An End Once And For All

[Praetor 1550]

An end once and for all

 

 

Angren wouldn’t change, the rocks would not shift and the earth would not shudder as a short line of men marched out through the gates, laden with heavy packs. No, the mighty fortress of the once proud Exercitus Imperium would remain the same.

 

But its spirit had left it, the men that patrolled the walls and toiled in the farms had abandoned it to a new owner. A new ruler for this home of stone and steel.

 

‘We did our best.’ Said David Campos from the walls.

 

 

‘Nobody can fault us.’ Replied Al’shayat with a firm nod. He looked back up at the fortress’ peak, hidden in the mist of the deepening night. It looked like it went on forever, much as he had once imagined their mighty force would. All brought to an abrupt stop by one man.

 

‘It’s a shame. We were great once.’ Campos sighed and a passed a hand over his brow, rubbing at tired eyes.

 

‘Ain’t that the truth. It never lasts.’ Replied Al’shayat.

 

They both fell quiet and watched the fires from on the far side of the bridge, where the new occupants had positioned themselves while they waited for the Exercitus Imperium to vacate the fort.

 

Al’shayat’s eyes fell on the remains of their army. The men were shaking hands solemnly at the end of the bridge and parting ways. Some turned towards Petrus, ready to join their wives and sons while others faced the unknown, adventure. They would march off into the hills and canyons of the north. Not all would be seen again.

 

‘It’s a sour pill to swallow, innit. Brought down by the man we followed.’ Said Al’shayat after a long pause.

 

‘Aye, pe’aps we would have been better off never followin’ the Marshal. Ain’t nothin’ good that came outta that march.’

 

The sun hunkered down below the horizon and far away Al’shayat saw the lights of Petrus reflect off the snowy mountain caps, casting an ethereal glow upon the peaks and surrounding lands. Stars began to pop out of the murky sky like twinkling eyes, unconcerned by the pains and sorrows of those two men so far below them.

 

‘Were you headin’ Marshal?’ Asked Al’shayat.

 

‘Aeldersberg, you’re welcome to come, Decurion.’ He answered, leaning down to grab a hold of his heavy pack.

 

‘Nay...’ Al’shayat turned and rested his elbows on the parapet, looking back up at the tower. He had dreamed of living in a fortress like this a young man. Dreamed of conquering it under the banner of Piracy, becoming a lord. Never would he have imagined earning it by right.

 

‘Where then?’

 

‘Whereve me feet take me. Ain’t got nuthin’ keeping me ‘ere anymore. Mayhaps I’ll pass by yer city one day. Talk about good old times.’ He grined and pulled out his pipe, lighting it with an expert flick of his hand. He inhaled and blew out a thick cloud of smoke.

 

David Campos sighed and patted the stony wall. ‘Ah’ served the Empire and followed orders. Got nothin’ to regret. I’m a clean man before the Creator.’

 

‘Well lucky ploughin’ you.’ Said Al’shayat with an acidic laugh.

 

It was over. The Exercitus had dissolved into nothing more than a group of roving men, looking for a purpose in a world which held none for them. Campos pulled out two thick rolls of rough cloth from his pack. He looked at them for a long moment before handing one over to Al’shayat.

 

‘Thought you might like this. A souvenir o’ what we were.’ Said Campos.

 

Al’shayat took it and stowed it in his pack. He rose and looked back at the once Imperial Marshal. They looked into each others eyes and a message seemed to pass between them, as silent and fast as the wind that continually basked Angren in a cold, chilly atmosphere.

 

‘Was a pleasure, Imperial Marshal.’ Said Al’shayat.

 

‘Likewise Decurion.’ Replied Campos. He saluted sharply and Al’shayat returned it, standing as straight as a Cloud Temple pillar. They stayed like so for a brief moment, fists pressed against their chests.

 

‘Ah’ll give ye’ some time alone Marshal.’ Al’shayat turned on his heel and started down the steps. His mind a whirlwind of possibilities, ideas and hope. Nothing was ever done for an old seadog like him.

 

 

As he passed through the gates he looked back one more time. It really was a glorious sight. He slipped his hand through his greying hair and sighed. Probably the last time he would ever see it. If the Rose didn’t get him first...Well, he wasn’t immortal.

 

‘Ey’ Al’shayat. Ye’ lookin’ for someplace to go?’

 

He turned to one of the few soldiers that still lingered by the gates, ready to admonish them for the breach of conduct. He clicked his teeth together quickly. There wasn’t anymore Exercitus. ‘Heard they be openin’ a new tavern in Petrus. Ye’ up for it?’

 

A small smile crosses his lips. He turned towards the huge river and canyons nearby. ‘Not today.’

 

He jogged down the hill towards the river. Adventure was always just a few steps away…

 

 

Hours later, the newly anointed occupants marched into Angren to find it devoid of life, empty of all but one sign planted right in front of the gates.

 

‘We did what was right with what we knew.’

 

------------

 

 

The men of the Exercitus survived, for the most part. Many parted ways and found a road to follow in the many diverging paths offered to them on this continent. Some wandered back to villages and cities, reuniting with wives and children.

 

 

Wanderlust claimed other men, urging them away from the beaten path towards regions unknown and lands unexplored by the descendants. Some found great wonders and ruins from elder days...Others found death.

 

 

Exercitus men were soldiers down to the boots and many were unable to shake off their lifelong trade. They walked away, hesitated, and turned back. Picked up steel and shield and marched back to another army, enlisting for the glory of Humanity.

 

Ave Humanity.

 

 

Still others found no purpose. They hit the paths of Anthos and started walking, going wherever their feet would take them. Through untamed forests or down the solid pavement of Annil’sul. O’er cold mountain peak and across blistering oceans of sand and water.

 

 

But every man remembered their origin. At night some would lie next to warm company and look back at their past years. They would know that one day they had belonged to something great, something honorable. An army that had made nations tremble and influenced the world of the Descendants forever. They would be proud. For their honor was loyalty, to the Empire. To mankind.

 

Angren wouldn’t change, the rocks would not shift and the earth would not shudder. No, the mighty fortress of the once proud Exercitus Imperium would remain the same.



 

[Aptrotta 162]

Lloyd Cromwell remains silent after hearing of the fall of the army, nodding to himself with closed eyes in respect. ((Excellently written.  The feels were oh so real))

[Galendar 631]

Merek Cross lets out a shallow sigh at the news, nodding his head,

"I told them, I warned them. They did not listen. It is truthfully a shame. Good luck to all those displaced rightfully by the man they betrayed."

he nods thoughtfully.

 

[3andD 1722]

Gwenael de Bar exhales sharply, clenching his Imperial War Medals in his hand. They meant nothing now, now he had to carve his own future.

 

Ave the 2nd Regiment.

[Eddywilson2 2117]

Tarcell Othamam slings his pack over his back as he walks to Petrus with his remaining men. His medals put away, and his family's sword at his hip. He nods to David before parting ways. For a time at least

Ave Oren

[Wendigo 786]

Riondil Seni swears vengeance one way or another. 

[TerraFrost 0]

"Aye, Its been fun David". David Nods. James Steele sling's his pack on to his back and he leaves with his brother in search of a new plan just two travelers with little meaning........

 

Ave, Oren

[Noer 577]

Kenneth Grimoult quickly takes a sword from the rack of old, rusty blades in the armory as he quickly heads back to his quarters. he takes out a old cloak covered in the dust from years long past as he takes his helm, and delves back into the unknown. Upon his leaving the fort, he also took some of the iron he had stashed away and began to walk down the road to the cloud temple. When he reaches the haven to all those who have nowhere else to go, he stumbles into the land just south of it, a rugged path leading onto a beach. Shrugging, he walks along it, the white sand crunching beneath his feet. He only wanders there for an hour before spotting a hulk of wooden planks, a beached ship.  Upon further examination, he discovers the hull to be intact, and a wide grin appears on his face.
"And so it begins."

 

[Porko 397]

Evios sighs, breathing out deeply, hearing of the official fall of the Imperials. "It had been coming after the coup, it was only a matter of time... ". He continues to pace around Aldersburg, remembering his time as a Decanus, then a Provost, before the crisis. 

[Glyc 234]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.