Capricious Deities

By John Paul Ried

The Imperial Palamaran Grand Army is set to march south to crush the Crusader Army for the Liberation of Palamar led by Arch Cleric Simon Samelek and Prince Philip Canalon. Both armies will soon converge for a climactic battle to decide the fate of the Palamaran Empire.
Emperor Thomas IV, suspecting the romance between his daughter, Lady Christina Medford and Colonel Nick Armand, decides to ensure his dynasty. General Paul Tenisal is confronted with an intimate and life changing moral dilemma and has to choose between family loyalty and treason against his country, best friend and Emperor.
Professor Oliver Wendell Enalan, still overwhelmed by grief and lost love, is confronted with the realities of true power and responsibilities while his psionic abilities place him in situations he never dreamt possible.
Adding to all of this chaos and mayhem, three major deities from the Palamaran Pantheon, Horse Goddess Epona Twilight, Fire God Mercatio Zemelon and Love Goddess Celeste Clearwater, all cannot resist meddling in mortal affairs. Each deity has their own agenda and their actions raise the stakes considerably. When capricious deities interfere with mortal conflicts, you KNOW that more people will die until someone intervenes with fate making sacrifices and commitments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Az Publishing Services
• Release date: May 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781936037711

John Paul Ried

John Paul Ried grew up in Upper Montclair New Jersey and has recently relocated to Phoenix Arizona. He has taught both college level history and English classes at Essex County College and Illinois Central College. Mr. Ried also has taught Special Education classes in public schools in both Kentucky and Nevada. Along with teaching, Mr. Ried has an extensive fundraising background. Since 1978, Mr. Ried continually plays First Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons and has brought to life his Campaign World for his readers to enjoy. He draws inspiration from his very demanding cat named Enalan. Along with his writing, Mr. Ried also enjoys attending Sci-Fi/Fantasy conventions and has met hundreds of imaginative and interesting people such as Isaac Asimov, Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman, Terry Ferrell, and Penn and Teller (Rebo and Zooty). Mr. Ried is Chairman and CEO of the Arizona Fantasy Gaming Association (AFGA) and Palamaran Adventures LLC.

Book preview

Dedication

Capricious Deities: The Medford Family Chronicles Volume II

I wish to dedicate this book to all Fantasy Junkies everywhere who enjoy my stories and especially to two ladies: Mrs. Laura Thompson and Ms. Pamela Noyes. Laura and Pam have almost as much fun in Palamar as I do.

Palamaran Continent Map

Please find a full map of Palamar and the regions surrounding this country on the author website: http://www.palamaranadventures.com/.

Introduction - Capricious Deities

This introduction is for all imaginative readers who have not yet had the privilege of reading my first book: Reckless Ambitions - The Medford Family Chronicles Volume - John Paul Ried

The Palamaran civil war continues. Since the beloved and respected Emperor John Cardillion IV died on June 16th 481CE, his four sons, Prince Philip Canalon, Arch Cleric Simon Samelek, Field Marshal David Nordan and Wizard Baron Richard Lothar, have been competing for the throne. Earl Thomas Medford, the Lord Chancellor and deceased Emperor John IV's best friend, evaluated all four brothers and found them despicable and unworthy. So Earl Medford decided to crown himself Emperor as Thomas IV. On August 29th, 481CE, Field Marshal David Nordan was assassinated by Abigail Theosoar while besieging Paladon City with an army of almost twenty thousand men. The next day, Nordan's army was crushed by General Paul Tenisal's hammer and Colonel Nick Armand's anvil. Prince Philip Canalon and Arch Cleric Samelek have formed a precarious alliance and have been mustering their own army in the Palamaran southern border province of Nevenara with City States Union assistance.

Unbeknownst to Emperor Thomas IV, his only daughter Christina is hopelessly in love with the dashing and handsome Colonel Nick Armand. Emperor Thomas IV intends to marry Christina off to some excessively wealthy nobleman, and Nick and Tina realize full well that they are imperiling their lives with their love affair.

Christina's best friend and handmaiden, Abigail Theosoar, is also employed as an imperial spy by the devious, cunning, and loyal Dr. Andrew Numil, the chief palace gardener. Abigail's father, Robert Theosoar, a former gladiator and tavern owner, is the new Lord Mayor of Paladon City who has been offering navy ship and port building contracts to many merchants in exchange for their support during the civil war.

Meanwhile, with the recent arrival of Elven refugees from the almost unknown northern continent, Emperor Thomas IV has settled these Elves in the northwestern border woods of the newly independent nation of Senaria, which is firmly controlled by Gamemasters University Wizards. One GMU Wizard, Oliver Wendell Enalan, is still grieving over the death of the Elven princess, Serina Evandale. While Enalan avenged Serina and her father Numerian by psionically defeating the seductively evil succubus demon, Leila Metrokala, he is still coming to grips with his newly awakened and incredibly awesome psionic powers.

Melanie Harper has earned great credit as a nurse during Nordan's siege, assisting Lady Christina, and is still managing the Theosoar family business, the Drunken Kitty Cat Tavern. Melanie is still discovering her leadership abilities and talents as a business owner and community leader.

The Imperial Palamaran Grand Army encamped immediately south of Paladon City in the Smoky Hills, has been swelling in numbers with new recruits and is preparing to march south to fight Prince Canalon's and Arch Cleric Samelek's Crusader Army for the Liberation of Palamar. The coming battles will determine the future of the Palamaran Empire.

Chapter 1

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men get all screwed up over who is screwing with who. Best to finish screwing before the other mice and men arrive. - Susan Raintree

Monday, September 22nd, 481CE - Palamaran Dimensional Time

Ahhhh, so this is the super big secret that everyone in the imperial palace knows about, except the Emperor? Susan Raintree, an energetic thirty-year-old brunette, expressed satisfaction with a knowing lift of her slightly arched dark brown eyebrow.

Yes, Abigail Theosoar responded, Somehow this romance between Nick and Tina has remained a secret for two months now but I am still afraid. If the Emperor ever finds out, then, as your grandfather has so eloquently said, 'Heads will roll.' Abigail could not help chuckling a bit and shaking her long light blond hair. She was nineteen years old but was quickly developing a cynical worldview for human motivations.

Handmaidens Abigail and Susan were relaxing in Arch Duchess Christina Medford's lower chambers near the underground tunnel network. Over the last three weeks, Emperor Thomas IV delayed the Imperial Palamaran Grand Army's departure south so new recruits from all over the Empire could arrive at Paladon City to join up. Meanwhile, Abby, Susan and Tina had been enjoying the excellent food, bathing, entertainments and what Susan quipped as 'playing princess,' within the Imperial Palace grounds.

Colonel Nicholas Armand and Arch Duchess Christina were enjoying each other's company in the bedroom suite next door and one could occasionally hear some mutually pleasurable exclamations coming from the room. Since the entire army was planning to march south at dawn, Nick had arrived in the early evening and it was now approaching midnight. Both the lovers realized that this would be their last night together for the foreseeable future and intended to make the most of their evening. Abigail and Susan had been dutifully waiting in the adjoining chamber and keeping themselves busy, when there was a sudden knock at the door.

Both ladies froze. The last time someone knocked this late; Abigail received her first spy assignment and narrowly avoided death several times. Abigail bolted to the inner door and knocked quietly hoping to alert those within.

Susan walked to the outer stone door and called, Who wishes to disturb the Arch Duchess of Medford at so late an hour? she demanded imperiously.

Her father, the Emperor, was the quick reply.

Just a moment, Susan said. This door is heavy.

Abigail knocked again and Lady Christina opened her bedroom door. She had the satisfied expression of the proverbial cat that swallowed the canary, but was sleepy enough to appear convincing. Her auburn red hair was pleasantly disheveled as she asked, What's up, Abby?

Abigail whispered while Susan 'struggled,' with the outer door. Your father is here. Please tell me you have an escape route out from your bedroom.

Sadly no. I will meet my father in the outer room. You jump in here and claim 'monthly issues.' If my father attempts to enter, you may want to undress as well. Nick will have to just hide under the bed.

Is Nick even awake? Abigail asked as she quickly switched places with Christina through the bedroom door and began to close it.

Yes, but he is only half awake and dressing quickly. If we have to say something, Armand came down only a few minutes ago to see you and... Christina was cut off as Emperor Thomas Wilson Oakley Medford IV strode alertly into the outer chamber. Christina turned as Abigail quietly closed the door behind her.

Once inside the main chamber, Emperor Thomas Medford took stock. Christina and Susan were both standing and smiling at him and there was a chess game in progress on the table. He smiled and comfortably sat down. So, ladies, will you be prepared to rise tomorrow to watch our Imperial Palamaran Grand Army march away? I dare say that it should be an impressive sight with many handsome warriors strutting about. With all the recruitment from every province, Earl Tenisal has outdone himself for numbers. I wanted to check on all of you to make sure that you were out of mischief.

Susan immediately swooped into a splendid curtsy and innocently beamed at Emperor Thomas. We are always ready to serve you, Your Imperial Majesty, she said with a flirtatious glint in her eyes.

The Emperor smiled wryly and said, Careful, Susan, if I was twenty or more years younger, you might have to live up to those words, Thomas IV responded playfully and winked at her.

Susan very convincingly blushed.

Christina yawned and smiled. You are up very late, father. Is something troubling you?

For some reason I was having trouble sleeping. I started thinking of your mother and thought I should come and see you. Where is Abigail? Thomas IV politely asked while wiping his short cut white hair with a clean towel he picked up.

Susan immediately responded, She is asleep in the other room, Your Highness. The excitements of court life recently have considerably worn her out. Shall I wake her for you?

After a pause, Emperor Thomas shrugged his shoulders, slumped a little and said, No. Perhaps I should not have come down here so late. I only wanted to see that all of you were...fine. I will go now. Daughter, please be sure to meet me at the Main South Gates just before dawn. Perhaps we may have a quick breakfast with Field Marshal Tenisal and your friend Colonel Armand before the army departs?

Excellent idea, father. Christina turned to look directly at Susan with a formally commanding expression. Susan, please awaken me before dawn so I may be ready for breakfast.

Yes, M'Lady, Susan responded automatically subservient.

Goodnight you two. Please remember, Christina, that I love you very much.

Christina walked over to her father who was now standing by the door. I love you too Father. Perhaps Susan, Abigail and I should search for a pleasing sleeping partner for you. That would wear you out and help you sleep. She laughed, kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly as a daughter should.

Very funny, Christina. Considering what you and your friends are preparing for young Count Neshal Quicksilver, I should have expected a suggestion like that, Emperor Thomas curtly replied. Not even the Goddess Celeste Clearwater herself would excite and fulfill me as your mother, Cecilia Ann, once did. Your mother had no rival and I cannot imagine replacing her. As he left, Emperor Thomas grinned and winked again at Susan.

Once the Emperor departed, everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. No one spoke at all until the outer stone door was safely shut and Susan said, That was one of the closest calls I have ever experienced! For a moment I almost expected a request to accompany him. On a more serious note, if I did not know better, I would say that the Emperor suspects something is amiss but he is actually too unwilling or frightened to pursue matters.

Nick and Abigail came into the outer room. Lady Christina unabashedly smiled at her man and said, If you were not leaving with the Army tomorrow, I would suggest a few nights apart to lull my Father's suspicions. Are you not afraid at all, Nick, of being wounded or killed during a melee? Is there any way I could talk you out of leaving with the Army? You have already pushed your luck too far and have been in two battles already over the past three months and have emerged unscathed.

Colonel Nick Armand sounded more bold and fearless than he felt when he spoke, Ladies, I am always afraid of death, which is why I am still alive. The man who is not afraid is the one who stupidly gets himself killed. I also am amazed that I have emerged unscathed from both the Night of Zemelon Flame and Prince Nordan's defeat. Even Matt ended up with a serious leg wound that is finally healed. Matt has a lovely scar that your friend Melanie Harper would no doubt wish to see. Please all of you pray for both myself and Matt that our luck holds. Armand's handsome face for a brief moment appeared worried.

All three ladies responded automatically with eagerness, Yes. And Tina added, We have and we will.

Nick smiled, walked over and hugged Christina saying, I love you, Christina, more than any other living being. Even if your father executed me tomorrow for treason, I would consider my life fulfilled. My greatest fear is that you, Tina, might fall in love with some other handsome, wealthy nobleman while I am away. Meanwhile, I better go post-haste through the tunnels and back to the Army. General Tenisal will be expecting me to rouse him before dawn.

Tina and Nick quickly embraced for a last kiss. Abigail could not help looking on a bit enviously and Susan noticed Abigail's countenance. Christina then told Nick about the breakfast invitation. Nick quickly picked up his sword belt, which had been leaning against the wall out of sight near the door, bowed, and left.

No one noticed the Emperor hiding in one of the nearby tunnels and observing the whole last scene through spy holes embedded in the stone carvings. As soon as he sat down earlier, he noticed Nick's sword and sword belt by the door though most others would have missed that detail. His rage and fury were boundless and he realized that EVERYONE, including Dr. Numil, had betrayed him. Colonel Nick Armand and my daughter? Thomas fumed! WHY HIM? Nick Armand is nothing more than a good soldier who obviously has grander ambitions! What is he up to? It is my fault really, as I have been overly generous with Armand's advancements and greatly relied on him. Is my daughter so besotted with this peasant upstart that she cannot see Armand using her for his own ends? How could I have been so blind? Of course the ladies here would support and defend my daughter's behavior, even against me. Armand, however, will not be so lucky. My prayers can be heard by Immortals too.

Thomas IV paused and then admitted to himself, Very well, Nick is a young, handsome, strong and a fearless soldier, but that is all he is. Perhaps my daughter is simply amusing herself and does not intend to marry him. As Emperor of Palamar, however, I cannot take any chances with the succession like my misguided old friend Emperor John IV did. My daughter WILL marry an excessively rich, titled, respected and landowner nobleman to ensure our new dynasty for generations. Armand 'the Anvil' may have won some ephemeral fame on the battlefields but soldiers die so easily, and not always by enemy hands. This is a part of life my daughter will have to accept. Why must I slay Nick Armand? Because I am the Emperor and my will is law. And you, Nick Armand, will be dead, mourned, and eventually forgotten.

~~~~~~~

As first dawn light cracked over the eastern sky, Field Marshal Earl Paul Tenisal was awakened by Colonel Armand knocking from outside his tent. He quickly called attendants to help him don his most impressive armor, grabbed his shield, and prepared himself as Colonel Armand patiently waited outside. Tenisal was profoundly tired, not from physical toil, but from a sense of foreboding he could not explain. Tenisal came out of his tent, politely nodded to Colonel Armand, and both men proceeded with an escort to the Main South Gates of Paladon City.

Trumpets and drums began rousing the rest of the Army and one could hear the coughing, yawning and stretching of thousands of men along with the snorting, whinnying and stamping from many cavalry horses, all awaiting breakfast.

The two men rode together and Tenisal said, So, Armand, are you eager and excited for our next contest?

Actually, yes, Field Marshal. The upcoming battle will decide the fate of our nation. I am strangely caught up in the 'melancholy grandeur,' of our times. Will not poets, historians and playwrights endlessly record our immediate futures? I am tired of this civil war already and hope to see peace restored everywhere. What of your future, M'Lord Tenisal? Now that you are 'M'Lord Earl,' do you not want a marriage and family?

Tenisal shrugged and replied, I have been a general for so long and have fought in so many battles that I cannot even imagine marrying a noblewoman, let alone fathering several children. Perhaps we should both focus on the immediate future by winning this war as quickly as possible. Then we can worry about what to do afterwards. I appreciate your thoughts and together we will secure the realm. What worries me is what Prince Canalon and Arch Cleric Samelek have planned for us if we lose.

Then Armand replied, We better win then.

When both men arrived at the South Gates, a small, tented pavilion was set up with several cooking fires immediately outside. Emperor Thomas IV was sitting on a portable throne and looked rather grim this morning as he sighted them.

Arch Duchess Christina Medford, and her two attendants, Abigail Theosoar and Susan Raintree, all brightly grinned. Also present were Earl Nestor Pannonia, Ambassador Martin Utas and Count Neshal Quicksilver. The Lord Mayor Robert Theosoar was conspicuously absent. Everyone quickly sat down at a table for breakfast.

Once everyone was served breakfast of meats, eggs, bread, jam and wine, Emperor Thomas IV rose. A toast everyone! To victory and peace!

Everyone present rose with their drinks and echoed, Victory and peace!

Arch Duchess Christina Medford immediately added, And a safe return for everyone who departs here today!

While everyone was eating, Emperor Thomas IV was holding in his hands the sealed, metal order plates for the Army. After breakfast, Colonel Nick Armand was also formally declared a corps commander for the Imperial Palamaran Grand Army and Earl Tenisal presented General Bill Sheridan as the cavalry corps commander. All present cheered and saluted.

The Emperor and his court sat down and began watching, as literally thousands of infantry and cavalry soldiers began marching and proceeding down the main south road. The common soldier in the Imperial Palamaran Infantry was equipped with basic scale mail over a leather jerkin, a shield, long sword, short sword, and spear, along with backpacks with food and water skins. Wagons drawn by mules and oxen carried tents, poles, stakes, and other encampment gear and weapons to give to newly recruited soldiers as the army moved forward.

The archers with the infantry also received composite bows, quivers with two score, forty arrows, and extra bowstrings. Some archers were given heavy crossbows with forty bolts and even collapsible tripod mounts for firing in fixed positions.

The cavalrymen were also issued a medium warhorse if they did not have one already, along with chainmail armor, a halter, lead rope, saddle with stirrups, bridle, spurs, two saddle blankets, horse bags with packs, lances and bannerettes indicating their regiments.

The Imperial Palamaran Grand Army was divided into two corps. Each military unit progressed upward from ten squadrons of ten men each to one hundred man companies to one thousand in a regiment. Each brigade was composed of ten regiments and each of the two corps was made up with five brigades. Each corps in addition also had one cavalry brigade and one archer brigade. With 100,000 infantry, twenty thousand cavalry and twenty thousand archers the entire army totaled 140,000 men. Each commander from Field Marshal Tenisal down would give his orders to ten subordinate officers who would then pass on the orders to their ten subordinates right back down to the squadrons.

While many later Palamaran historians would dispute the numbers, it is believed that this was the largest single force ever raised by any Emperor of Palamar to date. Most of the men involved came from the inner seven of the twelve provinces of Palamar while the other five were technically in rebellion though Senaria's independence and neutrality was generally respected while Phoremus's neutrality was not.

Fifes, drums, and trumpets were playing traditional martial music and the officers within the troops were proudly snapping orders and boldly striding or riding forward.

Abigail and Susan quietly whispered to each other, admiring the splendid military scene while serving the food and wine to the leaders present. Everyone felt a certain pride and affection as the true power of the Empire was displayed.

As soon as the breakfast was concluded, Emperor Thomas IV rose, followed by everyone in the pavilion. He held out the traditional sealed plates with the formal orders for Field Marshal Tenisal who was the Commander in Chief of the Army. Tenisal accepted the plates and, by custom, would open them upon conclusion of the first day's march from Paladon City. Tenisal and Armand both bowed and saluted with their drawn swords.

Arch Duchess Christina Medford, in a very bold and public gesture, now took a scented scarf from around her neck and, in front of the entire court, wrapped it around Colonel Armand's shield arm. Christina said, I declare that this heroic soldier and loyal servant of the Empire to be my formal champion in this war who will always defend my honor. May the Immortals bless and protect him as he defends us!

Armand smiled, winked and then bowed again to Emperor Thomas IV, who did his best to appear positive in approving his daughter's choice for her champion.

Both Armand and Tenisal now backed away. Once outside the tented pavilion, Tenisal and Armand turned and proceeded to their horses to join their subordinates at the rear of the column as the entire Army slowly proceeded south.

When the last unit was finally out of sight, Emperor Thomas IV saluted the city residents and returned to the Imperial Palace with his court. He felt no regret that he had done what he had to do. The Emperor also began to wonder how the Lord Mayor was progressing with his assignment. With only the local Paladon City cohorts remaining in the city, Emperor Thomas wondered if this was not a huge mistake. Let's hope my old friend Robert, 'The Tiger Titan,' Theosoar succeeds brilliantly with his task. Otherwise we may all end up dead at the hands of lynch mobs.

Chapter 2

Relying on Gladiators is a chancy business. If they believe they will gain more by switching sides, they will do so without hesitation. I had better offer them plenty then. - Lord Mayor Robert 'The Tiger Titan' Theosoar

Just as dawn was spreading across the eastern horizon on that same morning, Prince Philip Canalon was surveying the final muster of their new army with one of his nobles Count Dayton Montague.

Prince Philip Canalon was bitterly complaining about how many of his supposedly loyal business connections were suddenly deserting him. Paladon City's Lord Mayor Robert Theosoar's marketing strategies for creating the new Imperial Navy offered numerous construction contracts, jobs and mercantile opportunities that many of Prince Canalon's former corporate owner friends had been unable to resist. Canalon turned to Count Montague and said, Listen to this from the Silken Cord syndicate representative Osborn Phelps - Why waste money on civil wars when we could invest in the future because a new navy would be required for whoever won? And what would happen if we invested hard coin on the side that eventually lost? Far better to be safe, secure and cover ones bets for the future," Canalon fumed.

It is hard to trust such craven creditors Sire. All they care about is money, Count Montague lamented.

Even Prince Canalon had to admit that he wished he had thought of such an innovative strategy with creating an Imperial Palamaran navy. Lord Mayor Theosoar certainly played his hand well with undercutting Canalon's supporters. Theosoar also had additional financing from the Palamaran Imperial Treasury to provide him with down payments and Earl Thomas Medford was very clever to publicly declare such advances at the recent Imperial Duma Assembly. All was not lost, Prince Canalon concluded, but securing their own Crusader Army's supplies now would be that much more difficult and looting supplies from local Palamaran provincial areas, though necessary and expedient, would certainly NOT endear the local populations to their cause.

Arch Cleric Simon Samelek, Prince Canalon's younger brother and ally for now rode up where Prince Canalon was reviewing newly arrived supply wagon contents with Count Montague. Samelek appeared very commanding with his clerical garb, long, flowing brown beard, and mounted on his noble charger named Fire Dancer, Brother, have you heard the latest news? It seems our Imperial Bodyguard Commander has succumbed to delusions of grandeur and has proclaimed himself Thomas Medford IV Emperor of Palamar.

Canalon's thin frame straightened as he stroked his own pony tail. Yes Simon. Most of the hereditary nobility will no doubt be incensed at Medford's 'vaulting ambition,' and condemn his reckless ambitions. While our dear Thomas may have earned an Earldom under our father, most aristocrats will remember that Medford is and always will be peasant stock. Why do you think Medford married Lady Cecilia Ann Menelynn so many years ago? Lady Cecilia was a second cousin of our father, and she was also connected by blood with Earl Nestor Pannonia's family. It is too bad that during our fathers reign that a peasant such as Medford was permitted to stick patrician holes instead of sticking to fighting battles.

Samelek wiped his tonsured head with a cloth and replied, Very true, Philip. I suppose Medford's daughter, Christina, would be considered noble born only because of her deceased mother, Lady Cecilia Menelynn. Either way we will have to kill them both to secure the undisputed consulship together. Medford most certainly signed his own daughter's death warrant by claiming what he could never be suited for.

Both brothers looked at each other and considered the same thing. How to destroy you once Medford and his daughter have been dealt with? Both brothers realized that neither could live while the other survived and both brothers carried their imperial ambitions in their hearts more than their own lives.

Prince Philip immediately changed the subject before anything disruptive was voiced. What is the total number of our mustered army today? he ventured.

Samelek, still on his horse, replied, Considering that almost one quarter of our soldiers are City States Union recruits, Earl Medford has found some success with propaganda that we are invaders. However, I believe we have approximately seventy thousand infantry, twenty thousand crack cavalry and perhaps another ten thousand local militia shock troops so far. All together we have about one hundred thousand men in the Crusader Army for the Liberation of Palamar and I suspect our numbers will grow considerably as we move north.

Prince Canalon smiled and said, Good, some of my merchant friends have proved invaluable with providing food, armor, weapons and other supplies though not as extravagantly as we would have hoped. I believe every man will be fully armed with scale mail armor, shield, sword and spear or bow and arrows. I will be very surprised if Earl Medford will be able to scrape up anywhere near our numbers but reports place his forces at about currently ninety thousand men. Your Fire God Zemelon religion does attract people willing to fight for us, Simon. One thing that Lord Mayor Robert Theosoar does not know is I have impoverished peasants ready to revolt and start rioting within Paladon City whenever I wish. A little silver in the right hands at the right time and governments will topple.

Arch Cleric Simon Samelek scornfully smirked and replied, Divine protection is even more important than coins, Brother. My Zemelon Clerics assure me that we will also have about two hundred and fifty of our most experienced spellcasters ready to call down flame strikes, call up insect plagues and call out strangle weeds against any opposing forces. We may even be able to summon our beloved and worshipped Immortal Deity Fire God Zemelon himself when the time comes. While Earl Medford may get some minimal support from other weaker religious sects, I believe we will have absolute spell power on the battlefield. The Gamemasters University is always an annoyance but I believe our brother Baron Lothar has been humiliated recently and his magician friends are more preoccupied with their new nation, Senaria, rather than assisting Medford.

As Samelek dismounted his horse, another Zemelon Acolyte took the reins and led the horse away. Both Samalek and Canalon purposely strode into their command tent where a detailed map of Palamar was laid out on a table.

Samelek was privately reassured that their Crusader Army's preparations were being conducted here near the Nevenaran provincial capital of Brimfield, where he was very popular. While one of the outer provinces, Nevenara had a strategic location with natural advantages. The spine of the Ramapo Mountains ran through the southern sections of Nevenara which also had several rivers and lakes as natural highways to several other Palamaran provinces.

No wonder that the City States Union often attacked Nevenara through Camden Pass first in most of their historical invasions, Samelek mused to himself. During these invasions, the southeastern approach to Palamar's interior would be normally protected by Ascaladon Point Fortress and the mountain city of Tichenor in neighboring Kalchidus province. These strategic locations within Kalchidus could now be easily flanked since the Nevenaran population was solidly supporting the Crusader Army and both Arch Cleric Samelek and Prince Canalon counted themselves very lucky that the Camden Pass was open for friends to join them.

Arch Cleric Samelek admitted privately that he really underestimated the logistics required with raising a large army. Even with Prince Canalon's personal fortune and many merchant friends extending the royal brothers credit, Arch Cleric Samelek realized that not every new soldier reporting could be completely outfitted with everything needed for a long campaign. Thousands of new recruits joining the Crusader Army for the Liberation of Palamar were receiving basic armor and weapons but very little else. Many of them did not even have shoes or boots and would have to walk barefoot until new supplies could be looted from surrounding Palamaran provinces. Despite these difficulties, our faith in Fire God Zemelon will carry us to victory, Samelek believed.

After both studied the map for a moment, Arch Cleric Samelek spoke first. "Of course we cannot take our Crusader Army directly north because we would have to loot and pillage most of Nevenara province