Long ago in the shattered nation called Armello, a stranger from an unknown land came. He watched as the four clans of Armello; The Wolf clan, The Rat clan, The Rabbit clan and The Bear clan fought, feuded and schemed against each other. All vying for dominance in this shattered realm while the common folk were caught in their crossfire; be it from extortion, slavery, protection racketeering, and other insidious means of exploitation.

Having enough of the feuding clans, the stranger set off on a journey across the country. He freed slaves, gained allies, instigated uprisings and clan wars, defended towns, challenged officials, appeased The Wyld, and formed a pact with dark powers.

Across the land he was hailed as a Hero and a Monster; eventually uniting the disputing clans under his banner, his kingdom, his throne. And thus came the rule of King Tau the Lion, first of his name, the Great Unifier of Armello. Under his reign marked the new Golden Age of the once shattered kingdom and prospered like never before seen since the age of the Dragons.

But alas, the age of prosperity could not last; for an ancient dark power demands its due debts.

The Rot. An ancient corruption of the Great Worm took root into the King's very soul, seducing him with its dark influence, coaxing him to undo all that he achieved as it continues to devour him in mind, body and soul.

Thus followed the Return of the Rot. Starvation, death and disease spread like wildfire as the Rot’s blight plagued the farms, towns and villages across Armello. Peasants, serfs and other common folk panic, riot and flee as The Bane, raven shaped horrors of old ravage the countryside and its shambling cohorts of the corrupted infest the roads, forests, dungeons and fallen towns.

All while the kingdom burns, edicts, orders and intrigue throws the four clans into chaos. Arrests, assassinations and more destabilise the leadership among them as infighting instigated by the Crown grows rampant, further destabilising the clans.

The final straw that was Armello's death-knell was heralded by the return of the Dragon clan led by Volodar, High Priest of the worm and servant of the Rot.

The end of Armello was nigh, but Fate decreed otherwise. Scarlett, King of the outlawed Bandit clan, formed an alliance of adventurers from each of the four main clans and launched a crusade against the Rot and its corruption. Their forces carved their way across Armello, clearing the Rot infestation and slaying their agents; liberating towns, villages and cities along the way under their banner.

After three agonising years, they finally besieged the gates of Brimwatch Castle, Armello's capital, and tore into the very throne of the King himself. There Scarlett summoned forth four spirit stones of the Wyld and smote King Tau, ending his reign.

Standing victorious atop of Tau's Rot-infested corpse, Scarlett, King of the Bandit Clan was no more. In her place was Scarlett, Queen of Armello, The Chainbreaker, The Great Liberator, Hero of the People, Chosen of the Wyld, Scourge of the Rot and Kingslayer. Together with her companions, she ruled with benevolence and gusto. Together they continued to purge Armello from the last vestiges of the Rot. And together they lived to this day.

"Mother, was this all true?"

"Yes indeed, my little prince. All that the bard says is true."

"Wow! That is amazing! You really defeated the Evil King and Creatures of Bane?"

"Ha ha ha! Yes I did Ambrose, side by side with your father no less."

Scarlett stood watching a bard's oration of her triumph against the late King Tau in the middle of Brimwatch's city square. Beside her was her five year old son Ambrose, a white-furred fox, still a kit and clung to her cloak. Both were disguised as to not draw attention due to their Royal status.

Brimwatch, if not all of Armello, was preparing for festivities in celebration of their victory against the final vestiges of the Rot. Eight years after King Tau's death, Scarlett and her companions continued the struggle against the Rot’s corruption in a series of raids, skirmishes and battles, to what many referred to as The Rot Wars. For five years they fought against the creatures of Bane, corrupted ferals, armies of the Dragon Clan and traitors who supported King Tau's tyranny. Today marked the third anniversary of the end of the Rot Wars. A celebration of finally recovering from years of blood, tears and sweat.

Scarlett looked fondly at her son, her first pride and joy, and proceeded to walk him through the square towards the Wall of Remembrance; a monument carved with the names of all the fallen.

Captain River the “Howling Arrow” of the Wolven Hunt Rangers
Brun Oakbreaker of the Order of Scarcasters
Sir Barnaby of House Screwloose
Twiss “Little Lightpaw”
Sylas the “Fisher of Souls”

Countless other names were carved into the wall. Names of heroes, champions, warriors, soldiers, mercenaries, militia, merchants, magicians, druids, priests, and common folk. All who fought, bled and died for Armello's salvation from both the Great Revolt against the Mad King and the Rot Wars that followed. All their names are carved in stone.

"Mother, are you crying?"

Scarlett snapped from her thoughts, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes. "Moi, crying?" she said jokingly, trying to hide her sorrow, "Perish the thought my little prince."

Ambrose nuzzled by her side, giving his mother the saddest puppy-dog eyes. "Mother, it's alright," he whimpered comfortingly, "You told me yourself that it's okay to cry if it really hurts."

Caught off guard from her son's empathy and sharp awareness, Scarlett held a look of surprise longer than she intended, lowering her defences. Giving in to Ambrose's offer of comfort, she knelt down and scooped him up into an embrace.

"Your mother will be fine, Ambrose," she said reassuringly as she nuzzled his head. "As long as I have you, your father, " she paused, rubbing her belly with a free paw, "and your baby sibling on the way, I will be fine."

The kit smiled, returning the nuzzle. The two kept their embrace until they were suddenly interrupted by a forced cough.

"Ahem, as much as this is a touching moment, would you care to explain why you are out here, out of bed, in public, without your crown, your regalia or an escort?"

Scarlett broke the embrace, just noticing the crowd around her bowing, an escort of guards before her and a tall white Wolf standing directly in front of her with his arms crossed.

"Hi Thane," the vixen grinned sheepishly, "Nice day for a walk?"

The Wolf, Thane, raised an eyebrow, "I take it that your stroll wasn't at all strenuous or dangerous to you, our son and the baby?"

Before Scarlett could answer, Ambrose interjected, "Not at all, Father. Mother just wanted to show me the preparations for tomorrow's festival. We just climbed down from the castle walls, atop a few rooftops and landed on a haystack. Nothing we haven't tried before."

"Ambrose!"

Scarlett's attempt to silence the kit was in vain as Thane narrowed his eyes at her.

"Hehehe, children say the darndest things."

In the infirmary, Scarlett pouted in front of her husband Thane, Prince-Regent of Armello. She suffered through two hours of medical check ups and lecturing in regards to her reckless behaviour and was on the verge of slipping away out of boredom.

"Of all the irresponsible things you could have done, Scarlett! It's one thing to slip out of the Throne Room in the middle of court, it's another thing to drag our son into your escapades! And to top it all off, you did all this while you're four months pregnant! What were you thinking?!"

Scarlett groaned, "It was boring today. Today was supposed to be the last day of the festival's preparations, and I wanted to at least see it for myself before tomorrow. You know how we will have no time to enjoy ourselves with the festivities. We'd all be stuck raising toasts and welcoming dignitaries and nobles from morning til sundown. So I figured, I might as well get some entertainment while I could still have it. I brought Ambrose along since he's now old enough to keep up with me."

This time it was Thane's turn to groan, "Scarlett, you can't keep doing this! You are Queen! You have an image to uphold.”

“It hasn’t stopped me before,” Scarlett pointed out, “And besides, why are you bringing this up now, eight years after our marriage? You certainly didn’t complain this much when we first ditched the palace. And don't forget before the war started of how reckless you were; challenging everyone and everything with a pulse and a sword to a duel, oh Prince of Swords.”

“That was then, this is now and that's beside the point!" Thane retorted, "I don't want to have to deal with another noble's complaint of why our Queen is missing, on the day before the festival no less! Not to mention risking our first born and the little one coming on the way."

Scarlett huffed out a pout, her fur puffing adorably. "I still don't see why you couldn't just take the throne if you care about appearances so much," she said as she crossed her arms.

"First off, weren't you the one who constantly bragged about how much you'll look good with two crowns? Second, it was not I who led us to victory and did away with the Mad King, that was you. By Right of Conquest, you are the Crowned Queen whether you like it or not.”

“Don’t remind me,” she groaned, “I’ve heard it a thousand times now.”

“Then for Wyld’s sake Scarlett, at least keep up with decorum and caution!” Thane finally snapped before softening, “You are no longer the Bandit King; you are the Queen of Armello. You can no longer be just the commoner’s Queen, you are the uniting force of the Clans. You can’t just keep galavanting anymore, we have a kingdom to run and children to watch over. If you don’t start taking this seriously you will not only put yourself in danger, you will endanger the kingdom, our subjects and our children.”

Scarlett breathed out a long sigh. “Fine, fine,” she groaned, “I will be in my best behaviour tomorrow, but only while the nobles and vassals are present.”

Thane simply rolled his eyes and approached to embrace her from behind. “Just stop making me worry for you, alright?” he whispered into her ear, “After everything we've been through, I wouldn't be able to bear losing you and our family.”

Scarlett gave a light scoff, curling one of his wrists with her own. “You big softy,” she cooed as she returned his embrace with a nuzzle, “How did a brute like you become gentler than a lamb?”

Thane snorted as he caressed her within his embrace, “Maybe if you weren't so fragile to hold I would have maintained my tough interior.”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow with a seductive smirk. “Oh? That was not the impression I had when we made this little one,” she teased, patting the bulge in her womb.

“Oh really? Is that a challenge or an offer?” Thane returned her enticing smirk with a grin of his own.

“Careful darling, we don't want to spoil our little one, do we?” Scarlett said as she reciprocated his advance and leaned in for a kiss.

“Ew! Gross!”

The couple froze from the sudden reaction from their unintended audience.

“Ambrose of House Greymane, how long have you been eavesdropping?” Scarlett asked calmly.

“There are no eaves here in Castle Brimwatch, Mother,” the albino kit replied cheekily, “otherwise Lord Mercurio would be the first to know.”

Thane grinned slyly. “Oh you cheeky little rascal,” he snarled mischievously, “Are you being smart with us Ambrose?”

Ambrose smiled with the same mischief, “Maybe?”

Thane stood on all fours and slowly approached the albino kit, likened to a predator about to pounce on their prey. “Well then. We all know what happens to parents when children play smart with them, don't we?”

Ambrose playfully gasped, “Oh no!”

“Oh yes. They become… The Predator!”

Ambrose screamed as he ran out the room, followed quickly by Thane as he chased him into the castle hallways with a bellowing howl.

Scarlett smiled fondly as she listened to the laughter, howling and shouts of protests from the staff of their chase. He can talk about being a proper ruler all he wants. But when it comes to kids, he'll always throw decorum out the window. I will miss this when Ambrose grows up.

The festivities of the following day went full swing. Dawn till dusk from the capital of Brimwatch to the most remote village, the entire kingdom celebrated with all the fruits of their hard-earned labour. Food stalls and party games as far as the eye could see. Circus tents, auditoriums and theatres were filled to the brim with performers and captivated audiences. Streets deafened by laughing children, singing bards, marching bands, bargaining merchants and fireworks. It was an unending tide of revelry and cheer.

Scarlett leaned over a balcony marvelling the sight. A full moon lit brightly above her as she smiled with content. Eight years. Eleven including the Rebellion. It feels like Armello never knew peace like this. Yet here we are at last, she mused to herself as she took a sip from her tankard.

“My Queen, the guests are waiting for you.”

Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. “Et tu, Horace?” she glared glumly at a tall badger clad in armour over a white and red tunic, “Must my Captain of the Guard and long time friend deny me savouring the fruits of the kingdom’s hard earned peace?”

“There is no rest for Royalty lest they be negligent as I used to warn you,” smirked her captain.

Scarlett returned his with an unamused frown. “You are a bore, you know that?” she pouted in a low voice, “It’s no wonder you and Thane get along so well.”

“To be fair, your grace, he is only doing his duty as part of your orders to keep yourself in line.”

A brown bear with a green cloak and staff, signifying that she is a priestess of the Wyld, cut into the conversation as she approached the balcony. She was accompanied by a brown rat dressed in red and white silken finery, punctuated by a red rose pinned to his shirt.

“Sana has a point, my queen,” the rat spoke, continuing his larger companion’s ribbing at Scarlett’s expense, “If memory serves correctly, you ordered, and I quote; ‘If I’m going to mess up as Queen, give me a good scolding. It shall be an edict and none shall be punished for it.’”

“Mercurio,” Scarlett scowled, unamused by the jest, “since when did my Master of Coin conspire with my High Priestess of the Wyld to lecture me this fine evening?”

The Rat Mercurio gave a mock gasp, “You wound me, my Queen! I would never conspire against you, much less lecture you on such a night of revelry. Alas, I was merely following your orders to the letter. What member of your council would I be if I cannot even follow a simple directive from your own edict?”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Mercurio smiled, “Most certainly.”

Crossing her arms, she turned to the bear who stood serenely, “And you, Sana?”

“I did not come here to lecture royalty, your Highness,” the Priestess gave a small bow as she smiled gently, “I merely came here to remind a friend of her duties.”

Scarlett’s head drooped with an exacerbated sigh. “You are right, as usual,” she grumbled. “I’ll make for the Great Hall as soon as I finish my grape juice,” she added as she turned back to the balcony, taking a sip from her tankard.

Taking that as their que to leave, the three of them made their way out to the Great Hall but not before Sana added one last thing. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she spoke almost nonchalantly, “you better finish that beverage quickly because Prince-consort Thane asked me to find you. He said that his mother, Lady Freyja Greymane, arrived sooner than expected and would much like to see her daughter-in-law and queen to announce the festivities among the nobles.”

Scarlett spat out her drink. “And why didn’t you tell me this sooner?!” she shrieked in horror.

“I thought it would be better to appeal to our friendship rather than your fear of your in-law,” Sana simply shrugged, a playful smirk escaping her usually serious expression, “Sadly, it seems I was mistaken.”

Passing her tankard to Horace, Scarlett bolted from the balcony and out into the Great Hall.

“You know Sana, I never took you for the mischievous sort,” said Horace.

The Priestess grinned, “And you would be right, Captain. I merely wanted to return the favour for the many times I was roped into her pranks against Thane years ago.”

“Oh. I see,” Horace nodded knowingly.

“Ahh, good times,” Mercurio sighed fondly.

“Stupid Sana, she could have started with that!” Scarlett grumbled to herself as she raced across the hallways towards the Great Hall. “I can’t believe I missed out on the Wolves’ Clan Alpha’s arrival! I thought she was coming tomorrow due to delays! Now I’m going to get an earful from Thane and a disapproving scorn from Lady Freyja, if she doesn’t kill me first.”

Noticing the rushing queen from a distance approaching, one of the servants managed to call out, “ANNOUNCING HER ROYAL MAJESTY, QUEEN SCARLETT!” as she slowed her sprint into the Great Hall’s entrance mouthing a “Thank you” as she passed.

“My apologies for the delay, fair nobles of Armello,” she announced with a forced smile and a clap from her paws, “I had… other matters to attend to.”

While most of the nobles offered polite bows (with a few raising their glasses in cheers) more than a few quietly grumbled and scoffed.

And this was why I didn't want to be here, she thought to herself, slightly grimacing from their leers.

Noticing his wife's discomfort, Thane made his way towards her. “Finally, you made it,” he said in a hushed voice for privacy, “I thought I would have to drag you here by your collar if you hadn't shown up. How are you doing?”

“Why didn't you tell me that your mother was here early?” Scarlett demanded in a harsh whisper.

“And I thought you would be here,” Thane retorted, “Seriously, you told me just yesterday! Besides, I didn't know that Mother was arriving early.”

“How did she even get her so fast?! The mountains are about a week’s trek from here!” Scarlett hissed while looking for a head or tail of her mother-in-law.

Scarlett had faced Banes, cultists, rogues, soldiers, and the former King himself in deadly combat. But in all her life, nothing felt more terrifying to her than Lady Freyja of House Greymane.

The Alpha of the Wolf Clan was cold, ruthless in her pragmatism, words and disposition, and could give such a scowl that could freeze one’s blood on the spot. It was no secret to anyone that she disapproved of her son marrying Scarlett. Mostly because she had wanted her son to become the new King and the fact that she herself was not from noble blood. And that wasn’t even mentioning her not being a member of the Wolf Clan.

Still, the political benefits to being tied to the throne were too good to ignore and Thane loved Scarlett with all his heart. And with a grandson and future heir tying the Wolf Clan’s bloodline to the crown their relationship was even more important. That didn’t mean that Lady Freyja couldn’t get on Scarlett’s case like a tick on her rear end.

“I hope she’s in a good mood,” Scarlett muttered. “And I hope she’s not going to be spending the night here.”

“Why? Is there a reason I am not allowed to spend time in my family’s home?”

Scarlett froze up for a split second before turning around with the biggest forced smile she could muster. “M-Mother-in-law! So good to see you.”

“Likewise, your Highness,” replied an elderly grey wolf in an elegant tone with a bow. She was clad in noble garbs fit for a colder climate and stood a head shorter than Thane but slightly taller than the queen. “I apologise for my unexpected punctuality,” she added, “If I had known that I would be arriving sooner I would have sent a runner ahead of me.”

Scarlett’s eye twitched despite her smile. She was no stranger to verbal fencing, especially one as passively aggressive as her mother-in-law. If anything she enjoyed returning the favour with her usual blunt banter that she picked up from her time as The Bandit King. It always delighted her to watch some stuck up socialite fluster with her colourful choice of words that are best left out of polite conversations. That said, she could never dare to try her roguish luck against one whose tongue is even sharper than their glare, and Lady Freyja is as proficient a verbal fencer as Thane is with swords.

Never use a battering ram against an archer, she thought irritably.

Mentally shaking herself off, Scarlett maintained her forced smile and replied sweetly, “Not at all, Mother-in-law. If I had known you would be arriving sooner I would have prepared a grand reception earlier; trumpets, banner bearers, a grander carpet perhaps.”

Thane visibly cringed and resisted facepalming as his mother blinked slowly. “Rather bold of you to address me with sarcasm, your Highness,” she said coolly, a small amused smirk forming on her muzzle, “Quite unbecoming for a queen, wouldn't you agree?”

Foulness! Dammit, why did I say that?! Scarlett screamed internally, mentally kicking herself. “Forgive me, Lady Freyja,” she said, still maintaining her forced polite smile, “my mind is still elsewhere with matters of consequence, such as my incoming child.”

Before either of them could say another word, a forced cough intervened.

“Speaking of children,” Thane politely interrupted, “where is my greeting, Mother?”

“I have not forgotten you, my son. Your Father, rest his soul, would be most displeased if I were to neglect you,” Lady Freyja smiled, giving Thane an embrace before quickly turning, “Now then, where is my grandson?”

Right on que, Ambrose suddenly appeared out of nowhere and hugged the old wolf from behind. “Grandma Freyja!” he squealed with delight, “You came early! Did you miss me? Did you miss me?”

“I certainly have,” she replied, smiling fondly as she returned the embrace, “Have you been on your best behaviour since we last spoke?”

The young prince nodded enthusiastically, “Ah-huh.”

“In that case, I have something very special for you.” She reached for her purse and produced a vine knotted into a ball. The vine glowed like moonlight and seemed to float from her palm.

Several guests who saw this gasped in awe and shock, Scarlett herself couldn’t help dropping her jaw at the object. Several priests of the Wyld and members of the Bear Clan began chanting hymns of blessings as though it were a holy relic.

“A Wyld Talisman,” Lady Frejya explained as she gently passed the ball of vines to Ambross who held it with awed caution, “A sacred treasure from the Druids of the Wyld. This Relic shall ward you from any corruption of the Rot.”

“Would have been useful to have when I was infected,” Thane muttered dryly under his breath.

After giving the Talisman a firm grasp, he pocketed the relic and gave the old wolf another hug. “Thank you Grandma. I promise to keep it safe with me.”

“I know you will, child,” she smiled as she left his embrace. “Now stand up straight, broaden your shoulders, and don't forget to thank your parents for inviting me here,” she added, giving Scarlett a smirk.

You sneaky old bitch. Scarlett resisted to scowl at her In-law's remark. Whilst she accepted her son's thanks for the invitation and dismissed him to meet with his friends, she turned to Thane and whispered, “Could you please have a word with your mother about making me look bad in front of our son?”

Not long after, the guests began to seat themselves at their tables. Fine wine, exotic fruits and vegetables, ripe roasted meat (from non-talking animals of course), pastries like cakes, quiches and sandwiches were served all across the Great Hall. Nobles, Merchants, Priests, Officials, Officers, Scholars and more chattered, cheered and in some instances challenged amongst themselves with bets and other inconsequential matters such as the abundance of harvests this season or the small victories against straggling Bane or slavers.

The hall slowly drew to a silence as all turned to the seat of their queen. Scarlett stood up, goblet in one paw and (for once that night) a genuine smile, gesturing for a toast.

“Friends. Brethren. Companions. Lords and Ladies. Priests and Priestesses. Merchants and Scholars. Soldiers and Peasants. Citizens of Armello!” Scarlett declared, garnering praises and cheers, “Eight years we have suffered under the yoke of the Mad King's shadow. Eight years we have been hunted down as prey by the Bane. Eight years we were beset by traitors and outlaws who sought to devour our wealth and peoples. Eight years we have toiled to purge this kingdom from all manners of corruption. Eight years we have lost family, friends, and more to the servants of the Rot. Eight years we have laboured to make our lands fruitful and secure once more.”

She paused to let her words sink in. The room became deathly silent.

“Now,” she continued, “Now here we stand before the fruits of our hard-earned labours. Now we stand before our shattered foes, our dead avenged. Now we stand here, Victorious!”

The hall roared into cheers.

“Long live the Queen!” Horace bellowed with a raised tankard.

“Long live the Queen!” echoed the crowd.

“Long live Armello!” answered Scarlett before drinking from her goblet (non-alcoholic of course), signalling the festivities to proceed.

However as the night progressed, the sounds of revelry and merriment soon faded as many began to notice one uninvited guest quietly entering among their midst.

It was a withered old rat, garbed in a red cloak and a blind mask, carrying a flaming staff in his right paw. Many of the guests stared at the newcomer bewildered whilst others who recognised him began to scowl and even drew swords.

“Queen Scarlett,” the old rat spoke, his voice rasp but loud as though desperate to be heard, “I have come with ill tidings and demand that you muster your forces immediately!”

Mercurio raised a rapier to the old rat’s neck, glaring at him with hatred. “You have some nerve to show yourself after all these years and demand from our queen on a night of celebrations, traitor!” he snarled.

“Stow your blade, boy,” the old rat said dryly, unflinching and unmoved by his threat, “Fate demands that you will not kill me here.”

“No, you’re right. I won’t dirty my sword with your blood,” Mercurio sneered, a malicious grin forming, “You deserve a traitor’s death by the gallows for all you did, you Rot-infested crone!”

“Mercurio, stand down!”

All eyes turned to Scarlett as she stood imperiously from her seat. “You are my Master of Coin, not an Executioner. Let me handle this.”

His baleful eyes had not left the old rat as he sheathed his rapier and returned begrudgingly to his seat.

As Mercurio sat, Scarlett turned to the old rat. “What are you doing here, Sargon?” she glared at him suspiciously, “Last time we saw you was seven years ago when you left us for dead in Darkmire, trapped in that town by the Bane and the Rot corrupted villagers.”

“I have not come here to reminisce of my past… mistakes,” said Sargon.

“Mistakes? MISTAKES?!” Mercurio rose up, slamming his fist on the table, “Your mistakes cost us hundreds of innocent Armellian lives you wretch! We lost 40 lives in Darkmire alone! My Love among them!”

“Mercurio is right!” a noble from the Rabbit Clan donned in a buttoned white shirt and a grey vest with golden embellishments shouted, “I say we hang the traitor now! I for one will not humour any more from his slanderous tongue! Too many towns have burned because of his actions! Many more lives are threatened by his existence alone!”

The hall roared with ascent. Howls, growls and screams demand for Sargon’s execution.

“Wait!” called out a new voice from the hall entrance. A tall white rabbit clad in an amber and brown adventurer’s uniform entered swiftly next to Sargon. Gasps were heard as all saw the familiar face and her iconic silk umbrella.

“Amber?!” Scarlett could hardly contain her shock at the sight of an old friend, even more so with the implied association of the known traitor.

“Scarlett, please,” the rabbit pleaded, “I will vouch for him. You need to-”

“Have you gone mad, Amber?!” the Rabbit noble from earlier snarled, “You disappeared for five years and now you collude with this Rot-infested fiend?!”

Amber sighed, eyeing Sargon for a moment. The rat simply gestures for her to speak. “Elyssia,” she addressed the noble with some hesitation but continued, “I admit he isn’t trustworthy, but for the last six years I have been searching for clues as to where the Dragon Clan fled to. We came across each other five years ago within the ruins of Castle Belaerian. I soon found out that our goals aligned after realising that the threat is even greater than we imagined.”

“Amber,” the Priestess Sana stood up, calmly speaking, “the Rot Wars are over. The Rot has been purged from these lands; the infected are cured, the corrupted destroyed, the few Bane that roam the Kingdom are but stragglers far from populated areas, and are hunted down as we speak. The Dragon Clan and other servants of The Rot are all but destroyed. These last three years alone were spent on healing the lands of the Kingdom.” She smiled kindly to the Adventurer, “Far Seeker, while I sympathise with your concerns of their return, I fear you may have been isolated in the wilderness and ruins for too long. Much has been achieved and conquered these past five years, so much so that fewer expeditions are mustered and they are against common threats such as pirates, slavers and the mentioned straggling Bane.”

Amber shook her head mournfully. “Nay Sana. With all my heart I wish you were right, but the war is not over. What we have won is only a reprieve. The servants of the Rot, The Dragon Clan still live.”

“Impossible!” Lady Freyja objected, “We slew them all in their last bastion in Fangbrook Swamp! We even beheaded their remaining champion Agniya! Our best rangers and assassins finished what remaining vestiges within Armello and the surrounding borders. Our best Priests, Scryers and Spies searched every inch of ground within Armello and found not a trace of them. Do you mean to tell us that we are mistaken?”

“Aye, Lady Freyja,” Amber nodded, “we have erred for we have searched for them where they are no longer. Were it not for the Death Teller,” she pointed to Sargon, “we would not be here to inform you of our findings.”

Amber took a deep breath and continued, “What we found was so dire that we risked a Traitor’s sentence to inform you. If you will not hear him, I fear we will follow a dark future that will destroy all we have struggled against.”

Scarlett studied Amber’s expression. She was never one to panic, even against overwhelming odds. Yet the look on her face says otherwise. There’s no doubt it’s Amber; the smell of musty old tombs and mountain moss are all over her. Yet to side with that traitorous vermin, it is out of character for her. She hates him just as much as the rest of us, if not more so since he was the reason for the death of her squire. Either she’s been brainwashed or she’s desperate enough to side with him. And if that were the case, why not report this herself and leave the Veil Walker out of it? Why bring Sargon here to inform us of this threat instead of her? Unless… Perhaps she only knows a degree of the danger and not the full scope. Typical of her I suppose, to leap right into danger for a small chance of success. Meaning she truly believes in what he says as truth.

“Amber,” Scarlett finally said, “we have known each other well since the rebellion. We have bled together in many battles, we shared tales of our lives to each other, we fell in love with the same male and swore to accept whichever of us he chooses.” She saw Amber blushed a bit and took a glance at Thane who looked gobsmacked from the confession. She looked to her side and reached a paw to nuzzle her son who stared at the rabbit in awe, “I considered you the closest I have left to a sister, so for your sake I will hear him out.”

Amber let out a breath she didn’t even realise she was holding, “Thank you Scarlett.”

The vixen gave her a smile before it disappeared as she turned to Sargon, “Say your piece, Death Teller but choose your words wisely, else I order my Captain to ready the gallows.”

“Very well,” the old rat nodded. He lifted his flaming staff high and the flames rose high above the Great Hall. Images and figures began to form from the flames, resembling events as he narrates, “Let me begin where we last parted: I admit, I did betray you in the ambush of Darkmire. My plan was to leave you all for dead in the town and flee straight for Brimwatch to claim the throne for my own.”

The room buzzed with snarls and growls of outrage but no voice raised to interrupt.

“In my arrogance I was blind to the fate that awaited my betrayal,” he chuckled to himself in irony, “I was ambushed by one of the Bane that surrounded the town and was grievously injured, corrupting my flesh with the Rot.” He pulled a sleeve from his left arm, revealing a festering wound one black pustules.

Many gasped at the sight, several guards and Scarcasters ready to slay him if he were to be loose.

“How are you still sound in mind and spirit?!” demanded Sana as she readied her Wyldfyre staff.

“With this,” he reached for his cloak and revealed a familiar glowing orb of knotted vines.

More gasps of shock and disbelief rang across the hall.

“Bane’s beak! A Wyld Talisman?!”

“Impossible! Only the Druids could bestow such a treasure!”

“Perhaps he stole it?”

Lady Freyja stepped forward. “Where did you get that, villain?”

“It was given to me to save my life… by the Druids themselves,” he replied, continuing to speak over the objecting protests, “The Druids offered me redemption, in exchange for the task given to me.”

“If that were the case, why did they not purify you completely?” asked Thane, recalling the time he was infected by the Rot and was cured due to the Druids’ intervention.

“My wounds were too grievous, the corruption was too severe and my body was too frail to endure the process. Purifying me will kill me on the spot.”

“Oh what a pity,” Mercurio acidly snarked.

“The Talisman is the only thing keeping me alive and free from the Rot’s corruption,” he continued, “And will remain as my lifeline so long as I accomplish my mission, though the mission itself was motive enough to accomplish.”

“And what is your mission?” Scarlett demanded.

The flames formed figures, creatures resembling the Dragon Clan fleeing from the armies of Armello.

“As I was rescued I was given a vision: The Veil of the Future fully opened to me. Every possible outcome; all that could have been, and all that will be. And the future that I have seen for us left me mortified. All I have done for my own selfish ambition for the Throne led to a cascade of two, perhaps three possible outcomes; two are a certainty whilst the possible third is an arduous endeavour with an uncertain outcome. For in my shortsighted actions I have created an opportunity for the servants of the Rot to escape extinction and flee to the western sea, into lands beyond the great ocean.”

“Hah, then they are fools!” Elyssia snidely huffed, “Everyone knows that there is nothing across the edge of the world. The Abyssinian Clan and the Diamond Dog family’s failed expeditions saw to that five hundred years ago. None of them ever returned to prove the circumference of the world.”

“A moment Wardress Elyssia, it had just occurred to me that they might not be as foolish as you think,” Horace countered, “Roughly a few years ago, the Bandit Clan encountered a fleet of flying ships by Houndsmouth’s Port. We barely saved the town from the fleet’s raiders.”

“Of course, I had almost forgotten about that,” added Scarlett, “We thought they were another faction trying to usurp the throne. As it turns out, they were simple pirates from across the sea. We defeated them in short order but they did cause substantial damage to the town. The pirates we interrogated claimed they were acquiring supplies for an invasion of a continent to the west.”

“It is this continent that the servants of the Rot fled to,” continued Sargon, the flames shifted with images of quadrupeds of all manner of forms, “It is a land whose power and knowledge surpasses our own by a thousand years. It is the seat of power that moves the celestial bodies above us. And it is there that the Dragon Clan seeks to lay conquest.”

The figures in the flames changed into a giant worm devouring the sun and moon, with raven-like abominations terrorising every creature across the world. Gasps and shrieks of horror were heard across the hall as Sargon continued, “If they succeed, the kingdoms of that continent, Armello, and all other nations of this world known and unknown will be plunged into an eternity of darkness! The Great Worm shall awaken and bind all within its will! And the world shall suffer a new era of strife, far more cataclysmic than the age of monsters!”

The flames then shrank back onto his staff as the images faded. The hall became deathly silent.

“I foresaw this future which was why I sought the services of The Far Seeker,” the old rat broke the silence, “For five years we have journeyed across the Kingdom in search of Spirit Stones from every Ruin, Dungeon and Stone Circle in preparation for the journey west.”

“How many stones have you collected?” Sana asked in awe.

“Thousands, give or take,” replied Amber, much to the shock of everyone, “We spent a fortune hiring mercenaries both to help our search for Stone Circles and excavate every Dungeon and Ruin in the Kingdom. We bought their silence and service with whatever treasure and plunder we could find.”

Thane groaned, eyeing Amber irritably, “Somehow that explains the sudden influx of relics and antiques in the Black market.”

Amber’s ears lopped down as she laughed nervously, “Heh heh, it’s for a good cause?”

“Wonderful,” Elyssia added dryly, “We can add unsanctioned excavation of ruins and illegal exploration of dungeons to your list of crimes. Not to mention involvement with the Black market.”

“An inconsequential price to pay to prevent this apocalypse from happening,” said Sargon, stomping his staff to emphasise his point, “The future ahead of us holds two certain possibilities; final victory against the Rot or the end of the world as we know it. If we are to end this threat once and for all Armello must rally its armies and sail west to deal with the servants of the Rot and its spread. If we do not act, then we will have lost the world entirely.”

The hall erupts in outrage.

“Send our armies west?! Are you mad?!”

“This is clearly treachery! You will have us leave Armello defenceless!”

“But if what he says is true, there is no stopping the Rot from conquering a whole continent’s worth of Kingdoms!”

“Do you honestly believe this heretical Traitor?!”

“Better their continent than us, I say!”

“I don’t trust the rat, but if this threat is true then we must at least send an expedition, just to be sure.”

“And how would the nations of this unknown continent take such an expedition? We would just be seen as invaders!”

“Have you all gone mad? Are you all seriously considering the traitor’s words to hold truth?!”

“ENOUGH!”

The room was silenced from Scarlett’s scream. “I will not have us bicker and argue over tidings of doom and gloom on this night of celebration!” She then turned to Amber and she noticed her eyes were still filled with determined conviction. Foulness! Dammit! You’re determined to see this through, aren’t you? She cursed internally. Very well, let's get this over with. She set her sights to Sargon, glaring daggers at him.

“Death Teller,” she announced as though passing her verdict, “I don’t trust you. I could never trust you, not for all the lives lost by your treachery. To me you are rotten to the core, both figuratively and literally.”

A trepid silence followed. Scarlett observed the crowd’s reaction; all full of fear, hatred, anxiety and more. All suffered and experienced the horrors of the Rot and traitors for more than a decade. All waiting in anticipation for her judgement.

Her eyes returned to Sargon and continued, “But, Dame Amber of House Valebriar did vouch for you, and I trust her with my life. You risked my judgement to inform us of this threat, that if nothing else raises a valid concern for the distant future. That said, you are still a traitor.

“Therefore: Sargon the Death Teller; for your crimes against the people and the Crown, I banish you from the lands of Armello! And in your banishment, you are hereby tasked to eliminate the threat of the Rot, and you will remain in exile until this threat is vanquished! You will have no support from the crown, and you will have no army to aid you in your quest!”

“Scarlett, this is insane!” Amber protested. Her eyes wide, appalled, “You cannot expect him to achieve this task alone!”

“He is not going alone. You are going with him.”

Gasps echoed Amber's own. Several muttered among them.

“I know nothing I say will dissuade you from continuing this quest of destroying the Rot once and for all, so instead I shall send you forth with him. Unlike the traitor however, I am not banishing you; you are to accompany him as his jailer. You will ensure he does not return to Armello until his task is done.”

“Y-you would send me away with him?” Amber’s voice quivered mixed fear and anger, “Into lands unknown with nothing but a stash of Spirit Stones?!”

“You are not in a position to question my decision, Amber!” Scarlett all but hissed, “You vanished for five years colluding with this traitor! FIVE YEARS, AMBER! Not a word, not a runner, not even a letter! I let you run off hunting the remnants of the Dragon Clan six years ago by your request because I knew you desired the head of their leader! We all mourned when we heard how that Rot-worshipping bastard corrupted the entire House of Valebriar, so I respected your request to hunt him down personally. But then you vanished without a trace, which led most to fear of your fate! I even requested that your name be held from the Wall in hopes that you still live! I named my son and heir in your honour after I gave up searching for you, two months after his birth!”

“Mother please, don’t be angry,” Scarlett heard with a whimper as she felt a soft pair of paws clutch tightly on her gown. She looked down towards her son who returned her look with pleading eyes moist with tears. A thrill of horror took her as she stared into those saddened, frightened eyes. She turned to Amber whose head hung low, shame clear in her expression. The silence within the halls hung heavily from the tension.

By the Wyld, what am I doing? I need to keep my personal feelings out of this. Releasing an exacerbated exhale she calmed herself and returned her gaze towards the Adventurer. “You must understand, Amber, you are already asking too much of me, and as Queen, Armello must come first before anything else. I cannot raise an army for an expedition across the world, not even to rid ourselves of the Rot once and for all. Not even for you. This Kingdom had just recovered from the Rot War. I cannot in good conscience raise an army so soon after all we suffered. Perhaps in three or four years from now I could prepare an expedition a thousand strong, but I cannot do so now.”

Amber hesitantly raised her head towards Scarlett. “Three years may be too late, Scarlett,” she said, her voice soft and disheartened, “By then they will have-”

“I was not finished,” interjected Scarlett, silencing the rabbit, “I said I cannot raise an army, I did not say I won’t send you without support.”

“My Queen, did you not just decree that they will receive no support for this endeavour?” Mercurio spoke out, voicing the same objection among the nobles and vassals.

“I said that the traitor will not receive support from the Crown, that however is not said the same for Dame Amber,” elaborated Scarlett with a smirk, “She will be given command of a company of fifty volunteers from the Royal Guard as well as any adventurer crazy enough to join this expedition. They will be granted three years worth of supplies for the journey. The Death Teller will receive none of these; he will not order any within the expedition, nor will he receive any supplies save for any of his own. He will be allowed to live off the land but only when necessary. His sentence is to eliminate the servants of the Rot with nothing but the tools he carries with him. His well being is of no concern for us. If he dies before he completes his quest then justice is done and the expedition is to return to Armello post haste, accomplished or otherwise. If he succeeds, only then will he earn his pardon and shall be allowed to return.”

Mutters of ascent echoed within the Great Hall.

Lady Freyja smiled in amusement. “Well played, your Highness,” she muttered to herself, “Well played.”

Scarlett took a moment to survey the room as the mutterings continued. She saw the many placated glares from those who desired Sargon dead such as Mercurio and Elyssia. She saw the looks of concern from the likes of Sana and Ambrose. Then she saw the proud faces of Thane, Horace and of all people, Lady Freyja herself. She returned her gaze towards Amber; a hurt expression was written all over her. She saw relief in there as well, along with sorrow, bitterness, weariness, and… gratitude?

I am sorry Amber, but it is either our friendship or our home and too many are depending on me to ensure Armello’s security. I hope one day you can forgive me for my decisions tonight.

She turned to Sargon, “Is there anything you want to add, Death Teller?”

The old rat looked worn out, as though his life was sapped away. “Only that I wished you chose a different path,” he spoke wearily and turned his head towards the Queen, “Still, at the very least you didn’t choose the path of certain destruction. On the other paw, I cannot see where the fate of the world lies in this new path, none except my own.”

Well, at least that’s a comfort. “Are there any other objections?”

None spoke out.

“Excellent. The Expedition will have a month to prepare.” She turned to the wardress, “Wardress Elyssia; assemble a small fleet of ships in Stag’s Landing. I understand the city is part of your domain, therefore I leave you in charge of most of the preparations.”

The rabbit smirked, “To rid ourselves of this vermin? It will be a pleasure. In fact, I shall oversee their departure myself.”

Scarlett turned to Horace, “Captain, I want you to form a company of fifty volunteers, ten of each clan.”

“It will be done, your Majesty,” he saluted.

“Mercurio, send word to the Adventurers’ Guild. Let them know of Dame Amber’s return as well as the quest to the west. Tell them any who join shall have the honour of being the first Armellians to venture the elusive western continent and shall have their names recorded in the history books.”

The Master of Coin raised an eyebrow. “And what of the question of payment?”

“Any Adventurer who works for Coin is not insane enough to join the expedition,” she flatly replied.

“Ah, I see.”

“Now then, I believe that concludes all businesses for tonight,” said Scarlett as she clapped her paws together, “You are all dismissed. Please return to your guest quarters, or if you desire you may continue the festivities outside. I believe the parade is still in procession. And remember, the festival ends at the end of the week so please take your time to enjoy the festivities.”

As the guests filed out, Scarlett finally slumped into her seat and onto the table, exhausted from the ordeal. She didn’t even look up to see Amber off. “Had I known at the time I should have made this country a republic a long time ago,” she muttered to herself, “I could have retired to an estate with a vineyard by now.”

“Alas, such is the weight of responsibility.”

Scarlett glanced up to the voice, head still slumped on the table. “Leave me be, Mother-in-law,” she sighed tiredly, “I’ve not the strength nor the patience for your game of words.”

“A pity then,” came Lady Freyja’s reply, “I suppose then you have not the strength to hear me praise you.”

Scarlett’s ears pointed upright. “Come again?”

“You did what you thought was right for the Kingdom,” Lady Freyja answered, her voice somehow becoming gentle, “You held your ground against opposition, you prioritised the well being of your subjects over personal feelings, you skillfully placated disagreeable subjects, and most impressively you managed to make the best of both decisions; punishment for the traitor and a punitive expedition to destroy our mortal foes once and for all.

“If nothing else you did well, Daughter-in-law.”

Scarlett’s eyes went wide as dinner plates as the last thing she would have expected to hear left her stunned. The final straw of what was left of her mental faculties was when she received a quick embrace from Lady Freyja, leaving her mortified in her seat.

Before Scarlett blacked out she heard her mother-in-law’s final words that night.

“Take your rest, Scarlett. I wouldn’t want your stress to make my next grandchild ill. And don’t worry about me, I will take my leave from the capital by the first light on the morrow.”

A month later in Stag's Landing, a fleet of five ships were docked by the harbour awaiting for the expedition to depart.

“You know, it isn't too late to reconsider this journey Amber,” said Horace.

The two were overseeing the volunteers of Royal Guards and Adventurers who were bidding farewells to loved ones and boarded the ships.

“It needed to be done Horace,” said the Adventurer, “I can't rest easy knowing they are still out there, just waiting to return.”

Horace shrugged, “Well, if nothing else I bid you good luck. I'd come with but duty demands I remain.”

“Just as well you remain. You will be needed when the expedition returns.”

They both turned to see Sargon approach them.

“Coming from you bodes ill for me,” said Horace, glowering at the veil walker, “Were it not for the Far Seeker I would have slain you on the spot.”

“Take comfort then,” Sargon said somberly as he stared across the sea, “your Queen has condemned me to my death, whether she realises it or not. Through her decision I am condemned, for there was only one path of fate that I may have survived. I will not live to see the end.”

Horace studied the old rat. He stared across the ocean himself and said just as somberly, “If that were the case then the expedition returning in short order should be guaranteed.”

Amber glared at the captain. “Do you not care for the defeat of our mortal enemies?” she questioned, her tone as sharp as daggers.

“I care for my men and Armello,” he replied dryly, “If this expedition fails we will need all the strength and experience we could get to prepare for the Dragon Clan’s return. If I may be blunt to mention, this expedition is more of a scouting force than a punitive one. Even if you do succeed it would make for a perfect area for expansion.”

Amber scoffed, “Typical Bandit Clan mindset; exploit every opportunity even in the most dire of situations.”

Horace shrugged, “It is how Armello survived these past eight years. As our saying goes; if life gives you lemons, make citrus bombs.”

Rolling her eyes, Amber turned to the shore. A large group of onlookers and visitors watched and waved to their expedition. She noted several figures such as Elyssia, Sana and Thane from a distance. Her ears lopped down after noticing someone missing.

“Where is Scarlett? I would have thought as Queen she would be seeing us off.”

“Her majesty cannot take leave due to her condition,” replied the badger, “Apparently the little one decided to pop rather early if her health was anything to go by.”

“Then why is Thane here?” she asked, shocked from the news.

“Queen Scarlett insisted that he be the one to see you off.”

“Then why isn’t he-”

“Dame Amber!”

A white fox kit ran towards them.

“Prince Ambrose?” Amber stood almost gobsmacked at the kit, “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to give you this!” He stopped before them and straightened up whilst holding a large parchment. “Ahem. By the atho… athor-ra-tee of her ma-majes… majesty Scarlett, the queen of Ar… Arme… Armello,” he began to stutter, clearly struggling to read the scroll, “Dam-e... Dame Amber of Hoos-e Val-e-breeyar is given full atho-ra-tee as amba… amba…”

“Ambassador,” smiled Amber, clearly amused by the adorable declaration.

“Am-bassador,” Ambrose continued, blushing from embarrassment, “and En-voy on be-hal-fu of the King-dom of Amrello in this ex-pedi-ti-eon. You are to use this atho-”

“-Authority.”

“... Author-rity to estab-blish contact with the nee-boring Kingdoms within the new discov-er-red cont-tee-nent… in order to full-fill your miss-eon.” He held out the parchment before her. In a practised speech he added, “Please take this parchment to the main authority of the closest Kingdom upon your arrival.”

Amber knelt down at eye level with the young prince and received the parchment with a bow. “As Commander of the expedition, I am honoured to take this charge,” she replied, smiling at Ambrose.

He in turn smiled and quickly hugged the adventurer who was surprised at the sudden embrace.

“That was from Mother,” he explained, ending the embrace, “She said to give you one after I give you the letter.”

“Thank you, my prince,” said Amber, her eyes moistening from the gesture. Before she knew it she received another hug. “And what was that for?” she asked.

“That was from Father,” he answered, “He said to come back home in one piece.” He then offered one last hug. “That was from me,” he added, breaking off his embrace as he held off tears as he sniffled, “I finally got to meet the auntie who Mother never stopped telling me stories about.”

Unable to hold off tears of her own, she returned his embrace. “Tell your parents thank you,” she sobbed, “and tell them how sorry I am for not telling them how I was these past five years.”

“I will.”

He took off after the hug and returned to the crowd.

“He’s a good lad,” Sargon mused, “Destiny has plans for him, especially with someone from the otherside of the ocean.”

Wiping the tears from her eyes she smirked in amusement, “I thought he is destined for greatness regardless.”

As they began to board their vessels, Horace stopped them. “Before you leave, you never did tell us; what is the name of this new land?”

Sargon turned with an answer, “They call it, Equestria.”

Author's Note

G'day all!

At long last, I finally managed to post this story. It has taken me two years and a half to plan this story out, and now I present it to you. There is a shortage of fanfics of Armello, less so as crossovers, which is a shame because of the story-rich potential it has.

Special thanks to Rated Ponystar and 0_0 for Proofreading.

And for those interested, these are how most of the characters look like (sorry if the images are too big. Can't find anything smaller.):

Scarlett

Thane

Horace

Sana

Mercurio

Sargon

Amber

Elyssia

The rest either has no art or are OCs.