Zaerie 3414 Popular Post Share Posted December 10, 2023 AND SO IT RAINED STONE Spoiler “ONCE, THERE STOOD A KEEP OVERLOOKING THE RIVER PETRA.” The voice of Queen Catherine of the Petra rolled through the shattered halls of Brasca like a thunderclap. Loose bricks crumbled from gaping wounds in the castle walls, rent by the bombardment. Steel rang as Covenant halberds and spears drilled against burgundy-blazoned Veletzian shields. Soldiers screamed in victory, and despair. “BUILT BY A MAN DEDICATED TO HIS HOUSE, AND HIS COUNTRY. WHEN TRAGEDY STRUCK, AND THIS GREAT MAN WAS CALLED TO THE SKIES, HIS FAMILY FORGOT THE RIVER, AND ITS PEOPLE.” Boots thundered through the hallways, splashing through blood and mud. Ash and dust drifted through those halls, filming the rich red, gold, and white cloth of the Covenant banners and pennants. Between the Queen’s sentences, one of Brasca’s hoardings splintered apart and collapsed in a tide of jagged wood. “IT IS THAT BETRAYAL THAT HAS BROUGHT US HERE TODAY. TO SETTLE A DEBT, SPURRED BY THE LIES SOLD TO THEM OF A PROMISED LAND, FREE AND STRONG. THE DEBT OF A KEEP, BROKEN NOW LIKE THEIR BROKEN OATH.” As King Aleksandr brandished the blade Svetjlast, the order was given, and the vanguard pressed forward. An indistinguishable roar of commands and pride filled the lull in the Queen’s speech. The fletching of arrows whistled as the Veletzians loosed, and thunked into Covenant pavises and plates. “ON THIS DAY, WE CARVE THIS LESSON INTO VELETZ AND KRUGMAR WITH STEEL; THE LESSON OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY THINK WE WILL BE COWED BY THEIR THREATS.” Between arrows and javelins, the hero Vasili Vanrov danced unscathed. He broke away from the Covenant frontlines and the safety of the vanguard shields, and charged Brasca’s final gate. Veletz and Covenant alike thought him a madman, and so they watched with jaws agape as the gate groaned open, and Vanrov limped out. “NOW AND FOREVERMORE, WE WILL NOT BE COWED. WE WILL NOT BE CARRIED HELPLESS BY THE CURRENT OF THE RIVER, FOR WE ARE THE RIVER.” Like wind and wildfire, word of that day travelled. In Valdev, the tavern door was almost thrown off its hinges when a messenger threw it open, and proclaimed the victory at Brasca. “WE REFUSE TO BEND TO THEIR WILL. WE DENY THOSE WE SEEK TO CONTROL US. WE CONDEMN THOSE WHO HOST THE AGENTS OF AZDROMOTH.” In Vallagne, Regina von Theonus was one of many kneeling within the Church, her head bowed and her hands clasped in prayer. She whispered her thanks over and over again to the cross for the victory at Brasca, for that meant her husband would return from battle alive. “WE STAND HERE, TOGETHER, ATOP A GRIEVANCE SETTLED, AND A DEBT COLLECTED!” The vanguard surged. Led by Sigmar Baruch and Sigrun Stonehammer, the garrison broke into ribbons of red and steel. Faces painted with rage pressed the advantage as the lines fell apart, and the melee consumed the rubble-littered greathall of the keep. “WE STAND HERE, TOGETHER, WITH ANOTHER RIGHTEOUS VICTORY.” When the defenders abandoned the keep, and the cry of victory shook the stones still standing, the Petrine Knights named Atticus and Wilford threw their bloodied and bruised arms around each other, and embraced in sheer relief. “WE STAND HERE, TOGETHER, AS AUTHORS OF OUR OWN FATE!” Tankards were raised in the underhalls of Urguan. “WE STAND HERE!” The soldiers of Numendil clutched their blades, and dedicated their victory to Tonito. “TOGETHER!” Amidst the ash, the Keepers from Norland mumbled prayers as they held vigil over the burning dead. “VICTORIOUS!” The Yachstmen wiped their blades clean. “BRASCA! HAS! FALLEN!” Spoiler Thank you to Conor/Xarkly for writing the majority of this :) 47 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaladin Stormblessed 635 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Mikhail Colborn sat down on a stone outside the conquered keep and started cleaning his bloodied sword. "Their numbers have thinned" he simply noted with an amused smirk 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erictafoya 2309 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Leonid was there, on the Bloody Battle of Brasca. Despite being carried away in injury, he recalled the details of the battle from his own perspective and that of many of his surviving companions. He looked on to his work with a mixed expression of pride, solemn, and guilt. Had he just profited off of the demise of others? A conundrum indeed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destructokeith 621 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Sir Artel walks through the halls of the once proud Brasca keep, his saber drawn and still aflame he makes sure to spread the flames as he walks, burning paintings and banners as he goes, he thinks of the words of a child he met as he nears the stairs, making sure to set those steps ablaze as he passes, he keeps at his task until he leaves the ruined castle, the flames twisting towards the sky as The Flamebringer marches on. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andustar 2121 Share Posted December 10, 2023 "We stand triumphant, sister. May your reign raise the Commonwealth to greater heights yet!"Marcus looked up his twin with pride, honoured to stand by her side in the years to come. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteppeNomad 1552 Share Posted December 10, 2023 A machine priest looked upon the note and signed the holy cross "Reverence. GODAN forgive the pure men of Haense. For they have brought Anathema into their midst. They fight with ferry men to fight dragons. They had the chance to obliterate both in one war, yet the sin of mercy is given to the unrepentant." He turned away to the temple to look for forgiveness for the pure people 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xMuted 2461 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Sigrun 'Undeadslayer' Stonehammer nodded and regales his decimation of the Veletzian rally together with his new pal Sigmar. @Greehn 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByUniBearse.thumb.png.a4b527c03666cb1b844a73d69e6dd4b4.png)
Recommended Posts