Worlds Collide

Hello? Anyone out there? I think I’ve managed to hack into this blog to get some kind of news of the outside world. I’m not sure what’s been going on, but I’m currently stuck in an warehouse in Los Angeles. I managed to find this place after the accident. Well, at least that’s what we’re calling it.

So if there’s anyone out there that can get back to me, please tell me that I’m not the only survivor.

There were 6 of us when it all began. I’m not sure what happened, but people started plopping to the ground, dying. I mean literally. It’s like something out of a movie, I thought I was dreaming. I managed to find people who weren’t dying, then we started looking around for more survivors. They came out nowhere. I’m not even sure what they were! All we saw were dark shapes flitting around in the street we happened to be walking down.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. We ran away as fast as we could, the others were overtaken, one after another. I think I managed to actually pee in my pants from fright.

Anyways, this is a call for help, I think I’ve found out what they are, but I have to go! I think I hear them coming! If I survive, I’ll try to hack into something again.

Please! Someone send help! My name is Jim Barnaby! Please get back to me!

[edit: posted about 5 pm – but the stupid settings are being IDIOTS!!!]

It seems pretty unanimous to me! Lucian will be asking the seer for help. And 8 of you voted! EIGHT! WOW! Thanks so much! ::grins::

Let’s see. What else will the post contain. Hrmm. Perhaps a view of Ryall’s downfall? Maybe? (;

Perhaps. Perhaps a shared vision? Maybe (;

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.

You people. (; Women’s liberation in a medieval, fantasy story. How I love you all. ::chuckles:: Actually, Lucian and the nearby elven kingdom are actually pretty open-minded about women being fighters and the like. Very ahead of their time. (;

So. Solstice will go and fight with the men. Rock.

What else – ah. Yes. The funeral for the old king. ::nods::

Lucian comes to a full stop, looking toward the door. The whisperings were slightly louder now. He pushes open the door slowly, peering around the door to see who was behind the door. He saw Libby with Nara. He lofts a brow, curious.

“Libby, do you think he fancies you?” Nara’s voice was tentative, as if she was asking this shyly.

“I do not think he even knows that much about me, other than what Lucian tells him.” Libby sighs softly. Lucian finishes looking around, seeing the two girls seated near a fire. He smiles faintly.

“Surely you cannot think Jarrod is like that.” Nara frowns. “He always seems so – kind.”

“Of course he does. That is how he truly is…” Libby breaks off. Lucian shakes his head and retreats. He did not need to intrude any further. He closes the door softly and continues his search for Jarrod. His emotions were weighing heavily upon him, but there was little he could do about it right now.

“Sire? Sire!” The sound of a frantic voice comes down the hall. Lucian looks up, seeing a guard standing near the end of the passageway.

“What is it, Tomas?” Lucian moves forward, frowning.

“We are under attack! Ryall’s forces have begun a march upon the east side of the city!” Tomas darts toward Lucian.

“He has done what? The fool.” Lucian stalks down the hallway, meeting Tomas halfway. “Sound the alarm. Call all able-bodied people to arms. It is time we met these forces face to face and not over walls.”

“Lucian?” Jarrod’s voice from a nearby door. He appears in the doorway, along with Nicholas, and the seer. “What is the trouble?”

“Ryall marches upon the east side of the city. We must press back his forces.” Lucian veers toward Jarrod.

“Aye, it is time. The men have been called?” Jarrod looks about the room absently, seemingly in search of something.

“Tomas is off to sound the alarm. We should go – and quickly.” Lucian looks to Nicholas and Solstice.

“I am ready, Lucian. I have said I will join with your cause. That includes the use of my sword.” Nicholas grins. “Besides, I can most likely tell you where it is best to strike.”

“Aye, you could at that.” Lucian nods. “We will get you a sword. We must move quickly.” He looks to Solstice.

“The choice to join us is yours, my lady. I have the feeling you are more than capable of holding your own within a fight. However, I will not put you at risk if it is not your own choice.” Lucian looks at her very carefully.