Surface- Lost Islands Region

Contested Area- Island of Ordstead

Outside the Fortress of Vremburn

Gaping holes in the walls of the fortress filled Jacob's vision as he studied it. The facing of the Keep was cracked in multiple places from the bombardment. Half the fortress was openly burning from the explosive Ballista Bolts being used while the Catapults used simple stone as ammunition. However the bombardment had stopped, Jacob was giving the defenders a chance to surrender if they wanted. If they did not, the bombardment would continue until the Keep collapsed. So far, no one had emerged from the fortress, but Jacob had given them some time to decide if they wanted to talk or not.

Finally, after nine minutes, a man emerged from the fortress. He was armed and armored but he made directly for Jacob and his small escort. Jacob studied the pirate, he was short but bulky and had a casual grace to his gait the bespoke of a man that knew how to handle himself. Jacob quickly analyzed him as he drew nearer. Spoiler: Spoiler

Name: Sebastion Jenkins (Pirate Lord)

Class: Pirate-Duelist

Level: 210

Health: 8,650

Stamina: 4,000

Note* Humans are one of the most common species in Ithea.

Jacob considered the slimy bastard that had caused so many problems for so many. He was powerful as an individual and probably one of the deadliest he had gone against. However, Jacob was here under a banner of a truce that the Pirate Lord had accepted. Until he broke the truce, Jacob could do nothing.

"Pleasent night we are having, ain't it?" Sebastion stated as he walked up and studied Jacob and his escort.

"Yes, it is. The fires from your fortress provide ample illumination and reflect from the ocean beautifully." Jacob replied to his arrogant tone.

The Pirate Lord gave him a tight smile, "Yes of course. I assume the pleasantries are over...I assume you want our unconditional surrender?"

"In a perfect world that is what you would do, but I assume that is not what you will do," Jacob replied as he sighed.

Sebastion smirked at him and smiled, "Why would you think that?"

"Because everything about you screams asshole, from the smug grin on your face, the way you walk, to how you gained power. Hell, you allied yourself with slavers, that alone would make you an asshole in my book." Jacob replied deadpan earning snickers from the Dawn Guard nearby.

"Well, that's a matter of personal opinion---" Sebastion started but Jacob cut him off.

"My opinion is what matters Sebastion. You think you hold some sway over how this discussion goes, but you do not. So here are the terms, either you and your people surrender unconditionally or I raze your fortress to the foundation. We will not assault it, we will simply bombard it until it collapses.' Jacob told the arrogant bastard before continuing. 'The only way you get off this island alive is if you surrender. Now, what is your decision?" Jacob prodded.

Sebastion was furious and his hand reached for the cutlas on his hip and Jacob smiled causing him to stop, "Go ahead, everyone on both sides knows your an idiot. Pull the weapon and I can kill you without any repercussions." Jacob encouraged him as he kept his relaxed stance.

Sebastion grit his teeth in frustration before taking a step back before turning and leaving. "Ahh...I thought we were becoming friends, don't leave mad." Jacob called after him as the nearby Dawn Guards no longer snickered, the laughed openly as Thorgron rolled his eyes.

"I thought you were going to be diplomatic?" Thorgron stated.

Jacob smiled at the Duergar, "I was very diplomatic, just not to him. Rose, did they hear everything?' Jacob asked the Angel who nodded her head and Jacob turned back to the fortress and watched the main doors be thrown open and men and women started to emerge. Their weapons were held over their head and they started to leave the Keep. 'I prerecorded a message for the pirates holed up in the Keep and told them everything about what was going on. I also told them how I would handle Sebastion and said he wouldn't swallow his pride and surrender. That he would rather condemn them all to death then surrender. I told them that they could leave the Keep and surrender, but they had to discard their arms and armor before approaching our lines." Jacob told the Duergar as he watched the pirates continued to poor from the Keep.

Sebastion finally saw the first of the pirates emerge from within the fortress and promptly started yelling at them. The pirates ignored him and continued forward and once the reached the halfway mark, they started throwing down their weapons and armor before continuing on. "Only his die-hard loyalists will stay in the Keep. Any questions Captain?" Jacob prompted and the Duergar just chuckled.

"How many do you think will surrender?" the Duergar asked as they watched Sebastion continue to rant and rave at the Pirates walking past him and ignoring him.

"Hopefully all of them. Once they stop coming out, give it a minute before beginning the bombardment again." Jacob told General Ironbark who nodded and saluted. Jacob smiled and turned before staggering a little bit causing Thorgron to grab and steady him. Jacob gave the Duergar a tight smile before walking back up the hill and towards the siege weapons there. Darren's eyes were following his friend before he turned and pulled Thorgron away from the group. Less then an hour later the Keep was all but abandoned by everyone except the Pirate Lord, his personal Guard, and about fifty pirates that had gained too much when the current lord came to power. All the other pirates had abandoned the hopeless situation and had gladly surrendered to Jacobs forces. The bombardment had recommenced and the Keep was looking worse every minute.

"Five hundred years of history crumbling before our eyes...Did you know back during the reclamation of all the lands from the Empire of Night, this fortress and island was just an outpost for the allies back then. Then after the war against the Vampires was over, it fell to disuse. Then the first Pirate Lord rediscovered this place and reclaimed it. It was once the hub of black market trade off the west coast of Arakon, now look at whats the Lost Islands have become..." Bricksby lamented as he watched as the Fortress of Vremburn crumbling.

Jacob looked at the old pirate before responding, "He was given all the chances to surrender, now he has to pay the consequences for his pride." Jacob told the pirate.

Bricksby turned to say something but stopped and gestured at Jacob's face, "Your nose is bleeding." the Pirate stated slightly confused at what was happening. Jacob quickly grabbed at his face. It wasn't much but it was there. Jacob quickly wiped it off before smiling at the pirate.

"Jacob, can we talk?" Darren asked from nearby. Thorgron and Rose were with him and all were looking worried.

Jacob nodded, "If you will excuse me Master Bricksby, apparently I am needed elsewhere.' Jacob turned and glared at the Rogue. Jacob grabbed at the Rogue but he ducked out of the way and trotted off. Jacob quickly followed him a ways off from anybody. 'What is so important? I am here if that idiot so-called Pirate Lord does anything stupid. What do you need or want?" Jacob asked the Rogue once he stopped moving.

"I think you need to logout until they figure out what is going on with your head, I think you should stay away," Darren replied after a few moments.

Jacob stared at him for a moment before responding, "No. It's not going to happen. I understand your concerns but it's my choice and I am not going anywhere." Jacob replied before turning to go back.

"I thought you might say that. Please, Kevin, don't press this I am trying to help you." Darren replied causing Jacob to stop.

"It's not your choice to make Darren. If you have a problem with what I am doing feel free to leave." Jacob replied before turning and leaving.

Jacob quickly checked his Status and it showed nothing, so the nose bleed was more than likely due to the Mantel. Jacob quickly dismissed the screen as he rejoined Bricksby in observing the Bombardment. General Ironbark, Stacy, Lilly, and a squad of Legionnaires had joined him since Jacob had left.

The facing of the Keep and one of the turrets had collapsed. The bombardment was going well for them, bad for the remaining defenders. Jacob watched as the next wave of the Bombardment slam into the keep and collapse the entryway completely. Oh well, now the defenders don't have a choice Jacob thought as he strode over to the group.

Then things changed, it was like the stone started to melt and warp before collapsing in on itself. A large dust cloud emerged as the Keep collapsed and buried anyone within. "Ahh...we don't have any ammunition that does something like that...What the hell was that?" Jacob asked as he studied the ruins.

"The bastard activated the Keeps self destruct. Only the Pirate Lord or current owner of a Keep can do that. Fucking asshole made sure to take anyone with him. Curse him and his soul to the darkest pits of the Abyss." Bricksby replied before spitting on the ground in disgust.

Kingdom Alert...

The Fortress of Vremburn, the Island of Ordstead is now under the control of...the Empire of Night

Kingdom Alert...

Jacob dismissed the notification as Bricksby's cursing picked up and impressed Ironbark and Lilly. Jacob smiled in amusement but knew the cursing was from the heart and in frustration of a man that could not admit he had been beaten. His last action was out of spite to try and deny them a victory, but as long as they were dead, Jacob did not care how. "General, I know we could see the Keep collapse until we have the bodies treat it as if survivors could still come out and kill us," Jacob told the Orc who nodded.

A War Engineer came strolling up, "What's your command Sir?" the Dwarf asked.

"Get the Siege Engines to the port and emplace them there to defend the town and facilities there Sergeant. Let your commander know what carts or bodies you need to help assist you." Jacob told him quickly. The Dwarf saluted before spinning on his heel and leaving.

Surface- Lost Islands Region

Empire of Night- Island of Ordstead

Port

"What did you want to talk about? I thought you made yourself pretty clear earlier today." Darren stated as he joined Jacob as they walked around the port. A squad of the Dawn Guard were closely shadowing them but were giving them enough space for privacy.

"I called you because I need an insurance plan in case the worst is to happen. I made certain plans with the mercenary guilds we are friendly with. They all know I am hiring them for something big and will take a long time. Weeks or even months, they know. Nadal is already aware of this and knows the Empires' side of things. I am going to tell you though just in case." Jacob replied ignoring the barb.

Darren considered his words and nodded in acknowledgment. "Ok, the plan's name is Hydra. The bulk of our forces will be comprised of the First and Second Legions, with the three Legions currently going through basic training. They will form the backbone of our invasion of the Dark Lands. The Dead Legion will be used to support them. The mercenary guilds will be used to scout and assist to hammer any strong resistance. The invasion will be staged in the Obsidion Kingdom, King Ironbreak is aware of this and we have already started to shift supplies there. Arms, armor, medical, food, siege equipment, anything and everything for a long campaign. Before you ask, the Ninth Legion will be taking over garrison duty here at the Lost Islands Region. By the time they get here, both the First and Second will be rested enough for the campaign in the Dark Lands. Trust Brox, Nadal, and Ironbark they are good people and know if I become indisposed they can trust you to make sure this invasion goes off." Jacob explained.

"Why me?" Darren asked causing Jacob to snort in amusement.

"Relax, I am not making you Emperor nor are you, my heir. This invasion will keep the Empire together and give them an enemy to concentrate on. Be wary, the Nation of Rolling Sands has asperations to claim portions or all the Dark Lands. The Mage-King is ambitious and powerful. My instincts tell me whoever he is, his expansions are just getting started. If the Empire hesitates in the east or falters, they might just swoop in and take what we fail to get.' Jacob told Darren his worries about the growing kingdom in the east and he motioned for Jacob to continue. 'Now despite all of that, the Grove of the Original Wellspring is our greatest priority. We cannot fail to conquer the Dark Forest Region and the Grove of the Original Wellspring there. Without it, Alderflesh the Ancient will die permanently as will our chance to Ally with him and claim the Stronghold of the Original Wellspring." Jacob told him making sure the Rogue understood his motivations.

"What happens if you die?" Darren asked prodding at Jacob. Jacob just looked at him and clapped him on the shoulder and winked.

"Some smart assed SoB once told me 'Always have a backup plan Kevin, it can save your life one day' pretty good advice even though he is an ugly son of a bitch that thinks he knows everything." Jacob quipped as he left his friend to ponder and think while Jacob just enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the smell of the ocean, and the horizon starting the lighten.