CHAPTER 2
"The hour is nigh!" sounds the harbinger's bell upon the twisting stone paths below. The fires roar at this precipice.
The guns of the city mounted above at a much higher section of the wall; and the archers are at standby. All aiming through the pinholes of the impenetrable wall of wrought bronze. You then, stand ready at the supplementary wall's palisades, the one that holds the gate itself. The lawmaster stands ready at the wide causeway that connects the two perimeters; overlooking the drop below, you can almost catch him licking his lips at the prospect of dropping boiling things and bolts at the heads of them.
"The hour is nigh!"
The general walks next to you, the metal clamping the ground shaking it.
"I must ask you something that has been bothering me. Why is it that you did not send for your legions to defend the outernmost cities? "
"You ask this now? You see the reason before you. I assigned Modoc as the single point of refuge; pride ever waning must be restored here. I knew about such tragedies, of sorcery, long before their full might could be unleashed. What, you think me tactless? You think I did not send for my legions for the head of Mildrich, and others of his sect? No, his head is my office. What remains here is a vain attempt at cornering the last remains of human pride. Such evil must not be allowed to win, even if at a great loss. We will kill the head of the snake here and end this attack"
"Do you know who my father was?"
"I only know that he was a small ally to Baelund that proved himself greater than his nature."
"Greater than his nature?"
"Meaning that he was a petty chief; his armies were no more than 100 strong. All of them died, including himself. But he bore a son. That son was too of small importance, but in all honesty, the one achievement in his entire life, was leading the small cavalry charge that would eventually lead to the breaking of Dagmar-Legion. A twist of fate, perhaps, that such a small thing could have permanence. Two sons, in his small glory he had bore. And then 7 after the only survivor had slain a Wyrmbeast. By pure occasion you are standing besides me."
"What of my brothers?"
"None of them made it here. I lied to you, I am sorry. I thought it would bring you some joy. You had a sister as well. You are the last surviving one your lineage. "
"That is one more thing resting on my shoulders."