Free Awake the Cullers (History of Ondar) by Amanda Young, Raymond Young Jr. Page B

within themselves and the world.
    It was argued by the early Cullers, before they lost their minds to the chaos, that destruction was also a natural component of war. While the Sublinates agreed with that sentiment, they also believed it was not an aspect of war to revel in. War was inevitable. Destruction was inevitable. There would always be conflicts and dea th. Wars served a purpose, to unite nations behind a cause, free people from oppression and settle disagreements. They were a natural process that allowed life to grow and develop. From the ashes new hope, governments and opportunities could form. By focusing completely on the destruction, they ignored the good and shamefully turned their attacks on noncombatants. It was dishonorable.
    The Great War of Wars between Sublinates and Cullers raged on a good three decades and killed nearly everyone involved. Countries evacuated to make room for their battles. Those who felt the call of Raze or Randik travelled across continents to join in the conflict. Finally, lone survivors of various battles moved on, unaware who lived elsewhere. Thought extinct, they faded into the history scrolls, thus relegated to myths. The Sublinates now welcomed the anonymity. Travelling in secrecy, they tracked down reports of extreme cruelness and violence to put down newly awakened Cullers before their madness could spread. It was an endless, thankless task, but it was necessary.
    “We can’t wait,” Bricksben argued. They are camped. We are away from any large towns. I f we wait, they will continue to raid and grow even stronger.”
    “We need to learn more about this moving camp of theirs,” Traxton cautioned. “They are organized. We are vastly outnumbered. We must determine their weakness before we act.”
    “Info, got it,” Martiene said, bounding up from his position and slipping through the trees. He was invisible and gone before Traxton could argue. He shook his head. Martiene was one of the few in the world equally skilled in the blade and magic. Not as powerful as a full wizard, he could cast many useful combat spells. His unusual skill set made him impulsive and reckless at times. Whether out of need to prove himself to those better at weapon or hand to hand combat, or from an overabundance of confidence in the ability of his versatile skills to get him out of trouble, he often acted without hesitation or a plan.
    Traxton nodded at Bricksben and motioned left. He took right. Moving silently, they circled the camp, taking position should Martiene need assistance.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Martiene systematically worked his way to the large tent at the center of the camp. It sat clustered in an area of other tents, but this one clearly stood out for its size and the clean, orderly condition of the surrounding area. The inside of the tent was quiet and still. Heavy fabric blocked many of the sounds from outside. Curtains offset three rooms within the tent.
    The first was mostly empty, a large receiving room with a wooden bench on the far side and not much else of note. Curtains on either side of the bench led to the other two rooms, including one that served as a bedroom. The cot, nearly ten feet in len gth, took up most of the space. Beside it was a small table and lantern.
    Pushing past the curtain to the other room he found a n open chest of maps and notes. Sorting through them he found cities scratched out all across the plains, down to the coast. There were even a few marks around the cliffs. As far as Martiene could tell, each mark indicated a place destroyed by Cullers. There were a lot of marks.
    Flipping through the papers he found another set of maps highlighting areas further north . The marks on these maps seemed to indicate areas well known for skilled or powerful fighters. Checking the other maps, he saw many corresponding marks along the path they took. There was only one explanation he could reason for what he saw. They were recruiting new Cullers. Otherwise why