Slaughter

The joys of flying . She heard on occasion a brainless noblewoman ponder on how it would feel to conquer the skies and touch the clouds, to be carried by the softest breeze and to bask under the sun. How wrong they were, flying was a fascinating contraction of new muscles, conquering new heights and speeds, it was hard and exciting, and she pushed herself to try to never touch the ground again.

She swooped and smashed the head of yet another Ogre, the heavy blade was barely more than a bludgeon weapon after so many hours of combat. Tartacus entered the realm right next to the rear of Marus army, and it was a non stop struggle as the Legions of Fury tried to appear where the stupefied Incubus armies camped. A part of Mira rebelled at the cheer idiocy of such strategy, both sides were taking heavy casualties, but most of the fallen paladin was simply rejoicing at the pronged battle, and the opportunity to get her vengeance, over and over again.

Day became night, and then the moon rose. Combat was drying out, and Mira found satisfaction when she saw her side had won the day, but the troops were plundering Marus camp than making their own. Enough was enough, the former commander flew to the nearest group and yelled

"What the HELL do you think you are doing?" it was a band of Hobgoblins, a cousin races of the goblins, but much stronger and more intelligent. "Uh... dinner?" while not subservient, the grunt was smart enough to recognize a much more powerful being in front of him. "No! you will first build your camp, and then scavenge the enemy camp. Go NOW"

They obeyed, just like most others obeyed. The few who didnt, Mira ordered to be put in chains. The demons stayed back, amused at the discipline the paladin was trying to put in an army of Fury and Chaos, but she eventually managed to have a working camp. It was then she received Tartacus summons.

He was waiting for her in the general tent, just like before, but this time there wasnt any other demons with him. He had maps and stones spread over a table. "You are here. good. I was waiting for you earlier, Mira"

"Then kill your imp. I just received your message" She was still feeling the rush of the battle and command, she had so often brooked inane requests during campaigns, it felt good to snap out.

"I expected you after the attack was over. I didnt expect you to play field commander with my army." The red skinned devil had his chest naked and his fair share of blood and scars, but none looked particularly dire.

"Nor anyone, apparently. A militia of peasants would have better sense than this pack of dogs" She baited him, trying to see him lose his temper. She was better than him, why would she have to take orders from him?

Instead he laughed

"I dont care one iota about this army, it is just a small vanguard. The slaughter will fuel the portals we will use to summon my Bezerogs and my Hellriders in the morning. You can do whatever you want." Bezerogs, the behemoth demons the size of a whale. Mira shivered at the idea, there were legends about city walls being trampled by these huge creatures in ancient times. They were, thankfully, extremely rare in the World, but Tartacus was saying he would bring ... how many? but it didnt matter, it was clear it would be enough to destroy the Kingdom of Arlain. And what else?

His palm slammed hard on her face, sending her sprawling on the ground. The anger came back, she pulled her sword, and met his blade to blade. She was quicker and stronger than ever before, but she was poorly matched versus this demon. he fought her to a stand still, and then cleanly disarmed her.

"Still the paladin" he sneered

" To HELL with you" she cursed, panting heavy.

"Dont be like that. I enjoy it. The challenge, the threat. keeps me on my toes" he offered her his hand, and helped her up. "But it isn't your precious Kingdom that concerns me, no. I intend to march on the Dwarven Halls next. Do you remember them?" Of course she did, Mira had gone to their citadel, begged, humiliated herself for their help, but the xenophobic bastards in the end reneged their treaty and abandoned Arlain in their hour of need. It was their fault too.

"Even with your beasts, you wont break their walls, unless they can topple mountains." she felt his interest stir, and she knew this was yet another battle she fought with Tartacus "But I know of another way in. Another stronghold, build to house the dwarves if ever their kingdom fall, but currently just an unoccupied fortress that is connected to their tunnels and the surface." While her mission was a failure, the paladin had been named Dwarf Friend and learnt much during her stay with the stout folks.

"And you will tell me where I can find this fortress?" the four eyes ponder on the paladin, suspiciously.

"After we are done with Marus" Mira smirks