In the days after the Giant had been defeated, the Great Saban called all his forces before his mighty throne, and he deemed that a count be made and an accounting done of the health of his forces before they began the strenuous march to their next conquest.  And when his columns were arranged, the mighty Enforcer, whom the Dark Lord had chosen to lead the defensive formations in their great battles, stepped forward, and as he approached the Great Saban saw that he struggled.  Though the Enforcer stood as tall as a tree, and twice as sturdy, he helped another solider who was just as monstrous, and that soldier’s arm was around the neck of the Enforcer, as he could not stand alone.

“My Lord,” spake the Enforcer, as the Dark Lord saw a single tear coming down the great warrior’s cheek, “My brother here slew many of the enemy, but one of their dastardly minions crept behind him, and he struck his leg, and he is lame.  Long did he stand beside me as we held your columns in tact, but now I do not know how I shall hold them without him, for his time may grow near.”  And the Dark Lord rose, and he came to his men, and he laid his hands on the leg of the fallen solider, and he said, “This man shall fight again.  His wound is grievous, it is true, but his body is strong, and his spirit stronger.  By the time this day comes again when the calendar turns, he shall fight.  But for now, my son, you shall hold the columns as you always have, for The Mountain is still with you, and all your other brothers.  You must take heart, as for every one of you that falls, you shall slay a full fifty men in his place.”

And the Enforcer took heart, and his brother was well cared for, and they say that everywhere the army marched that fallen soldier went too, and he bade them words of encouragement when their hearts grew troubled.

When the army was fit and well rested, the Dark Lord marched them far north toward the lands where lives the people that were called the Horsemasters.  Though they were not known for their strength in battle, the Great Saban had heard that The Angel had fought them, and he was eager to test the strength of his Exalted Army in comparison.  And when they approached the enemy lands, the grizzled general that led them sent a messenger, bidding parlay, and he asked the Dark Lord, “Dark Lord, why do you trouble us?  We have offered you no insult.”  And the Great Saban responded, “We bear you no ill will.  But The Process marches down the winding road, and you are the log that blocks the path.”  And the general knew not what this meant, but he did know that the battle could not be avoided, and he made ready his troops the best he could.

Little need be said about the battle, as the Horsemasters came forward, and they were trodden asunder like the grass ‘neath the feet of the noble steed.  But as word of the Dark Lord’s latest victory spread, The Angel, who dwelt far to the south, began to take heed of the growing power in the Promised Lands.  He went to the tent of the leader of his army, the man whom many called The Perfect One, architect of the fall of the Grand Army, and he said, “My Lord, Saban again readies his forces.  We defeated the Horsemasters to the north, and he marched there also.  He measures us even as we speak, and he shall challenge us again.”  And The Perfect One told the Angel, “We have defeated him before, and worry not, he shall fall to us again.”