289 AL
Prologue - Judeaux I
It had been a fortnight since Judeaux and his comrades had faced the mighty Purple Rhino Knights at the Battle of Doldrey. It had been a harsh battle as the mighty fortress of Doldrey was not only guarded by high walls, but a scorching desert as well.
Luckily Judeaux survived the initial onslaught of General Boscogne his forces. The Purple Rhino Knights had indeed been mighty opponents to the Band of the Hawk. But Griffith's tactical skills had won the day as they managed to sneak into the fortress due to the idiotic governor of Doldrey sending nearl all of his forces out to face the Hawks.
Not to mention the fact that Guts, that demon-like warrior with his enormous weapon had managed to slash through General Boscogne's armor after a heated battle, killing the enemy General in single combat.
It wasn't long after Guts his victory that Casca. That beautiful warrior woman took the fortress walls and raised the banner of the Hawks on Chuder it's mightiest fortress. At this point the battle was off course over. Judeaux contemplated what Griffith could have accomplished in Midland had they not woke up in this strange land.
He looked at the leader of their little band, Griffith. A man with long silvery hair and a stunningly beautiful face. For a man that is... Judeaux had once said, in Griffiths absence, that Men wanted to be him and women wanted to be with him... Or was it the other way around? Did it really matter?
Griffith was trying to keep the morale of the band up, talking about bravery, promises of wealth and positions. Even in this new and unknown land. 'We have faced the armies of Chuder and laid waste to them! We are the men who single handedly saved Midland! And I promise you, we will find a new Midland!'
... Ever the drama queen wasn't he. Sometimes Griffith seemed to far to perfect to be true, charismatic, beautiful and incredibly gifted with his sword. Judeaux shook his head, jealousy wasn't what the Band of the Hawk needed right now.
His eyes gazed briefly towards Guts, the huge demon-like warrior was peacefully slumbering, resting his back on a tree. An odd thing to look upon when you had seen the man fight... Judeaux musing were interrupted by the always loud arrival of Corkus. A tall but thin man with black hair and grey armor.
'Griffith, Sir! A large group of riders is approaching our position! They number about 6.000!' Corkus shouted towards his commander, a hint of fear in his eyes. And who could blame him, a group of riders approaching them in a strange land, a very dry land he added. Not fit for more then herding sheep or some cattle. He wondered who those riders were.
Griffith nodded towards Corkus, 'Do they look like they want to talk?' Griffith asked, hoping to avoid a battle in this strange land for now.
'I saw them burn down a small village of herders just before their scouts noticed me. They took the survivors and herded them away, I think they're slavers or something like that.' Corkus said as he recalled the memories of those riders burning down the village. As a man of war he had seen plenty of violence in his life, but these riders had shown themselves to be especially brutal.
'Oh and one more thing, they scream... A lot.'
Griffith gave a nod towards Corkus, who retreated into the crowd. Allowing Griffith to once again become the center of attention. 'All forces prepare for battle! Infantry form up in blocks of 500 and grab plenty of pikes. 'Casca your unit will guard our left flank, Corkus and Judeaux's units will guard the right flank! Guts his raiders will charge in as soon as the enemy force clashes into ours! Now go!'
The well disciplined force that was the Band of the Hawk it's 4.000 men quickly started their preparations for battle. The tall and hulking Guts awoke from his slumbers and mounted his horse. While Judeaux just thought, 'Can't catch a break can we.'
289 AL Chapter I – Judeaux II
'Charge!' Shouted Gaston, Guts his right hand man in the Raiders as the 500 raiders smashed into the Dothraki screamers. Guts was as always ahead of the charge, drawing his giant sword that would make a regular greatsword feel inadequate. Guts his sword then made contact with the first foolish or brave Dothraki who noticed him. In a violent display of blood, organs and smashed bones the first two Dothraki who challenged Guts were cut down mercilessly. For a second the other Dothraki hesitated to assault the hulking swordsman. But their warrior ethic forced them to act and soon a group of no less than a thousand Dothraki charged into the Raiders oncoming assault.
The charge didn't last long… Guts himself cut a hole in the Dothraki line, making even the fiercest of the Dothraki think twice about attacking him again. Though the Dothraki were much more successful against the rest of the raiders, they simply couldn't break this one swordsman.
It was then that Casca's and Corkus their units smashed the flanks of the Dothraki force once again. Apparently breaking the resolve of the Dothraki screamers. This was however but a faux maneuver as the Dothraki started to release waves of arrows upon the Band of the Hawk, who quickly reorganized their battle line.
It was here that Guts rode forward towards the Dothraki riders, pointing at the man with the longest braid of hair. Guts didn't know anything about these riders, but he recognized their strongest warrior the moment he saw him fight. The Dothraki understood the challenge and the Dothraki held their fire.
Both Guts and the Dothraki were circling each other, Guts was swinging his giant swords around in a display of strength. The Dothraki took the challenge and made an elaborate display with his two sickle like blades. Guts his butcher smile appeared on his face as he acknowledged the skill of this rider, not having had a good fight since he had cut General Boscogne in two halves.
The two warriors charged towards each other and as their weapons made contact the steel of the Dothraki sickle blades had been shattered by the enormous swords of the Raiders' captain.
The Dothraki attempted to use his whip to strangle Guts, but it was a failed attempt at the start as Guts pulled the Dothraki of his horse and used his immense strength to lift the Dothraki above his head, impaling the warrior on his sword.
It was here that Judeaux saw something that he wouldn't have expected. The remaining Dothraki dismounted, took their knives and cut of their braids. Walking towards Guts, now being joined by Griffith and Caska as well. In some sort of strange foreign tongue the riders started speaking to the leaders of the Band of the Hawk. '… Dothraki…Khal Jhiego… '
None of the Band could understand what they said, and the Dothraki understood this and one of them called towards someone in the back of the line. Moments later two of the Dothraki dragged a heavyset woman with a flat nose and black hair towards Griffith, Guts and Casca.
'Greetings, I am Mirri Maz Duur…Slave to the Dothraki Khallasar of Khal Jhiego. Do you speak the Common Tongue of Westeros?' Judeaux and his fellow warriors where surprised that this woman could speak their language. Though with a very heavy accent it was perfectly understandable. Perhaps they weren't as far away from Midland as they thought. Griffith spoke to the woman. 'I understand you Mirri Maz Duur, now could you please explain to us what is happening here?'
Mirri Maz Duur then explained that the Dothraki had surrendered to them, they now numbered less than a thousand. And acknowledged them as the superior warriors. She then pointed at Guts, 'You… You have slain the Great Khal, these warriors now serve you. She pointed at the Dothraki having lined up with their braids in their hands.' She angrily scowled, 'As do I and my fellow Lhazareen who have been enslaved by them.'
Guts simply walked away from the whole thing after hearing this, leaving Griffith and Casca to sort this out. Griffith seemingly just smiled, knowing he had just gained a thousand new soldiers for his dream. He welcomed each of the defeated Dothraki personally and had Mirri Maz Duur at his side at all times now. Acting as a translator while gaining more knowledge about the world around them. Judeaux was usually joining Griffith with these kind of things, always having had in interest in the academics and being a rather intelligent man himself. They learned that they were on a continent called Essos in a land called Lhazareen. These riders where Dothraki, nomads who sometimes raided the herders of Lhazaar. To the south were the cities of Slavers Bay, the place where she and her fellow villagers would have probably ended up.
To the west there were several powerful city states known as the Free Cities. But the most interesting tidbit of information was the fact that there was a continent called Westeros beyond these Free Cities. A continent that was apparently a lot like their home; Midland. Judeaux looked at Griffith's face as he hear about this realm. He was obviously excited about their new prospects. Essos was a divided continent with apparently weak states and armies. It would be the perfect place for Griffith to forfill his ambitions.
It was then that Judeaux noticed the red piece of jewelry that Griffith always wore was missing. He wondered if Griffith had lost it during the battle, or that perhaps it was left behind in Midland. Griffith always had it hanging around his neck, as a sort of good luck charm. Yet it wasn't there, Judeaux thought about asking Griffith what happened to the jewel. But figured that their leader was too busy with his ambitions for now.
'Judeaux, Casca!' Said Griffith. 'I think we may have found our next destination… Prepare the men, we march for Slavers Bay!'
Meanwhile in Westeros…
Robb Stark, heir of Winterfell was walking through the Godswood. He usually wouldn't sneak away from Rodrick Kessel's training or Measter Luwin's lessons. But today he felt a strong pull towards the Godswood. Maybe he just wanted to pray for a moment, or simply enjoy the rest of the Godswood.
Or play in it for a while. He and Jon frequently roamed the peaceful Godswood, pretending to fight Giants, Grumpkins and Snarks. So it wasn't that strange to feel pulled towards the peace of the Godswood was it?
Robb looked onto the clear water of the small pond next to the Weirwood tree. The face of the tree was bleeding a bit more than usual and it made him shiver a bit. Then his eyes met with a strange red jewel, he reached for it and picked it up. At that moment the jewel suddenly opened its eyes and mouth. Robb jumped back and dropped the jewel, but he was curious.
And just a boy after all, he grabbed the jewel again, and nothing happened. He looked at the Weirwood, the face was normal again and he figured it might just have been a daydream. Robb then put the jewel around his next and tucked hid it beneath his cloak. With a broad smile on his face he walked back to his lessons.