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Echoes of the Gods

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Chuk

Chuk

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!^-^! Chapter Twenty-three !^-^! Aftermath !^-^!
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A westering sun hung just above the horizon, casting long shadows across the street where Xaran stood. Here and there, he could see white pillars standing above the blackened ruins -- destruction he had caused -- that claimed much of the city. Caught in the last of the sun's rays, those towers glowed orange, mocking the fires that had burned in the streets only hours earlier. The greatest of the spires towered above the Keep, he knew, the only section of the city to escape undamaged. Beneath its glowing heights, a celebratory feast would commence in only a few minutes. Aletayr had just departed, hoping to arrive in time after walking Xaran to the gate.
Xaran could hardly comprehend it all. He knew, perhaps better than any of its residents, just how close Falador had come to extinction. He had seen Zamorak's armies at their greatest, had been among them. He knew their power. Had it not been for the luck -- or fate; Xaran could not decide which he believed -- that brought him to Aletayr, the city would have been decimated. The citizens had barely escaped with their lives, and now they called it victory. Xaran shook his head. Even the army he had commanded was only a fraction of Zamorak's forces. Unless they could find new power, the Saradominists would find they had survived one attack just to fall in the next.

28-Feb-2011 10:00:41 - Last edited on 28-Feb-2011 10:00:53 by Chuk

Chuk

Chuk

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The strength of Saradomin really was disappointing. Had Xaran still hungered after power has he did during his days at the Academy, he would already be on his way back to Zamorak's strongholds. But that would not be right; he knew it in his heart, though his mind tried to argue. He was still trying to convince himself that what was right was greater than might. In truth, that was why he had declined to join Saradomin's forces; it wasn't brainwashing that scared him, but temptation. One moment of weakness, and there would be little need for brainwashing.
Xaran sighed and sat down to wait for the guards. It would be best for everyone if he just avoided conflict altogether, at least until he could reconcile his mind to his heart and act as he believed he should. And until he gained a death wish. As the two forces stood, intervening on Saradomin's side would only be suicide. Even then, however, he was not sure he could feel worthy of Aletayr's forgiveness and the King's grace.
Echoing footsteps announced the arrival of Xaran's guards well before he saw them; the sun had set completely, leaving the streets dim, though not completely dark. When they did come into view, Xaran saw fewer men than he had expected, a total of only four. Two, judging by their robes, were mages. One had a sword at his hip, and the last wore a bow across his back. None were in uniform, but each had chosen clothing that left them free to move in a fight. The archer even wore his vambraces, and Xaran thought he could see the outlines of plate armor beneath the soldier's tunic.
One of the mages, apparently the leader of the small company, stepped forward. "You are Xaran Faeria?"
"Yes sir."

28-Feb-2011 10:01:38

Chuk

Chuk

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"We are assigned to your escort. I have no idea what sort of crime you committed that you must be guarded and yet walk freely whither you would. But know this. I have little patience for anyone who sins against our holy Lord Saradomin. Should you do anything at all stupid, I will swiftly exercise my authority to kill you. I trust you will behave accordingly."
Xaran could hardly keep a straight face. This pompous mage and his companions would hardly be a threat to him under any condition. He was far too powerful. Nonetheless, he nodded in acknowledgement. "As you say, sir."
"At our King's instruction, we are not to travel in a party with you, Saradomin be praised, but to leave you alone. You are on your own, both to gain food, and to avoid robbers and the like. We will neither aid nor thwart you in such pursuits, but at any sign you are on the run or set to attack, we will kill you swiftly.
"Now you have no need for our names. If you feel you must address me for some unthinkable reason, you can refer to me by my rank: Lieutenant. Lastly we are expected to accompany you for a full six months. Hopefully we won't speak again in that time. Now be off."
- -- - -- - -- - -- -

28-Feb-2011 10:02:10

Chuk

Chuk

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And for the no one reading that little excerpt, I've got the rest of 23 handwritten, to be typed up in the next couple days. After that, it's rewrite time! :D
EDIT: And even though no one's read the updates ( :( ) I now have a complete Chapter 23 to post. :D

05-Mar-2011 12:21:25 - Last edited on 10-Mar-2011 11:32:36 by Chuk

Chuk

Chuk

Posts: 14,177 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
When Aletayr returned to the Keep, he found only a small, swiftly dwindling queue outside the entrance to the great hall. He jogged the last few paces and managed to slip inside just behind the last person. He hoped to file in unnoticed without anyone realizing how late he was. The king had insisted he arrive a quarter hour earlier. His wish foundered the moment he stepped into the brightly lit chamber.
"Ah, you've arrived, Captain Chaelom. I feared I'd saved this seat of honor for nothing."
Three rows of tables stretched the length of the hall, with the King at the head of the center row. He stood up, waving to Aletayr. With a sigh, Aletayr weaved his way through the press of attendees still searching for a seat until he reached his place beside the King. He found General Strind already sitting as well as two noble families. One, a Lord, Lady and their daughter about his age seemed familiar, but before he could place them, the King spoke again.
"I presume you were seeing your friend off at the gate?"
"Yes, my Lord. The walk too longer than I expected."
"Of course it did. But it doesn't really matter. As you can see, no one's settled in, much less the food served."
"Yes, my Lord, but I still try to come as expected."
"Oh hush boy," General Strind broke in. "Don't worry over a few minutes. You're only young once, and you're in a rough spot with Xaran. The King understands. Now sit down and let yourself relax for a second, at least. No need to be so bloody tense, kid. You're like a board."
"Perhaps I should have the wine brought out a tad early," the King said and winked. "That should loosen him right up."
Though he had been speaking to Veril, Aletayr responded. "No, there's really no need for that, my Lord. I'm not really much of a drinker."
"Not much of a drinker?" Veril demanded and slapped the table. His voice rose as if he were already drunk. "Why how else can ya celebrate but with a good draught, eh? Answer me that!"

10-Mar-2011 11:33:57

Chuk

Chuk

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Aletayr shrugged his shoulders and smiled weakly, unsure of how to respond. The general laughed. "Relax, Aletayr! If you don't want to, it's not like any of us are going to make you. We're just gonna call you crazy if you don't."
Aletayr nodded, automatically agreeing with his superior. He finally sat down on the front of the chair. His back remained rigid, as if he were at attention. Gazing out at the room, he found that nearly everyone had found a seat, and many were pointing at him and talking to their neighbors which left him feeling rather uncomfortable and slightly frightened.
Thankfully, as soon as the last person had found an acceptable seat, drink was distributed. Everyone's attention turned to the jug, away from Aletayr. Conversation began to increase, people no longer speaking just to neighbors, but to anyone within a few chairs. Only when the King range a piercingly clear note on a silver bell did the hall fall silent.
"Thank you for your attention," he began. "I trust you know why we're here this evening. But for the courage of her glorious defenders, this city would now lie in ruins. Some -- nay, many -- of those soldiers sacrificed their lives so that their beloved city might stand on. Tonight, in addition to celebrating our holy victory, we honor those who are no longer with us. Please, raise your glass to their glorious sacrifice."
After a moment's silent reflection, the king raised his goblet and drank. The whole hall followed in collective remembrance. After a few more moments, the King continued.

10-Mar-2011 11:35:43

Chuk

Chuk

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"However much we mourn those brave men, we also know that they would not wish for us to dwell on their passing. They died for what they loved, and they would rejoice to know that by their valor, they kept us safe, and they would want us to rejoice with them, to rejoice in the freedom they won for us, for our sons and daughters. They would demand that we also honor those who fought and lived, for they fought just as hard. Those men are many, but there is one who went above and beyond Saradomin's call, one who met the enemy at his throat.
"We would not have survived this day without this young man, for almost without aid, he managed to defeat the evil general guiding the terrible attack. Lords and Ladies, please now join me in a toast to Captain Aletayr Chaelom's devotion and bravery, present and future!"
Aletayr, whose face had gone increasingly pink as the speech carried on, found himself on his feet, subjected to the crowd's applause. He looked steadily at the table in front of him, feeling the heat continue to rise in his cheeks. The applause, which he did not believe he deserved, continued unabated for what Aletayr thought must have been five, ten, maybe even fifteen minutes.
Finally, as soon as it began to taper off, Aletayr sat back down. As he did so, he looked up just once and met the eyes of the young lady sitting across from him, the noble daughter he had noticed earlier. She had the most beautiful, sparkling eyes he had ever seen, and she smiled at him. Aletayr could not believe his face could get any warmer, but it did. He looked away hurriedly and despite his claim against drinking, buried his face in his wine glass.
When he looked back up, she was turned talking to her mother, and he recognized her. Her name was Salrina Treyos, and he remembered seeing her on her father's balcony while he practiced the sword in Kryma.

10-Mar-2011 11:36:36

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