Following the Skywolf

[Sol]

A New March

Of course, the war is never over in Samarra. After annihilating the Akkadian forces in the field surrounding the Fortress, and done quickly with the ceremonies and celebrations, it was our time to strike back. The dead had been replaced by the poor folk quickly. Given minimal training, only the most basic weapons and protection, they would be driven on to the battlefields and to their deaths. This practice was not frowned upon, it was a good thing. The lower caste would pray for an open spot, one man's death would allow the other fill his stomach until he himself dies and leaves his spot to another poor man. If I am sure of anything, it's that being hungry is worse than being dead.

Our raiders stood prepared as always, though our leader was gone. The decision for the new chief would wait until we were given our orders. When the time came and the Sheik ordered Jared Nomak to the fortress, most of us were surprised... It's true that they were heroes, but were they enough heroes to lead us, the raiders of the Black-Gold Fortress? They were just recently admitted to our ranks, being lowly caste-less thugs just a few weeks ago. The look on Hadar's face was hard to behold, as he was so sure he would be the next in line. On the other hand, Nomak's friends were throwing each other victorious looks and smiles, Adrian patted Nomak on his back friendly which threw the guy two meters off.

When Jared Nomak came back, still on his mobile, he spoke to us in the attendance loudly, "Sheik Darius wants us to lead the vanguard and strike the enemy before they can recover from their loss. Our targets are a few outposts surrounding the Great March, the desert between us and the city of Akkad. We are closer to victory now more than ever, and we will not let it slip past us," he waited a bit afterwards, straightening his back and having a scan of the raiders before continuing with his speech, "I have been chosen by the Great Sheik to lead you. But you know this, what we will be doing will be what raiders do as always. We will make sure the enemy is scared enough until we cut off their heads and spill their blood. We will ride under the merciless sun, howling like the heartless beasts we are. Our palas shining on their faces will be the last thing they will see after our charge."

The speech was not very glorious, and many doubted this unusual choice still. Hadar was mumbling, "what do you know about being a raider..?" but he made sure they could not hear it.

Soon we were riding fast after the new chief, speeding over the dirt and sand, our shadows barely cast over the ground. No matter who was in charge, we would be doing what we live to do... Not to simply take lives, but to leave a bloody message while doing it... The watchtower on a small hill was in our sight. We knew it would be burning soon, with pikes set up all around it decorated with severed heads.

Do not mistake my literacy for weakness. I am a raider, I take lives. I ruin my enemies, and I enjoy it.