u/PoesKatBeest

Before Hannibal and Babokar had returned to the old ruler, they had sent out scouts towards the emptiness of their new lands. With the order of finding any remnants of The Horde and map out their new lands.

 

As the scouts returned to the
capital, one by one. A little confused as they had expected Hamilkar to be
seated on his throne, but rather than that it was a new female, they had seen
her before but didn't know her too well.

 

After being told about what had
happened here, the scouts started telling their tales. They brought stories of
sand dunes, sand plains and some leftover ruins from rules before theirs. They
also brought news of 3 small oases, very shallow water with little greenery
around it.

Gorga listened with care and also
asked questions where questions were needed. She looked at Hannibal after the
last one had spoken. There was no mention of any hostilities or the horde.
Hannibal looked sad and but also worried, they really had taken the piss out of
him. The Horde was taunting him.

 

Babokar looked less worried. As he
had maps of his new lands, in great detail. He started to plan where the tribes
could settle. Where there were refreshing posts needed, where stables had to be
built.

 

This would be the new blueprint of their tribal lands. In the north-east the capital Borcabul, and in the south-west coast multiple smaller fishing towns.

After the first uprising had started in Ulan and the horde had been overthrown the armies had tried to spread to Tered Arafate. As there had been talk about a possible uprising there too. Sadly they had only found “The Desert Rebellion”, a group of traders that was keen on spiders and skeletons. Luckily there had been a friendly meeting and their leader had come for a visit together with gifts and mutual feelings of peace between the lands.

Furthermore feeling of an independent troll land were spreading throughout the lands. Trolls from all over the lands of Rutland came to seek their own peace and escape in Ulan. So too came a lot of troll traders, craftsmen and farmers. Dispelling natives of these lands.

In Ulan a human named Marck came to see the leaders of this uprising. Hannibal had just arrived back from his trip to Tered Arafate, he had seen other lands where the land was dry and the inhabitants were literal bones. Gorga Gorgo had also returned and was holding the spider Maxwell had gifted the troll tribes. His words had spoken to her, she would be taking care of this lovely creature all the time now and with all her love she would maybe become a big and strong spider.

Anyway, back to Marck. As he was reaching the cave where the Borca's had set up camp, there were two guards who tried to stop him. “Halt!” one of them shouted, stepping in front of the entrance. “State your name and business.” Marck stopped. He looked from one guard to the other. Both were armed, and neither looked particularly interested in hearing excuses.

“My name is Marck,” he said. “I have come to speak with the leaders.” They answered. “The leaders are busy.” Marck said. “I was told they would see me.” “By whom?” The guards said angrily. Marck hesitated. “That is not important.” The guards looked at each other. “That sounds like something an important person would say,” one muttered. “It also sounds like something a spy would say,” the other replied.

Before the argument could continue, a deep voice came from inside the cave. “Let him in.” The guards immediately stepped aside. Marck entered. The cave had been transformed into something between a war room and a temporary home. Maps covered the walls. Spears and shields leaned against the stone. Crates of food, weapons and supplies were stacked in neat rows.

At the centre sat Hamilkar Borca. The chieftain was way older than his sons, but there was still an intimidating strength in him. His eyes immediately fixed upon Marck. Beside him stood Babokar, examining a map with several pieces of coloured stone placed across it. And leaning against one of the cave walls was Hannibal. He had only recently returned from Tered Arafate. His clothes still carried the dust of the journey, and he had brought back several strange objects from the Desert Rebellion. Among them was a small bone ornament that he had found among the sand of the Desert Rebellion lands.

Hamilkar looked at Marck. “You wished to speak with us?” Mark replied. “Yes.” With calm Hamilcar said. “Then speak.” Marck stepped forward. “I come from the borders Arrada Iru.” The room became silent. Hannibal straightened. Babokar looked up from the map. Even Hamilkar's expression changed. “Arrada Iru?” Hannibal asked. Marck nodded. “There is trouble there too.” Babokar asked. “What kind of trouble?” Marck took a breath. “Not the kind you have seen in Ulan.”

“The people of Arrada Iru have heard about what happened here. They know the horde was overthrown. They know the trolls are gathering in Ulan. And they know that your armies are moving through the lands.” Hamilkar folded his arms. “And?” Marck said. “They are afraid.” Hannibal frowned. “Are they also afraid of us?”

“Not only the humans but also the trolls. Especially now that the Horde has been seen there less too.” Marck walked towards the map. “Arrada Iru has become divided. Some want to join the rebellion. Others want to remain loyal to the old rulers. Some simply want to be left alone.” Babokar studied him carefully. “And which group are you?” Marck said calmly. “I want my home to survive.”

For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Gorga Gorgo entered the cave. She was holding Maxwell (the spider named after her gifter) carefully in both hands. The spider moved its legs slowly as Gorga admired it. “Look,” she said happily. “Maxwell likes me.” Hannibal stared at the spider. “I believe Maxwell likes being alive.” Gorga said. “That too.”

Gorga noticed Marck. “Who is he?” Marck replied. “Who is she?” “Someone from the borders of Arrada Iru,” Hamilkar answered. Gorga's expression immediately became serious. “Are they attacking us?” Marck said. “Not yet, but there is also unrest between the non-trolls.”

Hamilkar said. “Is that why you are here?” Marck looked towards Hamilkar. “Yes, that’s why I am here. I think the Horde will want their lands back. But there is also so much unrest between non-trolls and trolls.” That was enough to change the atmosphere. Babokar moved towards the map. “Hannibal, maybe we should attack the Horde before they come for us?” Hannibal answered. “Yes, that might be wise. Yet I wouldn’t want to make another fool out of us like we had with the Desert Rebellion. We are still a young and fragile government.”

Hamilkar sighed. “I am too old for this stuff, I need someone to be the decisive factor in all this.” Babokar exclaimed. “Father would it be wise to appoint me or Hannibal to be the next chieftain?” Hannibal gniffeled, he didn’t want to be a chieftain. He loved to cause chaos. Hamilkar stood. “No Babokar, not now. Marck needs to tell us more about this unrest. Please tell us everything.”

Marck began to explain. Arrada Iru had once been a prosperous settlement. Its position made it important for trade between the northern lands and the territories further south. Whoever controlled it could move soldiers and supplies through the region. Yet there were isles beneath Arrada Iru that had important value for an alliance called the Dominion.

Hamilkar gave out the call, the city was to be prepared for war. With the Horde as Arrada Iru would be their second land claimed. Carts were being built. Weapons were being reinforced. Shield were painted. Farmers were being forced to bring their grain into the city. And rumours were spreading that the Borca army intended to conquer Arrada Iru.

“We have no intention of conquering them, but if they are mad about what we did here. Maybe we should.” Hamilkar said. “I know that, they know that too.” Marck replied. “But they don't know about the unrest in Ulan between the trolls and non-trolls.” Hannibal stepped closer to the map. “Then we cannot simply march there.” Babokar nodded. “We would look like an invading army.”

“We are an army,” Hannibal replied. “Yes.” Babokar said. “Which is exactly the problem.” Hamilkar looked between his sons. “What do you suggest?” Babokar pointed towards the roads leading to Arrada Iru. “We could send a small delegation first. Food, medicine and a message of peace.” Hannibal shook his head. “And if they attack the delegation?” Babokar said. “Then we know they have chosen their side.” Hannibal looked at Marck. “Would they listen? And would that also signal to the resistance that the non-trolls have nothing to fear?”

Marck was silent. “I don't know.” Hamilkar looked towards the cave entrance. Outside, hundreds of soldiers were preparing for whatever came next. Trolls were gathering around the campfires. Humans that supported the cause of the trolls were also present. Traders moved between the tents. Farmers unloaded sacks of grain. The uprising had grown far larger than anyone had expected. And with every passing day, the possibility of a larger war became more real.

Hamilkar finally spoke. “We will go to Arrada Iru.” Babokar looked surprised. “With the army?” Hamilkar replied. “With enough of it.” Hannibal smiled faintly. “I was hoping you would say that.” Babokar shook his head. “You were hoping for a battle.” Hannibal grinned even more. “I was hoping for an opportunity.” Babokar stared. “Those are not the same thing.” Hannibal smilingly said. “They usually become the same thing.”

Gorga raised Maxwell into the air. “Maxwell thinks we should go.” Everyone stared at her. “How do you know?” Hannibal asked. “He moved his leg.” Babokar said. “That is not a military opinion.” Gorga smiled. “It is to him.” Despite himself being a serious man, Hamilkar laughed. Then he turned serious again. “Prepare the army.”

Babokar hesitantly began organising the supplies. “We need food for at least two weeks. Water barrels, spare weapons, tents, medical supplies and enough animals to transport everything.” Hannibal began choosing soldiers. “I'll take the forward troops.” Babokar said. “You will take no more than necessary.” Disappointed in his brother Hannibal said. “I know.” His father said. “I mean it too.” Disappointed in his father Hannibal said. “I know.” “And don't start a battle unless you have to Hannibal.” Hannibal paused. “That one might be difficult.” Babokar and Hamilkar glared at him. Hannibal smiled. “I'll try.”

The next morning, the army of the Borca's began its march. Babokar in the front, yet Hannibal nowhere to be seen. They had sent out a scouting party, with Hannibal as leader. They left Ulan, Marck, Hamilkar and Gorga behind. Trolls and non-trolls watched them from the hills as the great column moved south. Among them were farmers, craftsmen and traders who had come to Ulan searching for a new life. But mainly strong big troll warriors. Some cheered. Others remained silent. They all knew what was coming.

The troops on the move:
Scouting party:
Hannibal and 3 other riders on ostriches

The marching army:
Babokar on his ostriphant
10 big trolls
50 spearmen with shields
50 swordsmen with shields
50 heavy armoured fighters
20 elite troops
50 spearmen
7 war elephants

OOC: I forgot to add Maxwell the spider to the post as I am a tooootal goober🤓

As the uprising in Ulan spread, some fled the lands and tried to find peaceful alternatives. As the lands of the horde also wouldn’t be safe I went for Teres Arafate. With me the news also went out of the horde lands and reached Tered Arafate. Because the troll factions there also felt like they were treated unfairly and heard of the successes of the Borca family, there were rumours that an uprising there would also happen.

With news of these rumours reaching Hannibal he send out a message to his troops; support our brothers in the south, gather your weapons and go! But please see first if the leader there is also a bad person.

As he shouted this order almost all of his troops went on and were on their way to support the new uprising in Tered Arafate.

When they arrived there the leader of the lands said; that their lands may not be used as a staging area for war, this wouldn’t work for us. Let us trolls be free and let us unite with our brothers to fight the horde.

Their answer was no! So I will use: 3 war elephants, 4 dinoriders, 3 archers, 200 troops, 10 elite warriors, Hannibal and 12 big trolls.

Helping the 100 trolls that started this uprising. So these land can be free and I can use a bigger army with 2 front to attack the horde next!