Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Empire of Night- City of Uldon

Outer Wall

Jacob watched the First, Second, Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth Legions make camp outside the city. Reinforcements from the Dead Legion had flooded into the cities of Oblivion and Gahlin, each city receiving twelve thousand Undead to help garrison the cities and patrol the nearby Underdark for threats, freeing the Legions there for redeployment. Supplies and Siege Weapons had flooded into Uldon as it prepared to support the Legions and their campaign. Ezekial working with Darren had started rumors that the Legions were aimed at Niamphis and Yhieburg. However, the truth was that their targets were far nearer. "How are you doing Jacob?" Tiffany Winters asked as she strode up.

"Tired, frustrated, wary, the normal things when dealing with an impending threat that could destroy everything," Jacob replied as he looked at the women next too him. He tried to smile, but all the desperate preparations over the last couple of days had kept him awake for eighteen hours at a time. It had gotten all the little things done and allowed them to assemble the largest army they had fielded yet, but Jacob was exhausted.

"Are the rumors true?" Lady Winters asked as she strode up.

"Lady Winters, I am disappointed in you. I wouldn't think someone of your stature would listen to rumors." Jacob responded as he turned and faced the women.

Tiffany studied him from head to foot, she could see his exhaustion and smell him. "Perhaps its time for you to go bathe and rest," Tiffany suggested while trying not to laugh. Jacob frowned as he looked at his status.

Alert...

De-Buff Unwashed: Prices from Merchants are increased by 30%, Charisma has been negated. (De-Buff can increase with time)

De-Buff Exhaustion: Skills Progression decreased by 50%, Weight limit decreased by 25%, 10% chance Abilities/Skills will misfire (De-Buff can increase with time)

Alert...

At least he wasn't starving Jacob mused, he had made sure to eat, but he had neglected other necessities. Jacob mock glared at her as she laughed openly now. "I would suggest the great and powerfully stinky king of the Empire of Night go take a bath and get some sleep. Even I can see all the preparations are done and everyone out there except for sentries are resting. Now their leaders must do the same. That is one of the reasons why your wife sent me, to make sure you get to bed." Tiffany stated and Jacob nodded in acknowledgment her words.

Jacob offered his arm to Lady Winters, "Will you escort me back to the keep?" Jacob asked and earning a smirk from her as she latched onto him. Jacob was woken by Cathrine giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. Which was odd because he was spooned up against her but she was leaning over him. Jacob confusingly looked up her, "Huh?" was his bright response causing her to giggle.

"When you offered this job to me, you said nothing would be required of me. Then you crawled into bed with me naked. However you promptly passed out, I am not sure if I should be insulted or not Jacob." Tiffany mused causing Jacob to squeak and try to scramble out of bed but promptly fell out of bed, much to the amusement of both women.

"What happened, I specifically requested guest quarters. These are the first guest quarters that we were assigned. Why are you here?" Jacob asked as he scrambled into some clothing as both women laughed.

"I told my Seneschal and your wife to rearrange everyone. I thought you had been told Jacob and since you fell asleep promptly I did not want to embarrass you by waking you up." Tiffany stated while smirking and eyeballing Jacob as he finally scrambled into a padded shirt and pants.

"I was already asleep by the time you went to bed Jacob.' Cathrine stated. 'I thought we had an understanding, I do not mind if you bed other women dear one, as long as you tell me or invite me." Cathrine quipped causing both women to laugh.

"First off, all I did was sleep, I promise. I never intended to jump into bed with you Tiffany, I promise." Jacob responded as he went over to the armor stand and started equipping his armor.

"See, I told you he was cute when flustered," Cathrine told Tiffany who smiled and nodded.

Jacob stopped putting his armor on immediately and turned to look at Cathrine. He studied the Banshee and their Psychic link before coming to a conclusion. "You set this up, why?" Jacob asked causing both women to fidget a little.

"Smart too once he regains his feet and composure. I reserve the right for another chance." Tiffany told Cathrine while she continued to ignore Jacob.

Jacob gaped at both women now, he thought of what she said and came to an understanding, "Do I have a say in any of this?" and both women just looked at him before shaking their heads and started talking more softly to each other. Jacob just rolled his eyes and went back to dawning his armor.

Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Free Lands- Town of Pinetree

Five days later...

Jacob watched as the First, Fourth, and Eighth Legions made camp outside the town. Legionnaires from the Fourth were deployed throughout the town and had secured the Teleport pad in the central square. The city of Salinda was less than six hours away, scouts were already checking the surrounding area for Chaos Warped armies, so far they had found nothing. The Immortal scouts they had slipped into the city had reported less than five thousand troops inside, they also gave Jacob a breakdown of the cities defenses. The outer wall was twelve feet high and ten feet wide with Ballista mounted on it every two thousand feet, the inner wall was fifteen feet tall and ten feet wide with no siege engines. The city had four gates on the outer wall and two on the inner wall. The city guards were mainly concentrated on the inner city with about one thousand in the outer city with another two thousand Slavers Union mercs.

"My king, the Mayor wishes to speak to you." a Dawn Guard stated and Jacob signaled for women to come forward. She was a very stout older woman and whatever Cathrine could see in her head made her smile and smirk at Jacob.

"So, you are the leader of this rabble?" the women and Jacob frowned at her. Jacobs' soldiers were not rabble and they did nothing inappropriate.

"You hear that General Ironbreak, the Mayor thinks you soldiers are rabble." Jacob mused to the Dwarf who whipped around from his interface and glared at the older women.

"Oh, are we rabble, my king. I would like to see the old bird go through training for the Legion and say that after. Perhaps she should be the very first conscript?" Girmak stated as stomped over to the women who coughed into her hand.

The Mayor paled slightly before stepping forward and thrusting her chin out. "I think I would thrive in the environment." She replied causing both men to chuckle and the Dwarf to wink at her.

"If she joins the Legions, my king, I want her as a Sergeant in the Fourth," Girmak stated before turning and going back to his duties.

Jacob chuckled at the Dwarfs words before turning to the woman, "How can I be of service Mayor of Pinetree?" Jacob asked the women.

The women frowned and looked back and forth between Jacob and Girmak before settling her eyes on Jacob, "I was wondering when you will be leaving and if you will be paying for services in the town or just seizing what you need?" the women asked and Girmak snorted.

"We will be gone as soon as possible, we will pay for what services we need. We will not seize any provisions or services without paying for them.' Jacob replied. 'What inn would you recommend?"

"The Sitting Chicken has some of the best food in town. Pay your tab before you leave King." The Mayor stated as she turned and left.

Surface- Twisting Hills Region

Free Lands- City of Salinda

Lord Tupperwine looked at the army that surrounding army, eighteen thousand men against the five thousand troops he could call upon. Two thousand of them were mercenaries stationed here by the damned Slavers Union. He had become indebted to the Union in a particularly bad year. That is how the Slavers Union had pushed his city into going against Athesas and the Free Cities Alliance. Now his best soldiers were to the north laying siege to a former ally and his city was under a siege by an Empire.

"My Lord, what are your orders?" Guard Captain Murry asked

"Seal the city, keep the damned Slavers Union mercenaries from interfering. I will go out and parley with the invaders, arrange an escort. Hopefully, I can arrange something with them." Lord Tupperwine responded as he moved to his armor stand while the Captain rushed off to do his bidding.

Jacob watched as a small party ride out from the city, A contingent of about fifty guards with a man in gaudy armor leading them. Jacob snorted at the silver and gold armor. Considering it was a magical world, the armor might be serviceable, but it also made the man a huge target. Jacob with a dozen Heart Guards and three squads from the Dawn Guard were waiting for the mounted men who slowed and stopped.

"I have come to speak to whoever leads this army." the leader stated as they approached.

Jacob nodded in return, "Say your piece." He replied as he stared at the man.

"What do you want?" the man asked and Jacob frowned.

"Your unconditional surrender," Jacob replied staring the man in the eye.

"If I do this, how will my people be treated?" the man responded.

"By and large, there will be no difference in their lives. If they are associated with the Slavers Union though...they will be arrested and face charges. Those Slavers Union members that have gone over to Chaos will be executed, the others will face sentences ranging from ten to thirty years. If they fight, they will be killed. You Lord Tupperwine, if you surrender, will more then likely stay in your position. Your guards will be disbanded but may join the Legions." Jacob replied as he studied the man who nodded.

"I don't care what you do to me, just please do not sack my city or harm my people. On behalf of my people, I surrender the city of Salinda to the Empire of Night unconditionally. What would you have of me?" Lord Tupperwine asked as he went down to one knee.

"Go back to your city have your guards secure the outer and inner gates so that the Slavers Union mercenaries cannot interfere. How long would it take for your men to do this?" Jacob asked the Lord but it was one of the guards who responded.

"Thirty minutes SIr." the man stated and Jacob nodded.

"Leave Lord Tupperwine here with half your men and return to the city. I do not trust the Slavers Union men not to try and kill him once his orders become widely known." Jacob told the guard who nodded and started barking out orders to the men around him.

A little over an hour later, the city of Salinda was secure. Of the two thousand mercenaries, three hundred had fought and been put down. With them, forty different Acolytes, Blades, and various other Chaos classes had been killed. All the others that had surrendered who be serving twenty years all over the Empire for their crimes against the Empire and for allying with Chaos. Jacob was tempted to execute them all, but he didn't want to build his kingdom on the bodies of his enemies.

Kingdom Alert...

For conquering a Level 4 City Stronghold you have gained...80,000 Kingdom Experience

Kingdom Alert...

Regional Alert...

The City of Salinda has joined...the Empire of Night.

Regional Alert...

Jacob watched as a long line of prisoners disappeared through the portal and into the Underdark. They were going to the city of Gahlin, from there they would be split between the work crews there and moved to the city of Oblivion. "Lord Tupperwine what can you tell me of the city of Ingson and its leadership?" Jacob asked the man.

Travis Tupperwine snorted, "The city of Ingson is more prosperous than us, but it's ruled by Lady Conrad. That old bat will more than likely tell you to take a long walk off a short pier before she surrenders too you. She is a stubborn old bitch, but she craves wealth and power above all else. However, she surprisingly runs her city very well and takes care of her people. Her point of view is that without a prosperous city, she will not gain more wealth. Odd bird." the man mused in response and Jacob nodded as he sent a message to General Oakbeard and General Brox.

Within five minutes the Orc and Wood-Elf appeared and saluted. "Gentlemen, apparently the Captain-General will be facing an Old Bitch at Ingson. Send a messenger to confirm that Nadal has settled into a siege and if so, General Oakbeard I want the Eight Legion to reinforce him there after Salinda has been secured. Any questions gentlemen?" Jacob asked the two Generals who simply saluted and ran off.

"Lord Tupperwine, in the next couple days Lady Winters will be here to take a look at things. She is my voice here in the Twisting Hills Region. Will this be a problem?" Jacob asked the man who looked surprised.

"Lord Winters was stating that Lady Winter was a prisoner," Travis stated and Jacob snorted in disgust.

"Lady Tiffany Winters is the Steward of Uldon and the highest-ranking member of the Empires Government other than me in this region. I plan on appointing her as Governor of this region if she will accept the position. She is not a prisoner in any way." Jacob replied and the other man shook himself and assured Jacob he was fine with working with her.