The Story of the Wildlands

my drawing of my third protagonist, Tiya! leader of a city and all that :D

my drawing of the my second protagonist, Sigey :) he's a big boi

my little drawing of one of my protagonists, Yala :)

Chapter 10 - Khodra

"Ma?!" "Di alkantan!" "Ga mun kisil danam, miyolt e nakolt mitted!" Khodra was lost in the chaotic strings of strange words. He tried his best to read their reactions, to recognize any word he could have heard before, but he couldn't keep up with the loud arguing. "Is something wrong?" he finally asked. The other three immediately stopped and looked at him, which made him feel like he was back in school giving the wrong answer to a formula, waiting for the other kids to laugh at him. "Yes, something is wrong." Yala's statement sounded like she was blaming Khodra for not understanding exactly what was going on. "Why don't you tell us why there's a whole fucking army waiting for us outside the forest?!"

Chapter 9 - Yala

"Luwe!" she yelled after her horse. "Yirol!" She whistled and repeated the command once more, but she could already tell that it wasn't going to listen to her right now. She let out a resigned sigh and turned to the rest of the group. Sigey stopped his horse and dismounted, and Yala's eyes immediately followed the direction of his concerned look. Tiya, the Radiant, chieftain of the janti tribe, was sitting on the ground in the middle of some wide-leaved pink flowers. She was holding her hands to her neck with straining muscles. Tears were flowing from her bloodshot eyes and her entire face was twisted by fear.

Chapter 8 - Tiya

"Where were you anyway?" Yala asked the warrior while she tied her captive to a tree. "I went scouting again. Sadly, I saw no sign of janti survivors. But I did hear the Imperials talk. They're of no mind of leaving, at least not yet. They were planning to send out riders during the daylight to find people who had escaped." There were a few moments of silence as Yala stood right next to Sigey, and just stared at him. Suddenly she kicked some dirt over the fire. "Then what the fuck are you doing roasting shit over the fire like an idiot?!" "We'll need the energy. A few bites of meat is better than nothing." Sigey looked at Tiya and gave a little bow, "if it's alright, good madam, I would like to join you on your journey and offer my protection." Tiya sent him a subtle smile. "And what about the villagers of Barigbal?" "There's not much I can do for them alone, especially with the Imperials still here." "I understand… Then I accept your offer, and look forward to traveling with you."

*drum roll*

"Of course, Yala," Tiya bowed slightly. "You are right. Although I can't help that you have such an interesting captive. Captivating, if you will."

Tiya

Main character #4 - The Chieftain

She thought for a few moments, then spoke again with a voice sweetened by a smile. "You are right, of course, that the locals might be in more dire need. But I cannot wait for long. Whatever happens, I'll have to begin my journey soon, for it is my duty. As you want to protect these villagers, I must protect my own people. Even if I have to make the journey alone. Even if the Wildlands aim to consume me, I must try."

Under Tiya's rule her tribe thrives and grows as much as it is possible in the Wildlands. They harvested plenty of food, and they are famous for their excellent metalworking skills. But it is not enough.

She travels into the other tribes' territories to seek alliences and to build something incredible together, while she still needs to look after her own people. Will she find a way to overcome all the dangers and obstacles in her way, or will the Wildlands wrench her dreams from her grasp?

Sigey

Main character #3 - The Protector

The raiders were getting back in formation, watching the ground, expecting more traps. They raised their bows and aimed at the villagers. "Shield!" Sigey shouted. The villagers reacted just in time to block the arrows, but one of them still cried out in pain. Sigey pointed out the new targets and this time he heard a villager's aggressive cheer as a javelin pierced the raider's chest.

Sigey is an unusually tall warrior, blessed and cursed with a truly strong man's shape. Never in his adult life was he mistaken for someone who couldn't defend himself. This can sometimes help him avoid conflict, but attracts trouble just as often.

He wanders the Wildlands, helping out fellow wildfolk. Not for personal gain, but out of a sense of community - which often raises suspicion in people who are not used to selfless behavior. But when everything goes up in falmes around him, can he save everyone he aims to, or will his generosity simply tear him apart?

Khodra

Main character #2 - The Exile

Preceded by frightened cries - the words of which he couldn't possibly make out - a familiar and yet completely new sight greeted Khodra. Imperial cavalry. Not trotting around main squares and palaces to intimidate commoners, but charging through the gates at full speed with their glaives forward. Khodra's mind couldn't process the vision before him. It was something out of a history book. So sudden, so fast and so hard to believe. On some level he knew he should move, run and hide, do something, but he found himself frozen in the middle of the street, the terrible scene approaching at an alarming pace.

Khodra has never been to the Wildlands before, only heard the terrible tales. Tales of the savage wildfolk; bandits and cannibals with endless hatred toward the Empire.

Now he wanders these dangerous lands all alone, desperately trying to figure out where to hide and what to do with his new life. Can he forget his comfortable city life and adapt to the Wildlands before it consumes him?

Yala

Main character #1 - The Mercenary

For just a moment the agir’s light revealed the bandit. She had dark hair, wide cheekbones, and wore a coat similar to wildlander horsemen's who often raided Imperial caravans. As soon as the light was gone, Asyana felt a horrible feeling in his right palm and dropped the dagger immediately. There was an arrow. There was an arrow lodged into his hand.

Yala always works alone. She knows she can rely on her skills and many years of experience as a mercenary. She only needs her bow and arrows, and perhaps her horse.

She doesn't seem to like people very much and others usually feel the same way about her. For how long can she actually work together with the people life (or well... the author) has thrown right into her path?