Druid raced over the icy boulders like a slick stream. He learned how to use the world around him by becoming a part of it. His army stayed behind him as they made their ways through the sudden darkness that had come upon the mountains, his mountains.

"Shall we engage in the darkness?" Corinth asked to which Druid laughed.

"If shade and shadow wish to join the fight who is ice to tell them no?" He cackled as he carried his army over the treacherous steeps.

Oh they tell of a morning

For years they will say

How the king of snow and ice

Fought on Red Sky Day

It was a warm morning

And the sun was shining bright

But suddenly the morning

Was overcome by night

The sun called out loudly

In a clear voice he did say

Come shade and shadow

Join the fight on Red Sky Day

The wind went through the valley

Calling all who cared to hear

Come gather all your army

There is not a thing to fear

Come all little children

Come down on sled and sleigh

Come to the frozen valley

Come on Red Sky Day

/

Archduchess Germania turned away from the gray sky in the frozen desert. She returned to the tents where Archduke Herculaneum was armed and waiting. "I don't think we should wait for a calmer wind," she said. "Anymore delay and the troops might lose spirit and this mission requires all they have got." The crowned crane followed the buck with her eyes as he paced the room. "Darling we have been planning this for years." She said when she noticed he was worried. "Your troops are behind you and I am behind you.

                "I know," Herculaneum said. "No one has supported me more than you have, Germania. It's just...I won't know how to face my mother."

                "Remember she believes you are dead. You and your closest friends. Our people have suffered under her rule for far too long." She wrapped her wing around him. Let's not make this about us. Let us make this about them."

                Herculaneum smiled, happy to have her at his side. For years now they had been each other's support when the other was down. Now, he couldn't see anyone else more fit to be by his side. He knew she was the right Empress of his people.

                He picked up his bayonet from the table and fastened it to his belt. He then put on his helmet and adjusted his breastplate. Lastly he took the single straight golden arrow and added it to his quiver. "Let's go."

                Germania flew from the tent, her form strong against the sun and the winds.  Soaring above the army she drew her sword. The hour had arrived.

                Herculaneum  took his place at the head of his troops. "Forward, Blue Army!" he cried out. "Free Mount Lions!"

                With a roar the army moved forward across the desert like a sand storm with Germania flying at the lead with her winged regiment.

                The King of Carn and his only surviving descendant marched their army after theirs. Without having to fight Captain Budapest Strum they were free to advance on Mount Lions.

/

                Headmistress dismounted her carriage and strutted up to the palace doors. She had been wondering why the Emperor had joined his army in Recomine and decided to pay Empress Olympia a visit.

                When she reached the steps Johannesburg and two other members of the council stopped her. "Might we help you?" the zebra asked.

                Headmistress held her head up high. The emu had little regard for such members as Johannesburg, she thought them young and full of themselves and incapable of making any real decisions. "I'm here to see Empress Olympia," she said. "I have traveled all this way for many hours and would like to speak to her."

                Johannesburg glanced as the carriage on the square. By his judgment it didn't seem like the hours of travel had been done in discomfort. "The Empress isn't holding audiences today." 

                "Come back tomorrow," his fox companion said.

                "Do you have any idea who I am?" Headmistress said. "I'm a Lady."

                "And I'm telling you that the Empress isn't seeing anyone." Johannesburg said stepping closer to her. "Now, I would hate to have to call the guards to escort you out of here...my Lady."

                The Headmistress was infuriated but she didn't have a retort for the zebra nor his laughing companions. What had the world come to if the likes of them could mock the likes of her? "I won't forget your faces," she said. "I'll be reporting you to the Emperor as soon as he returns. She tossed her head and marched away.

                Angrily she rode through the Imperial City thinking of a way she would get back at the three young council members. Deciding to contribute to the war effort she had her driver stop at the temple of Bellum where she went in to pray.

/

                Johannesburg continued on his route away from the palace giving specific instruction to the guards not to let anyone in to see the Empress by her orders. He made his way to the prison and inquired about a certain old zebra that went by the name of Iffy.

                He had been one present when he was sentenced to seven years. He knew it would kill the poor old thing but reasoned that they were all dying slowly. Still, his conscious brought him into the deep darkness below the city were the condemned and falsely accused, alike awaited judgment.

                The prison guard opened the cell gate and Johannesburg went in. It was dark but he could clearly make out the old zebra sitting at the edge of a mat on the floor.

                "You've come again, young one," Mr. Iffy said after glancing at him. "I knew I wouldn't be rid of your face."

                Johannesburg looked around for a place to sit and finding none decided to remain standing. "I brought you clean water," he said laying a canteen next to the mat.

                Mr. Iffy looked up at him then looked away. "He'll be in Glimmer by now," he said. "I only hope that if he must die that he won't suffer long."

                "You speak of Munich." Johannesburg scoffed. "If I know him he's far from the fight."

                "And if I know the General he'll have him on the front line!" Mr. Iffy said. "After all look what he has done to me. Look what he has done to your sister."

                Johannesburg felt a twinge. "Rhodes shouldn't have eavesdropped!" he said. "She should have known better!"

                "Yes," Mr. Iffy said. "And prison is what I get for supporting the Blue Army and death is what your brother gets for having a heart. But what do you get, young Johannesburg? What is your end reward?"

                "I...I...I" He glanced around, licking his dry lips. "I get to live. On the council no one bothers me. No one cares that my brother and sister are disloyal to the General. I'm my own person."

                Mr. Iffy shook his head. "You don't believe that. One day or another we will all be judged. I can't see your heart but I know it's not as black as you pretend it to be. If Emperor Cato didn't rule Mount Lions you would be just as pleased."

                Johannesburg suddenly felt thirsty and snatching up the canteen he emptied it into his parched mouth. Gagging on the last bit he spat it out. He closed his eyes for a long time before he opened them again. When he did, Mr. Iffy was looking at him.

                "I hate the Emperor," Johannesburg said. "I hate the Empress, I hate what has become of our mighty nation!" He smeared the droplets of water from his mouth. "Munich is right, he has always been right and now I shall never tell him." He shook his head as he mulled over his thoughts. He didn't know what would become of the Mount Army and be extension what would become of Mount Lions. He shook his head and started for the door.

                "Wait, Johannesburg," Mr. Iffy called after him. When the young zebra came back up to him he patted the mat. "Stay here with me. Soon you shall see the fall of the Triads. Of Bellum and her disgusting practices, of the cruelty of the General and the pain that our nation has suffered."

                Johannesburg glanced around nervously. He was anxious to be out of the dark and above the ground.

                "Stay," Mr. Iffy  entreated. "Where do you have to be that is important that you can't talk a few more minutes with an old Mount like me?"

                Johannesburg sat.

/

Ortensia was playing with her pet mouse at the back of the house. She looked in the direction of Recomine, wondering what had become of the sergeant and if he was alright. There was yet still a nip in the air and she decided to get out of it so not to catch a cold.