70

70

The Golden Herd finally marches. From the west is me and Lak. Then from the east is Kal and Druig. Dorn will be held in reserve in case something unpredictable happens inside Laurelorn or from outside. I have also divided the shadow divers to split into two teams. One to scout inside the forest. Another to scout the outside in case of the Empire doing some winter march. I made even more shadow divers for the latter group as they are the most crucial to inform me in case something unexpected happens.

My herd’s current population is almost 8000. With more than half of that marching to Laurelorn. 11000 if counting Valeria’s herd that went to east. The massive increase in fertility from the last fight really bounced the number up. I have contemplated whether to also bestow the fertility increase from Necrosis Pox immunity to Valeria’s herd but decided against it. They need to get to Cathay as soon as possible and that will be even slower with higher numbers. Not to mention the food necessity. I have made the plant growth on my domain to overdrive just to keep up with the increasing numbers. If I can claim Laurelorn and put another of my divine domain there, food will not be a problem anymore

The march to Laurelorn is slow. The entire forest is almost drowning in marshes. And from Kal’s experience, the tuskgor cavalry will not be effective at all from all the trees and the marshes. I also decided not to bring the chaos mammoths either, if there’s still more of those corrupted dryads and ents, the mammoths will just get slaughtered.. In return, we bring all four Cygors. They might be blind but Lak and her shamans can mark targets with their magic like what they did when dealing with the Grail Knights

Other than that, it is quiet. Too quiet. Even Kal hasn't reported any sighting or battle against any Nurgle daemons or any of the forest corrupted spirits.

“Eonir. Any chance there is still some resistance much deeper?” I ask to the Eonir captain that volunteer to be our guide along with few other Eonirs

“Tor Lithanel has endured longer in the War of the Beard as you know it. It should still endure.”

War of the Beard. That should be the war where the alliance of elves and dwarves broke, followed by the great war between both and Malekith’s rebellion I think. So that should be more than 3000 years ago.

“Anything else you can say about your kingdom?” He think on my question for a while before answeringCHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

“We.. have a temporary encampment on Amber Hills near Altdorf. They should know that there is no news from the capital or the capital was attacked a few days ago. They are authorized to request Altdorf for support or hire human mercenaries as they see fit in case Laurelorn is attacked.”

I paused at his words. Oh fuck

“Tell me everything else. Now!”

—

“If.” Faris cuts and rebukes the professor. “And I should ask you Bertrand, what drives you in this?”

“What the fuck that supposed to mean?” Bertrand stops his step and looks back

“I have read the report. I assume this is not your chance for petty revenge?”

“PETTY! This is our chance to stamp the Golden Herd’s remnants!”

“Your chance.” Faris rebukes again calmly. “And what if it is never a remnant?” Bertrand’s fury rises at that remark

“Are you suggesting that...”

“Yes!” Faris shouts back. “What if you fail when you return with just one arm? If you fail then, then the Golden Herd was never a remnant, and you will risk Nordland’s army for this?”

Bertrand takes a deep breath as he thinks. He did encounter the golden werewolves near Drakwald and the Grail Knights did say that they will hunt the supposed remnant of the Golden Herd in Drakwald. But here they are so far northeast.

“You must be glad I am sober now.” Bertrand said and relent for now

“Oh, don’t worry, I intend to keep you that way as long as we are working together.”

“But..”

“But nothing.” Faris said to the Professor. “I see how you look at those Warpstones, professor. You of all people should know the risk of that.”