Into the Valley (PK)

[Princeton 396]

[!] The Inferi fort intrenched in the Eastern Korvassan desert, a ward of darkness enveloping the nights sky. [!]

 

 

--

 

“Forward, the Light Brigade!

Was there a man dismayed?

Not though the soldier knew

   Someone had blundered.

   Theirs not to make reply,

   Theirs not to reason why,

   Theirs but to do and die.

   Into the valley of Death

   Rode the six hundred.”

 

-  ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON

--

 

The Korvassan desert at twilight always both confused and comforted the youthful Mali’aheral; on the one hand, it offered the depths of solitude now rarely found within the Silver City so deeply entrenched in an ancient conflict and deific forces the undiscerning soldier could not factor or understand. On the other hand, the unsharp mind of the Sillumir simply could not fathom how the scorching heat of the day was vanquished by a nights sky and air that could freeze any hardened solider to the bone.

 

So it was with a shiver, either at the task set before him or from the deserts’ cool embrace, that a young Uradir almost reverently donned steel plate engraved in the fine silver vestiges that marked the rank of a Tahorren. With a long and thoughtful glance at the deadly and simple spear clutched between his deft fingertips, Talar’siol marched into the hellscape of the Korvassan desert prepared to meet a fate that at least he could anticipate and plan for: an honorable death, a soldiers’ death.

 

--

[!] A letter scrawled in an unpracticed hand would be left on the desk of Anethra Uradir within the Talonnii manor, the envelope unsealed, unsigned, and the paper weighted by an ornately decorated Guandao.

Spoiler

Dear lari’onn. 

 

It is with both shame and regret I leave this letter unto you, the best of the Uradir. While I know forces beyond your control invaded Haelun’or and our Talonnii, I could no longer watch as our kin forsake the qualities that make them ‘thill, seduced by draconic power and knowledge that will foster the slavery and religious indoctrination of our people. I suspect I ride to my end, but know I do so with the comforting weight in my heart that one of our Talonnii remains capable of guiding our family out of this undeserving fate. May Larihei guide your path and actions, and your winds be swift.