Eternal
Year 30
The day has come at last, the Felkan capital; Dessel has been broken wide open. Its defenses have been shattered and all that’s left now is to scoop out the soft underbelly within.
“How long do you think they’ll hold out?” Roldan asks.
“A few more hours, perhaps even a day. No more I suspect. I have to admit that I thought the remaining Felkan ruling class would’ve surrendered long before now, let alone fight to the bitter end. I suppose they were still carrying out the will of their gnomish masters even though most of them are dead or soon will be.” You remark.
“I know they had a lot of influence and were responsible for the technological inventions along with running the merchant guilds, but do you really believe the Felkan Kingdom was run by gnomes?”
“Of course. Its what the Emperor believed and ultimately that’s been the purpose of this whole war, to eliminate the gnome threat. Happily with this final nail in the coffin, that’s been accomplished.”
“You know some of them probably escaped long before the war started going badly for the Felkans.”
“Perhaps, but I’m sure in time they will be found. The Emperor’s domain has already been extended much within the past few years alone, I’m sure eventually it will cover the entire world and in the long run all those that oppose the Emperor will be brought to justice. Either by me, or by someone else loyal to his service.”
“Well, until such time I’m just wondering where I’ll be assigned after all this. Personally I’m hoping to get a little free time so I can see my wife Brenda again. It’s been so long and I miss her. I’m sure you feel something similar about Alison.”
You pause for a moment before speaking.
“I will go where my duty takes me after this assignment. Alison understands that, she is a military woman after all.” You remark.
“Well of course, but I was just stating that it would be nice to take a break from duty for a moment to enjoy the company of someone you care about.”
“We’re Eternals Roldan. So is Brenda for that matter. Our existence is duty. You would do well to remember that.”
“I am aware of it! I was just…oh forget it.” Says and walks away from you.
You and Roldan have been a little less cordial to each other lately, then again the two of you never have quite “clicked” with each other for some reason. Actually there are probably several reasons on your side as well as his, but you aren’t going to waste your time pondering them since you are both able to work together in a professional manner and never engaged in anything other than the low level disagreements. As long as the respect is still there between you two, why bother analyzing it?
Besides this mission is nearly over now anyway. You’re fairly certain you’ll be reassigned somewhere else. You do wonder if you’ll get some down time as Roldan mentioned though.
If you do, you’re more than likely going to try to spend some of it with Alison, though you’ve still been going back and forth on how well that’s going to go when you tell her what happened two years ago. You certainly couldn’t tell her something like that in a letter and from what letters you’ve received from her she still doesn’t know. Mistress probably wouldn’t tell her to stir up chaos because it would be more fun letting you worry about it for all this time. You’re just glad you never had to help assist Mistress at Gnome’s Home again, though now you’re even wondering if that was ever a real order from the Emperor when it did occur.
You haven’t spoken to the Emperor directly or even indirectly in quite some time either. That’s actually been a little concerning to you as well. Still, you figure you soon will be when this is all over and the Felkans have finally been crushed once and for all.
You watch the capital smoke and burn in the distance. Occasionally a small explosion causes pieces of the already breached wall fly into several directions.
“Well I’m not going to miss out on all the fun, before it’s over.” You say to yourself and head towards the city.
As it turns out you don’t miss much. The city’s defenders consist of mostly children and elders at this point. They don’t provide too much resistance now that they have no walls to hide behind. The royal guard is still around but quick work is made of them. As for the royals themselves most of them took the coward’s way out. You find several of them lying dead at their lavish dinner table with several knocked over empty wine cups.
Upon further searching you find what you guess to be the royal bedroom and who you guess to be the Felkan king and queen lying dead in the bed. They must’ve taken the same poison since you see the same cups near the bodies. As you study the pair of them and how they are holding hands in death, you notice a crib in the corner of the room. While you’re inspecting this, Warrick walks in.
“Oh there you are. We’ve found that some of these rooms lead to a system of secret passages. We’ve already started to explore them, but we haven’t found anyone yet. I don’t even think they lead outside the city, just to other portions of the palace. Looks like we won.” Warrick remarks.
“Looks that way. Sort of a disappointing climax given how the Felkans insisted on dragging this out. Continue your search though; someone still might be hiding in them. You find any gnomes?”
“No and I don’t believe there are any in city either. At least no reports have popped up about any.”
“Guess we got all of them then. The Emperor will be pleased to hear that. Carry on.”
For the next few days you observe the destruction of Dessel. Roldan remarks that the city shouldn’t be destroyed, but rather appropriated by the Empire as it wouldn’t take much to rebuild the damage and would be easier than building a brand new city here. Orders are orders though. While the Emperor might’ve relaxed his zeal on burning every Felkan city to the ground, he was still pretty clear about the capital. You imagine he sees it as the last symbol of gnomish defiance.
In the middle of this process Jacob unexpectedly visits you.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.” You remark while sharpening your weapon.
“Well the Emperor wants to see you, plus I also have to speak with Roldan and Warrick about their next assignments, so I figured I might as well come here in person.” Jacob says looking around at the destruction. “So, it’s finally done. The Felkan Kingdom is no more. I have to admit, I was worried about this war on more than one occasion.”
“You don’t need to tell me, you told me on more than one occasion. You should’ve had more faith in the Emperor, he knew its destruction was inevitable.”
“Well, thanks in part to your actions no doubt.” Jacob says with a brief smile.
“I am merely the weapon which does the job. If you’re looking for Roldan, he’s in the large tent on that small hill over to the east. Warrick’s probably with him. I need to get going if the Emperor wishes to see me…is Mistress going to be there?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Good, don’t really need the negativity ruining this moment.” You remark and begin to leave.
“Um…there’s something else I need to talk to you about before you leave.” Jacob says hesitantly.
“What?”
“It’s about the Emperor, he’s uh…well…”
“He’s what?! What is he?! Jacob, just spit it out.”
“He’s sick.”
“What? Sick? That’s ridiculous! I’ve never known him to ever show illness.”
“I know it may seem hard to believe, but I’m telling you last time I spoke with him, he didn’t look well. He seemed very tired and just really pale.”
“He runs the Empire! Of course there’s going to be times he’s going to be tired! It has to be taxing keeping track of everything. As for being pale, he doesn’t exactly go skipping about in the sunlight you know.”
“I know all that. Look, just when you see him you’ll know what I’m talking about. I mean I’m sure the Emperor will live a very long time, but we should prepare…um…just in case…”
“Just in case what Jacob?” you ask beginning to get angry at the insinuation that the Emperor may die. Jacob sensing he’s overstepped a boundary quickly shuts up.
“Erm…nevermind. Forget I said anything. I’m worrying too much as usual…but still…(sigh) forget it. I’ll let you get on your way.”
You shake your head and begin to leave again, when Jacob once again stops you.
“Oh one more thing. Before you go see the Emperor, you’re supposed to make a visit to Gnome’s Home first.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Aren’t all the gnomes there dead by now?”
“Maybe, I dunno. Something to do with souls I think. I never did know exactly what went on there, and I don’t really think I want to know. All I do know is you’re supposed to assist.”
“Assist who? Mistress? I already assisted her once there and let’s just say what transpired wasn’t pleasant. She hasn’t needed my assistance for the past two years since that time, why does she need it now all of a sudden? Fuck that, I’m not helping her anytime soon. In fact if I saw her again, I’d probably kill the bitch after what happened last time!”
Jacob begins to step back from you.
“Easy now, I’m just the messenger here. I don’t even know if she’s there. It’s what the Emperor told me to tell you. I mean if you don’t want to do it, I suggest you take it up with him personally.”
At this point you might just do that. Nobody can question your loyalty or your dedication to the Emperor, but this request…its just asking too much. You thought he spoke with her about leaving you alone and she’s already ignored that. How long must you put up with this svelk bitch?
The day has come at last, the Felkan capital; Dessel has been broken wide open. Its defenses have been shattered and all that’s left now is to scoop out the soft underbelly within.
“How long do you think they’ll hold out?” Roldan asks.
“A few more hours, perhaps even a day. No more I suspect. I have to admit that I thought the remaining Felkan ruling class would’ve surrendered long before now, let alone fight to the bitter end. I suppose they were still carrying out the will of their gnomish masters even though most of them are dead or soon will be.” You remark.
“I know they had a lot of influence and were responsible for the technological inventions along with running the merchant guilds, but do you really believe the Felkan Kingdom was run by gnomes?”
“Of course. Its what the Emperor believed and ultimately that’s been the purpose of this whole war, to eliminate the gnome threat. Happily with this final nail in the coffin, that’s been accomplished.”
“You know some of them probably escaped long before the war started going badly for the Felkans.”
“Perhaps, but I’m sure in time they will be found. The Emperor’s domain has already been extended much within the past few years alone, I’m sure eventually it will cover the entire world and in the long run all those that oppose the Emperor will be brought to justice. Either by me, or by someone else loyal to his service.”
“Well, until such time I’m just wondering where I’ll be assigned after all this. Personally I’m hoping to get a little free time so I can see my wife Brenda again. It’s been so long and I miss her. I’m sure you feel something similar about Alison.”
You pause for a moment before speaking.
“I will go where my duty takes me after this assignment. Alison understands that, she is a military woman after all.” You remark.
“Well of course, but I was just stating that it would be nice to take a break from duty for a moment to enjoy the company of someone you care about.”
“We’re Eternals Roldan. So is Brenda for that matter. Our existence is duty. You would do well to remember that.”
“I am aware of it! I was just…oh forget it.” Says and walks away from you.
You and Roldan have been a little less cordial to each other lately, then again the two of you never have quite “clicked” with each other for some reason. Actually there are probably several reasons on your side as well as his, but you aren’t going to waste your time pondering them since you are both able to work together in a professional manner and never engaged in anything other than the low level disagreements. As long as the respect is still there between you two, why bother analyzing it?
Besides this mission is nearly over now anyway. You’re fairly certain you’ll be reassigned somewhere else. You do wonder if you’ll get some down time as Roldan mentioned though.
If you do, you’re more than likely going to try to spend some of it with Alison, though you’ve still been going back and forth on how well that’s going to go when you tell her what happened two years ago. You certainly couldn’t tell her something like that in a letter and from what letters you’ve received from her she still doesn’t know. Mistress probably wouldn’t tell her to stir up chaos because it would be more fun letting you worry about it for all this time. You’re just glad you never had to help assist Mistress at Gnome’s Home again, though now you’re even wondering if that was ever a real order from the Emperor when it did occur.
You haven’t spoken to the Emperor directly or even indirectly in quite some time either. That’s actually been a little concerning to you as well. Still, you figure you soon will be when this is all over and the Felkans have finally been crushed once and for all.
You watch the capital smoke and burn in the distance. Occasionally a small explosion causes pieces of the already breached wall fly into several directions.
“Well I’m not going to miss out on all the fun, before it’s over.” You say to yourself and head towards the city.
As it turns out you don’t miss much. The city’s defenders consist of mostly children and elders at this point. They don’t provide too much resistance now that they have no walls to hide behind. The royal guard is still around but quick work is made of them. As for the royals themselves most of them took the coward’s way out. You find several of them lying dead at their lavish dinner table with several knocked over empty wine cups.
Upon further searching you find what you guess to be the royal bedroom and who you guess to be the Felkan king and queen lying dead in the bed. They must’ve taken the same poison since you see the same cups near the bodies. As you study the pair of them and how they are holding hands in death, you notice a crib in the corner of the room. While you’re inspecting this, Warrick walks in.
“Oh there you are. We’ve found that some of these rooms lead to a system of secret passages. We’ve already started to explore them, but we haven’t found anyone yet. I don’t even think they lead outside the city, just to other portions of the palace. Looks like we won.” Warrick remarks.
“Looks that way. Sort of a disappointing climax given how the Felkans insisted on dragging this out. Continue your search though; someone still might be hiding in them. You find any gnomes?”
“No and I don’t believe there are any in city either. At least no reports have popped up about any.”
“Guess we got all of them then. The Emperor will be pleased to hear that. Carry on.”
For the next few days you observe the destruction of Dessel. Roldan remarks that the city shouldn’t be destroyed, but rather appropriated by the Empire as it wouldn’t take much to rebuild the damage and would be easier than building a brand new city here. Orders are orders though. While the Emperor might’ve relaxed his zeal on burning every Felkan city to the ground, he was still pretty clear about the capital. You imagine he sees it as the last symbol of gnomish defiance.
In the middle of this process Jacob unexpectedly visits you.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.” You remark while sharpening your weapon.
“Well the Emperor wants to see you, plus I also have to speak with Roldan and Warrick about their next assignments, so I figured I might as well come here in person.” Jacob says looking around at the destruction. “So, it’s finally done. The Felkan Kingdom is no more. I have to admit, I was worried about this war on more than one occasion.”
“You don’t need to tell me, you told me on more than one occasion. You should’ve had more faith in the Emperor, he knew its destruction was inevitable.”
“Well, thanks in part to your actions no doubt.” Jacob says with a brief smile.
“I am merely the weapon which does the job. If you’re looking for Roldan, he’s in the large tent on that small hill over to the east. Warrick’s probably with him. I need to get going if the Emperor wishes to see me…is Mistress going to be there?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Good, don’t really need the negativity ruining this moment.” You remark and begin to leave.
“Um…there’s something else I need to talk to you about before you leave.” Jacob says hesitantly.
“What?”
“It’s about the Emperor, he’s uh…well…”
“He’s what?! What is he?! Jacob, just spit it out.”
“He’s sick.”
“What? Sick? That’s ridiculous! I’ve never known him to ever show illness.”
“I know it may seem hard to believe, but I’m telling you last time I spoke with him, he didn’t look well. He seemed very tired and just really pale.”
“He runs the Empire! Of course there’s going to be times he’s going to be tired! It has to be taxing keeping track of everything. As for being pale, he doesn’t exactly go skipping about in the sunlight you know.”
“I know all that. Look, just when you see him you’ll know what I’m talking about. I mean I’m sure the Emperor will live a very long time, but we should prepare…um…just in case…”
“Just in case what Jacob?” you ask beginning to get angry at the insinuation that the Emperor may die. Jacob sensing he’s overstepped a boundary quickly shuts up.
“Erm…nevermind. Forget I said anything. I’m worrying too much as usual…but still…(sigh) forget it. I’ll let you get on your way.”
You shake your head and begin to leave again, when Jacob once again stops you.
“Oh one more thing. Before you go see the Emperor, you’re supposed to make a visit to Gnome’s Home first.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Aren’t all the gnomes there dead by now?”
“Maybe, I dunno. Something to do with souls I think. I never did know exactly what went on there, and I don’t really think I want to know. All I do know is you’re supposed to assist.”
“Assist who? Mistress? I already assisted her once there and let’s just say what transpired wasn’t pleasant. She hasn’t needed my assistance for the past two years since that time, why does she need it now all of a sudden? Fuck that, I’m not helping her anytime soon. In fact if I saw her again, I’d probably kill the bitch after what happened last time!”
Jacob begins to step back from you.
“Easy now, I’m just the messenger here. I don’t even know if she’s there. It’s what the Emperor told me to tell you. I mean if you don’t want to do it, I suggest you take it up with him personally.”
At this point you might just do that. Nobody can question your loyalty or your dedication to the Emperor, but this request…its just asking too much. You thought he spoke with her about leaving you alone and she’s already ignored that. How long must you put up with this svelk bitch?