A Welcome Respite.
The Barbarian Insurgence that troubled the Kingdom of Zegon in its formative years came to an inexplicable end in 21 AFZ. It was widely believed that the Insurgence ended with death of Redjya. However, no one in King Xath's court understood why the Insurgence could not have continued without her. Nonetheless, it was a welcome respite and King Xath put in motion his plans to explore lands surrounding his Kingdom.
The Rise of Heldar.
The Guild, with its vast network of spies and informants, eventually found out what happened to Redjya.
In 17 AFZ, a raiding party was ambushed by the Protectors. In the ensuing melee, a young and promising Ravager by the name of Heldar managed to escape and became the sole survivor of the ambush. The brush with death made him question his path.
Even though Heldar reveled in the glory of battles and hunts, he felt that the attacks on the civilians of the kingdom is not doing the Barbarian Warriors any honor, and that the bloody clashes with the Protectors is too high a price to pay for the spoils won. He believed that the Barbarian Warriors are in need for a new direction and he will be their beacon. Over the next couple of years, Heldar worked hard to build up his reputation. Even though the raids that he constantly participated in disgusted him, he chose to bide his time and wait for an opportunity. He spent many of his time honing his combat skills. During raids, he observed the tactics employed by the Protectors and studied them after that.
In 19 AFZ, Heldar became a Reaver. A year later, he was once again the sole survivor of a melee clash with the Protectors and that became the last straw for him. Heldar challenged Redjya to a duel to the death. Redjya had no choice but to accept the challenge to preserve her honor. Most importantly, Redjya never saw Heldar as a threat. Heldar and Redjya dueled in the Outlands, bore witness by the other leaders of the Barbarian Warriors. Evenly matched, they fought for three days and three nights before Heldar found a deadly opening in Redjya s defenses and killed her. With Redjya dead, the other leaders switched their support to Heldar. Heldar's first order to the Barbarian Warriors was for them to lay low while he planned on how to bring greater glory of battle to them.
According to his plan, Heldar will first lull King Xath and his court into a false sense of security through allowing the kingdom to have a period of peace. When the time is ripe, he will then strategically cripple the important apparatus of the kingdom through well-placed attacks. By crippling the kingdom, it will lead to a greater reward for Heldar and the Barbarian Warriors: a kingdom that will belong to the Barbarian Warriors, and with Heldar as the ruler.
Soon after the kingdom was settled into its long awaited peace, King Xath sent his army westwards on an exploratory expedition. Heldar recognized the great opportunity presented by King Xath. He waited until the Grand Army were deep in the forest before unleashing the bloodthirsty Warriors upon the unknowing kingdom.
