• The thunder rattles the floor, temporarily deafening the rooms occupants.
    Silence.
    “one.”
    “two.”
    “three.”
    another earth shattering crash.
    “The storm will be upon us before the morrow, commander.”
    “then we shall fight in the rain”
    “you know it shall be difficult”
    “all the more glory when we stand victorious”
    “you are over-confident, my lord.”
    “perhaps. But this is a battle I do not intend to lose”
    “Indeed.”
    The voices cease. It has been a long night.
    “Well, Commander, I bid thee a well night.”
    “as you I, General.”

    The Commander turns to the balcony, his brow set in a troubled line. It has begun to rain, a slight drizzle, a foreshadow to the torrent of an upright sea to come. “A well night indeed, General.”



    The Rain trickles down, mixing with the blood and sweat and mud. The ground has been trampled, a bit of armour here, a sword there. Bodies lie about, the crows already descending upon them. A lone horse plops slowly through the mud, upon it's back a man of obvious importance. His armour is blood splattered, his shield dented. With his free hand he removes his helm, letting black hair flow down from under it onto his shoulders, and observes the field.
    A new coming horse trots to the Gallant soldier. “We have lost many, sir. A steep price has been paid for this victory.”
    “Yes. But they did not die without glory, we shall remember every one of them, and their courage will ring in our songs tonight”
    “of course, lord. Shall I order the men to regroup at the pass?” the new comer replied, turning his horse in preparation to ride from whence he came. “No, Captain, first we must gather our dead. The Himbaden will not press forward again, they too lost many today”
    “of course, lord” The Captain rides off to relay the orders. The Soldier continues riding, mourning the deaths of his men. After some time he stops, and dismounts. Kneeling in the mud, he places his fist over his heart, respecting the dead soldier in front of him "May Firtahl guide you in your death, General."

    The soldier stands, and proceeds back to his men on foot, leading his horse through the mud and carnage.