OOC: This thread is a part of the mini-event here that plays into the larger, Connlaothian Civil War event here. Please post in the plotting thread for said event if interested in joining. This is an open thread with approval only- you can not just join this thread unless you've already discussed your character's position with me :) Thanks!
There is no posting order in this particular thread- just be respectful and I ask you to be at least active enough to post once a week so we can keep this thread moving and it doesn't go stagnant.
:)
THIS THREAD IS A PRE-ATTACK MEET AND GREET THREAD PRIOR TO WHEN THE FIGHTING BEGINS. Only soldiers and characters that would be at the fort prior to the attack would post here :)
Please familiarize yourself with the Fort Locations, as they will be mentioned alot here and should also be mentioned when your character moves within the fort to other locations within this thread.[/size]
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Spring time was far from over, and autumn was too short for comfort. Too few crops this year and too early a frost had a lot of the Connlaothians worried about the winter. Snowfall never occurred this early, but it was everywhere, at least a foot of it- and it was fresh. The last time this happened, the winter lasted half a year- and that was before most of their times.
But work was work, and there was a war to be had- and
General Serenus had found himself the next unfortunate sod to be stationed at the large, but prestigious Fort Dhagh that rested just at the foot of the Kilanthro's. The weather was even colder here, being so close to Hyoite, and like his men, he felt the irritation and early onset of fatigue from the snow.
The stable tower walls and east field tower walls still needed fixing. Both were still in their crude, wooden state when the fort was hastily built, and the stone masons and miners had been working around the clock to see all of the walls fortifying the place were tough and thick with new stone reinforcements. But no one could have predicted this earlier winter, and a lot of the men were falling ill and could not work as long as they needed to- not in this biting cold weather. So the wall progress slowed to a crawl.
Though Serenus was growing older, he was the
Grand Duke's best man- and though it was almost a slap to the face to be taken off the battle grounds across the kingdom and stationed here- he accepted it with pride. Perhaps it would do his old bones some good to remain stationed; and Fort Dhagh had a lot of appeal. Though it didn't stop some of the rumors for spreading as to why he was there- after all, it was almost public knowledge now that General Serenus had been saved by a mage healer- and that made a lot of folks who supported the Grand Duke worried.
Though it had never been said out loud, Serenus knew enough what was being said and knew this was punishment enough for justifying his open support of
Solita, the healer- though it was not to his surprise when her presumed lover was also sent along north and stationed here as well.
Killian Gryst had risen quickly in rank and favor with the Grand Duke- and was actually beginning his training as a knight when the rumors spread to the public. He wasn't sure who leaked that information, but he had a hunch
Zannrick (possibly a man stationed below even him) was to blame. This could also be in thanks to the healing girl, who's fate, neither of them could foresee. She was in the Grand Duke's hands now- and that very bit of information was hushed. No one knew who she was her what she as doing- but Grand Duke Allarick had taken interest- and that was that.
With the cold winds blowing in, General Serenus was making his rounds along the
Northern Wall, and had made it to the
North Watch Tower when a familiar soldier caught his eyes.
"Ah, Killian, I see you're on night watch, hope you're not afraid of heights," he said, patting the younger soldier on his shoulder as he smiled. "See anything interesting in the forests?"
Killian, surprised to find the General approaching him, gave an awkward smile and laugh through a puff of white breath.
"Nothing to see yet, sir. Just forests and snow, more snow." The young man's blue eyes went out into the forests. The snowfall had just started but a hour ago and it seemed they were due for another foot or two of fresh snow come the morning.
"It's peaceful," Killian murmured, blue eyes wavering as they took in the sparkling flakes of white snow- They glittered and fell, much like the start dust that was normally evident in the night sky- but now it was fogged over by heavy clouds, yet the moon managed to break through at an opening and lined everything in silver.
"What brings you to North watch tower?" the soldier asked curiously as he looked over at Serenus, but the man said nothing at first as he smiled and patted Killian on the shoulder again.
"Just inspecting my new territory. With work on the walls delayed, I'm putting in extra effort for men to be stationed along the walls- especially those still of wood."
"How long do you think that will take to complete?"
The General shook his head, "Now that I can't say. You volunteering?" he asked whit a grin.
Killian laughed and turned his head bashfully away. "Not unless you want it to be done soon. I don't know the first thing about building a wall."
"Aye, not all of the men do," Serenus said sagely and gave a nod. "Well, keep up the good work soldier, and keep your eyes on the snow. If there'll be any sort of attack, it would be coming more likely from the west- so keep your chin up your still stationed on stone."
Killian gave an uncertain, breathy laugh but peered over at the General as he was walking away.
"What do you mean the west? Do you think someone would actually attack us here in this weather?"
The General paused briefly in his stride to shrug as he peered back at Killian.
"You never know, Killian. We're at war- and with the change in weather, men can get desperate." And with that, he proceeded to step outside of the tower and continued his rounds along the
walls.
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OOC: If you want to run into Serenus, just let me know which wall you're running into him at XD other wise, Killian is stationed by himself at the North Watch Tower.