"...He's waking up! Do something!" Spitfire's voice calls out from the side as I feel a number of hooves and claws against my body.

"Keep him still! I can't work if he's struggling," I can't quite place that voice. I try to open my eyes but to no avail, my eyelids only part slightly allowing me to only make out the grey outlines of three figures.

Groaning I try to sit myself up until a pair of hooves push against my chest keeping my weakened body down. Spitfire's distorted voice emanates from the figure in front of me, "John, try to stay still," Ignoring her I pull my right arm away from someones grasp and attempt to push her back, "Soarin! Help me out here!" Another set of hooves grasp my arm and holds it out to the side, tilting my head I find the outline of who I presume is Soarin along with a Griffin.

"Can't we just knock him out?" Soarin asks as he look's to the Griffin.

Pushing a pair of pliers into my arm I can feel the metal tool dig through my flesh before pulling out a foreign object from my body, "Yes, knock out a patient who has a concussion. Now why doesn't that sound like a good idea?" Now I recognise the voice, Balbean. Why is he here?

"Okay, point taken."

As the tool once again finds its way into my body I let out a pained scream, I start to thrash around from the agony in an attempt to escape the pain. Kicking my legs I'm able to knock Spitfire from on top of me, she soon regains her composure and rests her body across my legs to keep them down as her hooves force my chest onto the floor, "Can you hurry up over there!"

"This isn't exactly simple," Balbean calls out, "I need to ensure I don't cause any nerve damage, not to mention I need to get all the shrapnel out of him."

Just let go John. What's the point in holding on? You don't belong here.

Rolling my head my stomach knots causing me to throw up onto the floor alongside me, my distorted vision only makes out the figure of a human kneeling a few meters away looking down at me, I can only guess that it's Williams.

"Buck..." Spitfire's voice sounds alarmed, "There's blood in his vomit," Balbean leaves my arm elevated as he leans over my chest to examine the mess I made

You hear that, John? In this backward world I'd say that you're basically fucked.

Raising my left arm I point towards Williams, "Fuck you... Just... Piss off."

Balbean turns my head up to face him as he mutters under his breath, "Who is he talking to?" Looking into my eyes he blocks the surrounding light from entering them as he seems to examine my pupils, "I need to get him to the field hospital or he's not going to last very long."

Spitfire pushes off from my body and begins to fly off out of view, "I'll find a wagon to transport him."

Raising my arm I grasp onto Balbean's harness and pull him down to me, with his head alongside me I whisper to him, "You fucker... Why did you... Give him back his... Gun?"

Keeping his voice low he moves alongside my ear, "Gaston was right, one individual should not rule. He did what needed to be done, all that's left now is to rid the Empire of the General."

The Major wasn't just loopy? This is some kind of plot to change the government? "I should kill you-" Before I finish the sentence I enter a coughing fit splattering blood across my armour.

Balbean leans back and waves off Soarin who seems to be in his own world, "Help to find the wagon and be quick," snapping out of his state he flies off. Balbean waits until he's out of view before selecting a syringe from his harness and removing its cap, "You're in no condition to kill me, in fact I could easily kill you right now," -Piercing my skin with the needle he pumps the concoction into my bloodstream- "But you still have your uses to us, all shall be explained," With Balbean standing back up I can feel the drug immediately take effect as my head falls back on the floor. As hard as I try to lift my body I find myself too weak to act, as Spitfire and Soarin fly overhead with a wagon my heavy eyelids fall shut and refuse to open.

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I wish I was still knocked out, waking up from my drug fuelled sleep I have no idea where I am. Lifting my head to look around I immediately close my eyes to stop the room from spinning. My body aches as I try to sit up to rest against the headboard, I begin to hesitantly open my eyes once again in an attempt to figure out where I am.

The room is dark but light is pouring in through a break in the curtains. From what I can see I appear to be in a small hospital room similar to the one back in Ponyville, the room itself seems to be only for one individual as I fail to notice any other beds. Alongside me I find a stand with multiple drips connected to my arm likely injecting various drugs into my system. Scanning my arm I find it to essentially mummified with only the occasional segment of skin being visible, another bandage is secured around my head below my hairline. Stretching I stop when a sharp pain shoots through my right side, looking down again I find a large blood stained dressing taped down on my abdomen. I don't remember anything causing that one.

The door creaks open allowing light to fill the room, I attempt to shield my eyes from the light as I look towards the doorway seeing a black silhouette of a Griffin, "Ah, good. You're finally up," Stepping closer I'm able to see that it's Balbean as the door closes shut behind him.

"Where the fuck are we?"

"We are in Wingston hospital. I managed to treat you until we got here, if we came any later you likely would have died. I'm afraid your Pegasus Sky Mist wasn't as lucky, she died on the journey back from internal injuries as you stayed behind to let us escape," He stops at the IV stand alongside my bed and begins to examine the fluids.

"What the fuck happened with the Prince? You gave Gaston his gun back, because of you the Prince is dead."

Chuckling Balbean tilts his head to me, "I'm aware of that, it is for the greater good of the Empire. I left the military a long time ago, John. I have no allegiances, I was hired to do a job-"

"So you're just a mercenary? You don't give a crap about the repercussions, as long as you get paid that's all that matters."

Reaching to the far side of his waist belt he draws my Glock and aims it towards me, "I'm not just some sword for hire, I have my own motives in the situation," -He starts to run his hand over the weapon- "Your weapon is very remarkable. You may have heard that there was an individual who informed the Militarists of your weapons, all I can say is that they paid a hefty price for that information."

"So you sold it off to the highest bidder, despite the fact they used their weapons on civilians."

Sighing he grasps the slide and pulls it to the rear loading a round in the chamber, "We needed the strongest leader until my employers plan could be implemented, they were the stronger candidates until the Equestrians sent military support to the Royalists."

"Who are your employers?"

"Someone who will reveal themselves when the time is right. The world has gone to shit over the last few years, in order to survive what is coming we need strong leaders to defend their nations. Equestria has the Elements of Harmony along with the royal sisters to help protect it. In our state we are vulnerable, a new government is needed to unite the Empire and bring us forwards. With either the Prince or General as our leader we would fall into the same circles over and over again."

Reaching forward I try to grab the gun off him. He pulls it back from my grasp and swings his other hand across my jaw knocking me back in the bed, "So whats going to happen now then? Are you going to kill me off then?"

Balbean once again chuckles, "If I wanted you dead I would have had killed you when I had you cut open," -He presses the end on my pistol against my abdomen dressing earning a pained hiss- "A large piece of shrapnel which pierced your armour, I easily could have caused some major damage as I removed it. No, what I want is your help."

Okay now I'm confused, "Help with what?"

"This war is still going on and won't end until the Royalist military leader surrenders or the Militarist General is dead. We need the Royalists to win this war to allow them to form a new and stronger government. I need your help to kill the General, when the capital is assaulted I need your guarantee that you will kill him."

"And what exactly do I get?"

Smirking he moves past the bed and opens the curtains, "Your new leaders get the friendship and support of the Griffin Empire, and you get a friend in high places. Intelligence has always been my... Skill in life alongside medicine, you help me and I will use my new connections to provide you with information when required."

I consider my options in my head, if I agree then I will have access to a potential intelligence network throughout this empire, if I refuse he will likely kill me here and now. Looking back to him I nod, "Looks like I have little choice."

"Well that is correct, but this will be best for everybody, trust me," He starts to make his way back towards the door, "Oh, and before you ask you have been in here for a week suffering from a severe infection. Don't expect to be discharged for at least another couple of days, not to mention you won't be fit for combat for a few more weeks at least."

"Before you go I need to know about this intelligence network, how exactly do you have these connections?"

Turning back to me he grins as he places my pistol on a nearby table, "All you need to know is that I will be made the head of a new government body once this war ends. I shall remain with your squad until the end of the conflict to ensure that our goal is achieved, I'm receiving payment from your Captain to remain as a combat medic so I suppose you now have a medic to fix you up when you inevitably get injured."

Before I'm able to reply he is quickly through the door. Being left alone I slide down the bed and begin to stare at the ceiling. Just what have I gotten myself into?

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By August 10th I am finally discharged from the hospital, I was bored for the entire time I was in there. I was at least visited by everyone every day, Chaser and Sunny were over the moon to see me as they had all believed that when I stayed behind I died fighting at the field guns. They only found out I was alive when they all saw Spitfire and Soarin bringing the wagon to the hospital, they were apparently fearful that I wasn't going to make it through surgery but through a mixture of Balbean's medical training and magic from a medic stationed in town I was brought back from the brink.

I'd been told that Blaze hasn't fully recovered from what she witnessed in Beakmund, despite everyone's best efforts they weren't able to get through to her leading to the medical team discharging her. Not everyone is cut out for combat, those in the First World War suffered as a result of it, the Equestrians are also experiencing it due to their first exposure to war from their sheltered lifestyles.

I'm currently on my way to the Captain's quarters within the town, I was told that as soon as I was up and about that he wanted to see me. Sunny decided to join me as I make my way there, according to Chaser she was fairly shaken and upset once they returned without me. Walking up the flight of stairs I glance to Sunny, "Sunny I think we need to talk at some point about... the night before we left for the Major."

"I know," Sunny sighs as we stop on the staircase, "I know that Night Chaser told you about the... medication mares in the guard take."

Nodding I lean against the stair railing, "Is that the reason for it then? You were in heat? It's okay if you were, I'd rather know then have you lie about it."

"Y-yes I was in heat," Looking down Sunny starts to twist her hoof against the floor, "Normally we can keep it under control, but with the war it slipped my mind to take all of my suppressants. I'm sorry, John."

"You don't need to be sorry. I'd just like to know if it meant anything to you or if it was just sex."

Sunny just looks to me as she thinks it through in her head, "I don't know, I'm not thinking clearly out here. I don't love you if that is what you're asking."

I chuckle slightly, "I'm not on about love, Sunny. I care for you greatly as a friend but I wouldn't go as far as love... So it was a one time fling?"

"I guess so... Yeah."

"I'm fine with that. I never actually thought I'd do that in this world, I'm just glad that at least my first time was with someone I trust."

Sunny smiles as she wraps me in a hug, "Thank you, John."

Holding her close to me I can't help but smile as she embraces me. After a few moments we pull back and start to continue up the stairs, it doesn't take us long to find the correct floor. Strolling down the corridor we both stop outside the guarded door, I look down to Sunny, "Wait out here. I shouldn't be too long."

Nodding Sunny walks to the side and waits alongside the wall as I knock on the door. After waiting a moment Shining Armor's voice calls from inside, "Enter!" I make my way inside and close the door behind me. Making my way towards his desk he looks up from his work with a frown on his face, "Your genius plan was a complete mess, John! The Prince is now dead because of you!"

"Because of me? Fuck off you twat, blame the Prince for meeting a Militarist whilst unguarded!"

Scowling at me he stomps around the desk till he's right in front of my face, "You were the one who brought him to the Prince, you conducted the mission on his behalf-"

"You were the one who authorised it!" Interrupting Shining he backs down slightly as he realises I'm correct, "If you denied the operation I wouldn't have gone there, I likely would have been on the front line for the assault on Sallagriffon."

Regaining his focus he once again locks eyes with me, "Well didn't you disarm him?"

"Ask the others. I carried his unconscious body through the town all the way to the boat, he may have gotten a weapon either on the boat from one of the boat crew or here in town," I know exactly how he got it, but I need to cover for Balbean. Despite his idiot actions it will likely benefit myself and Equestria if I cover for him.

Sighing me looks back to his desk and the various battle plans scattered across the surface, "The death of the Prince complicates things here. We need to beat the Militarists now more then ever, with no leader the Royalists will soon surrender if we don't win this quickly. I hope you have some sort of plan or tactic from your world to help us end this war before we start to lose ground."

"You got a nuke?"

Shining glances back at me, "A nuke?"

I wave my hand dismissively as I walk past him to the window, "That's not important, of course you won't have any," I look down on the town as I think through options, "Any armoured land vehicles?"

"Armoured wagons? No nothing like that."

That's a mechanised assault out of the picture. "Do the Griffins have any sort of explosive munitions they can drop on the battlefield from the air?"

"I think they tried testing it in the past but with no success."

So that means no airstrikes or bombing runs. "Are the Militarist dug into the city? Last week I heard we were fighting on the outskirts."

"No, we are now fighting within the city itself. We have started making ground and gained a foothold in the industrial district where we have captured numerous rifles and pistols which were being produced."

Well at least we are getting more rifles for our Griffin units, not to mention cutting off the Militarist supply of weapons and ammunition. "Have we got any more airships?"

"Many are currently damaged and are being repaired, they only have limited ships which are being used to defend the assaulting forces flank. Before you suggest a naval assault after your infiltration of the coastal town they have mobilised their entire navy which are currently in engagements with ours and the Royalist navy."

"Fucking hell... All my tactics are for modern combat not for melee skirmishes, not to mention we lack the resources for any sort of major assault alongside our current operation," Resting my head on the window I look down to see numerous supply wagons being pulled by Ponies, "Didn't we have armoured trains fitted with field guns?"

"Yes we did, but the train lines stop at the Griffonstone train station north of where we engaged in our first battle."

"Could we get supplies from Equestria to extend the train line?"

Shining is silent for a moment. Soon I can hear his hooves move as he steps alongside me at the window, "You want to use our soldiers and supplies to build the train line? Do you think that can work?"

"If we have armoured trains then we should use them. The extended line can be used to transport supplies and troops at a faster rate to the front line, not to mention allow a mobile artillery position to assist in combat."

"And just who will build it?"

"Surely you have an engineer regiment here?"

Shaking his head he walks back to the table, "Only a small Platoon, they are based at the station to repair and maintain supply trains."

"Then give them all to me," Turning he looks to me with a confused expression, "I'm an engineer, remember. I can take charge, we will work around the clock to extend the train line as the other units continue the assault on the front line. I may as well do something, I can't exactly go out and fight in my state. Tell the Princesses that it will also improve relations if we extend the rail network for the Griffins, that should help to persuade them."

"You better be right about this, John," -He begins to write on a parchment- "I will request additional engineers and supplies from the Princesses with your suggestion, hopefully they will approve of your plan. We will need as many Unicorns as we can muster to get it constructed rapidly."

"If it takes too long to construct we will halt here in Wingston, that will allow supplies to reach the front line quicker along with new forces to reinforce us just in case we get pushed back to the town. When we get here we will need a new bridge constructed for the tracks to cross the river along with a clear route through town, I suggest you hire local engineers to get working on a bridge and planning a route through the town. I will gather my squad and we will make our way to the station and await your word or the supplies."

Shining finishes writing his message and passes it to me, "Give this to a messenger and they will get it sent ASAP, I will send word to you once I know the answer. You better prepare everypony down there, we will need it constructing as fast as you physically can."

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We reached the railway station by late evening thanks to Georg and Balbean towing a sky wagon through the air, my squad is now shorter leaving those two, myself, Colbalt, Chaser, Silver Spark and Sunny. Before we engage in combat operations again I will have to ensure that I recruit more soldiers to fill the gaps in the Section.

Resting up for the night we are surprised when we are woken early morning by a heavy train transporting large numbers of rails, wooden ties, rail spikes and gravel to act as ballasts, we were also greeted by roughly one-hundred engineers specialised in constructing and maintaining the rail network back in Equestria.

Approaching the crowd of engineers one of them steps away from the crowd and approaches me, "Lieutenant John Davies?"

"Yes?"

Taking off his hardhat he bows his head slightly, "Names Duke Hammer, the Princesses sent us down here last night to assist with the immediate construction of the rail line. While I must admit we aren't exactly happy about being in the Griffin Empire during a war, we understand the importance of the task we have been assigned to. So if y'all keep us safe we will focus on the rail line. Deal?"

I briefly look to the workers as they begin to remove the buffer stop at the end of the track, "We aren't just here to defend you, we're here to assist with the construction. I've got thirty military engineers along with my squad standing by to assist where needed."

Sceptically he raises an eyebrow, "Have you ever actually worked on a rail line, son?"

"Well... no. But I've worked on weapon systems for Apache gunships back home when I was in REME, not to mention working with explosive ordinances."

"What the hay is an Apache?"

"It's a... actually that's not important, the point is I worked on highly sophisticated technology so as long as you show me what to do here I should have no problems."

Scanning over me and the others he flicks his head back signalling for us to follow him, "Come on then, we will show y'all how it's done then we will get y'all to work. Half of our team will rest now as they will work through the night, to keep things simple y'all will work with the day team."

With everyone gathered around we watch the rail workers all set to work on laying the track. They begin by setting down the gravel at the same level as the bottom of the tracks, compressing it down with their magic it practically merges into a solid structure. With the foundation set they start to lay the ties at regular intervals which will act as the support for the rail track itself, they are then nailed down in position with the railway spikes. Next they align the new rails with the existing ones and test them by running over a wheelset for the train to ensure it is correctly spaced, once they're content with the positioning they weld the beams together extending the rail line. The process is then repeated to create the rail line, from what I've seen in the past on TV the Unicorns are able to create the train line at a much faster rate then back at home.

With everyone familiar with the process I agree with Duke that my engineers will all primarily work on creating the foundation and setting the ties in their correct positions, this will allow us to progress the line ready for the rail workers to set the rails themselves and weld them in position. With a plan set out we waste no time and get to work.

Within twenty minutes however I come across an... issue, the workers have burst into song out of nowhere. I swear myself and the two Griffins were the only ones to stop working and look on in confusion as the workers and my squad sing about working together or some shit. As they sing Georg lean closer to me, "I told you they burst out in song."

I look back to him, "This is kind of scary if I'm honest. It's not going to happen to us... is it?"

The three of us just look to one another in horror before focusing our attention back on the singing workers. Balbean clears his throat as we watch, "I sure hope it doesn't happen to us. I remember reading about this phenomenon, but to actually see it is kind of concerning."

I nudge him as we take a step back as the workers all move further down the line in synchronisation, "I know. It's like being in a Broadway musical."

Georg turns his focus back to me, "Broadway? Don't you mean Bridleway?"

"No, I mean Broadway. Its a road through New York in my world where a large number of famous musicals are performed," We continue to watch as they hit their grand finale, literally as soon as they finish they just return to work as if nothing whatsoever happened. I look back to the two Griffins with confusion showing on my face, "Lets just get back to work and forget that ever happened."

They both glance to each other and simultaneously turn their heads to me, "Agreed," And with that we joined the front of the working line and joined back onto the jobs where we left off.

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By the end of the first night I was exhausted, performing manual labour after being in hospital wasn't exactly the smartest idea I had. True to the foreman's word as soon as we finished for the night the other engineering team took over and continued where we left off. We actually made fairly good progress, according to our maps we are just under half way to the village of Woodside. I guess having magic can speed almost anything along.

We are all sat around various tables in our camp having our dinners along with a few drinks, the other Ponies seemed a bit disgusted that I was eating meat but fuck them. Taking another bite of my food Georg drops a deck of cards onto the table, "So does anybody fancy a game?"

Resting my fork on the plate I look to him, "First, I'm not sure how you expect Chaser to hold cards without fingers or magic. Second, I don't even know if my card games are the same as yours. And finally, I only play if there's gambling involved," Chaser leans over the table and opens the pack, he somehow manages to hold a few cards in his hooves as he grins to me, "How the actual fuck can you do that?"

Shrugging he throws the card back onto the table, "I just can, no point in questioning it."

Collecting his cards back up Georg looks to me, "So tell us, what did humans play while they were away at war?"

"We did a number of things which I doubt you have. We'd often play football, cricket, rugby, poker if gambling was involved or we'd just do stupid and dangerous dares and games."

Balbean tilts his head, "I only understood poker in all of that. What kind of 'stupid games' were there?"

I hold out my hand to him, "You got a sharp knife?"

Everyone looks to on another with confusion until Silver levitates a knife from out of view into my hand, "And just what game involves a knife?"

Taking a quick look to everyone I see they're all watching me with interest. Placing my left hand on the table I spread out my fingers as I hover the knife over the thumb in my right hand. Remembering the words I clear my throat and begin to sing, "Oh, I have all my fingers. The knife goes chop, chop, chop. If I miss the spaces in-between my fingers will come off. And if I hit my fingers, the blood will soon come out. But all the same I play this game cause that's what it's all about," -stealing a quick glance to everyone I watch as they all stare at me wide eyes in a mixture of disbelief and horror as I bring the knife down between my fingers. mentally readying myself I start to bring the knife down much faster- "Oh chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, I'm picking up the speed. And if I hit my fingers then my hand will start to bleed," Finishing the song I pull my hand back and slam the knife down impaling the table.

Looking back up I realise that not only was my table watching but the mass majority of the other tables had all stopped to watch. Nobody initially says anything as they stare as if I had just done the stupidest thing ever, granted it isn't exactly a clever thing to do but I had loads of practice whilst away on tour though we did do it with a pen to start with.

Balbean is the first to recover on our table as the others go back to their business, "That's a game where you're from? That's insane, why would you risk stabbing yourself?"

"It's a show of skill, those with good control and agility can do it with ease. Where as an inexperienced person will likely just end up stabbing themselves. We did a lot of stupid shit whilst stuck at the FOB waiting to get deployed, when you spend six months away at war you need to find ways to entertain yourselves."

"Six months?" Sunny's voice is filled with sorrow, "Your country was at war for six months?"

I shake my head, "No, that's just how long soldiers would spend there before being sent home. The war in Afghanistan has been going on for twelve years now. Units would be deployed for periods of six months before returning back to Britain. I was deployed there three times because of my role in bomb disposal, they were in high demand due to a mass majority of our casualties resulting from explosive devices."

Everyone seems to look a bit disheartened from hearing this, "Twelve years? That's how long we can expect this war to last?"

"You can never tell how long a war will last. The war in Afghanistan is still going on but there has also been much shorter wars. The Falkland's war lasted only two months back in 1982 and the Anglo-Zanzibar war at the end of the eighteen-hundreds lasted only forty-five minutes."

Scoffing Balbean tilts his head, "How can a war only last for less then an hour? That's just absurd,"

"Don't have all your forces gathered in one location during a naval bombardment, that's all I'm going to say on that. With this civil war I wouldn't imagine it would go on for much longer, in less then a month we have control of the river splitting the north and south, not to mention we are currently assaulting the main Militarist forces in Stallagriffon. At most I reckon if we keep up this pace we will be done before the end of the year, at the latest."

Silver tosses back the last of his drink and slams the tankard on the table, "Well from what I've seen from your fighting, if you say we are only going to be here a few more months then I believe you," As I look to everyone they all seem to perk up at this, It good to see that they value my opinion and trust what I have to say.

Yawning I stretch my arms and slowly rise from my seat, "I'm gonna get some shut eye. Don't stay up too late, we've got a lot more work ahead of us," Walking off towards my tent I look out over the night sky as I stroll. I can't help but smile as I view the various constellations filling the canvas above, I don't know what it is but I've always felt safer at night.

"John?" Turning my head I see Balbean approaching me with a scroll in hand, "I need to show you something," Walking past me he continues towards my tent and enters, following shortly behind him I keep my hand ready on my pistol. I don't know how much I can trust him.

"Take a look at this," handing me the scroll I unroll it and look over its contents.

Scanning over the contents I look over the various reports I scan over the key notes. 'General Guerino confirmed to be in Griffonstone', "How accurate is this?"

"Accurate as of when I received it. We know he's there, we need to strike before he leaves."

"Strike him now?" Balbean nods, "I'm in no shape to go running past heavily fortified lines to assassinate him."

"You said you'd assist me with this-"

I hold up my hand cutting him off, "-And I will do, but this will be a suicide mission. I will make sure we are on the front line when we begin to assault the capital, until then we need to focus on the job at hand."

Balbean slowly nods his head as he looks to me with concern, "There's one last thing, John. When you initially woke up you were... talking to thin air. If the others were to find out about this then you would likely be discharged, just the same as Blaze was."

Sighing I sit back on a stool, "I think I may be suffering from PTSD," -Balbean tilts his head in confusion- "Post traumatic stress disorder, many soldiers suffer from it back home. I will make sure I'm seen to once I get back to Equestria, until then if anyone was to find out I'd likely get discharged on medical grounds."

"Is there a cure?"

I shake my head, "There are ways to treat it but it's not easy, it may be a long time before myself or anyone else who is suffering from it is cured."

Balbean takes the scroll back and heads for the exit, "I will keep your secret safe, just make sure that you can keep it under control until the end of this war."

"That's easier said then done!" No reply. Sealing the tent behind him I climb into my hammock.

He's right, I need to keep things under control. I can't snap again like I did back in Beakmund.

Author's Notes:

New recruits are needed for the upcoming battle!

Feel free to PM me with any character ideas you wish to submit to the story
I have added characters in the past and intend to add more for my readers

As always I hope you enjoy