He didn't begin to see a reason to help only the Draconians until his best friend, Salasar Feaphed, was appointed as the 64th Grand Wizard and began to lead the Draconian people into the future that Fepar and Salasar had discussed in their youth. The two of them, alongside the
Dwarf Melthrum, were in the same class at the Magic College and formed a group of peacekeepers during those years known as the Mage Trio. They were the three most influential mages of the era and had earned reputations as heroes who stopped evildoers.
Fepar Tilrak by Jarhed
This group of best friends split up to go on their own journeys, but they still held love for each other. Upon learning of Salasar's new position, Fepar had some of his soldiers start looking more into the growing Draconian problem that Ikkul had joined.
There are two important spies to note here from the Army of the Revolution. One was a Draconian named Tumphead Balvarax, and the other was an Emetian named Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga. Varaman was stationed in the Uncharted Desert to the East and Balvarax was west in the Draconian Villages, but east of
Zephys, where Salasar Feaphed lived.
Balvarax disguised himself as a member of the
Publicani tax collectors to go around the villages and gather intel. He had communicated thoroughly through letters with Fepar Tilrak, and carried many correspondences that he intended to pass on when he had substantial proof.
What he ultimately found, however, was more proof than he ever wanted.
Escaping the Chiefs
It was not just Ikkul Ravofarn,
Village Chief of
Bortan, working with the World Court. Chiefs
Kicad Bavul of
Yirthum,
Tarthekar Padorim of
Ealla,
Ilxar Nimphonker of
Tamd, and Yernok Caerxan of
Waire were part of the plot.
He had even clashed against Chief
Onkesh Tazwunak of Evity, who discovered Balvarax's scheme. Balvarax was forced to retreat East, since he could not go West if all of the Chiefs (who all lied west of Evity) knew of his spying.
This left only one Draconian Village for him to retreat to:
Dembar.
Otikul Nurdesh by Jarhed
Chief Otikul Nurdesh of Dembar was an outspoken critic of the other Chiefs and so Balvarax believed that he would oppose this plan. However, upon arriving in Dembar, Balvarax was attacked by Nurdesh, who revealed the true plan. All of the Chiefs would fight each other, but Otikul would remain by Salasar's side, intending to betray him later.
Balvarax needed to retreat, but going west to warn Salasar was out of the question. He knew of another spy in the desert: Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga. As a Worldbreaker, Varaman had strength that made others fear him. Otikul wouldn't chase him, nor even know of Ogolaga's existence.
Arriving in the desert, Balvarax passed on his information and correspondences to Ogolaga and told him to contact Fepar through the signal fires they used.
Fepar had heightened senses, and when the signal of one of his men was lit, he arrived. It was too late for him to hear all of Balvarax's message, as the spy had perished, but he heard enough. He drafted a letter from Balvarax's scribbles and the correspondences.
Now, it needed to get into the hands of Salasar Feaphed.
The Letter's Journey
Fepar could not deliver the letter himself. He was far too conspicuous, as the most wanted man in the world, and if war were truly coming, he'd need to be prepared to fight. Instead, he returned to Vitroveil and got his best soldiers ready to battle. His wife
Ildid Tilrak and his most powerful warrior,
Ordoth Mardaar.
Grand Wizard Salasar Feaphed by Jarhed
The letter, then, was trusted to Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga. He was strong enough, Fepar thought, to stop anyone who would get in his way, and so too would he not be targeted. No one would know he had anything to do with the Army.
Varaman began his journey west with the letter. It was entrusted to him, and he had no intention of lettting anything happen to it.
Trouble in the Desert
It was then that he saw a strange meeting. The Grand Duke of the Gnomes, Davyer Comathol, as well as an Emetian named Legu Frightbearer Jalor, were in the middle of the Desert... with a Judge of the World Court. Judge Theta, the Gnome Judge. There was a plot here as well.
Varaman quickly scrawled this into the letter, covering some of the initial text with his enormous handwriting, and continued on.
The letter was more urgent now. It was not just the Draconians under threat... it was the desert, and perhaps the world.
Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga could not anticipate what he would come across next. There were so few things in the desert that could stop him, so he didn't believe anything would. And then, something trudged into his path.
Someone that was able to shake the ground as they walked. To instill fear simply be revealing their presence.
The Strength Mage and strongest man in the world: Die Punchforce.
Die Punchforce by andreaspsillos4
Punchforce had no affiliation with the World Court, at least to the best of Varaman's knowledge. But then again, he had learned of new things in the past few days. For all he knew, the Strength Mage was sent to stop him.
This was not the case. This was not the reason Die would fight Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga. Instead, he had heard the name of Ogolaga, and particularly the Worldbreaker title that indicated his fighting prowess, and sought out a challenge.
That was all Die Punchforce wanted. Someone who could give him a challenge.
Varaman Worldbreaker Ogolaga could not give him that. It only took one punch for the Worldbreaker to be ripped to shreds by the sheer force of Die's hit.
Die Punchforce did not notice the letter, and even if he did, he would not have delivered it. Part of it was shredded by the punch, but what remained would be buried in the sand, never to be seen again. Aside from Fepar Tilrak, no one would even know of its existence, and when he died, it would be lost to time.
Excerpt from Warning of the Impending Crowning
Dear Salasar,
I'm sure you recognize my handwriting, but I will tell you upfront that this is indeed Fepar Tilrak writing to you. I have little time, for it appears a powder keg is waiting to explode at this very moment. For some time, I have known of Ikkul's affiliation with the World Court. You likely have had suspicions as well due to how he opposes you. I have known since the founding of my army, but I have been unable to alert you.
I know I've been silent despite the letters you've sent me. I've wanted to write back, but I've found no time to do so nor way to get the letter into your hands. I am not certain this will, but I believe if anyone, you will hear out a rambling Emetian even if others call him crazy. Perhaps when this is over, we may catch up on how the decades apart have changed us.
It is not just Ikkul. A war is coming... it appears that all of the Chiefs are headed to war. Ravofarn, Bavul, Tazwunak, Nimphonker, Caerxan, and Padorim. I've got no confirmation on Nurdesh... my source died before he could speak on the subject, but be wary of him.
(
This next segment is blocked by Varaman's writing, and so what is written are the large scrawlings of the Worldbreaker)
GRAND DUKE COMATHOL AND THE JALOR WOMAN MET WITH JUDGE THETA! THE COURT IS REACHING BEYOND THE DRACONIANS! SOMETHING IS COMING!
Everything beyond this was torn apart in the skirmish with Die Punchforce.
It was a warning that would fall on deaf ears, as no one would hear it. However, the events it warned of would come to pass. All of the Chiefs would attempt to kill Salasar, going to war with each other for the privilege in what was known as the
Chief Crisis.
Salasar would survive this alongside Otikul Nurdesh, then witnessing a worldwide coup known as the
Grand Crowning, though Salasar would not be targeted in this.
Finally, Nurdesh betrayed Salasar in the
Coup of Zephys, killing him with the help of
Urokris Erthar.
No one knew that there was a letter that could have prevented these tragedies, or at least warned someone more capable of handling them of their coming. For all it takes is a coincidence for the world to turn on its head. Even the smallest accident can light a city ablaze.
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