Chereads / Covenant System / Chapter 9 - Chapter 9, Thronmar

Chapter 9 - Chapter 9, Thronmar

Zall lead Senani into a large log building. He called it the long house and made it clear Senani was to meet the leader of the village. The leader was not the large warrior Senani expected to see. Instead, he met an elderly female shaman. She looked at Senani with a clear air of authority, you could tell she was used to being listened to without question. She then spoke.

"My name is Zorin. Zall sent word that you helped him against the goblins that attacked and intended to destroy our homes. We would have been dead or slaves to their overlord. He also tells me that you are the King of a land called Solamnia and that after the battle most of your army of wolves disappeared. As did all the dead, orc and goblin alike. We are grateful for your aid, but I must ask, why are you in orc lands?"

Senani appreciated Zorin's bluntness. He responded, "I had heard of a large orc settlement far to the north. We are on our way to discuss trade and potentially an alliance with the orcs. It is my desire to setup a guild hall for House Sloth in the orc city and recruit members from your race. I was fortunate enough to be arriving on the road shortly after the goblins attacked. It is fortunate for us both that I did, your men did not die, and I received many dead goblins and a few orcs to add to my army. I will not hide this information from you as I hope that your village will soon join under my protection. One of my generals is a necromancer. The dead he raises retain their minds. If you or Zall sign a Covenant and all your warriors join House Sloth, I will attack Drowmere and place you all under my protection. We will help to build a wall around your settlement, and I will leave as many warriors as you feel you need to defend the town."

Zorin responded, "From what Zall has said you are far more powerful that we are at Thronmar. If we sign up for your protection we will be thought of as weak to the other orcs. They will stop trading with us. Why should we betray our kindred and join you? You say your necromancer is so powerful. If that is the case, bring the orcs here that you took away. Let them walk, let them prove they are still themselves."

Senani telepathically told Fred to send over the orcs. They appeared beside Kaz weapons in hand. Upon realizing they were in the long house they quickly sheathed their swords and apologized to Zorin. The punishment for raising a weapon in the long house would be death.

Zorin took a moment to collect her senses. She did not believe what Senani had said. She thought it was an empty boast. She knew these men. Thronmar was such a small settlement that everyone knew everyone. This time she spoke directly to them, ignoring Senani. "Zed, your eyes are glowing, is that really you? How can I know it is you? You were dead."

Zed spoke, "I do not know how I am alive. A human named Fred snatched me from my slumber. He treated me with respect and provided me my weapons. I feel stronger than before, I do not feel I can be tired any longer. I do not know if you can trust these people. But I do see that Zall is alive. When I fell that was not a possibility. I fell knowing we would all meet again in the afterlife. Fred told me this man is his King. He commands a world called Solamnia. His castle is larger than our village. I do not know how many beings he controls. I only know that they are not all human and there are many that are dead. When I was called here, Fred was bringing the goblins back to life. The more this army kills the stronger and larger it becomes."

Zorin then directed her response to Senani, "Can you do as you say? Can you defeat the goblins and their overlords in Drowmere?"

Senani responded, "I will defeat Drowmere, and I will claim it and all of its inhabitants as my own. Even in death they will aid me. Thronmar is different. Your people have attacked no one. You offer no insult. Thronmar will have a choice. Join with me, allow Zall to join the mercenary group of Kaz. I will summon 200 of my undead troops and we will build a wall around your city. My wolves and mercenaries will assault Drowmere while the wall is being built. You will be safe."

Zorin responded, "If you can truly do this, Thronmar will be under your command. I will swear fealty to you and all, but the children will join House Sloth. I will also give you land to build a guild hall, and I will create a portal in your guildhall to travel back to Solamnia's guild hall. It will only be accessible by those in your guild. If any other tries to travel they will merely run into the wall. You will have to provide your own resources for the guild hall and have your undead build it, however. I require proof of your conquest. Zall will know what I desire." She then told Zall to have his group join with Kaz. Orcs would be witness to the assault on Drowmere. Senani brought Zall and his group to the land grant to prepare for the battle to come.

When Senani arrived at his land grant he asked Boolah to meet him at the castle. When Boolah arrived, Senani began questioning him about the denizens of Drowmere. Boolah had never been there. He was unsure what lived in Drowmere. Senani attempted to prod a bit farther and to his surprise, Boolah turned into a cocoon. He was beginning to evolve. Senani hoped this evolution would be quick as he needed Boolah in his assault. Senani desired to have as many goblins as possible join Boolah rather than having to slay them.

Senani informed Zorin of what was happening to Boolah. As Boolah was important to his plan he had no choice but to train his army while he waited and have the undead make improvements to Thronmar. He also worked with Zorin to create a portal from the location he would be building his guild hall in Thronmar into the training grounds at the castle. On the third day of Boolah's evolution, Wolf also turned into a cocoon. Senani was extremely curious what Wolf would evolve into.

After one week, Senani grew impatient. He asked Rikki-Tiki to inform him when Boolah emerged. Senani, Kaz, Zall, the orcs from Zall's original troop and the guards Senani had been bringing along with him began the walk from Thronmar to Drowmere. They kept their eyes open along the way for any living creatures. They continued to utilize 2 hours a day for training with swords. Senani desired to have one of the greatest armies in the world.