The men he led were equally curious – they were from everywhere, and nowhere. They had cast away their lineage to serve this man, slaves equal at the feet of their master. It was not clear when their activities began to merit the description of rebellion. The first reports were vague, mentioning heroes to the north, elevating their ranks through noble deeds. But slowly, these heroes became linked with the disappearance of livestock, or ravaging of fields. These random acts, though, began to coalesce into a more menacing threat. The fields fed Lemuriana; the roads leading to it became most dangerous.
Men began to disappear; first the distant relative of some minister; next the coachman of an old Colonel. And then Zarrina, the daughter of the Huw family, picnicking outside of Alanta with an unknown male friend, was reported missing. The Huws, a wealthy and important institution, were furious, while other members of the aristocracy were secretly delighted at the scandal. People watched, half in amusement and half in fear, for if the beautiful Zarrina was not safe, then who was? The aristocracy demanded something be done, but the General had only recently assumed command from his father, the late Aaron, Chairman of Lemuriana, a title buried along with his body. He sought the council of advisors, who unanimously claimed such a brazen attack could not be tolerated. The General agreed, as much to pacify his ranks as anything else. He did not have much hope that the girl could be found alive.
