The fighting between the two sides was fierce. Solstice fought as well as any trained man – or woman, just as Lucian had predicted. She had opted to join them rather than stay in the castle and hide. Lucian planned the battle carefully, calling orders from just behind the lines. The women and children were evacuated first. Those women who wished to fight stayed. The rest took the children to the other side of the city, where shelters were being erected to house those left homeless.
Nicholas poured over the maps with Lucian and Jarrod, showing them where Ryall’s troops were most likely to attack – and how. Solstice also watched the battle plan unfold. She had nothing to add in this moment, but she stood with them, just in case something came to her. Once the plan was agreed upon, it was put into action. The kingdom guards and townspeople were able to fight Ryall’s men back over a series of five days, finally defeating them completely. Many died. Some escaped. Still others were taken captive, for now.
The townspeople began to clean up their homes and streets as Lucian went back to the castle for two things. He began to plan his father’s funeral and he began plans to fortify the city. He did not wish to have a repeat of what had just occurred. The funeral finally took place a full week after the king’s death. His body was paraded through town, toward the docks. Everyone in the kingdom turned out for it. Word had been sent to outlying villages and as many who could come arrived as soon as possible to line the streets to watch his body’s journey to the water. At the water, the body was laid upon a small boat, lined with wood, flowers, and small gifts. Lucian held a bow, a quiver of arrows slung over a shoulder. He watched as the guards pushed the boat away from the docks. Lucian waited until the current caught the body, then lit the end of one arrow afire from a candle a nearby man was holding. He fired the arrow at the boat. The assembly of people watched in silence as the boat – and the king – caught fire, still sailing out to see.
“I will see you again, Father.” Lucian’s only words.
After the funeral rites, things began to return to a more normal pace. Lucian’s plans for fortifying the city were put into motion. Jarrod and Nicholas went off to oversee the construction. Lucian was left alone to try and plan how to once and for all end Ryall’s siege of his lands. He ignored the council’s advice he have the coronation rites performed. He had more pressing matters, he said. Much more pressing matters. And now – he was not sure what to do. Where to go.
“A penny for your thoughts, Lucian.” The seer’s voice breaks him out of his melancholy survey of the current plans and maps on his desk in his office. He looks up, lofting a brow. He gets to his feet, offering a weary smile to her.
“I am not certain they are worth as much as that, Solstice. Please, have a seat.” He gestures to the chair in front of his desk.
“Perhaps I can help…” Solstice looks at him expectantly, a faint smile upon her lips.
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Sorry, Just had to get that out into the open…
Don’t be a prideful man Lucian! O: Accept some HELP. xD
Thanks Rick!! (=
Sarah – think he can do it?!