Kantach Tribe

Kurach

High King Gervatix II and his son, named of the exact lineage had traveled via horse to Kurach to celebrate the yearly moon festival. It's highest during the year, the druids of the Kantach demanded that even the High King give respect to the sacred moon and so there was little arguing. Even with iron rule, angering the druids was a policy that few administrators survived -- even one so canny as Gervatix himself. The politics of the Kantach, while not as nearly advanced as the intricate maneuverings of the Ezrian monarchy or the more intrepid dealings of the great bazaars of Ikhan (a city in which Gervatix himself had never seen), were still one that required minute political prowess. Gervatix III, his son and very much like himself learned with much interest the various ordeals that the High King endured and ordained, and unlike his father expressed interest in ensuring the continued prosperity of the Kantach even where Gervatix II was not concerned.

" Father, " the young Prince whirred, his messy blond locks falling across the fur of his heavy wool jacket. " have the Murdok kneeled? "

The two traveled the fertile highlands of Kantaachu, the sacred lands that Gervatix' forefathers themselves once tread. Behind them one hundred sixty Kantach Swordsmen rode, the formal entourage of the Kantach royalty. They were lightly armed compared to the Ezrian legions they often faced. A simple tunic and wool skirt of olive or brown. Sheathed at the waist was a longsword of rough iron and across their backs a shield in the shape of an oblong crescent. No man of this entourage was younger than the King, and they carried with them huge banners of sodden green, emblazoned with druidic letters. They were veterans of intertribal fighting and decades of practice. Every death of a Kantach Swordsmen was one not easily replaced.

The King mulled the answer for a long while, Gervatix III expected such a response; as his father had often suggested, he did not want to mislead the Prince into falsehood. He waited a long while before stirring atop the saddle and answering.

" The Murdok know they cannot outlast the Ezrians without us, but their king is much like your father, " He mused and tried to suppress a grin while Gervatix III laughed aloud and finished his sentence.

" Stubborn until the end! "

The village of Kurach lay nestled just ahead. A handful of torches scattered the small village, it was without walls and seemed more like an encampment of a few hundred huts and wood lodgings rather than a village to be marked on the map, but it was home to some thirty thousand and also where Gervatix III also called home in the summer season. " Kurach, father! " Gervatix III pointed, wrestled his horse into a gallop and was off down the hill with an enthusiastic haste.

" He will be a fine king .. " The monotonous tone of Kuverax broke the silence. A Kuntach Swordsmen and close friend to the High King, he was an unofficial adviser to the king in times of dire need and at times seemed able to read the king's mind.

" Without a doubt, I pray to the Gods his health remains as strong as his blade. " The King retorted, forcing a heavy gaze upon Kuverax.

" I think you'll find no such weakness. His arms are strong, his mind is sharp. "

" It is what I am afraid of. "

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High King of the Kantach Tribe, Gervatix III and his son, Prince Gervatix II ride to the village of Kurach for the yearly Moon Festival.

Kurach

" The Surud are under attack by the Jonten by sea, the Survaek will assail them here .. and here, and all the while Ezrian Legions prepare to cross all along the border. " Kuverax intoned, his rough finger moving along the map to give his words enhanced importance. Several other lesser Kantach Swordsmen lingered around the wooden table, with High King Gervatix II and his son Gervatix III present as well. " The Surud are a simple people, my lords. " Kuverax finally said, a sigh afterward seemed to carry with it a certain defeatism.

" But will they fight? " The Prince inquired, pending enthusiasm in his voice.

" They will, my prince. Their army is small however and even in their own home, the Surud cannot throw back the Ezrians for long. We must come to their aid. " Kuverax replied.

" Gervatix, you will ride west to the Murdok .. Carry with you some chests of gold and find those willing to fight for us against the Ezrians. King Merovian may not yet submit, but his people have no love for the Empire. Kuverax, you will lead the Kantach into the Empire. They will know what it means to fight against the northern tribes. " Gervatix II, rubbing his thick beard noted.

" And you, my king? "

" I will ride to the Surud. The King of the Kantach amongst them will show them the truth of our bond. I will not let the Surud fall, they have ever been our friends. "

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With all due haste, Kuverax returned to Kando, the Kantach capital. Unarmored and unsaddled, Kantach steeds were renowned for their longevity and endurance. Kuverax rode with four bodyguards and their speed matched his own. He entered the bustling village as a predestined war hero, as the masses of soldiers rallied around him as he told his tale of war against the Empire once more. While there had never been a definitive time of war and peace, the Kantach and Empire had rather been at each others throats for the better half of the century. Kuverax rallied the equestrian noblemen, the few in the town who could ride and pay for their horses, as well as the Kantach tribesmen whose own military vigor was renowned in the region. Without a banner, they fled the city two weeks later and headed west, back toward Kurach.

Kuverax had messengers sent to the Murdok and Gervatix III's envoy to send what troops they could to meet with them at Kurach.