It was a warm summer night in Nova Curaw, and the tavern was crowded. Ale was flowing, and the patrons were singing. But in a darker corner of the room sat Bryggan and Blue, pouring over a map. The map was littered with various pieces. Some represented cities, some represented trade routes, and then there were the armies of various colors.
"Then there is Moonshine. We have no idea yet what he is planning..." Growled Bryggan. "We have forces here, and here, and we're pushing in on yet another Berzerker force."
At the moment, an out of breath Tristan burst into the room. 'There you are Bryggan! I have him! I have it on great authority that he's out by Suno. It's a long trek, but I can be there in a few weeks. We can get him!" He raised his fist defiantly as he strode over to their corner.
"Tristan..."
"I know I can do it. I can ram my sword deep into his stomach, and watch the light fade from his eyes... it will be glorious..."
"Tristan..."
"With him out of the way, I think opposition will falter even further! We will take all of Calradia!"
"Tristan!" Bryggan slammed his fist on the table. "You have no clue what you are talking about. Suno is far out of the way, and it would be very unlike Moonshine..."
"Bryggan, I received this!" He reached into his cloak and pulled out a parchment. "It's from Moonshine himself! He has challenged me to battle!"
"Tristan, I've received reports from Camulos that Moonshine was at New Shulus. I heard from Albus that he's in the Steppes. There were reports that he purchased a large order of ales from Sargoth, and Sharpe's special blend out of Veluca. I have even heard he died." Bryggan sighed. "You need to understand, not every enemy charges up the middle. Moonshine is a flank fighter. He attacks from the shadows, and causes misdirection among the army he faces. He lets you see what he wants you to see."
"But...Bryggan, he signed this by his own hand. He challenged me out in the fields of Suno..." A frown crossed the great Lord's face. He brow furrowed in thought. "Surely he'd keep his word and face me..."
"Do what you wish. But if he said Suno, he'd be more likely to attack Nova Suno, and you'd be the fool to chase him out to the other..."
"Regardless, I do not need permission. I will find him, and bring you his head." Tristan folded up the parchment, and put it back in his cloak. "Then we will see who the greater fool is." He turned and left.
At that point, Blue couldn't contain himself. "Oh, I don't we need to SEE who that is.." His laughter drowned out into the noise as the crowd, as he finished his ale. Just then, a figure appeared with three mugs.
"I've got Squid's Demise for Lord Blue, chadzian ale for Bryggan, and a half finished water for myself." The figure sat down, and pulled back his cowl. He stared intently at the High King. A smirk slowly spread out across his face.
"Moonshine!" Bryggan hissed, as he reached for his sword. Blue on the other hand, reached for the mug.
"Aye, now stay your hand. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. But that wouldn't be much fun now would it." A slow smile spread across the old man's face. "Now then, Shulus, Sargoth, Veluca, and of course, Suno... Good scouts you have. I've paid them well, and those that wouldn't accept payment are long buried."
"Why are you here?"
"For your surrender of course. I'd like the HCE to dissolve, and for the warring armies to head home..."
"Never, we'd never..."
At that point, a dagger appeared in the old man's hands. He raised it high, and slammed it down, point first, into the table. "Then if you wish to know where my forces are, look to New Tash Kulun. My scouts have reported there is 300k worth of silver in it, which is one third of the bounty you placed on me..."
Bryggan stood, and pulled out his blade. "Bounty? I'll collect it myself!"
At that moment, vodka 'cocktails' flew threw the windows, and the open doorway. They burst into flame as the glass shattered upon their landing. A chant of 'Bootleggers' erupted from outside, and inside the tavern. Bryggan turned to face the oncoming threat, and seeing it was merely a distraction, spun about a second time. However, the figure was gone.
"Blue, where did he go?"
Blue sat there, staring into the mug. He took another good swig, before raising his eyes to Bryggan. "Who?"
"Moonshine. Where did he go, he was right here...."
"I didn't notice. Damn, this is good stuff. I may have to put in an order for Calamari's ale for my personal cache. Regardless, at least you got a free drink out of it all."
As Bryggan sheathed his sword with one hand, he grabbed the mug and downed it. Quickly, he realized his mistake, and spit it all over the table. "That bastard! This isn't ale! This is aled down water... OH, how I will get him..."
