The Rains Down In Petra

[Taketheshot 3834]

The Rains Down In Petra

“General Vladov, when the world watches, ensure you do not take a missed step.”

-Emperor John I to Josef Vladov at Battle of Hoar Hill

Spoiler

 

 

 

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Sedanite Soldiers pitch a guard at the gates of Haverlock 1858

 

 

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Joseph d’Azor stepped from the well traveled command tent in a liberated section of Occupied Lower Petra, looking up to the horizon, he saw Haverlock surrounded in the rainy mists of the torrential downpour that had plagued Lower Petra for the past week, nonstop rain turning paths into streams, fields into muddy quagmires and transforming the landscape from the once lush breadbasket of the Empire into a wasteland. The tent flap closed behind him as the Archchancellor breathed into his gloved hands, warming them from the morning chill as he recalled the conversation he had just bore witness to. 

 

"The Path is clear then…” Philip III nodded in agreement as more nods followed from around the table, various Imperial Commanders and Marshals tucking away the notes they had taken as Vicechancellor Penton folded the map bearing the siege plans, rolling it up for safe keeping. “Your Imperial Majesty a word?” The Duke of Azor and the Emperor strolled off to the edge of the tent, usually brightly coloured courtly attire replaced with plate armor and uniforms caked with dirt from the campaign thus far. “Duke Azor, of course, what might I do for my old friend?” Joseph d’Azor clasped his hands behind his back looking towards the flap of the tent as the other commanders departed, the outline of Haverlock barely visible in the distance as he connected his gaze back to the Emperor. “I come to you with a request…” The Archchancellor trailed off, his mind seemingly elsewhere as the sovereign nodded. “Make your request and it shall be yours…” The tent flap closed, the stream of murky cloudy light from the day disappearing as it was just the pair now within. “I seek to be in the Vanguard, I wish to be among the first over the walls, Your Imperial Majesty, It is something I must do…”

 

Rains poured once more upon Imperial land a half century prior extinguishing the fires as water mixed with red coals that made up the ruins of Sedan Castle within Arentania, a much Younger Joseph d’Azor stood with his sister Katya poking at some of the bricks as Imperial soldiers sorted through the ruins searching for any trace of the Sedanites. “None Here sir!” Caspian d’Arkent bellowed out to then Archchancellor Franz de Sarkozy. “The rats have fled…” The aged Sarkozy muttered looking towards the north. “Let's go home Joseph… I'm BORED.”  The d’Azor boy watched the Captain and Archchancellor converse as his younger sister dragged him off in the direction of home, the smoke behind them still trailing up into the sky. 

 

"And so what did you learn boy?” Ledicort d’Azor asked of his son as the pair sat at the table within their garden, Joseph pondering upon his fathers question as his green suit still held soot from the adventure to the ruins of Sedan earlier “They fled Father… North apparently…” The Vicechancellor Ledicort nodded lightly, raising a brow towards the boy. “So they have, rather than fight the Empire, they would seek flight, unable to reap what they have sown…” The Heir to Azor nodded his own head in agreement “It is angering…” Ledicort laughed slightly, taking a puff of his cigar. “Of course it is, just when we had them pinned, they ran! It is a frustration of the highest order.” The Vicechancellor mused lightly. “Father…” Joseph spoke, trailing his gaze up to the man. “I don't think they are goats…” The Vicechancellor piqued his brow “Oh?” The younger d’Azor nodded “They are rats…and rats stick together…” The boy's gaze traveled up to the wall, gazing off to the northern fields and the direction of Haense. 

 

The Emperor paused for a moment considering his request. “But why would you wish to be among the first my friend?” Philip Amadeus blinked at the request as the Duke of Azor returned it with a nod considering a conversation he had within the Providence Museum earlier that month, a hand tapping the pommel of the blade as he considered his response. “There comes a time, where one must simply do, and that is what I seek sire, I will place my fate within the hands of GOD and my skill with a blade, and god willing I will return.” The Emperor laughed slightly, not in malice at the man but in confusion as he queried. “Is this your suicide mission Duke Azor?” The Archchancellor considered for a long moment his response as he shook his head, pursing his lips as he delved into his response. “No, Your Imperial Majesty, just… It's something I must do, come what may, we will retake Lower Petra and that is my duty…” Philip Amadeus drew a long breath, his circlet clad head dipping slightly as he gave in. “Very well, your request shall be granted, though I do hope you know what you are doing…” The pair nodded to one another as Joseph d’Azor departed the tent. 

 

The rain drove down with fervor as the Duke continued his footsteps down the muddied path, arriving at an earthen berm where several soldiers stood, peering out into the distance. The city of Haverlock spread before them as men prepared to soon lay siege. “And soon we shall see what GOD has in store for me, for this shall be the truest test…” The man signed the Lorraine as he rested a hand upon the hilt of his blade, rain still beating down as the day of battle loomed nearer. 

[Da_Emperors 1987]

The late Ledicort d'Azor would watch from the Seven Skies as his boy would join the frontlines and advanced towards the foes of the Empire. And once the battle was over he would smile -- knowing this was not the time in which he would meet his boy yet; rather, he had much more to prove.

[libertyybelle 6187]

Amelia frowns, shaking her head. 

"Idiot."

[oryP 1068]

Sir James 'The Enforcer' Madron smiled proudly at the missive. "God Bless our Archancellor, a great man with great ideas and views."

[Cubicita 640]

"Hmm..." The d'Azor glanced upon the missive. "Perhaps it is time... Time to finally speak once more."

[CharmingCavalier 2189]

Henry Penton sat in his tent, a damp affair that he wished would end. As the candlelight flickered in the draft, an aide, one of the decent ones, entered his chambers and whispered in his ears. As he spoke, the old fellow's eyes widened, and he was quick to storm out into the whirling air of rain and ash. With each aged stride, his cane sinking deep into the Lower Petrine mud, he made it closer to the center of the camp.

 

With a whip of fabric, the elderly statesman burst into the presence of the Archchancellor. "Is there something you need to tell me, Joseph?"

 

The exchange developed into shouts as some stopped to stare at the tent. Henry could be heard crying with a booming voice, "I FORBID IT!"

[annabanana1014 2084]

Diana Vuiller, the eldest sister of Joseph... Such pain in her heart swelled as she read further down the missive. Her eyes filled with tears along with her covering her mouth as she wished to not disturb anyone with her quiet sobbing.

 

"Joseph.. we have our fights, and we have our problems.. but no.. you cannot do this. You cannot- I can't lose you too..." 

 

She would find herself on top of the Vuillermoz manor, sitting against the wall as she let herself sob with no one to worry about. How was she going to make it? Joseph. . . he was the one to get her through her life, and they may not be close now- but he was still dear to her. He was her supportive, older brother- she can't lose him... She can't... 

"Father, if you can hear me from the Seven Skies- keep Joseph safe. Please... I can't lose him too..."

 

@Da_Emperors