News arrives from the front at Zanthrast! A scribe was there to recount the events of the battle:
The lowly markata volunteers (freeloaders) were placed out in the front and ordered to charge at the enemy. They hesitated, but the force of Palankasha's (think tiger people) threatened to cut them down if they did not do as they were told, and so reluctantly, they charged ahead. The demons took great pleasure in watching the tiny monkeys be cut down in a hail of stones and javelins, meeting a fate they so richly deserve.
When the little monkeys were all but wiped out, the two armies clashed. Enemy gladiators formed the front line of the opposing army, while the core of our army was formed by our blessed Palankashas. Our demons proceeded to cut into their ranks causing heavy losses. The enemy launched a counter attack, but to little avail, as the spears could not find their target. Those demons that were injured, promptly healed their wounds as they reengaged the enemy. With the gladiators virtually wiped out, our Lankan army clashed with the backbone of the Ermorian legion. The result was much the same. As the enemy army started to dwindle in their ranks, they began to break, and our faster demons were able to hunt most of them down to their deaths.
A similar victory was acheived on the Canese Plain, but resistance there was somewhat lighter, composed mostly of an organized local defense. Our human fanatic human volunteers did better than expected in that battle, staying engaged throughout, and even taking down quite a few of the defense forces. But as usual, it was our Palankasha's that carried the day.
The fortress at Zanthrast is being sieged, with the fortress in Ermor in sight.