The first scream to ring out in Mount Lions came from a lioness walking on the royal road. When she saw the winged regiment soar over she knew the time had come. The news of it spread like a wild fire but too late it was for the citizens to grab their weapons.

                Panic flooded the streets as they rushed to take shelter in their homes. Blue flags appeared on some of the rooftops and the residents came out to rejoice, no longer fearing death from their neighbors.

                Herculaneum's army stormed through the city wall sending it down in a mighty cloud of dust. Residence of the Imperial city fled at the sight of the army waving their blue flags. "Take back Mount Lions!" Herculaneum shouted. "Tear down the temples, free the city, destroy the wicked Bellum!"

                The troops moved through the city like a blue flood. Germania flew ahead of them into the temple of Bellum whose priests were quickly detained for judgment, for deliberately misleading the nation.

                Germania soared into the chamber where Bellum's great statue towered over those who had come to pray and to sacrifice to her. With a mighty swing of her sword she severed the head of the statue sending it crashing to the floor and its' worshippers scattering. One Emu worshipper didn't move fast enough and was crushed by the falling polished stones that she had once esteemed.

                Herculaneum's army took the palace while the Carn Army spread out from the city and into its suburbs. When Lady Kasper heard the news of invasions she knew all was lost. As she watched her neighbors retreat in haste she thought of her husband who was more than likely dead and she thought of her daughter Isca. Turning away from the window she kissed the antler pendant of Bellum around her neck as she walked into the foyer.

                She stood on the red carpet before the massive tank and starred at the deadly beauty inside. "My love, Roman," she said to her dim reflection. "Don't worry my love; we shall join you and Isca very soon."

/

                The palace was surrounded but Empress Olympia was still defiant of defeat.

                "Your Imperial Majesty, what will they do with us?" One of her maidservants worried. "What if they kill us? I've heard stories of the awful things the Carn army does."

                "Shut up!" Olympia barked at the crying wolf girl.

                "But what if Emperor Cato is—"

                "So what if the Emperor is dead!" Olympia said. "We are the master nation and we will not be defeated. The Mount army will return, triad flags waving, and they will liberate us. You'll see. Stupid girl."

                When she heard a commotion in the square she rushed to the window and looked out. Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw the white buck standing on the steps next to General Capricorn. "Pompeii!" She seethed with anger as the servant girl joined her.

                "I don't think anyone is coming for us, Your Imperial Majesty," the girl wept.

                Olympia shoved her out of the way. She went over to her lounge and put her crown upon her head. "I will not be cowed."

                "But You Imperial Majesty!" the servant girl called after her. "It could mean your death!" He cries fell on deaf ears for Olympia not once looked back.

                When she stepped into the hall the Empress realized that the palace had been largely abandoned. Only a few frightened servants remained. She scoffed at them as they remained seated in her presence and didn't bow as she walked by. They had in a short moment become more concerned with their lives than they had with hers.

                Olympia narrowed her eyes at them. She prayed their souls would be eternally tormented by Tar. Taking a hidden passage between the walls she slipped out of the palace concealing her dagger in her fine silken robes. Quiet as a mouse she slipped onto the square where she could clearly see the old General next to her son who was supposed to be dead.

                A few soldiers stood around them, each with a spear. Their attention; however, was on the palace as they tried to entreat her to come out. She smirked at this. If she could move fast enough she just might be able to slay the Archduke. Taking hold of her dagger she charged the steps.

                "Usurper, Usurper!" she shrieked. Her robes flew out around her like colorful smoke but it was not the beauty that Pompeii saw, but the deadly gleaming blade.

                "Dispatch her!" He ordered one of the soldiers who readily threw his spear. When the young soldier missed the old Wildebeest snatched Herculaneum's bow and in one fluid motion he fitted the single straight golden arrow made with gold from the Nagorin temple and launched it.

                The doe screamed and fell down on the lime steps. She made an attempt to crawl up them but collapsed. After a few seconds Herculaneum descended the steps and knelt down beside her.

                "To Tar with you," she said through gritted teeth. "I condemn your soul to burn forever!"

                Herculaneum looked sadly at her. Once she had held him and loved him but thirst for power had sapped all the goodness in her heart. "That's alright, Mother," he said. "I forgive you."

                Olympia grabbed hold of him violently but she had no strength to do him harm. She uttered one last condemnation before dying. Herculaneum closed her eyes and removing the eye of Nagoray necklace from her slender neck he laid her on the steps.

A cry went on in Mount Lions. A cry of triumph for the years of oppression had ended and Ortensia Pussy-Willow heard it as she stood on the rooftop with her blue flag. She jumped up and down as the winged regiment soared over her little neighborhood boarded on one side by a stream and on the other by hills.

                When Germania saw the child on the rooftop she lighted down beside her. "Are you all alone?" The Archduchess asked.

                "My Sergeant went to the Glimmer Mountains," Ortensia said. "Will he be back soon?"

                Germania smiled. "Only time will tell, little one." she said. "Come now, I won't leave you here. You will come with me to the palace."

                "But how will the sergeant know where to find me?" Ortensia worried. "I will stay here. I will stay here and wait for him."

                Germania didn't think she should be on her own but she couldn't deny the child the right to wait. "Very well,.I will visit you again." She rose into the air. "Be safe Little Ortenisa."

                Ortensia wasn't sure how the crane knew her name as she watched her soar away. She turned her attention once again to the horizon. He would come home, he had to come home.

                Johannesburg helped Mr. Iffy through the city. All around Triad flags were coming down. Several people passed by and asked them if they had heard that the Empress was dead. Johannesburg didn't yet feel the release from the tyrant rein. He was stuck in shock that it had actually happened.

                "What happens next?" He found himself asking the older Zebra. He realized that he didn't have much of a life outside the council.

                "I'll return to my business," Mr. Iffy said. "You should go see your sister. She'll be happy to know that you are alive." Mr. Iffy pattered him on his back then continued the rest of the way on his own.

                Johannesburg watched him go until he could no longer see him through the dust that had come from the destroyed temple of Bellum. All the might that had once been Mount Lions had become dust in a day. He looked up to the sky as the sun peeked through the haze. Mount Lions had alas returned.

/

                Roman Kasper made his way through the desert holding his injured arm.  He would return to camp and assemble Dresden and his troops and they would attack again. They would attack until the last breath went out of them.

                As he neared the camp he was met by two large stallion soldiers. "I need a medic," He growled at them. When they stood around he grew hot with anger. "Don't just stand there! I need medical attention and Dresden is to assemble the troops. We are launching an attack on Recomine immediately.

                "We will do no such thing," Dresden said as he stepped out of the camp. "Welcome back Lord Kasper. I'm not surprised that you are alone."

                "How dare you address me like that?" Roman billowed. "I order you to—"

                "Allow me to save you some breath," Dresden said. He then unrolled a scroll and cleared his throat. "By Royal Decree I hereby place you, Lord Roman Kasper under arrest for sedition, murder, ethnic cleansing, embezzlement, abuse of power. You will be detained until trial where you will be held before a judge and jury of your peers for crimes against humanity." He rolled up the scroll. "Sign His Imperial Majesty Emperor Herculaneum of Mount Lions."