S3E3 - The Celestine Tower

(horses hooves and carts in mud people voices working to get things moved and blockades stood up.)
Ayla Forsythe
(narration. Slow, flowing and poetic) 1523 First Snowfall. Squire Ayla Forsythe pikeman of the 4th infantry. This journal I hope to pass on to my father so he may see the deeds of his daughter and feel he sired something other than another plowman whose hands were raw from the lines of the ox under a yoke. This is far from that life, and rarely does something here remind me of it. But I do miss it. I miss our rolling fields of corn and the groves of tomatoes.
(laughing gently) Ha! The knight as my witness I even miss mucking out the stalls in the morning before the sun gets too warm. I miss the sun.
These days have been over cast in a milky white and grey haze both from the clouds far above and the large bonfires ablaze to rally around behind these cold high walls. They keep us warmth and keep light at night. A light that gives us a false sense of security, like the candle in my baby brother's room. Something to chase back nightmares and shadows so they may rest.
But the tower behind me does far more to scare away any shadow I could imagine. For anyone who has never seen it... it is truly a sight to behold.
When I first came within a days journey from it I could see it in the distance silhouetted against the setting sun. Almost menacing. After that evenings camp in the soft grasses by the side the central road I rose and began the morning ritual of preparing the coffee. The breeze was gentle as I prepared the coals from the evening with the small kettle. I was startled by the chirping cry of some small birds fluttering a bit close to our camp.
(Surprised sound followed by gasping in Awe)
I looked up and saw that tower in the dawn's golden light behind me. My breath was lost in the morning dew cast about on the tall grasses. The distant ivory color I imagined was glowing in amber and gold as if warmly in greeting, or welcoming us. As we traveled
closer the details became more clear.
The Central tower ascends 1200 feet into the sky, easily providing the assisted eye with the ability to see the whole valley I imagined from its flat top. The mere thought of standing upon that high, simple 20 ft wide platform... the feeling of soft wind at my back... made my head reel. Six relatively smaller towers stood alongside it about half that height surrounded by a 60 foot high wall encircling them for almost a half mile in any direction. Made of Creamy Limestone with Parapets, walkways and accents of a deep blue travertine.
As we ascended our cart up the hill to the large central gate I noticed the ground it rests on is majestic as well. Standing in the center of the flat glen valley is 20 miles square of hills with the Staghorn river that runs from them north to Tova, then into the south of Darkovnia where it enters the sea north of Bemil Bay.
The hills are covered in the soft velvet of thick grass common to the whole glen, covering them like a carpet. Though this time of year they were laid flat and browned from the time of the first frost a few weeks ago. When I first arrived here 6 months ago the soft emerald grass and sweet-tart smelling violet and white meadow-flowers were calming and delicate despite the sense of overwhelming power they lived by. Now they were laid below a shallow layer of snow.
A snow that in our camp churned up the cart ruts to a cold mud that clung to our clothes and smelled of dust and rot.
silvie
(grunting) Ugh... hmm.. Hey... Ayla?
Ayla Forsythe
(zoned out suprised) huh.. wha...
silvie
(exasperated) Put your book down and help me with this platform will you? (grunt)
Ayla Forsythe
(apologetic)Oh! yes. Yes of course Silvie.
(BOTH grunting to lift something very heavy over a stone in the way.)
silvie
(under strain of lifting heavy) That's it... Just a little more to me here...
(relief as it falls into place) Yes!
Ayla Forsythe
(relieved and panting) Whew! Is that the last of it?
silvie
(proud) Yes. This now will be the base of the war machine.
(smiling) they build it tomorrow.
(laughs) Not us this time! You just get to run it.
Ayla Forsythe
(laughs)
silvie
You will do great.
(sighs) Not the same as being up front like we trained for but... you just show them what we can do!
Ayla Forsythe
(narrating) I nodded at her as she turned to walk away. Silvie was my company's Captain and a great leader. The whole company respected her as if she were our mother, but she was more the older sister.
Silvie
(off screen) Gustav! How are you?
(in jest) Too heavy? (laughs)
Ayla Forsythe
(Narration) I saw her greeting another brother in the company who was drinking from a waterskin, resting after setting up his barricade as well. Her powerful jaw was pulled back in her genuine smile we had come to expect and look forward to.
I looked back at my barricade. The 5 ft Wooden stakes were sharpened to points and arranged in a menacing spiral down the 8 ft length of it.
gustav
(calling out) Ayla, looks good!
(laughing while walking over) Hahaha! Ah... I think these positions are about as good as these are going to get.
Ayla Forsythe
Gustav... Do you think this will stop them?
gustav
(thinking) hmmm.. In theory it should at least slow them down from reaching the gate I suppose.
Ayla Forsythe
(narrating) I looked back at the main gate behind me. The massive twin doors were 40 ft high and 40 ft wide each. Made of Oak bound with heavy Iron Beams they swung outward though that was rare.
gustav
(pointing) Especially the pet doors. (laugh)
Ayla Forsythe
(narrating) We all nick named the 12 foot square portcullis on the right door "the pet door" This was the gate we actually used to enter and exit the tower courtyard normally. The main gate to my knowledge was rarely used... in fact once I thought more on it... I had NEVER seen it open.
SFX Door transition
(sounds of the dinner hall inside the gates.)
skotmir
Mmm... now THAT smells pretty good to me. Lets hurry up.
vix
(to keldor) Do you honestly think we will be welcomed as some... "great help?"
(looks around as they walk) ...seems to me they have everything under control.
sophie
Anyone can need help, Vix. (introspectively as she walks) ...Many times those that appear to not need it... are those that actually need it the most.
elloveve
(smiling) well said Sophie.
cordelia
wow... this place is beautiful.
Nar - Keldor
Cordelia ran her hand along the smooth limestone in the hallway as she walked. Pulling her hand away briefly to not disturb the thread bare old banner. The crown and sword were embroidered with a thin gold thread against the deep blue heart of the emblem. A blue that though had faded slightly in places was obviously cared for by the resident Knights.
Vix
The flow of magic here is strong... (grinning) raw. Almost primal isn't it?
cordelia
Is that the...
vix
...dragon magic? (sniff) Absolutely. Ancient and powerful... but untamed.
Nar - Keldor
Vix took a moment to let it course through him. In almost 100 years he hadn't felt this intensity of the ancient flow of magic hidden within the walls. He was well accustomed to the chaos of wild magic, in fact its what gave him his nickname. Vix the Chaotic.
vix
Its perfect in its power. To be sure... it echoes with the power of creation itself. (snapping back from a trance) er... ahem..Cordelia.
Nar - Keldor
Cordelia raised a single thin black eye brow.
cordelia
Indeed.
Nar - Keldor
we entered the central dining hall for the west section of the tower... located on the second floor. The first floor was divided into quadrants, consisting of 4 Armories and supply storage. The vast dining hall was originally built to cater to 4000 individuals in 3 rolling shifts. Upon entry we could see this was a poor expectation to have...
Zorin
Um... is this all that remains of the Knights posted here? Skotmir would your people answer the call if we were to reach them?
skotmir
If we had a month to reach the Garnet Mountains and another to come back... Maybe.
nar - keldor
I saw the look on Skotmir's face. This troubled him... but I knew it wasn't the journey. He held his ghosts of war in the past as well.
skotmir
I... I could try but doubt I'd be able to...
keldor
(interrupting) Unfortunately...
(beat) We don't have time.
nar - keldor
Skotmir looked at me with a thankful smile on his face. Thankful for my interruption I hoped. His ghosts would have to continue to wait to find peace I supposed.
lord alvar
Hail Keldor! (laughs as he clasps hands in greeting)
Keldor
(chuckles) Hail Lord Alvar!
Nar - Keldor
Lord Alvar formerly was our instructor within these very walls almost 3 decades ago. Many memories of that time flooded over me. I could see the 6 of us sitting in this very dining hall by the door. I bet if I looked hard enough at that table's grain it would tell our stories better than any book. Or possibly the wooden swords in the squire's training area. I couldn't help but smile at belonging somewhere again.
elloveve
(Pleasant) Hail Lord Alvar!
lord alvar
Elloveve! You look the same as when I last saw you. (Chuckles as they shake hands) Pity.
(beat) I seem to have misplaced my supposed elven heritage many years ago.
elloveve
Well you still look as strong as ever.
lord alvar
Ha! You speak such wonderful lies my dear.
(suddenly serious) Elloveve if you would... please, bring your friends and follow me. We need to talk.
Nar - Keldor
We walked through the seating area past the familiar long wooden tables, the reddish tones of the wood oiled and polished though they shared their own darkened battle scars as well from years of use. They faithfully served those stationed here as a place to rest for a moment, converse and take in a meal. The smells from the hall resonated citrus, steamed rice and smoked trout. arriving at the far end of the room we came to the second entrance to the great warroom of the Celestine Tower.
lord alvar
(motioning into the room) Now I realize you're probably wanting a bit of refreshment following your journey let me ask one of our folks coming in to assist.
calling out the doorway
You there! Private!
Ayla Forsythe
Hail Lord Alvar.
(beat) How may I assist you?
lord alvar
Can you request a spread for 10 from the galley? (pause thinking) Hmm...
Nar - Keldor
He saw skotmir's face.
lord alvar
Better make it 11.
Ayla Forsythe
Absolutely, consider it done.
lord alvar
thank you...
(pause questioning) A...
Ayla Forsythe
(slight polite chuckle) Ayla sir. Ayla Forsythe.
lord alvar
(chuckles) Of course. Forgive my memory. Thank you Ayla.
door shut
Keldor
Well (chuckle) you are still sharp as ever
lord alvar
(chuckle) Ha! usually I got that treatment from Erebus.
(beat) How is he?
Nar - Keldor
The mention of our old friend stung more than I thought it would. Especially the genuine smile on Alvar's face. He didn't know.
elloveve
he's gone... Alvar.
(sigh) as are Lorahana, Elona and...
lord alvar
(sigh) Ah... Yes I... heard about Lucilius... I assumed and hoped... though.
elloveve
They... Are their children.
lord alvar
(slightly happier) By the Knightlord's hand.
(beat) I can spot the look of Lorahana with you child. Am I correct?
cordelia
She was my mother sir.
lord alvar
And you seem to carry a similar... sacred fire about you as well! (chuckles)
nar - keldor
Lord Alvar was the keenest at spotting people's strengths. His grey eyes were never the best at seeing the physical world and now I could see the pupils hazy with the fog of age. His proud beard looked coarser and wiry. The former blonde casting a slight gold at the corners of his mouth and his head was now greatly thinning on top. The long hair pulled back from the temples and sides in proud warriors braids still. He was once tall now the weight of the world had pressed our old mentor down slightly. Though... I could tell none of this... had dampened his valor and spirit. He met the rest of the group in turn and only at the end did he take pause.
lord alvar
(analyzing) Hmmm... You are...(slight gasp) Heh! Well. You obviously carry the blood of Lucilius... but your eyes. Those eyes are none other than Elona the Fair... To be sure!
benedict
(bows) My lord I wish to serve you and this order as my parents before me.
lord alvar
(turns to Keldor) Your take on this potential squire Keldor? Or of course you Elloveve?
elloveve
He is a valiant warrior. Young... but righteous.
Keldor
I echo Elloveves... Assessment. Benedict's service I believe can benefit the order and his goals are noble. I.. I wish to assist him in reclaiming his name and rightful place at Garnet Keep.
lord alvar
Yes. (beat in introspect) So it shall be.
(snapping back to purpose) Lamprey... I see you received our message. And thank you for bringing everyone here. As you can see our situation is grave and all of you are needed... I fear.
Nar - Keldor
Alvar looked worn down. More so than years could state. Suddenly the familiar smell of salty chicken steamed with local spices and root vegetables entered the room before the soldiers accompanying them did.
We turned to find 3 young knights and their Captain bringing in 4 large serving bowls of the steaming stewed chicken with 4 large loaves of fresh bread. Memory flooded over me. I... Remembered Erebus laughing at the table with Lucilius over some joke. Elona easily laughing alongside them. Lora was a bit quieter... like myself but we still needed and enjoyed their company. This was the day Elloveve first joined our unit as scout archer. I looked at her now and she smiled knowingly.
lord alvar
Ah! here it is. Familiar to some of you I'm sure.
(proudly teasing) hasn't changed.
lamprey
and just as welcome sir.
gustav
welcome back friends.
nar - keldor
The powerful young man bowed as did the other 3 of his group. Early 20's I gathered. Even the Captain wasn't much older than Benedict.
Vix
Thank you. For your hospitality.
Nar - Keldor
I recognized the embroidered ball crowned in flames that graced their tunic's left breast. I turned to the Captain
keldor
Trebuchet. Correct?
Silvie
Yessir. Newly formed.
elloveve
What unit were you with before?
Silvie
We were part of the 8th Infantry.
nar - keldor
Elloveve nodded in acknowledgement.
Keldor
Well my brothers and sisters... May the Knight and Maiden guide your hand on the battlefield.
Silvie
Thank you sir.
Nar - Keldor
They turned and left the room. When I heard the door shut I turned to Alvar, this time with more urgency to help my old friend expedite to the point.
Keldor
Trebuchet Alvar?...
(sigh) then tell me... when do you expect their siege?
door transition
carts in mud at a camp. Orc grunts and human laughter. Cruel. A orc is jogging out of the crowd into a tent.
rogmesh
(panting) M... Move!
(3 heavy breaths stop jogging and catch breath through next line)
rassler
(hissing unnaturally) Hooooold... Staaate your Naaame and Puurrposssse...
rogmesh
(panting) Rog.. Rogmesh Tuskborn with...
(pant) a message for Mistress Dabria...
Nar - Keldor
The camp was ankle deep in thick mud churned up from the invaders activity. Heavy carts laden with crude swords, lances and shields passed between the various tents and campfires. The air was cold and the breath froze for a moment in slow fog when leaving their mouths. The scents were faint of the dirt and wet ground with occasional foul and rancid overtones. The units all had setup their own base of operations. The Infantry were primarily orc and human units. There were also several Blue dragons at the far end of the camp leading with their riders and an undead legion.
It was here that Rogmesh found themselves standing. A deep silence became apparent. Rogmesh for once could feel a chill race up their back as reality set in. The soldiers here didn't move. They had no need to. They were already dead, including the guard as Rassler before him.
rassler
(hissing) enter...
Nar - Keldor
Rassler pulled the curtain back revealing a room with 2 figures standing around a table discussing quietly. One was cloaked the shadows of dark hooded robes, A vibrant spear in one hand. The faint jawline was all that was visible. They were talking to a young woman who was leaning over the map on the coarse wooden table. A finger place marking the discussion from an anticipated interruption. Her canary blonde hair was cut short to the scalp framing her taught skin around the high cheekbones. Thin lips were emotionless as her gold eyes looked up at her new... Guest.
dabria
Yes? What brings you here... swordsman?
rogmesh
(gulping in fear) Umm... a letter. a letter from our spies on the front lines... Mistress Dabria.
dabria
Excellent. Put it here.
Nar - Keldor
She motioned with her other dark gloved hand to the table. As he placed the envelope on the table with the black wax seal facing up, he paused. Rogmesh noticed her dark black armor was fitted with a skull at the center. This was just below a single goats horn that swung from a length of cord around her neck. The armor hugged closely to her torso with short blue-black pauldrons at the shoulders, accented with small wisps of smoke that seeped from it disappearing in the air only an inch or 2 above... She bored her eyes into him without. Saying. A word...
una
(condescendingly) Are you still here? Or is there something else my little carrier pigeon?
rogmesh
(hastily)N..No mistress Una I meant no disrespect I...
dabria
(hissing) but yet you give it... Leave us... NOW!
rogmesh
(panicing flight out of the tent) Oh! Y..Yes! Forgive me!
SFX dashing out of the tent and fade to room quiet.
dabria
Well what DO they have to say in this letter my Dark Sister?
una
Let us find out, shall we?
Nar - Keldor
Dabria ran a sharp fingernail along the wax seal shaped with a stylized D. A common symbol used by some merchants to mark their documents when they were too cheap to have their own seal made. The corner of her lips pulled back, cruelly.
dabria
Well it seems his heir is now in the Tower itself.
una
Excellent news, my Dark Sister. Our assault in the morning should prove... most interesting.
SFX Door transition