[Eyvind Redbeard]

35th Brightening of the Fourth Cycle of the Month of Cryxatum in the season of Summer; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

At dawn, North of Taralon.

A man stood over a hill watching the river flowing in the direction of the ocean. The slow and calm water running made him remember the rivers of his land and the mighty river Ioannes near Aelyria Prime and the small boats waiting for him nearby resembled the Longships of his beloved people. For his surprise he recognized the boatmen who would help them going up the stream as Vagarans, when he had requested boats and men to carry them to the mountains he never imagined to find members of his people, not so south of the Hinterlands nor in so great number. About ten men waited for him and one even waved when saw the seven feet tall red haired Vagaran looking down at them from over the hill.

Eyvind had taken the lead of their calm walk from Taralon to this place and his companions arrived shortly after. The Daekin pointed down and waved to his companions telling them this was the place. Some minutes later he was near the boats with the men who would help them go up the stream.

"Serale, I am Alfgeir and I am the one in charge of the boats here."

A blonde and bearded man said to him with a smile.

"Serale, Eyvind "Redbeard" Avornmagor, Daekin of the 9th Legion."

"Avornmagor? The Avornmagor?"

The man's voice changed slightly and the others whispered when they heard the name.

"Yes, the same...but let us not talk about it in front of my men shall we?"

"Certainly sire."

The man said respectfully. It seemed not all had forgot about the defeat of Antediluvian at the hands of Aeric and at least this small group remembered the name of Avornmagor, not that they could do anything about it. Respect was the only thing they could and would give. The Vagarans weren't bounded to oaths such as the one they had been in the past and they wouldn't mindlessly follow one just for carrying the name of some lost hero of the past.

"What can you tell me about the river, Alfgeir?"

"It is calm in this section but I can't promise about the others, the river is tricky and its flow grows and dwindles as if it had a will of his own."

Eyvind nodded and looked to the distant mountains, then to the hill behind him from the top of which he had just spotted the first of his men showing up. He waved again to them and waited for them to arrive to the shoreline of the river.

"It is time for us to enter these boats and depart, our plan is simple. Go up the river and split in two teams. Sword Daekin Cyrus will lead one team to the mountains and try to find a way across to the Orc city of Ire. I will lead the other team and find a route to Narim Castellum and then another to Ire from there. Spear Daekin Teig will follow with Sword Daekin Cyrus, so will Shield Daekin Durin Temira and Senior Legionnaire Erik Hammerhand."

Pointed to the human, to the shapeshifter Dracon and then to the massive Vagaran.

"Shield Daekin Morin Temira will come with me. The Mage Corps were gentle to allow two mages to come with us, Swirth and Kirthin. Swirth will come with me and Kirthin will follow Sword Daekin Cyrus."

He paused for a moment and then continued.

"Gentlemen this mission is of top priority, I don't want to see any mistakes or aside of endangering your companions you will ruin the whole war effort. The Legion is counting on you. Sheria is counting on you. The Empire is counting on you."

With this he reach for a boat and with a nod to Alfgeir pushed it to the water.

"Let's move!"

The mission had began, men being sent to where they didn't belong, danger awaited but they were Legionnaires, forged for this.