Attalus Has Gone Soft!

Page #1
Part of the following chapter Sir Olga the Hewer, Acadia Keep #8
A letter to an old comrade

Ulfgar, The campaign opened satisfyingly enough. We routed those squatters foolish enough to slither back into territories once held by the Crimson Sorcerer. Most put up no resistance at all, scattering to the four winds like sheep without a shepherd. The plunder was meager, but we were in good spirits. After all, we were closer than ever to what remained of the High Kingdom. Gold and glimmer still abound within the old cities. Attalus, unfortunately, had other plans. He’s had us sack the old keeps and mines in search of trinkets and baubles, hoping he can somehow harness the power of the Crimson Sorcerer. He has his own men – warriors of Varangian stock – cracking rocks with pick and shovel. Can you imagine the shame? Rus crawling beneath the earth like insects. We do not toil in the ground like rabble. What we want, we take! The Lord Commander has ordered me to whip the new recruits into shape while we fortify our position. A bunch of impudent mutts – I’d sooner trust an invasion to my hounds. If he thinks I’ll waste my time hardening them into real warriors just so he can dig for crystals, he’s sorely mistaken. If Attalus continues to deny our requests to search for new spoils, he will hear my challenge. Blood will determine who truly has a right to lead these knights! -Olga