It was a cold morning, the mist gliding silently across the ground as the thunderous roar of cavalry came over the hill. The Dark Lord's army was on the march, and with it a new age of terror.

Having been exiled from Rhydin so many years ago, Lord Dredd has spent his time well. Rallying the forces of evil to his side, he has built a grand new army with but one purpose. The final and complete conquest of Rhydin.

As his army marched on, his thoughts trailed back to the days of old. To the height of the Guild Wars, and the epic struggle between good and evil. He was once a proud and noble knight, but like many before him, he was seduced by the trappings of power. Deep was his descent into darkness, and many were the victims of his treachery.

Now after all these years he would have his revenge....

Dredd surveyed the land as they marched across the barren steppes. What was once rich farm land now seemed void of anything but scrub and deadroot.

A foul stench filled the air. The few streams they came across seemed almost putrid. Something had moved in while he was away, something he was sure he would soon have to deal with.

In the distance they could finally see the towering spires of the fortress. Thick smoke bellowed from within. Someone had since made it their home. Dredd immediately ordered the army to make camp and dispatched riders to scout out the area and bring back information on who the current residents were.

Several hours later a rider returned, his expression grim and unnerved. "My Lord...Goblins."

It was an hour before sunrise and the goblins were starting to settle into their slumber. They had become complacent since taking over the fortress, and few guards were about. The gods had favored them and the secret escape passage had not been compromised. Using its long, winding passages, the commandos were able to gain entrance into the fortress.

With the stealth of master thieves, they quickly dispatched the few guards near the main gate, and took up their positions. With a pre-planned signal, the forces outside the fortress began moving forward.

With a single command, the gates were thrown open, and the NWO shock troops charged into the fortress. Alarms quickly rang out as the goblinoids were awakened by the commotion. Quickly a melee ensued in the court yard, with goblin archers appeaaring quickly on the ramparts. Shouting orders to his men, Dredd ordered those on the gate's two main towers to silence the goblin archers, as he pressed his attack. His own sword black with the iccor of his fallen enemies, he charged forward towards the great hall. With a sudden roar, a squad of NWO troops were thrown about as a cave troll was unleashed, his heavy club smashing them like so snails.

The valiant pikemen of the Crimson Guard charged the mighty beast, pinning it back, and eventually bringing it down with a mighty thud. The battle would be over an hour later, the corpses of men and goblins alike scattered about. The stench of decay and filth permeating the air as Dredd slowly ascended the steps to the great hall.

Sitting on the once mighty Jade Thrown, was the body of the goblinoid chieftan, killed by a multitude of arrows as the NWO troops stormed the room. With a jerk, the bloated corpse was pulled off the thrown and tumbled down the dais in a heap. Looking around the room at the men who had assembled, Lord Dredd smiled coldly and once again sat upon his throne.

Sitting on the great Jade Throne, the Dark Lord summons the captain of his intelligence service.

"Send out messengers across the land. It is time we recall old friends."

With a salute the officer bows and heads off to do his master's bidding. Riders are dispatched to all the major cities to rally those who were once loyal to the NWO, and those who were identified as possible pawns in what would become a truely epic game of political chess.

The guards manning the gate look down at the stranger. A few moments later the gate opens and a young officer walks out to inquire about his business. After a few moments, the stranger is led through the courtyard and up the steps to the grand keep.

Once there, he is checked for weapons, and escorted into the main audience chambers. Looking up from his seat, Lord Dredd looks the visitor over once and takes a sip of wine.

"How may I help you?"

With a smile, the Dark Lord dismisses the guards from the room, then pouring another glass of wine, he descends the dais to clasp his friend on the shoulder.

"What news do you bring of the South?"

With a sinister smile, he turns and walks back to his seat. After a few moments of deep contemplation he looks up with a grin.

"You have done well. Go now, and we shall dine this evening when the others arive."

On the road leading towards the Fortress, soon to be in the company of the Troops...

The crunching of horses hooves along the broken ground came to a slow stop.

Taini, pronounced ~Tah ee nee~, came to a hault along the rubled remains of an assult cannon used during the reclaiming. She lifted the rose veil of black lace. Her green eyes watched the ground as she held out her hand

One of her few handmaidens, she figured it was Lali, set a long staff in Taini?s leather gloved hand softly.

?Well, well what do we have hear ladies?? She shifted the silks of her riding dress.

Ladies was an odd term. The handmaids where in number of 5, looked nothing like court ladies, as they wore almost ceremonial shirt wraps and hoods that completely hide their eyes and shaven head. They seemed almost ritualistic and barbaric in nature. But darlings, each one of them in Taini?s eyes.

Taini jabbed the pointed end of the long black staff at a little brownish foot that poked out from the rubbish. It jerked back in with a pig like squeal and then sprung from the shambles of wood and iron startled and, in rightful fear for its life, went to flee.

Taini and the girls chuckled as it scrambled, chest clutched and heaving.

?Oh my dear Goblin!? her smile lied her sincerity. ?How awful! Left here alone to die, like?. Trash.? The girls again giggled as the goblin blinked wildly, spittle dangling from its dirty lips. Taini was passing the staff off to her left as she smiled down from horse back.

?Let?s remedy that. Grab him.? Taini heard the fear of the goblin and the chiding laughter of the maids as she dismounted.

?Think of this as a second chance I doubt My Lord?s soldiers will give you.? She still hadn?t turned around as she spoke, her hands in a small saddle bag on her ebony mare.

The goblin flailed as he felt something wrap about his neck as the hands of the maids grabbed his slim pointed chin, fingers hooked in his elongated nostrils, and even another set pulled his kicking legs straight and at the most incorrect angle.

His greasy eyes grew big and wild though when he saw the blade in the Witch?s hands. A ceremonial dagger he knew, Taini wondered if he knew the Bone Blade was made of Harpy remains.

His scream was gurgled as he was held open like a fish ready for the hook to be removed. It was perfect. Tiani reached out grasping the flapping spit and dust covered tongue and drew the knife in a swift hateful cut as she lifted it up, removing the disgusting muscle wholly.

She watched the goblin go slack and faint when the warm blood started seeping past its pointed cannibalistic teeth. All but one of the maids released him as one was there taking the tongue and placing it in a leather pouch, another shoved a handful of grey powder inside the goblins mouth.

One of the maidens took the reins of Taini?s mount as soon as the horses came to a stop outside the main gates.

Formally helped from her side saddle pose, the new ?pet? ran to hide as far as his tether would allow. This drew attention of the guards, but was quickly derailed with a raised, but disarming, hand and a yank of the leash by one of the girls.

She didn?t feel like explaining it, nor did she have to.

Lady Taini and Lali strolled past the guards while the other maidens took to see to the horses. Taini handed the leash to Lali as they moved through the courtyard.

?Take him the back way to my little study; put the tongue out to prep. It will tell us where the rest of them are hiding or where their main rat nest is? She smirked to herself as she saw the goblin start to flinch and sob. He couldn?t go back home or any friendly goblin hordes now. He?d be labeled traitor. Sure Goblins weren?t much, but you didn?t want to be lynched by your own type.

Taini?s long strides sent the hip high splits in her silks to work showing the soft pale skin off and adding to the dusting train of the lengthy silks in her wake.

As she stripped her gloves from her hands, one finger at a time, she looked about slowly. Things were already coming along swimmingly. Taini was not a new face to the Fortress. She?d come along in the march across the lands with her Lord and Master. The men gave her a respectful berth and nods as she passed them. She was looking for Lord Dredd.

She and her hand maidens had gone out for a multi purpose ride. The Goblin snitch was just a happy bonus. Sure he wasn?t a snitch on purpose. But she knew a few tricks that would make that severed tongue tell what they needed to know. At first they?d been looking for even a dead one to play with a little, but a live one? It was a Glorious day so far!

?Glorious..? she heard the voices drifting to her ears as she approached, and caught the sight of the Lord and Kusumura as he started to leave the Hall. A very courteous and slow nod was sent to Kusumura as Taini placed a hand on the to the obscenely tight leather of her uniform black bodice.

Tika let out a quiet chuckle and moved to hide a little behind Taini. The sound and motion drew Taini from her thoughts for a moment, to see one of the youngest of her Lord?s men openly watching them.

Taini grew malicious almost instantly. Her fan hand moved quicker across the bared skin just above her dangerously low cut corset. The breeze caused her hair to stir as she lifted her chin with a breathless parted lip smile. Emerald eyes locked on the young on. Tika watched it and just snickered even though she felt bad for the man knowing what was coming.

It was the young man?s Battle Sergeant, about the same time as the young soldier tripped over some invisible line in the floor.

He was spared the face plant to the floor, but only because the Sergeant had him literally by the back of the neck.

?Your men should not be so easily distracted,? Taini stopped fanning herself altogether as she heard the proper and respectful apology. She knew the young man would not make the same mistake twice. Even if her would hate Taini secretly during the punishment or, retraining or both.

Taini was used to her specific charms; it was bred into her kind. But the normal Gyspsy tricks where not what interested her. It was the world around her and how, if you looked just right, you could bend it to your will. Her Grandmothers taught her the art of the stars, charts, fortunes, and the ground around her feet, plants, extracts, insects and poisons.

Such things were priceless to the undesirable wanderers and the core of Taini?s profession and survival.

Her fingers nested around the goblet as her nose picked up the scent of one of her favorite blends. She gave him a thankful and honored smile as they started to walk.

?The good type of uneventful My Lord, I found a few places to harvest supplies and materials I will need as well as seeing a few small farmsteads bordering your lands. Maybe one?s we can convince to supply use with a few? extras.?

Convince was used loosely as well as Extras. She had no doubt things would be taken care of if not already underway.

?And I did acquire the most unusual beastling today. The girls and I found a goblin half alive under the fodder and remains. I am not sure if he was running or fighting at the time, but I have him enslaved and tethered to my crates, mute and ready to haul boxes and gear. If? you allow My Lord.?