Eptih disregarded all those that disagreed with him and moved quickly to amass the assets of the Hetharcyp and move on the town. Those that disagreed with his leadership now held their tongues seeing that Eptih could not be swayed and in his current mindset, dedicated to the cause of the town, to confront him now would be calamitous for the one who dared speak. Where Eptih was usually open to advice from his inner circle when committed to a project nothing could sway him and he did not suffer dissension lightly.
And accordingly Eptih moved the Hetarcyp back to the town with a forced march at furious speed. It was however one of Eptih’s closest advisers, Fayareg, who gathered the courage to speak to Eptih and try to convince him that although his cause was just he should not risk the entire Hetharcyp force on the endeavor. Eptih, although not punishing Fayareg, nonetheless did not acknowledged him and Fayareg went away not knowing if his words had even been heard. Not long after this however and once they were some short distance from the town Eptih stopped the march and had them set up camp. In the midst of this Eptih assembled a small detachment of hand picked men, around 50, and went away leaving the encamped force in the hands of Fayareg. Fayareg wondered if this was Eptih’s way of admitting the relevance of the advice he had given and was proof that it had been heeded but was unable to ponder such thoughts as his obligations demanded his full attention.
Eptih and his detachment left the main force behind and proceeded to the town clandestinely and in the dark of night, capturing and dispatching anyone who came in contact with them.
Having reached the town Eptih stationed 40 of his men hidden at the tree line
that marked the edge of the town. With the 10 remaining men he entered the town avoiding any of the few remaining inhabitants looking for Derram and Thmascuid. After some time crawling through the ruins of the town he came to an occupied house and inside he saw Derram alone. Eptih entered the house and confronted his mother and questioned her regarding her betrayal. Derram was not shocked by the accusations but assured Eptih that she had been an unknowing participant in Thiaracephs conspiracy. At length she explained what had happened and thereby caused Eptih to know the truth of the situation, which included her being relegated to a mere servant in the house of Thiaraceph and he being now married to another forgoing the agreement that was made when she escaped from Velid.
Eptih was furious at Thiaraceph for the treatment of his mother and all his underhanded dealings and now wished to destroy the man personally, but Derram told Eptih of an approaching Sonimian Overlord and a vast Queid army that was en route to take the town and make it into a capital of a new Velidian province. Eptih being separated from the bulk of his force and having only 50 men at arms nearby could do nothing but withdrawal. He asked Derram to join him but she indicated to him that if she went missing a plot would be assumed and so Eptih parted leaving his mother in the hands of the mans who’s blood he hoped to spill. This caused Eptih great anxiety and he knew once again his mother was making a sacrifice. He only hoped she would survive and that he could keep her from ever having to sacrifice again but also he hoped to encounter Thiaraceph face to face one last time.
Eptih withdrew with his 50 men and proceeded back to the main Hetharcyp force. Immediately upon his arrival he consulted with his generals and they debated what action to take next but there was absolutely no way Eptih would leave his mother in that situation even if it meant leaving the Hetharcyp and going it alone. Upon hearing this however the generals were surprised that Eptih did not know he had their backing and reassured him of their fidelity to him.
