The Undying Burden

The Dyrwoodan commander Maxeyl Hescen wore this belt during the battle of Midmarch Road, one of the opening clashes of the War of Defiance. The Dyrwoodans fought valiantly but their disorganized light infantry was no match for the Aedyran heavy regiment. Overwhelmed, the rebels were killed nearly to a man. According to several Aedyran soldiers, Maxeyl was the last to fall. Surrounded and badly wounded, he refused the Aedyran commander's offer for quarter. It took a dozen spears to put the rebel down, and even then he continued to fight until he was beheaded.