FA+
Shop
48
Views
Views
7
Favorites
Favorites
Category
Artwork (Digital) / Portraits
Species Human
Size 1500 x 2500
File Size 2.09 MB
Report this content
More from Clostridium
Listed in Folders
Spring, 1424
Four days later the bulk of the Arcadian Army was at Huaqing, waiting for reports from Fort Shields about the Imperial approach. Jayna and Chagraff had sheltered in a large cave with some staff members and guards.
Mera was not among them, being out hunting for his breakfast. The great wyrm also appeared to dislike the Arcadian’s choice of headquarters.
“This was a dragon cave once.” Mera had commented after scanning the large chamber when the group had arrived the day before.
“Did you know them?” Jayna asked.
“I may have known her.” The bronze wyrm stated simply, and then turned and left.
Since then Jayna noticed the dragon attempted to spend as little time inside the cave as possible. She brushed it off; they would be moving out soon enough.
However the wait was getting far longer than the commander anticipated.
Roza's scouts and Parke's vanguard had set out at dawn, but while prepared to march no other units had followed suit despite the approach of mid morning.
At her desk Jayna finished some last minute orders and waited impatiently.
Like most residences of great wyrms, the cavern had multiple chambers: a large entrance room, with two chambers in the back. The commanders set up camp in one of the chambers, which had a small passage that led to a much smaller opening providing a bit of ventilation. The Arcadian leader repeatedly stole a glance at the opening, evaluating the time of day by the dull morning glow, as Chagraff plotted the routes over the next few days at his own writing board.
“Where is Murray? He should have arrived by now.” Jayna muttered.
At that minute, a commotion broke out at the cave entrance. Quickly Captain Root arrived with a battered and bloody cadet from Captain Neto’s forces.
“Lieutenant Escutia reporting urgent news.” The cadet saluted.
Both commanders were on their feet in an instant. “Speak. What’s going on?”
The young Lieutenant went straight to the point. “I regret to inform you that Fort Shields has fallen.”
“How?”
“The Walkerites turned on us. Their commander surrendered to General Jackson and their troops opened up the defensive gates to the Imperials, and both fell upon us by surprise. Captain Neto has fallen. Only a few of us managed to flee.”
“What? Murray betrayed us?”
“You must get ready, the Walkerites were pursuing us-”
Then from the distance came yells, followed by the clash of arms. The two Arcadian commanders looked at each other, then immediately their weapons and threw on their armor, before running out of the room. At the front chamber they found the guard Tellico running into the room, followed by Cook, two of a dozen sentries stationed outside.
“Commanders, you must leave immediately.” The Antian announced breathlessly.
“What's going on?” Jayna asked.
“Walkerites are attacking us!” His companion exclaimed. “You must flee! Now!”
Quickly the sound of fighting stopped, and thirteen well armored Walkerite warriors entered the room with lochaber axes, jeddart staves and broadswords, dripping with blood. They stared at the six trapped defenders with a mix of confidence and contempt, but hesitated at the gonnes aimed at them.
Then Murray himself swaggered in, claymore resting upon his shoulder.
“Surrender Jayna Durham!” The Walkerite leader bellowed. “You are surrounded! There's no way out!”
“What is the meaning of this?” The Arcadian leader asked.
“This children's game has gone on for too long! It is time for this delusion to end!” The Walkite leader spat on the ground. “Your insurrection means to destroy everything in this land, the good with the bad! You are not powerful enough to win but powerful enough to sow death and destruction wherever you go! You disrespect your elders and shun your gods! You have raised pariahs and promoted fools! You have contorted with monsters and demons! What other insanity will you do next?”
“The Imperials bribed you.” Chagraff stated simply.
“Shut your mouth, foreigner!” Murray snarled at the Chief of Staff. “You know nothing about Auxia!”
Jayna snorted. “He knows that those who loudly proclaim their love of state are those who undermine it with their actions. Devotion is shown by actions, not words.”
Murray brushed off further argument with the wave of his hand. “Flowery talk for defeated fools. Fort Shields has fallen and your forces have been scattered and weakened by your insane quest. Your dragon has been eliminated. There are no more tricks up your sleeve.”
The Arcadian leader was silent, but her fists clenched. Finally she asked. “If your betrayal has been so successful, traitor, why don't you kill me and be done with it?”
“Because I grow weary of this bloodshed.” For a second, the Walkerite leader's bravado dropped, revealing a tired and broken old man. “Surrender, and address the troops calling upon them to lay down their arms, and I am sure your lives will be spared. Refuse and you are damning thousands to death.”
For a second Jayna felt sorry for Murray. Then that sadness was replaced by anger over the needless deaths caused by his betrayal.
“No.” She replied simply.
“No?!” The Walkerite leader was beside himself at the rejection, his claymore immediately swinging into combat position.
“No.” Chagraff repeated and without further comment stuffed his handbomb into his gonne and lit the match. As the stunned Walkerites quickly scrambled away, the Ruthenian pushed Jayna down, then turned and fired at the side of the doorway. Immediately an explosion ripped through the caverns, shaking the passages and sending a column for flame hurtling out.
“Come on!” Chagraff pulled Jayna to her feet amidst the dust and smoke. Captain Root, Lieutenant Escutia and Tellico and Cook quickly scrambled with them. The Arcadian leaders collected their packs, and headed to the rear opening. Jayna was muttering to herself.
“Murray betrayed us! He sold us out to the dogs!”
“Let's get out of this first.”
The small side passage opened up to a jagged cliff along a creek, invisible to all but those actively searching and a dangerous scramble to reach. As the small group reached the crevice, the sounds of pursuers reached their ears. Murray was coming back, and he was angry.
Lieutenant Escutia and Tellico looked at each other, then at Captain Root and Cook, before all four saluted the Arcadian leaders.
“It has been an honor to serve you, commanders.” With that, the soldiers marched out to challenge the Walkerites, Root and Tellico readying gonnes, while Escutia and Cook charged back into the smoke.
Jayna and Chagraff watched them go off to their deaths. “Eternal glory to you all.” The Arcadian leader called back, then escaped. Quickly the two Arcadian leaders climbed through the hole and scrambled down the cliff face. Reaching bottom, Jayna and Chagraff immediately set off across fields and fled into the foggy morning. Shouts erupted behind them, and eventually arrows flew by, though blindly fired in the fog and harmlessly shooting past.
Soon enough all was quiet and still upon the grassy plain; not even the birds sang and the empty expanses were shapeless except rock outcroppings and young trees that occasionally materialized out from the mist.
Jayna and Chagraff were alone again; no guards, no advisors, just two fugitives on the run.
Finally, out of immediate danger the two commanders stopped and assessed their situation.
“Has the entire army turned against us?” Jayna asked aloud.
“I don't think so.” Chagraff replied. “We just took Fort Shields. It has to just be the Walkerites.”
“Can you be sure?”
“No, but if we don't assume that we may as well leave the revolution right now.”
The Arcadian leader nodded. “You're right. Where are those who still remain loyal? Where is Mera?”
“He was probably out hunting for breakfast.” Chagraff thought for a second. “This was why they didn't strike at daybreak. The Walkerites will try to kill him.”
“Mera can take care of himself.” Jayna insisted.
“Very well. Then we should take care of ourselves too.”
The pair looked around. It was a cold and overcast day and nothing was certain. Not even the sun was visible despite it having to be late morning by now.
Jayna pointed at a patch of moss.
“We should be to the West of camp. We'll find our way back, collect our allies, and kick that traitor Murray's ass!”
“Who do you think we can trust?”
“Mera. The dragon is trustworthy.”
“Jayna, the great wyrm is great. But we don’t know where he is, if he's even alive. And if he is, this is still a human revolution. Fleeing to the dragon in our time of personal danger only shows we lack faith in our troops and ourselves.”
Jayna stopped, and nodded. “Cutler’s command. They turned to join us, I doubt that they would turn again.”
“Good.”
***
The two figures returned to the edge of camp, a winding river in front of them. This had been a defensive measure to guard against attacks from outside, but now it was a barrier against the threats inside. The river was covered by ice, but how thick it was neither knew, and to plunge into the freezing waters was likely fatal. There was some commotion in the camps, but a general uncomfortable quiet pervaded. Jayna and Chagraff followed the frozen banks until they were across from Cutler’s encampment. The two looked at each other.
“You really want to risk it?” Chagraff asked.
Jayna bit her lip. “We have to regain control of our forces.”
“Very well.”
The two figures set out, fleeting white cloaks barely visible in the pale, frozen landscape. It was a slow, treacherous journey across the ice. Every step was carefully prodded by a pole, followed by a tentative footstep before the full weight was placed upon it.
The opposite shore lay tantalizingly visible in the distance, yet dangerously far to traverse. A slight misstep and a loud crack erupted in the ice, revealing swift flowing black water below.
Voices broke out behind them.
Jayna turned to Chagraff.
“To hell with it; let's go!”
The pair took off in haste relying upon luck and momentum to keep them going forward.
The ice cracked and strained; multiple times Jayna or Chagraff slipped and it seemed as if either would fall and break their necks. But finally the latter slid upon her knee while the latter dived to the dirt of the other bank.
The two Arcadian leaders looked at each other, then at the frozen river in the distance.
“I have no idea how we crossed that.” Chagraff uttered.
“Well, maybe we have someone watching over us.” Jayna smiled.
“Better that they didn't allow this coup in the first place.”
“Hush. We need more luck before this is over.”
Dido - White Flag (Acoustic)
From
TheDinosaurMann!
Four days later the bulk of the Arcadian Army was at Huaqing, waiting for reports from Fort Shields about the Imperial approach. Jayna and Chagraff had sheltered in a large cave with some staff members and guards.
Mera was not among them, being out hunting for his breakfast. The great wyrm also appeared to dislike the Arcadian’s choice of headquarters.
“This was a dragon cave once.” Mera had commented after scanning the large chamber when the group had arrived the day before.
“Did you know them?” Jayna asked.
“I may have known her.” The bronze wyrm stated simply, and then turned and left.
Since then Jayna noticed the dragon attempted to spend as little time inside the cave as possible. She brushed it off; they would be moving out soon enough.
However the wait was getting far longer than the commander anticipated.
Roza's scouts and Parke's vanguard had set out at dawn, but while prepared to march no other units had followed suit despite the approach of mid morning.
At her desk Jayna finished some last minute orders and waited impatiently.
Like most residences of great wyrms, the cavern had multiple chambers: a large entrance room, with two chambers in the back. The commanders set up camp in one of the chambers, which had a small passage that led to a much smaller opening providing a bit of ventilation. The Arcadian leader repeatedly stole a glance at the opening, evaluating the time of day by the dull morning glow, as Chagraff plotted the routes over the next few days at his own writing board.
“Where is Murray? He should have arrived by now.” Jayna muttered.
At that minute, a commotion broke out at the cave entrance. Quickly Captain Root arrived with a battered and bloody cadet from Captain Neto’s forces.
“Lieutenant Escutia reporting urgent news.” The cadet saluted.
Both commanders were on their feet in an instant. “Speak. What’s going on?”
The young Lieutenant went straight to the point. “I regret to inform you that Fort Shields has fallen.”
“How?”
“The Walkerites turned on us. Their commander surrendered to General Jackson and their troops opened up the defensive gates to the Imperials, and both fell upon us by surprise. Captain Neto has fallen. Only a few of us managed to flee.”
“What? Murray betrayed us?”
“You must get ready, the Walkerites were pursuing us-”
Then from the distance came yells, followed by the clash of arms. The two Arcadian commanders looked at each other, then immediately their weapons and threw on their armor, before running out of the room. At the front chamber they found the guard Tellico running into the room, followed by Cook, two of a dozen sentries stationed outside.
“Commanders, you must leave immediately.” The Antian announced breathlessly.
“What's going on?” Jayna asked.
“Walkerites are attacking us!” His companion exclaimed. “You must flee! Now!”
Quickly the sound of fighting stopped, and thirteen well armored Walkerite warriors entered the room with lochaber axes, jeddart staves and broadswords, dripping with blood. They stared at the six trapped defenders with a mix of confidence and contempt, but hesitated at the gonnes aimed at them.
Then Murray himself swaggered in, claymore resting upon his shoulder.
“Surrender Jayna Durham!” The Walkerite leader bellowed. “You are surrounded! There's no way out!”
“What is the meaning of this?” The Arcadian leader asked.
“This children's game has gone on for too long! It is time for this delusion to end!” The Walkite leader spat on the ground. “Your insurrection means to destroy everything in this land, the good with the bad! You are not powerful enough to win but powerful enough to sow death and destruction wherever you go! You disrespect your elders and shun your gods! You have raised pariahs and promoted fools! You have contorted with monsters and demons! What other insanity will you do next?”
“The Imperials bribed you.” Chagraff stated simply.
“Shut your mouth, foreigner!” Murray snarled at the Chief of Staff. “You know nothing about Auxia!”
Jayna snorted. “He knows that those who loudly proclaim their love of state are those who undermine it with their actions. Devotion is shown by actions, not words.”
Murray brushed off further argument with the wave of his hand. “Flowery talk for defeated fools. Fort Shields has fallen and your forces have been scattered and weakened by your insane quest. Your dragon has been eliminated. There are no more tricks up your sleeve.”
The Arcadian leader was silent, but her fists clenched. Finally she asked. “If your betrayal has been so successful, traitor, why don't you kill me and be done with it?”
“Because I grow weary of this bloodshed.” For a second, the Walkerite leader's bravado dropped, revealing a tired and broken old man. “Surrender, and address the troops calling upon them to lay down their arms, and I am sure your lives will be spared. Refuse and you are damning thousands to death.”
For a second Jayna felt sorry for Murray. Then that sadness was replaced by anger over the needless deaths caused by his betrayal.
“No.” She replied simply.
“No?!” The Walkerite leader was beside himself at the rejection, his claymore immediately swinging into combat position.
“No.” Chagraff repeated and without further comment stuffed his handbomb into his gonne and lit the match. As the stunned Walkerites quickly scrambled away, the Ruthenian pushed Jayna down, then turned and fired at the side of the doorway. Immediately an explosion ripped through the caverns, shaking the passages and sending a column for flame hurtling out.
“Come on!” Chagraff pulled Jayna to her feet amidst the dust and smoke. Captain Root, Lieutenant Escutia and Tellico and Cook quickly scrambled with them. The Arcadian leaders collected their packs, and headed to the rear opening. Jayna was muttering to herself.
“Murray betrayed us! He sold us out to the dogs!”
“Let's get out of this first.”
The small side passage opened up to a jagged cliff along a creek, invisible to all but those actively searching and a dangerous scramble to reach. As the small group reached the crevice, the sounds of pursuers reached their ears. Murray was coming back, and he was angry.
Lieutenant Escutia and Tellico looked at each other, then at Captain Root and Cook, before all four saluted the Arcadian leaders.
“It has been an honor to serve you, commanders.” With that, the soldiers marched out to challenge the Walkerites, Root and Tellico readying gonnes, while Escutia and Cook charged back into the smoke.
Jayna and Chagraff watched them go off to their deaths. “Eternal glory to you all.” The Arcadian leader called back, then escaped. Quickly the two Arcadian leaders climbed through the hole and scrambled down the cliff face. Reaching bottom, Jayna and Chagraff immediately set off across fields and fled into the foggy morning. Shouts erupted behind them, and eventually arrows flew by, though blindly fired in the fog and harmlessly shooting past.
Soon enough all was quiet and still upon the grassy plain; not even the birds sang and the empty expanses were shapeless except rock outcroppings and young trees that occasionally materialized out from the mist.
Jayna and Chagraff were alone again; no guards, no advisors, just two fugitives on the run.
Finally, out of immediate danger the two commanders stopped and assessed their situation.
“Has the entire army turned against us?” Jayna asked aloud.
“I don't think so.” Chagraff replied. “We just took Fort Shields. It has to just be the Walkerites.”
“Can you be sure?”
“No, but if we don't assume that we may as well leave the revolution right now.”
The Arcadian leader nodded. “You're right. Where are those who still remain loyal? Where is Mera?”
“He was probably out hunting for breakfast.” Chagraff thought for a second. “This was why they didn't strike at daybreak. The Walkerites will try to kill him.”
“Mera can take care of himself.” Jayna insisted.
“Very well. Then we should take care of ourselves too.”
The pair looked around. It was a cold and overcast day and nothing was certain. Not even the sun was visible despite it having to be late morning by now.
Jayna pointed at a patch of moss.
“We should be to the West of camp. We'll find our way back, collect our allies, and kick that traitor Murray's ass!”
“Who do you think we can trust?”
“Mera. The dragon is trustworthy.”
“Jayna, the great wyrm is great. But we don’t know where he is, if he's even alive. And if he is, this is still a human revolution. Fleeing to the dragon in our time of personal danger only shows we lack faith in our troops and ourselves.”
Jayna stopped, and nodded. “Cutler’s command. They turned to join us, I doubt that they would turn again.”
“Good.”
***
The two figures returned to the edge of camp, a winding river in front of them. This had been a defensive measure to guard against attacks from outside, but now it was a barrier against the threats inside. The river was covered by ice, but how thick it was neither knew, and to plunge into the freezing waters was likely fatal. There was some commotion in the camps, but a general uncomfortable quiet pervaded. Jayna and Chagraff followed the frozen banks until they were across from Cutler’s encampment. The two looked at each other.
“You really want to risk it?” Chagraff asked.
Jayna bit her lip. “We have to regain control of our forces.”
“Very well.”
The two figures set out, fleeting white cloaks barely visible in the pale, frozen landscape. It was a slow, treacherous journey across the ice. Every step was carefully prodded by a pole, followed by a tentative footstep before the full weight was placed upon it.
The opposite shore lay tantalizingly visible in the distance, yet dangerously far to traverse. A slight misstep and a loud crack erupted in the ice, revealing swift flowing black water below.
Voices broke out behind them.
Jayna turned to Chagraff.
“To hell with it; let's go!”
The pair took off in haste relying upon luck and momentum to keep them going forward.
The ice cracked and strained; multiple times Jayna or Chagraff slipped and it seemed as if either would fall and break their necks. But finally the latter slid upon her knee while the latter dived to the dirt of the other bank.
The two Arcadian leaders looked at each other, then at the frozen river in the distance.
“I have no idea how we crossed that.” Chagraff uttered.
“Well, maybe we have someone watching over us.” Jayna smiled.
“Better that they didn't allow this coup in the first place.”
“Hush. We need more luck before this is over.”
Dido - White Flag (Acoustic)
From
TheDinosaurMann!
Category Artwork (Digital) / Portraits
Species Human
Size 1500 x 2500px
File Size 2.09 MB
Comments