Storyline

A man, bedraggled and weary, collapsed at the gates of Alterra.  He was taken inside and offered food and water, but he would not rest.  He insisted that he be taken to the Grandmasters to deliver a letter from the King of Ardania.  Tiberius and Szabo met the man in their council chamber.  Plenty of fresh wounds could be seen scattered across his wet skin.  He pulled a leather tube from his bag and uncapped it, pulling out a scroll.  He slid it across the table to the two Alterrans.

"To my Alterran Allies,

I regret to be the bearer of ill tidings, but alas it must be so.  The NWO has recently launched a strike against my kingdom of Ardania with numbers far greater than I could have possibly prepared for.  I write this letter hastily in the hopes that it may get to you in time, though I fear my attempt may be futile.  Already the crimson tide has swept across my lands, razing our crops and leaving death and misery in its wake.  As I write this I can see their banners on the horizon, marching upon my beloved castle.  I know not how long we can last, but surely not more than a fortnight.  So I plead with you, old friends, that you aid us in defeating the bloody fiends that have come upon me.  Come quickly and in as much force as you muster.  We shall be forever in your debt.

May we forever conquer this evil,
Corath Nim'gorid III, King of Ardania"

Acting swiftly, Szabo and Tiberius called their men to action, summoning as many men from the three Legions as they could spare.  By noon the next day the army had set out, crossing the miles between Alterra and Ardania.  Along the way, the Alterrans picked up tidings from villagers and travelers.  None were good.

On the fourth day of marching, the Alterrans entered Ardanian territory.  They had amassed a number of allies during their travel.  Some of these warriors were people fleeing Ardania, others were neighboring towns that feared the inevitable approach of the NWO.

The worst tiding was yet to come, for as the army stopped for rest a small band of Ardanians crossed their path.  The men were gaunt with exhaustion, their spirits faint.  The castle had fallen.  The entire royal family had been put to death.

Rallied by their hatred of the NWO, the Alterran Alliance moved forward in hopes of overthrowing the NWO's grasp on Ardania.  Szabo and Tiberius hoped to rid the sanguine stain from the country and help the Ardanians back on their feet.