I am Sergeant Rokkesh Shar’orn, thoctar commander under the leadership of Mannichi, may he rest in peace. I am writing this after the destruction of Karesta, and the army Grip of Chaos, in the hope to recognise those who gave their lives fighting the Phyrexians; their victories and bravery will be remembered for prosperity.

I suppose I better began at the beginning. I grew up in a small village, nowhere of note. It was at the end of the fourth great war, the signs of Phyrexian control could still be seen everywhere. We lived on the very edge, always risking attack, and not always by Phyrexians. But we managed, and as soon as I came of age, I joined the war effort.

At first, they sent me, and many of my fellows, to the mountain city of Karesta. There we became true warriors, weapons for the Coalition against the invaders. No one can stand against a legion of minotaur warriors, we believed our ferocity was unmatched. It was the time of Locomotivebreath, we always joked that he was a robot. He inspected us once, my weapons trainer Endrath assured me his nickname is well deserved - these locomotives must be fearsome beasts, I hope I may live to see one someday.

The entire minotaur division was held in reserve, for the whole war, just sitting around like children. All we could do was idle away the time with drink. Eventually we heard that the Coalition high command had invaded Phyrexia itself. Under Locomotivebreath and Tiggil, the head of the beast was cut; and still we sat unused. Locomotivebreath disappeared at the end of that battle. Whatever happened, he’ll be in the halls of heroes.

It was Tiggil that returned and led us into a new age, one of peace, prosperity, and growth. We all believed that Phyrexia had been beaten for good, but the mad lizard must have known something; he replenished the armies and made Karesta a centre of governance. We all stayed on as local militia. One day, out of the blue, someone new arrived. I don't know how to describe him, somehow a fever madness made flesh. He was called Mannichi and was looking for the strongest warriors that Karesta could offer. Of course, it was a given that he would include us minotaur.

Soon we went into training again, refining our abilities and regaining the strength lost from soft city living. Many of us were transferred elsewhere, but my intelligence ensured that I’d have a place in the greatest force of the area. Oh how foolishly proud I was! When I discovered that meant I would be a herdsman for a pack of beasts known as thoctar I was no longer so pleased. I did all I could to show my strength so to be transferred to the front - all I got for my efforts was a promotion to Sergeant and given overall thoctar command under Mannichi.

It was on my nameday that the Phyrexian portalships once again homed into view. As the huge craft appeared in the east, the fifth war began. This time I assured myself they would taste the horns of the minotaur. The order came through, we were to sit and wait in Karesta. It came all the way from Tiggil himself, none of us had ever met him, but we cursed his name, a lot. There were rumours that he was fighting just to the south, making headway against a portal known as Biohazard. In Mannichi’s final days I asked him about the old general, he said Tiggil saved him from certain death, but otherwise he would only say he was ‘interesting.’ Tiggil disappeared soon after Biohazard fell, Mannichi assured me that he’s still out there somewhere, probably killing something.

Those were my naive days of war, and they were to quickly come to an end. After so long waiting, we caught wind of an approaching Phyrexian force, they called the army ‘TTD,’ or Teka’s Tinkered Dragon - under the leadership of Sharuum, some metallic sphinx creature. She was typical of Phyrexia in appearance. Though I only saw her from a distance, she was a horrific sight. I was surprised at first to discover that the army was made of mercenaries and elementals. Even now I wonder what Phyrexia offered these folk to make them march against us.

We soon received orders from Mol, the newest General, we were to sit in the temple, ready to charge once the enemy was forced to land to enter the structure. I was looking forward to at last being bloodied. My life and those of my herdsmen had led to these moments. We had to wait the whole day, and one of the younger human women, Areti wouldn't stop fretting.

It was nightfall when Phyrexia at last attacked, I watched from the arrow slits, hoping to see something in the soft glare of the lava below. There were countless massive creatures out there, but lava cannons and dragon breath hid much of the battle from my sight. As time worn on, I could hear the fighting getting closer. At last I got a glimpse of huge beasts covered in melting ice tearing through our aerial forces outside. I later discovered the creatures were known as sky swallowers, and not native to anywhere I knew of. But with the battle drawing closer we at last readied ourselves, got the thoctars set, and then the enemy retreated. At the time I cursed them for cowards, it was a most frustrating first battle, and we laid insult after insult upon their fleeing backs. I arrogantly believed they fled from my might!

They left a parting gift however. Rubble and debris fell upon Karesta all night; I don’t think any of us got any sleep. While unharmed within the temple, our bloodlust was up, only Areti seemed relieved to have avoided battle.

* * *

We barely had time to recover when Sharuum returned some days later. This time, our orders came from Kelket, and he ordered plenty of forward scouts so we got early warning of Sharuum’s approach. This time the thoctar were posted in the thick of the battle, and it fell to me to guard the entrance into Karesta. I thought it was at last an opportunity to show my strength. On my left flank I placed Areti and her beasts - I wanted to ensure she would not retreat, while to my right I posted 'Ploppy' the goblin. How he got into the herding I'll never know. He was good at what he did, but at everything else I'd never met a more incompetent, or smelly, fool.

It wasn't long before Phyrexians appeared. From the edge of the crater, the entire enemy force charged, even from the gate I could feel the cold of their first wave of elementals made of freezing blizzards. We held our ground, and as soon as the first elementals got into range, we attacked. Atop my thoctar, Thurstan - named after my father - I slammed into what felt like an armoured tempest, they called them windreavers. All around me, my other thoctar were following, on the walls above my fellow herdsmen were whipping theirs to spit death volleys into Phyrexians, and just behind my beasts Areti and Ploppy were joining in the charge.

Even now, I’d like to say that we carved through the Phyrexians, but instead we were slowly overwhelmed. I saw Areti fall to the lava below, while Ploppy disappeared into the mouth of a sky swallower. As for myself, for all my professed might, I couldn’t defeat a blob of wind. Phyrexians seemed to multiply around me as my thoctars fell. Eventually I was forced back to the gate itself where I heard the call to retreat. Their aerial forces had fought through ours and taken the city, Karesta was lost. I did the only thing I could; in shame, I sent my fellows to aid in the final assault, while I brought my thoctars to secure our safe passage.

Thus I got my first taste of warfare. From 500 thoctars assigned to the gates, only 200 remained. My kills alone could be counted on one hand. It was not how I pictured the glory of combat. I would have relinquished my command then and there, if it were not for the angel Libra. As we fled through the mountains - thankfully without pursuit - she told me that the dead seek no vengeance, so we must do it for them. I never knew an angel to be so warlike. But it galvanised me to continue on.

* * *

For days we were forced to wander the barren mountains of Zerapa. Our supplies had been lost with Karesta, so we had to scavenge what we could. At this point I was thankful the thoctars are zombies and don’t need to eat. Even so, I spent hours scouring the frozen landscape for every scrap of food to feed my herdsmen. It was a long time coming, but it was the start of me becoming a leader responsible for others.

The next day we met up with Mannichi beyond the reaches of Karesta. The losses we had suffered were staggering, even after the battle the harsh conditions took many of the injured. But Mannichi knew how to lead, he drew us together and we were once again a proper fighting force. After a stirring speech, we marched once more, all of us hardened from our experience.

During the march, Libra kept me company. Initially, as any good minotaur would, I berated her for indulging in weakness and pity to the point of inducing it in myself. Thinking back I’m not sure how or why she did it, but she stuck by me all the same. It wasn’t long before we would seek each other out when the opportunity arose. Then together we would train, I learnt many combat techniques under her expert hand, and I like to think I showed her some, but I suspect she merely humoured me. Even now I wonder what she saw; perhaps she was trying to guide me into a stronger leader? All I can say is that there is nothing like war and hate to draw together the strangest of bedfellows.

It wasn’t long before Karesta loomed once more on the horizon. Mannichi called for a halt, and we prepared to make an assault the following dawn. I tried to inspire my herdsmen with epic tales of minotaur victories against insurmountable odds, but I doubt I achieved much. I suspect they saw through my bravado, or they were considering the fate that had already befallen our company. After our meal, an old veteran of the fourth war approached me, Kadar. He once operated ballistae under King of Dominaria, but after losing his arm in a Phyrexian raid was transferred from the front lines to Karesta. We spoke long into the night; I couldn’t help but respect his strength of character.

* * *

As the sun peaked over mount Ruapehu, we crossed the ice to retake our mighty red city. A messenger goblin brought my order; to haul wood. My earlier despondence dissipated in fury, these were war-trained battle thoctars, and they were treated like pack animals! I was minotaur I should be in the thick of battle! After the bout of yelling, in which the goblin picked his nose in apathy, I was forced to accept my ‘duty’ and sent the runt away. For days the whole force sat there, just beyond Karesta, but the only orders I got were; go get wood, bring wood back. Eventually to become; go get rocks, bring rocks back. My combat talents may have been less than I thought, but they could have been put to better use than that. I had begun to wonder if this was punishment for my earlier failure.

After two days of collecting rocks, the noise of combat once more echoed through the mountains. At the time I was out collecting more stones with Kadar and an aven called Armand. We rushed back, with Armand fluttering overhead to make sure we didn’t run into anything. By the time we got there, we found the battle far out of reach. Again I was forced to sit and watch. It was a strange skirmish to view; it was almost as though the Phyrexians weren’t interested, that this was merely a training exercise. The terrible foes that forced us from our home were simply nowhere to be seen. I could feel my fury rising again - it was as though they were rubbing it in the little effort they needed to win, making this whole attack simply to spite me.

It wasn’t long before our aerial forces were able to send them back into Karesta. Soon after, Libra arrived bringing with her another angel, Ossira. I discovered that while we were collecting wood and stone, the rest of the army had been building siege weapons and laying the defences. During that time Libra had requested to be assigned to me. Angels were coming for all the thoctars, our new orders had arrived. I sent off Armand and Kadar to deal with their beasts and assigned angels. What followed was the tedious job of keeping mine still while ballistae were pulled onto their backs. When at last that duty was done, we set off to the fortifications.

Upon the pathway leading into the depths of Maroa where Karesta is housed, a blockade had been set up, behind which more siege weapons lobbed our carefully gathered rocks into the city. I could see that the walls and much of the lower city was already ruined. At the time I believed Phyrexia had brought this destruction upon my home, and I would make them pay. Now I know better the true perpetrators of the ruin.

As we surged forward on the ground, Phyrexians filled the air above our fair city. Our aerial forces quickly advanced to engage them, swooping overhead in a chorus of song and battle cries. This time the Phyrexians did not fight with arrogance, but that did not save them. From below, the angels and I launched the gathered projectiles into the underbelly of those lurking above. We all whooped when Libra took down one of those infernal sky swallowers.

They all retreated before us. Countless fell under our barrages, tumbling into the lava below. Soon enough the skies above were in Coalition hands, leaving only the beasts stumbling within the city. This time, I thought, was my chance for glory. I gave the order to charge. The other herdsmen quickly whipped their beasts into action, and together we lead the thoctars forward through the broken gates. I at last drew the blood of Phyrexia. They were forced from our great city, and thus they would remain or face our wrath once more! It was easy to believe that would be the hardest part.

Unfortunately we had no time to rest, let alone celebrate. All hands were needed to repair the damages from the past fighting, and with the civilians evacuated, that meant us soldiers. Libra was called away and I didn’t even have time to check on Kadar and Armand. Upon Thurstan I led the thoctar in clearing the rubble to make barricades within the city. We knew that something was still out there, so we had to get done quickly. One of my fellow herdsmen approached me, Achtal, an elf claiming to descend from Rath. He said that Phyrexians have black oil blood or something, but none of our enemies appeared to, he just couldn’t work it out. Why would anyone betray their world to fight for such monsters? At the time I told him to get back to work, but it is something I would ponder often later.

Achtal, stubbornly, tried to elaborate, but huge flying machines blotted out the sun - the Phyrexians had returned. Blocks of ice rained down, not on Karesta, but into the lava below. We all scrambled for our positions, ready for the attack. Only to find nothing. Achtal and I shared a chuckle at their ineptitude, but that didn’t last long. As the ice hit the lava, all of Maroa shock. Within seconds I was covered in ash, but Achtal had a blob of magma consume his head. For all my training, and few battles, I wasn’t prepared for the stench of burnt flesh as he screamed. By the time I finished retching, he was already dead. The glory of war drummed into me since childhood was rapidly dissipating.

That night, I saw Libra again, I told her of Achtal’s death. It seems that Mannichi had ordered her squadron to harass the ‘zeppelins’ and make sure no more ice fell. The rest of the battle seemed to have been hazy, perhaps it was a raid like Kadar had mentioned, meant only to cause death so a larger army could more easily destroy us. Either way, I didn’t hear anymore about what transpired that day.

As the night drew on, we discussed the blood issue Achtal raised. Libra said that it is simply kill or be killed, they may not be Phyrexian now, but they will be and we are doing them a service. I wasn’t sure it’s so simple, were we fighting the right enemy? Was what we’re doing right? It was almost as though the roles were reversed, she the minotaur consumed by bloodlust, and I the voice of reason. A minotaur’s mind is not made for philosophy, it was all so frustrating, even now I’m hounded by these concerns. The answer is there, on the edge of awareness, but until then, we can only fight and hope to die glorious death.

* * *

After gathering the dead, we had to return to repairing the city. Thankfully the buildings were made of stone, but even then the partially melted structures were disturbing to see. A few days had passed before we got word that more Phyrexians were approaching. I wonder if it is the mercenaries that have no mercy, or if they simply fear their masters. It may be a time of war, but time must be allowed to give service to the dead.

This new force was led by a trio of gorgons who had moved to the rear of Karesta. Trusting the rock of Maroa to protect us, we maintained our defensive preparations. With so many thoughts I assigned myself to clean the thoctar stables - after all, even with an enemy on the doorstep we still had to keep the beasts clean. It is surprising how hard it was to clean up after so many undead creatures. I decided then to see about getting the disobedient from other divisions to help out.

Before the day was through, the Phyrexians struck. Loud hammer blows came from behind the city, with our scouts reporting that they were attempting to tunnel through the rock to attack us from behind. It was deafening and seemed to last for hours, and throughout it all, we had to stand ready for an attack. They say the worse part about war is the waiting, and I must agree. Each thump drove up the tension making us stare all the harder at that immobile wall. It was almost more draining than the battles before.

In time, a small hole formed in the rock, its growth was slow as the diggers were careful not to give away their position with falling stones. It would have been admirable if it wasn’t so amusing, like sneaking past guards while wearing bells. Just like that, the tension was gone and we had an enemy to fight. I had even forgotten that last time I laughed at Phyrexia I got the worse of it. All the same, I was looking forward to having enemies on the ground, unable to escape my horns. It is funny how confidence can wax and wane; it is the ethereal quality of morale. Something I never quite grasped, even though Mannichi would try to explain it to me later. While I shouldn’t have been surprised, I was bitterly disappointed when vampiric dragons stole my kills by spitting fireballs into the tunnel. However, I suspect my fellow herdsmen were secretly pleased, even with the thoctars fighting at the bit.

With another tension-filled, but non-fighting victory, we herdsmen got together to give service to our dead. After the final loss of Karesta much later I placed a memorial to my fellows at the foot of Taranaki, I ask you attend them to pay your respects. But in this lull, the differences between people and numbers finally began to sink in. Initially there were 30 of us under Mannichi, each with 50 thoctars under our care. But by now, there were only 20. It may sound like we got off lightly given the losses suffered by the other divisions, but a number can never take the place of an individual.

I determined then that I would learn about my fellows, not as numbers, but as individuals in their own right. From that day forward, I made an effort to socialise with both my herdsmen - between continued training bouts with Libra and keeping up thoctar cleaning. Such is the plight of a leader, more responsibilities, but no more time to do them in. To make matters worse, we received our first reinforcements from Tarakhe. But some functionary refused us additional herdsmen, or to divvy up the new beasts ourselves - ‘administrative reasons.’ Officially the reinforcements left some of our squads at 70 beasts, while others had as little as 10 - in truth I fudged the numbers. That little desk jocky would have never left his papers in Tarakhe, let alone fought a battle. It was such times like that I thought the thoctar were treated like warriors, and us herdsmen the cattle.

* * *

The next morning, reports flooded in about Sharuum returning, I had started to miss the days of nothing. Then the worst thing that could happen was getting drunk, yet by this time my beliefs of war were constantly under attack and I didn’t know how many days I had left. Back in the streets we were to lead the thoctar in tidying up the rubble from the earlier fighting to make barricades before hiding within the ruined buildings. I picked an old estate on Fortuitous Avenue, resting on the city’s southern edge. The place had already been gutted from long neglect and the more recent fighting - but signs of the people who once lived here remained amongst the ruin. I found a worn old doll, partially burnt, lying amongst the rats. I kept it, and hold it still, then it was a reminder of what we did; preventing the world from becoming this. Now, it is a reminder of the costs of war. I can only hope the civilians got away to safety when the first of Phyrexians burst through the portals. I wondered if there are Phyrexian children waiting on the other side of those monstrous constructions? Times of quiet with only the company of thoctar is terrible for the mind.

My musing was interrupted by the sounds of battle outside, explosions and rumbles rocked the old estate. I kept a careful watch on Fortuitous Avenue, but saw no signs of Phyrexian presence. I could only hope that Libra and the rest of our aerial forces were making them pay. Again, I felt powerless on the ground. While I could see the glory of war to be false, I couldn’t help but have those childish desires demand satisfaction.

The clarion call soon came that Phyrexians had breeched the walls of the city. I didn’t need to look outside this time, as I could hear them crashing through the streets. Crumbling masonry echoed within Maroa as my fellows led their thoctars smashing through buildings into Phyrexian flanks. Whipping Thurstan, I led my own into the fray - and directly into more sky swallowers. Confined in the streets and unable to turn around we were able to tear through its tough scales into the soft flesh beneath. All along its length, my thoctars were ripping it open and consuming its innards. Throughout the streets the same could be heard from my herdsmen. It was a fitting vengeance for Ploppy.

Together we herdsmen managed to take down 400 of the largest creatures that Phyrexia had thrown against us. We thought it a mighty victory and that Sharuum will soon be fleeing with her tail between her legs. As testament to our prowess, massive sky swallower bodies were piled throughout Karesta. But out victory was short lived, more Phyrexians were coming and our flying troops could not join in our exhalations.

What happened next proved to be our end. The bodies and barricades throughout the streets meant our mobility was ruined, which prevented us from bringing thoctars to the fight quickly enough. Even then, we had become separated and spread throughout the city, forced to rely on ourselves alone without support. Those thoctar that grew too far from guiding hands went berserk, carving new roads, or being crushed with ease in their isolation. We went from victory, to being slaughtered as Phyrexians breached the aerial lines.

That wasn’t the worst of it. Somehow the Phyrexians managed to fill Maroa with fog. Slowly at first, none of us even noticed, but it grew and before we knew it, Karesta was smoothed in it. We were left fighting blind and fear set in. I could hear the sounds of death all around me, while macabre silhouettes danced in the mist. Thurstan panicked, making a headlong dash from the city - and nothing I could do would stop him.

Thurstan didn’t slow until he reached the edge of Maroa’s crater. Taking a chance to look back, I could see my comrades fleeing the mists, but far fewer than had entered. Occasionally Phyrexians burst from the edges of the fog to drag back soldiers like some hungry mass. But they mostly seemed content with finishing off those that had yet to escape. After all this time, Karesta was again in enemy hands.

We returned to the surrounding mountains of Zerapa, and there I gathered my herdsmen. We were relatively lucky, all of us survived with most of our thoctar intact. There are some good things about zombies, one of which is how resilient they can be. The worst injury was a vedalken, a strange looking people from somewhere beyond my knowledge, named Styliane. She went in with four arms, but after a tangle with a windreaver only came out with one. Her remaining thoctars were merged into my force so she could recover for a time in the field hospital.

As I finished the head count Libra arrived. I can’t express how pleased I was that she had survived the retreat. Together we nursed our wounds and speculated on what our next orders would be. The defeat had further inflamed her warrior spirit, she would stop at nothing to crush Phyrexia; even wishing to take the battle to their home as Locomotivebreath and Tiggil once did. I agreed only in appearance, there had been enough death already, if we invaded their home, that would make us no better than invaders ourselves. Is this what war does? All the glory of battle merely perpetuating a vicious circle of death?

It was late that night before Libra left my tent. I got no sleep afterward; my mind had far too many thoughts racing around. We fought against these invaders, yes. They had killed my comrades and taken my home. But I came to hope that an accord could be achieved. This war merely inflamed hatreds on both sides, maybe if the leaders would simply talk, peace could be reached without all this pain. It seemed that because they kill us, it is just cause to kill them. The confusion was frustrating. I determined that all I can do is protect those that remain to me, and hope.

* * *

It was late the next day before we set out to retake Karesta. Much of our supplies had been lost again to the Phyrexians, and the cold mountains stole what little we had left. The surrounding area was almost entirely occupied by enemy forces, preventing supplies from getting through. There was only one consistent line of supply, which varied by the hour, kept open by a resourceful commander in the countryside. It is because of him that we were saved from starving to death. I can only hope that they escaped in time.

During the march the thoctar were again used as little more than pack animals. Just because I had begun tiring of this constant war, didn’t mean that such mundane activities were not an insult to my pride. While I doubted the old values, at the time they still drove me. War is a confusing business. We were ordered to haul logs and tools so the others could make huge crates. We spent days at the work, finding and dragging timber in the barren landscape - I suspect we stripped the mountains of what little vegetation they had. The only thing that made the job bearable was Vithrain, and then only just. He proved an interesting creature, a sort of humanoid spirit, a dominus of fealty. He told me tales of his home, a place called Shadowmoor; I assume it is far across the oceans somewhere, he only laughed when I asked which one. It was his skills that made the day interesting though, I don’t know how he does it, but he can make things his own. The pranks he pulled those days! Together we ended up with three times the usual rations and a troop of dancing rodents.

On the fifth day after our defeat, the aerial forces took off. I watched most pile into the crates to be taken toward Karesta by dragons. It was certainly a novel approach. It then fell to the thoctar to take the pathway leading into Maroa. By the time we had reached the edge of the crater, Karesta was already within our grasp. The aerial forces had captured the city proper and we could see them advancing upon the pyramid. I was frustrated, thinking it was going to be another battle in which I sat back and watched, I only wish that it was now.

I gave the order to quick march to support our comrades in the city. So we ran right into Phyrexia’s trap. The ramp we were upon began to crumble beneath us. I was able to hold back Thurstan, but many of Styliane’s and my other thoctars blundered blindly into the abyss. I didn’t have time to curse the loss as beings made from the stuff of blizzards surged up from below to drag more thoctars to their deaths. I watched as two herdsmen, Gwyn and Jamarie tumbled into the lava. We fought as best we could against the unsubstantial foes, but they lurked always just beyond our reach. Whenever I managed to corner one, it simply dipped back under the ramp. We were trapped and separated from the rest of the army. I did my best to rally my fellows, but I don’t know if anyone heard me over the screams.

From the temple in the centre of Karesta I heard the sounds of battle echo. Light from dragonbreath and explosions flashed in the shadows of the crater. In the brief flashes I got a glimpse of the ruin Karesta was now in, already there was barely a city left to save. Afterward I wondered what command hoped to achieve, what it was that was so important here? Surely a governance centre could be reformed elsewhere. By now there was so little left that the rebuilding efforts alone would take decades to bring it back to its original state. But these thoughts came later, in the midst of battle there was no such time for idle musings.

On the ramp we fought for what felt like hours, constantly harassed by elementals upon a path we could not cross. We were slowly making headway, although I think only because the heat of the lava below was making the creatures sluggish. The monotony was broken when there was a piercing scream from the temple, followed by another and another. Flames shot up from the ground and the entire city was lit up in the flames. Our aerial forces followed, streaming past overhead. We had been fended off yet again.

Anyone could tell we had all worked beyond our limits. The entire army was growing tired, but our desire to free our home would not allow us rest. Even Mannichi refused to admit defeat, I couldn’t help but admire his tenacity, he would make a good minotaur. That night the camp was rife with rumours. It was said that the Coalition General Kelket was to arrive to lead the recapture of Karesta himself. The more cynical spoke of the mightiest Phyrexian force known as Repax, led by something called the Ultimus, lurking beyond the ranges. At the time I dared to hope that the leadership of our esteemed General would triumph. A look in the tired eyes of my comrades showed I wasn’t alone. There was a glimmer of hope that had been lacking since we were forced from Karesta those many days ago.

It was that same night that Mannichi decided to call all the division leaders to a strategy meeting. He had feared that the Ultimus would replace Sharuum in Karesta, potentially putting it beyond our reach. We had to be prepared to fight the greatest Phyrexian force on Dominaria. Yet those functionaries at high command refused to acknowledge the possibility. I like to think it was the same ones that refused to supply additional herdsmen.

It was the first time I got to see and speak with my fellow leaders. Rin’drak was the worst, he commanded the vampiric dragons, and had to be the most pompous flamboyant prat I ever met. Even his voice was grating. I didn’t discover the names of the angel or demon leaders, they wouldn’t stop arguing long enough to recognise anyone else. I was surprised to find Vithrain there however - I later discovered it was he who encouraged my inclusion. None of the others thought I had anything to add to a strategy meeting as I was a ‘dumb ground thug.’

It was late at night before the gathering ended. I don’t know if I managed to contribute anything of worth. All the same, Mannichi approached me afterward to express his regret for not forcing the others to allow my participation. While angered at the time to be left out of such important matters I swallowed my pride for the sake of being a good soldier. I fear that ultimately they were right to leave me out though. Fighting in the air was just beyond me. I’m not even sure that I helped encourage them to remember the earth in their planning.

* * *

After another short and troubled sleep, we set out at the following dawn. Our forward scouts reported that Karesta had been abandoned in the night. Hope flared throughout the army, obviously Phyrexia heard that Kelket was arriving and fled in fear. Mannichi was wiser than to believe such fancies, so we got the order to march in battle ready formations. I led at the point, with Styliane who was no longer willing to be left at the field hospital, behind - this way I could aid in the guidance of her remaining thoctar. Each beast was assigned a domini with a large number of arrows. Once was the time I would have mocked such a cowardly weapon, but without it we would have been ruined completely. Again I had Vithrain for company, but he did not believe that things were as simple as they seemed. His tense silence reminded us that Kelket was not the only power rumoured to coming to the area.

The angels were sent ahead to delay any potential Phyrexians. I watched them disappear over the horizon. It didn’t take long before a lone bloodied angel returned. The Ultimus was marching as Mannichi feared. The angels would try to hold him for as long as possible, but they couldn’t fend off such a large force for long. We were quick to respond, whipping up our thoctars, we rushed in the direction the angel indicated, demons and dragons streaking past overhead. It was a simple path to follow; the angel had started with a unit of 10. Trails of blood and the angelic bodies kept us in the right direction. Thoughts of Libra were not far from my mind in the mad rush.

We soon came upon the Phyrexians, with a battle cry we charged toward those close to the ground. The sky was blackened with arrows in reply. Most were directed at our flying units, but Vithrain caught one in the arm. His fellows were quickly able to return fire however. I was pleased to see Libra alive as part of an angelic division driving the Phyrexian angels down into our reach. Thurstan gutted one upon his horns as I brained a metallic sphinx. My first thoughts were that this army was not as tough as they said. It was not long after that this Ultimus tried to flee. But his retreat was held as our demons appeared on his rear. So the fighting continued, and that was only the beginning. In the end it would prove to be a long day of slaughter. I feel a touch of pride in that for the opponents being so much stronger than those we had fought previously, I still achieved more kills to my axe than any other battle.

The Ultimus would not break however. The entire day devolved into a single blur of fighting, I lost the ability to think beyond staying alive. I could barely remain atop Thrustan, and at some point Vithrain had disappeared. I was not alone in my fatigue, all around I could see the control of my herdsmen slipping. Yet still Phyrexia fought on, it was as though they did not tire at all. Is that why they follow Phyrexia? Does it grant strength? I doubt it is as simple as that, but this could be perfection in combat, the very end us minotaurs strive for.

With the moon overhead, what began as a simple, but prolonged fight turned. We slowly lost ground and were pushed further and further from Karesta. I don’t know how close we came to victory, but I doubt it was as close as many wanted to believe. The cost was horrific. As we fell back, I saw just how many bodies were strewn across the battlefield. I looked for Vithrain when I could, but there was no sign of him, I had only barely met him and I had already failed in protecting him. It was a relief when the call to retreat came, to be free from seeing the horror of that day’s fighting.

* * *

Returning to our makeshift camp, I could have easily slept a whole week. But after only a short nap I was forced into another strategy meeting for our next attempt. The state of the leadership was desperate. The domini had yet to assign a new leader as they were still grieving over the loss of Vithrain. While only part of Rin’drak turned up, unfortunately that part could still talk. Even the angelic leader had fallen, replaced by a shy green sergeant, Ursina. She sat out of most of the discussion, I could hardly blame her. Only the demon and I seemed to have escaped with only a few scars. We ended the meeting with little to show for it. After the long day of fighting, no one was really in the mood to talk. We retired early, but had to provide a full report of our losses the coming morn.

To much groaning, I gathered the herdsmen to count the casualties. We came off lightly with most of the fighting in the air. Only 50 thoctars were lost, I was pleased that all the herdsmen had survived as well. Styliane had suffered another wound though, a blade thrust into her side. The field doctors did what they could, but she took a fever and slipped into a coma. I remained at her side, tired as I was. Eventually I was joined by Dragomir, another veldaken - although this one born with only two arms. It seems the pair had met during peaceful times at Naideia far to the north and married. They chose the herdsman position as a relatively safe task in the war effort where they could be together. Even trying to care for his feelings, his constant blubbering grew irritating. A minotaur would not indulge such weakness.

At some point, I fell asleep, to be woken by none other than Libra. Perhaps love is possible in war, although a bizarre match we would have made. Unfortunately, Styliane had died during the night and Dragomir had disappeared. His body was soon found at the bottom of a cliff. I can only assume it was suicide. I don’t know whether to weep for what was lost, or be angered by his weakness. Each day I was learning that this world is more confusing than what I had been taught growing up.

It was clear to us that Mannichi was desperate to reclaim Karesta, yet even he could tell that we all needed to rest. Not that there was much to be had when surrounded by enemies. But we furnished our camp in the mountains to recover as best we could. Our supplies were few with little forthcoming - as such Styliane was not the first of our wounded to die, nor the last. There is one trouble in being in a place for any time, the makeshift thoctar stables needed to be cleaned. It had been many days since I had last performed such mundane tasks, and after the last fight I needed something to slow my thoughts.

I took the place of Branko in the task, working with a human herdsman, Credan. An energetic man and full of tall tales, he claimed to have played cards with Teferi and sang a duet with Nick the Necromancer. I don’t know if that was always his nature, or if war had unhinged him. I could walk through the camp to see the toil that war had already taken on the minds of others.

There were two unexpected visitors that day. The first, an angel, dragged in by Ursina. All I was told was ‘insubordination,’ the new order must not be going well in the angelic contingents. After Ursina left, the angel remained silent throughout the task. As befitting a punishment I gave her the worst parts of the job. The second visitor was much more surprising - Mannichi himself, personally going around the camp to bolster confidence. I took the opportunity to elaborate upon my report of our light losses of the day before, but he didn’t want to hear about the battle, he wished to speak of victories, not defeats. I thought the whole act was too optimistic, even proclaiming his desperation. Credan was impressed though, so I suppose it worked for the common soldier.

The rest of the day went without incident. We were pleased that we did not need to go to the march so quick after our defeat. To close the day, Phyrexian scouts were spotted to the east, so we were denied the use of fires. It was a long, cold, and dark night for all. I was fortunate in that Libra joined me. She taught me some strange card game of the angels. All this ‘mana,’ ‘lands,’ and ‘spells,’ were beyond my capacity, but she persevered saying I’d win one day.

* * *

The next two days in the mountains proved little better. We were ready to march and my comrades’ spirits had been lifted, if not my own. The rumours were that Mannichi was waiting for something, some secret weapon against the Phyrexians. I only hoped it was not because the high command had abandoned us to our fate. As a distraction, I joined Azal on a basic sentry patrol. As an ogre, he was not the most intelligent of my herdsmen, but his size and strength commanded our respect. We knew his story well; during the fourth war Phyrexians invaded his home. He fought valiantly, but his left leg was crushed beneath a Walker and he was left for dead. After the Phyrexians had gone, he pushed it off and limped straight to the recruiting office to join the Coalition. He almost strangled the recruitment officer when denied an assignment. But his leg never recovered, so to make use of him, they rigged a harness so he could fight from a mount.

On our return, we were greeted by Mannichi, once more out bolstering confidence. It didn’t look like he had any rest, although I’m not sure what gave me that impression. I suppose spirits and elementals must rest on occasion, even if they do not do so like us mortals. The remainder of the day ended the same as before - cold, dark, and miserable. The only saving grace being Libra, I could forget all the troubles in her company - even the war. I think I had mellowed her; she no longer spoke with so much bloodlust. Although I don’t think I could make her see peace with Phyrexia yet.

We were awoken in the early morning light with a disturbance far to the east. Fearing attacking Phyrexians, we prepared our defences as best we could. But it was soon apparent that it was a Coalition standard flying. It was the General Kelket’s personally raised force, from a time when he was new to the field. We called it the Blades of Kelket. At the lead, was the biggest dragon I had seen, it made even Rin’drak appear puny and insignificant in comparison. It was Darigaaz the Igniter himself.

The dragon left us a large amount of supplies - mostly wood and stone. We discovered it was his army that had held our supply lines open for so long at the risk of everything. But the Phyrexian presence was becoming too great. These were our last supplies until reinforcements could be brought in from Naideia or Spithra. I knew it then, even if no one else could see it. We were to be abandoned, there would be no reinforcements.

My comrades worked, chatting and laughing like it was all a simple stroll in the park. Obviously they thought that this is what Mannichi was waiting for and soon Karesta would be ours again. I thought it odd at that time that our commander wasn’t there to greet Darigaaz himself, or that Kelket did not come with the dragon. So instead of helping, I wistfully watched the last Coalition soldiers we would see disappear over the horizon. It would have been so easy to have disappeared along with them. But I had soldiers of my own to care for, I couldn’t abandon them.

Moments later a goblin messenger approached, the very same one who once sent me collecting wood so long ago, his finger again buried within his nose. A meeting was to be held in the command tent to determine our next assault. It seemed my comrades were right. No rush to find the next entertaining way to die, I was more willing to listen to the little creature as he led me to the tent. I ended up regretting it, as soon as he felt he had a captive audience he barely stopped to take a breath. Grubble, descended from a long line of doormen from the great Red Base doorman Gribble. He hoped one day to get back into opening doors again. Ambition can creep as well as soar.

As Grubble wandered off, still chatting away to some figment of his imagination, I entered the command tent. Everything had changed since last I was there; it now looked like those of old that the veterans spoke of, instead of Mannichi’s chaotic mess. There was an oversized map in the centre covered with tiny figures representing positions. I could tell instantly that this discussion was going to leave me behind; I had no mind for these abstract concepts and planning. It took me a few seconds to notice that there was another present, a man in jet black armour with gold trim. Piercing, dedicated eyes stared out beneath a helm framed with angel wings. I almost fell over, it was the General Kelket himself. Somehow he had appeared in the camp with my comrades none the wiser. Glancing around, I saw that I was not the only one shocked by this development.

That meeting was much more subdued compared to the earlier ones. The General’s aura was enough to crush even the usual resistance of Rin’drak. I disagreed with the plan, but I held my tongue. Then Kelket told us the full extend of the invasion, presumably to impress the importance of what we were doing. Ever since Grip of Chaos was raised by Mannichi under the commission of Tiggil, we had remained around Karesta. Then after we had been forced out the first time, we lost communication with many of the other Coalition armies. Yet battles equal in cost and death as here were happening throughout all of known Dominaria. Showing us on the map, Kelket placed the portals to the east from which Phyrexians were attacking and the Coalition strong points dominating the centre. Even I could see the design, how that old lizard Tiggil knew I’d never know. Kelket explained that Karesta was an important lynchpin of the defensive line. If it fell, Phyrexia would have a clear route into western Dominaria, splitting the Coalition in two. Already Tiggil’s palace of Tarakhe and our workshops in Tovarna had fallen. The importance of what we were doing finally dawned. The fate of Dominaria could well rest on our shoulders.

As we broke up, Kelket called me back. For a moment I was overcome with fear that the words I once sent to one functionary on the matter of reinforcements had reached his ears. It was almost as bad, he had seen through me and detected that I held little hope to the success of his plan. He reminded me of his past success in Spithra when he was besieged by Spirit of the Night. I thought it better not to mention that if we failed to take the city outright, we could be in the shoes of the Spirit. All the same, he gave me the greatest honour of my career. The battle was to be directed from the air by Kelket, with Mannichi leading the ground assault. I was to command his honour guard. At last, I thought it a task worthy of a minotaur. But I was blinded by my pride to the hypocrisy, I wanted peace, yet I was honoured to be at the forefront of the slaughter.

* * *

It was late that night when we broke camp. The new supplies brought by Darigaaz lashed tightly to the thoctar. The order was to advance in silence to maximise the time we had to prepare. By then everyone knew that Kelket was with us, so the army was far more disciplined and ordered than normal. There were barely any hushed murmurs, even with the confident faces of the troops struggling not shout their impending ‘victory.’ It was hard to believe that it was the same army beaten back last week; struggling, ruined, and tired.

First light greeted us with growing winds on the barren lands around Karesta. Not a soul was to be seen, the countryside was already stripped of resources. Kelket took the chance to fly ahead with most of the aerial forces leaving us with only a few defenders. I got a peck on the cheek from Libra before she left. Mannichi and the grounded thoctar were to follow, gathering what stone and timber we could to supplement what we already had. With Kelket’s aura gone, the silence was quick to break. I was proud that my herdsmen remained focused as the voices of others echoed through the mountains.

I learnt much during that time about my commander. His tale of home and how he came to be in Karesta. He was brought there by Tiggil many moons ago, and over time this had become has adopted home. Those he knew from ‘Kamigawa’ where he came from had been spread across the battlefront, the last time he saw them was when Tiggil proclaimed Mol as General. I couldn’t help but pity him and the loneliness he must be suffering. His desperation to regain Karesta became understandable - he had already lost one home to war and hatred, he had no wish to lose another. I no longer saw him as a spiritual embodiment and commander, but as another individual trying to save what he holds dear.

When at last we reached Maroa we could only stare in wonder at what Kelket had already achieved in two short days. Huge barricades of rock spread out from Maroa and trenches had been torn into the rock. All was ready for our arrival. For a moment I was heartened by the spectacle; until I remembered it was only a method to delay our own deaths. I decided I would have to talk to Kelket about finding an accord with Phyrexia. If this construction could be made for death, just imagine what we could make together for peace.

We were soon conscripted into building siege weapons, even Mannichi pitched in. We made a collection of massive trebuchets and a set of rotating ballistae. I had to give it to Kelket, he came well prepared and looked after his soldiers. Throughout it all we had guards who, under the watchful gaze of our General, never once abandoned their posts. No Phyrexians showed themselves though, they remained within Karesta. My comrades joked that they knew of the coming storm and were trying to hide. I could only hope that when we did see our foes, their confidence would remain in place.

When we were at last done, we dragged the weapons into place and the bombardment began. I had hoped for a chance to rest, but there was no such opportunity. We were sent out to gather materials to make more weapons, when we weren’t doing that we had to help construct them. It felt just like my second battle. Forced to watch others fight while I was little more than a packhorse. I couldn’t help but have the earlier feelings return, I was supposed to be honoured with a position at the front beside Mannichi not dragging materials.

The next day I got my wish for a more active task. Mannichi guided us in the next steps of the plan - soon we would go to battle. It fell to me to inform my fellow herdsmen. I tried to give a rousing speech but I doubt they heard it, so eager they were to get into action. On the back of each thoctar we attached what Kelket called rock-slingers, although I thought they were catapults. Then each thoctar was assigned a pair of angels. I was disappointed that Libra could not join me, but she had been chosen as part of the stronger force under Kelket to take Karesta from the air. So I was left to deal with a pair of annoyingly giggly angels. Fortunately they had little time to talk to a minotaur so far below their ‘holiness.’ I’m sure I caught them laughing at me more than once. Had Mannichi not been nearby I fear how unbearable they would have been.

We headed for the badly damaged ramp as Kelket and the aerial force flew overhead. The battle for Karesta had begun again. We advanced with cautious speed, the angels assigned to us manning the mounted weapons to maintain a steady rate of fire. This time when we reached the ramp, we were ready. Our assigned angels slowed their attacks to be ready to repel any ambushers. Then we drew upon what little timber we had left to make bridges across the breaches. After guiding the last of my thoctars over, I decided to look back to make sure the others would pass safely. Following behind was Azal. Over the echoes of battle from Karesta I didn’t hear the sound of crumbling stone. But we all heard the screams as he fell to the lava. I can still hear them in my nightmares.

It was the quick actions of Khandi, we called her ‘Cookie’ as she never failed to bake a batch even on our soldier’s rations, that saved any more from joining him. She forced the others to halt so some angels could place a plank over the damaged stone. Meanwhile she made sure that Azal’s disturbed beasts were calmed. Mannichi complimented the training of my herdsmen. I would have been proud, had a fear of dying forgotten and alone in this mountain not swept over me.

We soon reached the gates, already lying open and ruined from the earlier bombardment. Destroyed catapults and the occasional body lay scattered through the broken streets. But by the time we had arrived most of the Phyrexians had already retreated into the arena and temple districts. I couldn’t help but be pleased to miss the worst of the fighting. We followed the retreating Phyrexians, driving the remainder before us. I almost believed that we could win this battle.

As we grew closer, I spotted Libra fighting in the air far above. I watched with pride as she dispatched a windreaver - then with fear the sphinx approaching behind her. I couldn’t move as the creature tore into her back. All I could do was watch her fall. As soon as reality returned, I shamefully abandoned my post to rush to her. In the stories of war, a loved one always has enough breath to share the final moments. Reality is not so kind, by the time I reached her, she was already dead. The whole world disappeared in my grief. Arrows and pots filled with lava landed throughout the city without my noticing. I’m sure I sat there for days, her head in my hands, but it could have only been minutes.

I was reminded of the battle when I felt a searing heat before me. I looked up in time to be splattered with windreaver residue as its empty armour clattered to the ground. Behind it stood Mannichi, his appearance indescribable and stern, backed by a group of demons. In silence he approached and helped lift Libra’s body atop Thurstan. Together we returned to the fighting.

By the time we arrived, the Ultimus’ forces had been pushed out of the city proper to be confined entirely within the arena and temple. I saw Kelket arranging the final push, yet Mannichi held me back. He claimed that my herdsmen and thoctar had done enough; we needed to save some to provide the rites for the dead. I think he really knew I would have wasted myself in grief. But watching my comrades charge an entrenched foe proved little better.

Again and again they attacked, each time Kelket at the head. And each time they were forced back. Even from a distance I could see that fewer came back after each charge. I could almost feel Mannichi frowning beside me. The dead filled the arena, and too few of them Phyrexian. They seemed almost invincible. Sheltered with Mannichi from the temple arrows I saw Credan, Cookie, Aouda, Kadar, and even a young kobold Ulhar, herdsmen all, fall. Before this day we were a dozen, now we were half that number, even the thoctar didn’t escape unscathed.

* * *

As night fell, both sides finally drew back from the attacks to lick their wounds. Kelket walked as though everything went as planned. But I knew better, from my position I could count the bodies. It would prove another cold and lightless night as the Phyrexians could still attack us from the temple. All we could do was take shelter in the ruined buildings and far streets. Even then, medics had to be stationed with the sentries. It was common to hear the sound of arrows biting into flesh.

Our scouts reported that no reinforcements were forthcoming for either us or the Ultimus as a mighty storm was brewing just off the coast. It seemed the best time to bury Libra, we would be certain of peace as long as we finished before the storm came in force. I took her body and those of the other herdsmen I had recovered to Taranaki, burying them at its foot. War is not honour, and glory, and heroism. It is death, and loss, and pain. For my musings about my correctness I now know there can be no true winners, no ‘right side.’ All the same, I would have begged for the touch of Phyrexia, to be one of those mindless drones I had heard so much about; free from emotion and thought. But I must survive, for Libra and the others. To save as many lives as I can until we can get peace.

The rites of burial were rushed and had little attendance. For Libra, only Ossira and Ursina of the angels were present - it was good to see that both had survived. Otherwise it was the last of the herdsmen, Armand, Fredarius, Lance, Branko, and Tinei. It was understandable, the other divisions were hit just as hard as we were, the angels alone losing almost 1300 soldiers that day. There were just so many comrades that needed to be buried, all without taking our eyes off the Phyrexians. When the heavy rains came it only made a miserable day worse. Branko, a young human who had escaped Benalia, said that the sky was weeping for our losses too. Poetry never had any appeal to me, but it seemed apt.

No sooner had we completed, but a messenger for another command meeting arrived. It seems Grubble had been hit by a stray arrow, and they were forced to send an angel to collect me and Ursina. She and the messenger carried me into the city. From above it looked like an avalanche had rolled through, wiping out any sign of the once glorious Karesta. Rocks, melted stone, and rubble was all that remained. Few of the once numerous homes were visible within the destruction. While I knew the importance of Karesta strategically, I couldn’t see what use it would be even if we did take it back. We could stand in the open and be no worse off.

We landed outside what appeared to be an old carpenter’s workshop. Half of the building had been crushed, leaving the rear open to the night sky. But the front was still holding up, providing cover from the prying eyes. As we entered, the inside was little better. Broken furniture lay scattered throughout and upon everything was a layer of dust. At first I thought it a reminder of how long the civilians had been gone, but it was more likely powdered stone. In the centre before a large boulder stood Mannichi and Kelket, bent over a broken table discussing the next day’s plans. Already with them with were the dominus and demon leaders, with a, thankfully, new one for the vampiric dragons.

Kelket insisted upon a direct frontal approach - but we had seen how that fared today already, so Mannichi would have none of it. He proposed a more indirect cunning solution, to draw out the Phyrexians into carefully laid traps to break them piece by piece in retaking Karesta. We leaders backed Mannichi, and Kelket reluctantly agreed to the plan. It was clear that for us the hope that Kelket could provide a miracle had dissipated. In the end, he was only one man and a fallible one at that, not enough to win a battle. We spent many hours hammering out the details. I was pleased to see that Ursina had found her voice at least. But, as with the other meetings, I felt my own presence to have been of little use.

It was almost midnight before I could meet with my remaining herdsmen. To much grumbling at being awoken after such a hard day, I shared the plan, even tried to give another rousing speech. But we were all weary; I like to imagine that I saw them raise themselves in pride all the same. I had told them that we few had survived this war thus far and our home was within our grasp with the greatest tacticians of the Coalition behind us. Afterward I realised how false it all was; we had survived by luck alone, our home was a ruin, and those great minds would send us to our deaths before salvation. Shamefully I fell asleep weeping, cold, and alone.

* * *

At first light, Mannichi himself arrived to wake me - it was time again to move. Already most of the thoctars had been sent to the arena as a second line of defence behind a shield wall. The rock-slingers had been removed so they could provide a platform for angels to attack from instead. Again Kelket held the ground around the arena while I was to defend Mannichi. To aid this task my diminished thoctars were bolstered by support from the other divisions.

As per Mannichi’s plan, we went into the city to create traps and a secret lava contraption that he and Kelket must have designed after they sent us away. We wandered all over Karesta so he could ensure that things were just as he needed them. When we were heading to check the alterations on the lava cannons the fighting began. Looking back to the sound, I saw a burst of light, and a heavy crash. Next the panicked screams, followed by the bellowing of thoctars. We joined the rush to support the front line, but we were too late. Phyrexians were already charging unimpeded through the streets.

The first we met were a group of almost see-through purple dragons sweeping around the corner before us. Thurstan reared up, taking the lead one on his horns, leaving me to finish it with my axe. But there were more. The others let loose a glut of fire at close range. Flames filled the air around me, taking much of my fur and blistering my skin. But Thurstan took the brunt of it. Tipping backwards he fell to the stone, burying me beneath his bulk. Yet in his death he managed to save me, for the dragons didn’t stop to look if anything remained under the smouldering beast. Instead they continued on to attack my comrades. I could hear them dying and yelling to make a defence. The fighting grew slowly quieter, I was sure I had been at last abandoned to death.

Strangely I didn’t feel the pain of my injuries. I simply lay there, listening to the distant fighting, wondering if this was what it was like to die. Just thinking on my short life, all those years wasted in stagnant living. While I knew the glories of war to be false, it had enriched my existence with friends and love all the same. Without it to refine me, I’m sure I would still be alone and bitter in Zerapa.

* * *

I don’t know how long I lay there, but eventually I felt the weight of Thurstan shifting. I could see the sky, now black with storm clouds, and the smiling face of Ursina. Beside her a demon grunted as he pushed off the carcass of my faithful mount. The demon was Elith-Dral, recently Exarch of the defilers of souls. I was told the rest of their leadership had been part of the abortive attempt to hold back the Phyrexians in the temple district. As for the rest of Mannichi’s guard, they had broken before the dragons they called dracoplasms and sphinxes. Ursina and Elith-Dral had been travelling through the city rallying the survivors. Their small force had recaptured this part of Karesta, even fighting back the Ultimus, but it was doubtful how long they could hold it. All over the city, the tale was the same. My comrades fought Phyrexians in small knots, first one way, and then the next - but when we gained one step, we were forced back two. No one knew where Mannichi was, but the last Elith-Dral knew Kelket was still valiantly trying to hold the main thoroughfare to the temple.

We decided we would find Kelket and hopefully join up with the rest of the army. No sooner did we try to leave than windreavers surged up the streets. We could do little but fall back before them. But without Thurstan I was forced to walk, even with my injuries, as none of the others could afford to carry me. There were enemy angels prowling the city, constantly attacking to weed out any resistance. But, as any true minotaur would, when they attacked us I did my part in fending them off. My axe saw much blood that day. The streets were already filled with those who were not so lucky.

Outside the barracks we found Lance. His body had been impaled by his own weapon - a lance. Nearby lay a blackened and charred group of thoctar with the shapely form of elven Tinei atop, her flesh twisted by flames. Yet just ahead demons and angels were still holding against a Phyrexian thrust. Ursina and Elith-Dral took what few numbers we had to lend support while I took the chance to look for other survivors. I was able to rally a few scattered comrades, but of the thoctars, none remained.

As we grew closer to the main streets, the numbers of Phyrexians grew thicker. At one point we came across a square they were trying to break through, I was overjoyed to see Armand within. We rushed to help, and succeeded in halting their advance, winning a short respite. I was able to speak to him and find out just what happened at the arena. It seems the defence had been a disaster. The new orders were to hold the line as best as possible, but so many had died in the initial breakout that we were spread too thin. Everything had turned against us in a moment, even the weather seemed to wear us down while leaving the Phyrexians unhindered. As for the remaining herdsmen, they had been scattered when Kelket was forced from the arena. Fredarius gave his life and that of 200 thoctar to hold the rear, buying time for the others to retreat. Branko had joined Kelket with another 100, all the other thoctar were either roaming guideless or dead. Before I could tell him of Tinei and Lance, we came under attack once more. Phyrexians had broken through one street over, and attacked our flank. Sphinxes charged straight through the remains of once proud buildings. In mid-sentence Armand was torn to shreds, the only thing that saved me was lacking the height of a mount. His panicked beasts disrupted the Phyrexians long enough to gather our forces, but we had to flee once more.

At last we found Kelket, just as the call to retreat echoed throughout Maroa. By then he had been forced back to the central plaza, alone and surrounded by corpses. Blood ran in rivets down his armour and his blades shone with power. He seemed as tireless as the Phyrexians. We brought our gathered forces to aid, and through shear luck held back the tide for a few moments. Much to my relief, he had come across Mannichi in a crumbling building to the south where they had argued over retreating. It seems Kelket had won, but Mannichi had proceeded down the main thoroughfare to prevent our escape route from being lost and called for a retreat all the same. As for Branko, he had tried to cover the retreat when Kelket’s left flank collapsed. He and his thoctars were almost certainly dead. It wasn’t until much later that it dawned that I was the only surviving herdsman, with no more herd. At the time, there was a more important concern - getting out alive.

Joining with Kelket we hurried down the main street, eventually spotting Mannichi rallying my remaining comrades for a final push. Enemy angels had taken the ruined gate while dracoplasms and sphinxes attacked from the sides. We rushed their rear, in the hope it would give Mannichi the chance to take the gatehouse. For the first time I got to see Kelket in action, he was a whirlwind of magic and steel. It was humbling for a war trained minotaur, compared to him I seemed little more than a green recruit.

Our attack proved enough to cover Mannichi and enable him to take the ruined gatehouse. However few of us remained, and there was none who did not sport an injury. From sweet Ursina, who had her wings burnt away by a dracoplasm, to Elith-Dral who was lucky enough to only lose his weapon and fingers. All the same, Mannichi stood victorious atop the ruined gate, and we gave a ragged cheer. We had lost our home, but we had survived.

Then disaster struck. A tide of dracoplasms swept over our heads toward Mannichi. Kelket was the first to act, rushing to help our commander while the rest of us stood dumbfounded. When we recovered, we followed as best we could, but another thrust by Phyrexian angels was already advancing toward us. I left Elith-Dral and Ursina to deal with them as I hurried up the rubble to Mannichi - to find the dracoplasms had already gone - only Kelket remained. In his arms, Mannichi’s torn and blackened remains were barely recognisable. My heart sank, I felt drained of all hope and strength.

We were soon joined by Elith-Dral, the Ultimus was leading the attack to drive us out for good, we had to leave now or we would all die. The sight of Mannichi’s body didn’t seem to affect him; perhaps he was a better warrior than I. He led us from Karesta with the last surviving demons acting as guard - we called it a retreat, but it felt like a funeral march. As we were leaving Maroa, I looked back once more upon my home. My last sight was Ursina and her sisters dying so we could escape. I hope they left the Ultimus with a good set of scars.

In those moments, somehow Kelket had disappeared; perhaps he didn’t want my comrades to see the body of Mannichi. Even if they hadn’t seen it, they would know, none could have survived suck an attack. Bowing my head for the dead, I remained silent, instead listening to the mutterings of others. A few wished to flee into the mountains, making their way back to the recruitment centres to rejoin the fight elsewhere. Others wanted to seek a place far to the west where Tolaria once stood, a place of peace and acceptance for all. I was tempted to join them, but I had lost so much to this war already. I needed time alone to forget the horrors before I could live free again.

At the foot of Rotorua I stopped to watch the tattered remnants go past. I couldn’t help but feel that war was no longer my place. Elith-Dral joined me, but few others spared us a glance, they were most likely caught up in their own horrors and plans. The demon tried to convince me to come with him to the black stronghold of Frank far to the North where King of Dominaria dwells. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave what had become my home for so long just yet. Instead we walked away from what was once the mighty army Grip of Chaos, and up the side of Rotorua.

It was some time before I released we were walking up steps that were not there before. At the end of them we found Kelket standing before a simple grave marker. Elith-Dral winked, I was sure I missed something important. The General then told us to lie low and gather what we could as he would need us once again. This day was not to be ours, but we would have our chance to avenge Mannichi. His promise was so vehement I couldn’t help but believe it. But I had spent enough time in the company of death. Over these last months I had learnt the truth about the propaganda of war. I turned and left Elith-Dral, Kelket, and the Coalition without a word.

Finding a shelter near Taranaki, I added the newly dead to my own grave marker. After that it was a simple matter to remain hidden. It was clear that the Ultimus believed he was free to act as he pleased. I was shocked the next day when I was awoken by the stomp of marching feet. After all that suffering, every Phyrexian left, simply got up and abandoned the city they had held so long. I had no idea what happened, and after completing my tale, I still don’t. I’ll wait here until tomorrow, and then I’ll at last enter my home after so long. I knew the only reason they came was that we were here.

~ This text transcribed by Ereni en-Dal on behalf of the Jamuraan Archeological Society. Original document found on Rotorua Island, believed to have been the site of Karesta during the 5th invasion.