witch from the swamplands. My fellow ... townsfolk are in the hamlet downstream from here."

The large man Prescott who was nearby next to Jeod spoke, "Did I hear that correctly? You say your name is Rika?" and prompted Jeod to ask, "Why do you know her?"

Prescott shook his head, "This is first time I seen this elf." Then turning back to Rika he said, "Your garb is unmistakable, but your name makes matters all the more certain. You must be a descendant of the old famous Ranger, the great and noble Yuriko who served as an advisor to King Gerard and his father long ago."

Rika was a bit startled, but relaxed and replied, "Yes, I'm ... her daughter. Many moons younger than former king."

Prescott put up a giant grin across his face and said, "Such knowledge brings my heart great joy. I was only but a child when I knew her, and she used the same nickname when she was within the castle walls."

Jeod smirked but did not say anything. Prescott continued, "I never expected to come across her child in a place as bleak and desolate as this."

Elias chimed in "If I may. We caught wind of Cornelian scouts discussing their fruitless search for an elven witch."

Rika replied, "...That would be my elder, yes. We magicked her away somewhere safe in hopes of eluding their gaze. But those dogs bear down on the hamlet, using their hunt as an excuse to tear its walls apart board by board."

Elias got worried, "A distressing tale, indeed." and Rika continued, "Though the final act is yet to be written. Please, help us break free of their bloodied fangs. "

Elias nodded and agreed, "You needn't so much as ask. We'll do what we must to bring an end to those abuses."

With the signal, Jeod sent order, and the army began to stir. The units began to move forward in the direction of the rumored hamlet and enemies hunting the place. Elias ordered, the soldiers to take down the Cornelian enemies and rescue the captives.

As they marched, at the hamlet in the swamplands were the Cornelian soldiers. one lieutenant ran up to the captain of the force. "Captain Beau, ser!" and the captain replied, "Batiste, is that gusto I hear, mrm? I take it that means you've found that Ranger Elf?"

Batiste replied, "Actually no, ser. e corralled every last old hag in the swamp, but none seem to match the description."

Beau boiled with anger, "Imbecile! What do you expect me to do with a throng of unmagicked old hags? Get back out there and find her!"

That prompted a reply from Batiste, "Well... about that, ser. We've just received word from one of our scouts. It appears though a band of rebels is converging upon our position."

Beau still upset, "Dessel's foot! What could they possibly want with a place as disgusting as this?"

Batiste remained calm, "I haven't the foggiest idea, ser. Shall I send for reinforcements from the empire?"

Beau replied, "No. We stay composed, consider our options." scratching his chin then he said in thought, "This could be just the chance at glory I've always wanted. Ooh, I can almost taste it."

Batiste replied, "Are you certain that's not the swamp air, ser?"

Beau rambled, "The most powerful Ranger in all the land, and it's but a matter of time until she's ours. Add a hair of rebel-squashing to the mix and you may just find yourself reporting to General Beau before long."

Beau continued, "Nay, I'll not hear another word about reinforcements. We sweep up these horse droppings ourselves."

Back at the Liberation Army main camp. the inner circle had gathered for meeting. Rika the young elf by all appearances was explaining the terrain in the swamplands. "As you can see, the hamlet is divided into two smaller communities each boasting a bustling little population." as she points at a map on the table.

Rika said, "By the way, have you noticed the enemies carrying those massive shields? They might not flinch before a bit of steel but cast magic their way and they'll crumble at your feet. I'd prove it, if you'll let me handle them."

The meeting adjourned, Jeod found a private moment with Rika. Heard Rika say, "I'm coming, friends." and Jeod said, "I am glad to have your aid, you of all people." Rika was astonished and Jeod bid her to calm down, saying, "I won't say anything, I want you to watch the young prince. Get to know him and possibly believe in him. "

Rika replied, "I will keep my focus on my men first. However, I will keep the ever-watchful eye as well on the prince."

Elias' forces moved well through the swamps with the aid of the locals. They mowed down the enemies and burst through barricades with the help of the mercenary Loewe expertise.

Rika found enemies on the battlefield with her unit. Called out, "I've had quite enough of you Cornelian dogs. Leave, now." and she cast a magic enhancement to her vanguard soldiers and released many ice bolts that shredded the enemies. As if they ran into a wall of ice.

The one person completely routing the area allowing her allies to work through and flank her enemies. The Liberation Army set their sights on the enemy encampment as cleared the swamplands of the Cornelian soldiers.