Fade
Newbie
The banners snapped in the crisp early morning breeze of the ramparts of Aspen Keep, flashes of blue and green, red and gold a bright contrast to the stark grey stone of the walls. Below, a frost had settled before dawn, coating rooftops and nearby tents, the cold sunshine of the morning threatening to burn away the first wisps of the coming winter.
The ship had arrived late the previous night, the flying vessel now moored to the high tower. The Baron-General had refused to leave, his voice roaring through the halls that, “The damn thing,” can leave him behind if it can’t wait to speak with the army. Evidently, the ship took this poorly, but it’s captain seemed to be able to soothe it’s hurt feelings.
Egil emerged from the keep on to the wall above the army. The sergeants had roused the troops early, in preparation of the announcement. Even now, with the outer sentries pulled in, the army below waited in anticipation.
As he reached the center point of the wall above the army, the Baron-General stopped and took a breath, before turning to look out over the assembled soldiery.
“Late last night, word reached me, that the enemies of Acarthia have fallen. Dreadrot has been destroyed! The war is over, and Acarthia is victorious!” A great cheer washed over the army. Helmets were cast off, and weapons raised in salute, but this was not all the Baron-General had to say. He raised his arms to quiet the soldiers.
“That is not all though” his voice growing serious. “Even as we celebrate our triumph over our foes, this did not come without a great cost. The damage caused by the enemies of Acarthia is catastrophic, and we must leave. As many of you know, a great evacuation has been taking place to realms beyond the mists. As the last line of defense for Acarthia, it was for us to remain until the last, and now, our duty is fulfilled. The great flying ship above the castle has in its possession a magical mirror capable of taking you much closer to your homes. From there, you must gather what you will, and make for one of the many open portals. I am saddened it has come to this, that on the very day of victory, we must make preparations to leave what we fought so hard to protect, but what we purchased with our blood was the time our people needed to reach safety. It is now for us to do the same. Each of you may keep your weapons and equipment, and carry your colors to the new realms with pride. Acarthia does not go to a new realm in shame. We go, having fought, bled and sacrificed for our people, and that those people now survive because of you who fought. Your seargeants will organize you into groups by desired destination. As of this time I release you from your service to the Royal Acarthian Army. It has been the privilege and an honor to serve as your leader. Go now to your families and loved ones, and see them to safety. Once more, for Acarthia!”
The spirited reply was resounding, as the army repeated his last words to them several times before quieting down.
The Baron-General returned to the boat sometime later, after most of the troops had passed through the mirror. Aspen Keep was all but abandoned, and outside the wall, large wagons and broken tents littered the field, remains that could not be carried through the mirror portal.
Egil boarded the ship and headed to a cabin prepared for him, his first knight Arikaya, and several others. Even an enchanted ship had space limitations. Once within he shed his armor, cinched up a new black belt, and placed his coronet in a footlocker, taking a last look at the regalia of nobility. He wondered if this was the last time he would wear them. His thoughts turned to his friends, to how they had fought together so many times, side by side, of Kate, of Eldred, Darius, of Yurg and Banks; of how Elavir and he had been so wary of each other, before coming to trust each other. He would find a way to send word, to find them again. He sighed, almost in relief, closing the footlocker, and returned to the deck of the ship, as it disembarked from the tower, and headed swiftly into the west.
The ship had arrived late the previous night, the flying vessel now moored to the high tower. The Baron-General had refused to leave, his voice roaring through the halls that, “The damn thing,” can leave him behind if it can’t wait to speak with the army. Evidently, the ship took this poorly, but it’s captain seemed to be able to soothe it’s hurt feelings.
Egil emerged from the keep on to the wall above the army. The sergeants had roused the troops early, in preparation of the announcement. Even now, with the outer sentries pulled in, the army below waited in anticipation.
As he reached the center point of the wall above the army, the Baron-General stopped and took a breath, before turning to look out over the assembled soldiery.
“Late last night, word reached me, that the enemies of Acarthia have fallen. Dreadrot has been destroyed! The war is over, and Acarthia is victorious!” A great cheer washed over the army. Helmets were cast off, and weapons raised in salute, but this was not all the Baron-General had to say. He raised his arms to quiet the soldiers.
“That is not all though” his voice growing serious. “Even as we celebrate our triumph over our foes, this did not come without a great cost. The damage caused by the enemies of Acarthia is catastrophic, and we must leave. As many of you know, a great evacuation has been taking place to realms beyond the mists. As the last line of defense for Acarthia, it was for us to remain until the last, and now, our duty is fulfilled. The great flying ship above the castle has in its possession a magical mirror capable of taking you much closer to your homes. From there, you must gather what you will, and make for one of the many open portals. I am saddened it has come to this, that on the very day of victory, we must make preparations to leave what we fought so hard to protect, but what we purchased with our blood was the time our people needed to reach safety. It is now for us to do the same. Each of you may keep your weapons and equipment, and carry your colors to the new realms with pride. Acarthia does not go to a new realm in shame. We go, having fought, bled and sacrificed for our people, and that those people now survive because of you who fought. Your seargeants will organize you into groups by desired destination. As of this time I release you from your service to the Royal Acarthian Army. It has been the privilege and an honor to serve as your leader. Go now to your families and loved ones, and see them to safety. Once more, for Acarthia!”
The spirited reply was resounding, as the army repeated his last words to them several times before quieting down.
The Baron-General returned to the boat sometime later, after most of the troops had passed through the mirror. Aspen Keep was all but abandoned, and outside the wall, large wagons and broken tents littered the field, remains that could not be carried through the mirror portal.
Egil boarded the ship and headed to a cabin prepared for him, his first knight Arikaya, and several others. Even an enchanted ship had space limitations. Once within he shed his armor, cinched up a new black belt, and placed his coronet in a footlocker, taking a last look at the regalia of nobility. He wondered if this was the last time he would wear them. His thoughts turned to his friends, to how they had fought together so many times, side by side, of Kate, of Eldred, Darius, of Yurg and Banks; of how Elavir and he had been so wary of each other, before coming to trust each other. He would find a way to send word, to find them again. He sighed, almost in relief, closing the footlocker, and returned to the deck of the ship, as it disembarked from the tower, and headed swiftly into the west.