[Beasts Riders] Journey in the Riders' World

Part. 1

    The Westernlands, known as the Western Kingdom, had been rainy for the last two weeks. Mud on the road slowed down the advance of the troops that were going North, but their commander had high hopes. For years the Warden, the reigning king of the Westernlands, had its looks on the Northern Border’s plains.


A dozen centuries ago, the Kingdom, united force of the West, East and South, advanced North, in its view the vast territories of the Barbarian people. They thought they could walk North in summer, in just a few weeks, and reach the largest fortresses before the frost, securing their hold and forming a powerful Kingdom uniting all regions. It lasted 20 months. They were not ready for the winter, and its people even less.


But these times were past, and the Western Commander was convinced he knew how to win. He never ventured away from the mountains and rivers of the West. He went to the Center Kingdom often, and bathed in their riches, then trained in battle tactics in his youth of the Easternlands, large plains suitable to practice military. He knew his art. He fended off pirates off the West Coast, raiders that came from the South. Barbarians were still savage to him, they lived by hunting in winter, mostly retreating in their home instead of buying southern food. He’d show them, he knew how he could bring into the Kingdom for good.


The Warden would promote him. Especially with their growing population, their small plains couldn’t sustain the demand. They needed the Western plains of the North. He wanted to offer them a fair deal in exchange for the soil. The North people living on these plains were a different breed. They were comprised mostly of Elves and Humans, and barely had any housing or buildings. Tents in the plains and small shacks in the wood. They carved rocks and stones in crude animals, and barely used any of their lands. They wouldn’t lose a lot.


The commander turned to his two captain, all three riding ahead of the troops on their horses.


“Men, the Northern savages will not understand much of what is offered, but it is time the Western Kingdom shows its true might.”


The first captain, wearing his red scarf, scoffed at the idea. “Commander, they held these positions for centuries. Don’t you think they’ll refuse?”


“All the past offers were made by diplomats. The Watchman still believes that. Our highest King of the Kingdom still believes diplomacy is the right choice. We bring an army. This’ll change things.”


The second captain, with his dark-leather eye patch, rode up to his commander. “There may be a reason why there never was any large conflicts in the Kingdom for centuries too. This shouldn’t be done, sir.”


“Eh, you younger soldiers. I’ve seen the men behind us. Larger than their Easternlands counterpart, tougher than the Southerns, and well equipped compared to the Center Kingdom. Also, don’t you think I’ve planned this through? The Northern Kingdom’s commanders are with me. They are ready to take up arms if something gets out of line. Trust in their Steel Knights.”


The red-scarf captain laughed lightly at this statement. “The Northern Kingdom has been in good relations with the Barbarians for years. You should open a history book, sir. Sure, they have their rivalries, and ready for a fight, but you are underestimating why the Barbarians’ will…”


The Commander raised his hand to cut his first captain. “Enough with this. Trust me, trust our men. The Far North will belong to the Kingdom soon.