Concerto of Two World-Changers, Part II
Creating the Tide
It was on the eve of Monday that the Human villages in Mousilion were under attack once again, wandering bands of Undead shambling towards the nearest sources of meat. The townsfolk quickly armed themselves with pitchforks and torches and whatever bows they had on hand, but they were measly splinters against a wall of undying, untiring dead.
That was, until Aleksander came with aid.
His Undead smashed apart the feral Undead like a sledgehammer, much to the surprise of Bastien as he gripped his pitchfork tightly.
"What the flyin'…"
And much to everyone's surprise that day, they saw Aleksander at the helm of his Undead army, his sword killing many Undead and his very presence inspiring his own Undead to greater feats of martial glory.
Soon enough, the village was saved, and Aleksander slowly approached Bastien and the other villagers who still gripped their weapons with great anxiety.
"So… ye're a necromancer," Said Bastien.
"Yes, I am," Said Aleksander, "Anything wrong with that?"
"…Honestly, why save us?" Asked Bastien, "I thought…"
"That being a Necromancer, I would fear and hate non-Necromancers?" Aleksander said, "Not me; I am a man of Mousilion, it was my home and it still is. What kind of man would I be if I left it to the carrion birds?"
Bastien broke out into a slow and gradual laugh, as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders.
"You know, when y'say it, I believe ya," Said Bastien, "So, where do we go from here?"
"Can you help me locate the other villages?" Asked Aleksander, "I need to gather the other mayors for an announcement to make."
"Sure thing, we're all a tight-knit family, bein' outcasts and all," Said Bastien.
It did not take long for the other remaining Human villages of Mousilion to be defended from shambling Undead, Aleksander's forces acting with the speed of lightning and the diligence of professionals. Among the Human villagers there were no casualties sustained, and despite their surprise and understandable apprehension at the sight of Undead, the Mayors nonetheless followed the Undead to the designated meeting place – Bastien's village.
It was an alien experience, being escorted and protected by otherwise docile Undead, though their shambling did nothing to ease their worries.
Gathered before Aleksander were the mayors of three dozen villages, all expectantly watching him and waiting for his next action.
"Good morning, my fellow Mousilioni," Said Aleksander, "I am Aleksander, a local and the necromancer responsible for raising the Undead who have protected you."
Most times, Necromancers were egotistical bastards who unleashed Undead upon innocents and who cared not for the consequences of their actions, or cowards who hid behind their swarms of Undead out of self-preservation.
Aleksander was neither such personality; he beamed with confidence and charisma, and his eyes looked upon all present like his fellow countrymen.
"Mousilion, and by extension Bretonnia as a whole, is dangerously trapped in the past, and for years you've had to eke out a subsistent existence while being hunted like game in your own home by prowling Undead, abandoned by those whom people call your fellow countrymen," He said, "Unless this changes now, things will never change; I will help bring you all change."
"But how? Even if ye're a necromancer, ye're just one man!" Cried a mayor.
"I know, but I am different from most others," Said Aleksander, "I have a dream today! I have a dream that Bretonnia shall be reunited under a new regime, one that cares for its people and embraces the present and the future! I have a dream today! I have a dream, that our song and desire for change and freedom shall spread from the heartlands of Mousilion to the plains of Quenelles, the mountains of Parravon and the seas of Lyonesse! I have a dream today! Tell me, my brothers and sisters, do you not desire to share that dream with me!?"
"Aye!"
The resounding cry shook the entire village, and even the Undead joined in the cheers with enthusiastic cries and growls.
"Then know this day, I shall take my place as Duke of Mousilion!" Aleksander declared, "May our days be filled with peace and prosperity!"
Thus, the legend of Aleksander Von Carstein was born.
IIOII
It was the year 2056 IC, three years since both Aleksander and Tolcariath took their respective positions, the former as Duke of Mousilion and the latter as an advisor to Wolf-Emperor Siegfried III, offering his services as a military commander and architect.
Tolcariath has since settled the migrants as Imperial citizens, mandating certain laws to ease their integration and their services. One of which is the commonly dubbed 'Intermarriage Law'.
No migrant shall be allowed permanent residence until he or she has taken an Imperial citizen as a spouse.
It did prove rather unpopular for a time, but the marriages also served to introduce said migrants to the intricacies of Imperial society outside and at home, and with other laws easing their burdens they soon became law-abiding citizens of the Northern Trident.
The Indans were settled in Middenland, and their introduction of Geomancy, spiced cuisine and advanced mathematics bolstered the local industries, and their own cuisine soon garnered increased popularity. Their architectural talents were also quickly put to use in helping renovate many old cities with modern amenities and defences, including the city of Carroburg often ill-renowned for how easily travellers' shoes were dirtied.
The city of Carroburg became the city of Hastinapur, and it became a city of learning and religion attracting many religious and secular intellectuals alike.
The Nipponese were settled in Nordland and Ostland, their talents in shipbuilding and mercantilism put to use in building superior navies. The Cathayans were settled in all three provinces of the Northern Trident, in the meantine. Their strange customs were an obstacle as was their unfamiliarity with Reikspiel, but Tolcariath's new laws were effective.
"I have to admit, I had my reservations, but you've managed to splendidly pull this off. Excellent job, Tolcariath," Said Siegfried III.
"I am honoured," Said Tolcariath.
"No, truly, I cannot think of anyone else who can do as good a job as you!" Said Siegfried III smilingly, "That being said, do you have any plans to stay?"
The undertone of seriousness in Siegfried III's words was never missed, and Tolcariath said, "If I left, the work I put into building our homes will go to waste. We're staying."
"Oh? Well, that's a relief, actually, because I've been thinking of permanently hiring you as my advisor," Said Siegfried III, "Talented men like you are like precious gems in this divided Empire of ours."
"I know, Your Majesty," Said Tolcariath, "Shall we discuss terms of payment?"
"Of course! Whatever payment you want, I shall grant to the best of my ability!" Siegfried III exclaimed.
And Tolcariath shook his hand.
But then a runner came in and said, "There's chaos in the streets! Rat-like creatures tearing up the place!"
And Tolcariath was quick to beat Siegfried III to the punch, moving with swiftness and gracefulness as all Elves did.
IIOII
It was a long, hard-fought battle against the rat-like creatures, but at long last the last of them was slain and their corpses consigned to the funeral pyres.
And within a private room, hot argument ensued between several personas.
"We cannot let them know that they're under the city the whole time!" Günsche argued, "If we do, the people will panic and Imperial society will collapse!"
"But the people will demand to know where they come from! We can't possibly keep on hiding this!" Shouted Alram Reiter, Knight-Commander of the White Wolf Knights.
"It's not the first time we've hidden the presence of the Skaven here, and it will not be the last," Said Siegfried III.
"No, it is the last time," Said Tolcariath.
"And what would you have us do, Tolcariath?" Asked Siegfried III.
"We tell them the truth," Said Tolcariath, "And we rouse them to fight."
"Fight? Fight the Skaven? Fight them in their home country?" Questioned Günsche.
"Yes," Said Tolcariath, "And we don't do this alone; we call the Dwarves for help."
"The Dwarves? But even though they are our allies, how can you be so sure they will answer our call for help? And besides, with how fragmented we are, I doubt the Dwarves will just listen to us like that, ancient alliance aside," Said Siegfried III.
"I have an old friend I can contact," Said Tolcariath, "He owes me a debt of honour; he'll lend us the aid we need."
"Honestly, this sounds very convenient," Said Alram.
"I know, but trust me," Said Tolcariath, "And we cannot delay this; we must get rid of them by the end of this month."
"But-"
"Do it," Said Siegfried III.
"As you command," Said Tolcariath.
IIOII
Gunthilde Toddbringer, granddaughter of Günsche Toddbringer, brooded on her bed as she looked outside the windows of her bedroom, the news of the Skaven attack keeping her awake.
Haggard and tired, she looked as if she was about to collapse in exhaustion.
"Gunthilde," She heard a voice say.
"Tolcariath," She greeted back, "So what are you going to do now? Drag me out of bed?"
"To tell you that I'm assembling an expedition to the Skaven underground," Said Tolcariath.
Gunthilde shot up to her feet and said, "You'll die."
"I won't," Tolcariath countered.
"Do you even know how to fight Skaven?" Gunthilde questioned, "Do you know how many you're fighting, how many troops you have on hand? Do you have anyone helping you?"
"I've called in old favours with a Dwarven King," Said Tolcariath, "He owes me a debt of honour, he'll answer the call, and the Dwarves know how to fight Skaven better than anyone."
Gunthilde took a few steps back, her face that of disbelief.
"You're not backing away from this, are you?" She asked.
"If I do, no one will take care of them for good, and the problem will persist as it always has," Said Tolcariath.
"…Nothing reckless, understand me?" Said Gunthilde.
"I'll come back alive," Said Tolcariath.
A/N: A little shorter than the previous chapter, but I hope you guys like it.