Book 2 Chapter 38

"Two armies?" Christopher asked surprised. 'Fuck.' To many scenarios were running through his mind at the moment. He originally believed one army could possibly be on the move, but both their intelligence and scouts had nothing to report of any other armies mobilizing, the obvious choices were The Empire and Albrael, but something about the desperation in the man's voice reporting, made that thought sound like a sweet promise whispered in the ear..  "One of them is Albrael's army correct?"

"Yes sir. The other is-"

A rather fat man sat on a giant ornamental chair laden with Gold, silver, and many different jewels built atop of a platform being hoisted by different species. Hundreds of men were gathered around the make shift platform kneeling with their heads bowed reverently.

"HAHA I can't wait! I've never had an Emperor bend a knee to the rose yet!" The man cackled like a power hungry tyrant. Behind him were thousands of soldiers All flying the banner of a bejeweled crown, with a vibrant blue rose resting in front of it.  "The city of eternity!? The only thing that's eternal is our goddess Martelise!" This was the second top ranking cardinal of The Holy State and appointed general, Antonio De Luca.

"RAAAAH!" The thunderous roar of thousands of soldiers shook the ground. As the army was cheering and stomping their feet. Their eyes were burning with a fervent fire, yet the same time if one were to look into their eyes they would see an emptiness, devoid of life. They existed for only one reason as far as the holy state was concerned and this was to serve their goddess's will as passed down through their cardinals or pope.  They were religious fanatics, zealots.

'Time to at long last expand the influence of The Holy State and advance myself even further!' Antonio couldn't contain his excitement. Sure in a straight up fight The Holy State wouldn't be able to stand on even ground, but Antonio had prepared some welcoming gifts for Aldous.

"Your holiness. We're at the location we intended to camp for the night."

"Ah good and are-"

"Ah yes, the most devout worshippers of Martelise are awaiting your arrival so you may provide you blessings." 

"Perfect lead the way to my tent then!"

To these soldiers Antonio was below one person, The pope. As soon as their army stopped for the night his tent and room was put together at the center of their camp within minutes. If they were taking a small break in their march the men would instantly move to assure he had a drink in his hand or food whenever he may desire it.

"Your holiness. It's been a day since we've fed the beasts. Perhaps -"

"Eh fine fine, go ahead and feed them! You keep feeding them this often and they're going to get spoiled you know!" Antonio waved his hand clearly showing the lack of any kind of care or emotion aside from disdain for what he deemed useless creatures.

"Yes sir! You heard the him feed the beasts! We don't want them dropping dead on the march!"

Soldiers rushed forward with baskets of moldy rock hard bread and began throwing it at the the feet of the half humans that were supporting the Cardinal's platform. While the Cardinal walked past thinking nothing of it.

His right hand man Vincenzo Gabrialdi led the way until they found themselves standing in front of a tent that was easily three thousand square feet, stitched in was giant blooming roses on each side of the tent flap along with other stitched designs such as the goddess Martelise preaching to her devout followers, then Cardinals passing on her will, and her holy warriors striking down the heathens that dare defy her love and will.

"A bath has already been drawn and heated using magic, and there's refreshments awaiting you inside. If anything doesn't quite meet your approval please call out for me and I will see to it immediately,"

Antonio stepped through the tent glancing around, there were several blazers lighting the room and a large elegant bed laid out in the center of the room. His gaze wandered towards the roof of the tent. Depicted was Martelise singing to the leaders of the holy state, her voice being projected onto a crowd of gatherers. 'Her words were law, passed onto the holy leaders... Which in the end meant their word was law. Antonio smiled seeing the portrait. 'That's right the goddess is looking down upon us, giving her blessings for our actions, to say we are wrong is saying the goddess herself is wrong!' 

"Well then who's ready to be blessed?" Antonio asked shedding his robe. throughout the room were ten different women all waiting for him, already naked. Some were gathered at the table snacking, one was sitting on a swing set up to the side rocking back and forth, some were indulging in the fine wines of The Holy State awaiting Antonio.  While they indulged in their desires, he would be indulging in his. A smile crept over his face as he approached the women on the bed who all smiled at him seductively.

"We await your guidance Holy one."

"Haha that's what I like to hear. Let's see who's truly worthy of the goddesses love!"

Back in Helenfel.

"Of course... The Holy State of Martelise. Guess it's not to surprising. Aldous is all about reputation and making a name for himself. Most of his army has been fighting on the south western side of The Empire. Though his current invasion is coming to an end soon." Christopher announced indicating towards the map. "He's been secretly shifting his army and supplies back towards the east leaving about double the man power needed in the west to finish the job. Most of all apart from the officers they're mostly his newest recruits.. He's using war as a makeshift training ground. Now that the west is mostly diminished and their spirits crushed it's the perfect place for their newbies. Now to the east he's already amassed his most elite forces in secret. Though I doubt Alayna would so openly betray her ruler as to say this, but there will be some vampires with his forces as well." Alayna had been summoned back to the capital of her homeland shortly after Brianna had placed her at the bottom of the totem pole. Christopher couldn't help but have a sneaking suspicion that this had something to do with that summons. Either her ruler would be ordering her to assist the vampires who were going to fight along side the Empire or for a report.

"But even without Vampires fighting for the Empire, why would The Holy State even think of invading the empire? I mean if the empire invaded I get the whole fight strong for your country, but -"

"It's simple. You said Albrael's army is assembling right?"

The messenger delivering the report nodded his head in affirmation. Seeing the answer Christopher pointed at the map. "Their staging point is probably on the east correct?" The man nodded again. 

Christopher leaned back and sighed. "That will make things more difficult. I'm quite certain they're going to come north along the eastern border. Though the Empire is strong and together has a much larger force, but they're unable to leave their borders unguarded. They can only move their western armies east if it's an emergency, which is also why he's putting vampires into play." Collen consolidated different units to represent the three different armies and pushing them in their respective locations. 

"So they're joining forces to eliminate the Empire?"

"Nope...  Albrael knows we would take advantage of it and either cut their supply lines or attack their rear. They're going to march in a column, this is the only route big enough allowing them to maintain a formation to fend off attacks. They will form a solid battle line With the Holy State. Though they know the empire's strength, they intend to meet up with The Holy State's forces, and extend their formation into a giant J sweeping here... To attack what they see as the weakest objective.... Helenfel."