Eternal
Year 32
“It’s not just a celebration for Roldan, it’s the celebration of the victory over the Felkans.” You remark.
“I know that, but why is he getting a special parade? Roldan wasn’t the only one who brought down the Felkan Kingdom! He wasn’t even the only general!” Alison exclaims.
“He was involved in the brunt of the major conflicts, including most of the vital forts and cities and most importantly the last siege on the Felkan capital.” You reply.
“As I recall YOU played a major role along with several others!”
“Well Roldan’s also been making great progress in eliminating the gnolls tribes on our western borders too. We probably won’t be having any trouble with them anymore at the rate he’s going.”
“And as I recall YOU also played a major role in that during the Felkan War! Hell, so did I and continued to do so long after you got transferred to the frontlines! Shit, if it hadn’t been for us keeping those mongrel barbarians back who knows how the war would’ve turned out?”
“Alison why are you so angry about this?”
“I just don’t understand why you aren’t getting a big parade or accolades either.” Alison says as she finishes getting dressed.
“I dunno, I’m not really concerned about it though.” You reply apathetically. “Besides you know I don’t care for all this kind of pomp and flash that comes with these sorts of celebrations anyway. If I didn’t have to be here out of formality I wouldn’t even be attending.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t seem fair that you’ve been getting punished just because you married me.”
“Here we go, this concept again…”
Alison goes into her usual rant about how since you got married to her, you’ve been getting less important assignments. She feels that the Emperor has been punishing you by keeping you in the background while allowing Roldan to take more of a prominent role such as sending him to conquer the gnoll tribes of the west.
You can see this argument, and you have even entertained it a bit from time to time, but ultimately you’ve dismissed it, mainly because despite everything you’re still reporting directly to the Emperor. You’re still his most trusted of all his advisors.
You’re still his son.
Besides its not like you’re sitting around doing nothing. The Emperor has just been keeping you closer to home because this is where you’re currently needed. With the recently acquired Felkan territory and the westward expansion, the Eyes are a little stretched so you’ve mostly been trying to eliminate the new bandit havens popping up in the old Felkan territory along with helping to fend off any desperate gnoll raids that attempt to sneak through. You’re also supposed to be making sure the new “citizens” aren’t planning to rebel, but given how badly they were beaten down, they’re just glad that you’re allowing them to live. So far no seditious activity has been detected.
True, you’d rather be out there conquering new lands in his name and getting into the heat of battles rather than playing super sentinel, but at least you get to see Alison more often. It’s a good trade off as far as you’re concerned.
As far as Roldan is concerned you aren’t worried about him being “favored.” This large celebration for Roldan is more Jacob’s idea mainly because Roldan has largely become well known along with being well liked throughout the Empire. Not just by the military, but by the normal citizens as well. He’s generally regarded as a hero of sorts.
Jacob practically begged the Emperor for this special celebration because he felt it would be good for overall morale throughout the Empire. Well that, and the fact Jacob feels “vindicated” that his own influence on the Eternals has proved successful. Though you sort of had a major role in Jacob’s fortune in that endeavor as well, something else Alison mentions in her rant.
“You know, I might be getting sent to the unexplored land east of Nalin. There’s been discussion about expansion in that direction.” You say to Alison in the hopes that it will calm her down a bit.
“Yeah? Well I certainly hope you’ll get your own special celebration when you conquer whoever lives there. I’m sorry. I don’t know why this is getting to me. This doesn’t bother you, so it shouldn’t bother me. You’re right anyway, I guess if you’d really fallen out of favor you would’ve been sent to go tame the inhospitable usksha desert south of Nalin alone in a loin cloth welding just a wooden sword.”
You chuckle at Alison’s scenario.
“Okay how do I look? Do I look presentable for the Emperor’s palace?”
Alison stands before you in a black dress. It isn’t excessively fancy, but it’s certainly not something peasant would wear. While you’ve seen Alison in civilian clothing before, you’ve not seen her in something so elegant.
“Really you didn’t need to dress up for this thing, I certainly didn’t. I just made sure I didn’t have a tear in my trousers and polished my armor.”
“Maybe that’s because visiting the Emperor’s palace isn’t that big of a deal to you. For me however this is a new experience. Just glad my mother’s old dress fit me, since it’s practically the only fancy thing I own.”
Well, you look lovely and dangerous as usual. The rapier on your hip is a nice touch. Didn’t realize that’s what all the upper class ladies were accessorizing with nowadays.”
“Ha ha, I said I wanted to look presentable, I didn’t say I was going for high society. I’m still a soldier by nature, I’m not going anywhere without a weapon. “
“That’s my girl, let’s be on our way.” You remark and the pair of you set off for the capital in a carriage.
Alison’s mood is much better the closer you get to your destination. When you arrive, the capital is already pretty busy along with the surrounding countryside. The city guard and a few soldiers are busily trying to keep order and keep the path clear for the parade later. The palace is certainly less chaotic and you take the opportunity to show Alison some of it. She mostly enjoys the ancient armor and weapon displays along with some of the statues. You have to admit, before you came here with Alison, you never really admired them before.
Doesn’t take long before someone who knows you approaches. It’s Jacob and a brunette woman who looks about your age. She must be a soldier of some sort because she’s dressed in armor.
“There you are, I was wondering when you’d arrive! When did you get here?”
“I don’t know, a half hour ago I guess. I was showing Alison some of the palace since she’s never been here before.”
“Ah yes, Alison! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face to face! Better known as Major Krozer for those of us that have only known her through her military deeds. I heard how you were instrumental during the Felkan War on the gnoll front! That was great work! Between you and your husband here you really paved the way to the destruction of those barbarians.”
“Thank you for the recognition.” Alison remarks politely. Ever the professional, she knows not to bring her personal feelings into a setting like this.
“Everyone should remember that even though a special parade is being held for General Roldan, all soldiers who did their duty during that terrible war are to be honored and respected. Actually scratch that, ALL soldiers of the Empire should be.” Jacob says as he looks over to the warrior woman.
“Oh I’m sure I didn’t do anything nearly as impressive as my husband or even the major and her husband here. But I suppose can be glad that the kobold and usksha population is a lot lower due to me.” the woman says.
“Brenda, don’t sell yourself short! You know you’ve done great things as well.” Jacob says.
“Brenda?” you ask. You didn’t even recognize her, but then it has been quite a while.
“Yep, it’s me. Been a long time. I figured you wouldn’t recognize me right away. Oh, sorry about all that y’know…back in class.”
“As I’ve told everyone else Brenda, all in the past. All in the past.” You say.
The four of you speak for a moment exchanging general pleasantries. Jacob seems even happier than Brenda about Roldan’s celebration. In fact in the whole time you’ve known him, this has to be the happiest you’ve ever seen him. Eventually the four of you head to one of the palace’s large balconies where you can view the entire parade.
Three of the five known Eternals are here, and it makes you wonder where your other classmates are since it seems like they would be important enough to be here. When you ask Jacob this question, Jacob says Warrick is indeed here, but is currently working as head of security for this celebration being Sightmaster of the Eyes and all. As for Kane, Jacob stumbles a bit over his words.
“Well, erm…Kane is having personal problems…he’s been reassigned to Rask while he uh…works things out. They’re always having problems with the occasional giant lumbering down from the mountains and the stray feral ogre bands there anyway.”
“Jacob, I’m well aware of Kane’s condition, you know.”
“You are? Yes…I suppose you would, considering you’ve visited Gnome’s Home in the past. (Sigh) Well then you know its best that he’s not around other normal people, even other soldiers. He’s still loyal to the Empire, he just has to be isolated. So he’s at a very remote outpost at the edge of the northern Rask Mountains. He keeps a look out for potential attacks and if he…gets hungry he’s away from civilization and has the beasts from the mountains to prey upon.”
You shake your head.
“Jacob, I can appreciate that you’re trying to help Kane, but I wonder if his reassignment is really a good idea. What’s stopping Kane from losing complete control and wandering to a nearby village and slaughtering it?”
“He won’t. He’s extremely far away from the nearest civilized center and even Fort Defiance. The only victims of his will be giants and the like. And they’re enemies of the Empire anyway. Look, can we discuss this later? The celebration is starting.” Jacob says.
You nod and return to Alison to watch the parade. It is indeed a lavish sight. You see soldiers in impression armor marching in complete unison performing drill techniques with perfect timing. You see wizards creating small extraordinary feats of magic to entertain.
As you sit there watching you do sort of lose yourself in the moment and actually enjoy just being a “spectator”. Being there with Alison certainly helps make you feel normal for a while.
Then comes the big moment. General Roldan arrives on a giant extravagant platform carried by a dozen or so elven slaves. He stands there in very shiny ornamental armor with an equally ornamental weapon by his side. He waves to the crowds on both sides and accepts their cheers. Brenda and Jacob are both smiling and Jacob is shouting louder than anyone else on the balcony.
“Sheesh, you’d think he was the one married to Roldan.” Alison remarks.
You snicker at her comment and then suddenly as you’re watching Roldan wave on the platform, you get a very bed feeling. You don’t know why or how, but all your instincts scream out at you that something very bad is going to happen…
And then it does.
A cloaked figure suddenly materializes right behind Roldan. From this distance you can’t be sure, but it doesn’t look entirely human. As the crowd’s cheers become sounds of horror, you see this figure draw two curved blades and in one quick move decapitates Roldan before he even knows there is an attacker behind him.
His body and head don’t even hit the surface of the platform before the cloaked figure disappears again. The elven slaves at this point panic and drop the platform, this is soon followed by the rest of the citizens generally running all over the place and soldiers swarming the streets trying to maintain order. The city is in chaos.
Jacob is just sitting there in shock. Alison has immediately ordered everyone on the balcony to get inside the palace. Brenda on the other hand has already left; you imagine she’s taken to the streets to go find her husband’s assassin herself.
“That was a fucking shadow.” You say to yourself.
“It’s not just a celebration for Roldan, it’s the celebration of the victory over the Felkans.” You remark.
“I know that, but why is he getting a special parade? Roldan wasn’t the only one who brought down the Felkan Kingdom! He wasn’t even the only general!” Alison exclaims.
“He was involved in the brunt of the major conflicts, including most of the vital forts and cities and most importantly the last siege on the Felkan capital.” You reply.
“As I recall YOU played a major role along with several others!”
“Well Roldan’s also been making great progress in eliminating the gnolls tribes on our western borders too. We probably won’t be having any trouble with them anymore at the rate he’s going.”
“And as I recall YOU also played a major role in that during the Felkan War! Hell, so did I and continued to do so long after you got transferred to the frontlines! Shit, if it hadn’t been for us keeping those mongrel barbarians back who knows how the war would’ve turned out?”
“Alison why are you so angry about this?”
“I just don’t understand why you aren’t getting a big parade or accolades either.” Alison says as she finishes getting dressed.
“I dunno, I’m not really concerned about it though.” You reply apathetically. “Besides you know I don’t care for all this kind of pomp and flash that comes with these sorts of celebrations anyway. If I didn’t have to be here out of formality I wouldn’t even be attending.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t seem fair that you’ve been getting punished just because you married me.”
“Here we go, this concept again…”
Alison goes into her usual rant about how since you got married to her, you’ve been getting less important assignments. She feels that the Emperor has been punishing you by keeping you in the background while allowing Roldan to take more of a prominent role such as sending him to conquer the gnoll tribes of the west.
You can see this argument, and you have even entertained it a bit from time to time, but ultimately you’ve dismissed it, mainly because despite everything you’re still reporting directly to the Emperor. You’re still his most trusted of all his advisors.
You’re still his son.
Besides its not like you’re sitting around doing nothing. The Emperor has just been keeping you closer to home because this is where you’re currently needed. With the recently acquired Felkan territory and the westward expansion, the Eyes are a little stretched so you’ve mostly been trying to eliminate the new bandit havens popping up in the old Felkan territory along with helping to fend off any desperate gnoll raids that attempt to sneak through. You’re also supposed to be making sure the new “citizens” aren’t planning to rebel, but given how badly they were beaten down, they’re just glad that you’re allowing them to live. So far no seditious activity has been detected.
True, you’d rather be out there conquering new lands in his name and getting into the heat of battles rather than playing super sentinel, but at least you get to see Alison more often. It’s a good trade off as far as you’re concerned.
As far as Roldan is concerned you aren’t worried about him being “favored.” This large celebration for Roldan is more Jacob’s idea mainly because Roldan has largely become well known along with being well liked throughout the Empire. Not just by the military, but by the normal citizens as well. He’s generally regarded as a hero of sorts.
Jacob practically begged the Emperor for this special celebration because he felt it would be good for overall morale throughout the Empire. Well that, and the fact Jacob feels “vindicated” that his own influence on the Eternals has proved successful. Though you sort of had a major role in Jacob’s fortune in that endeavor as well, something else Alison mentions in her rant.
“You know, I might be getting sent to the unexplored land east of Nalin. There’s been discussion about expansion in that direction.” You say to Alison in the hopes that it will calm her down a bit.
“Yeah? Well I certainly hope you’ll get your own special celebration when you conquer whoever lives there. I’m sorry. I don’t know why this is getting to me. This doesn’t bother you, so it shouldn’t bother me. You’re right anyway, I guess if you’d really fallen out of favor you would’ve been sent to go tame the inhospitable usksha desert south of Nalin alone in a loin cloth welding just a wooden sword.”
You chuckle at Alison’s scenario.
“Okay how do I look? Do I look presentable for the Emperor’s palace?”
Alison stands before you in a black dress. It isn’t excessively fancy, but it’s certainly not something peasant would wear. While you’ve seen Alison in civilian clothing before, you’ve not seen her in something so elegant.
“Really you didn’t need to dress up for this thing, I certainly didn’t. I just made sure I didn’t have a tear in my trousers and polished my armor.”
“Maybe that’s because visiting the Emperor’s palace isn’t that big of a deal to you. For me however this is a new experience. Just glad my mother’s old dress fit me, since it’s practically the only fancy thing I own.”
Well, you look lovely and dangerous as usual. The rapier on your hip is a nice touch. Didn’t realize that’s what all the upper class ladies were accessorizing with nowadays.”
“Ha ha, I said I wanted to look presentable, I didn’t say I was going for high society. I’m still a soldier by nature, I’m not going anywhere without a weapon. “
“That’s my girl, let’s be on our way.” You remark and the pair of you set off for the capital in a carriage.
Alison’s mood is much better the closer you get to your destination. When you arrive, the capital is already pretty busy along with the surrounding countryside. The city guard and a few soldiers are busily trying to keep order and keep the path clear for the parade later. The palace is certainly less chaotic and you take the opportunity to show Alison some of it. She mostly enjoys the ancient armor and weapon displays along with some of the statues. You have to admit, before you came here with Alison, you never really admired them before.
Doesn’t take long before someone who knows you approaches. It’s Jacob and a brunette woman who looks about your age. She must be a soldier of some sort because she’s dressed in armor.
“There you are, I was wondering when you’d arrive! When did you get here?”
“I don’t know, a half hour ago I guess. I was showing Alison some of the palace since she’s never been here before.”
“Ah yes, Alison! It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face to face! Better known as Major Krozer for those of us that have only known her through her military deeds. I heard how you were instrumental during the Felkan War on the gnoll front! That was great work! Between you and your husband here you really paved the way to the destruction of those barbarians.”
“Thank you for the recognition.” Alison remarks politely. Ever the professional, she knows not to bring her personal feelings into a setting like this.
“Everyone should remember that even though a special parade is being held for General Roldan, all soldiers who did their duty during that terrible war are to be honored and respected. Actually scratch that, ALL soldiers of the Empire should be.” Jacob says as he looks over to the warrior woman.
“Oh I’m sure I didn’t do anything nearly as impressive as my husband or even the major and her husband here. But I suppose can be glad that the kobold and usksha population is a lot lower due to me.” the woman says.
“Brenda, don’t sell yourself short! You know you’ve done great things as well.” Jacob says.
“Brenda?” you ask. You didn’t even recognize her, but then it has been quite a while.
“Yep, it’s me. Been a long time. I figured you wouldn’t recognize me right away. Oh, sorry about all that y’know…back in class.”
“As I’ve told everyone else Brenda, all in the past. All in the past.” You say.
The four of you speak for a moment exchanging general pleasantries. Jacob seems even happier than Brenda about Roldan’s celebration. In fact in the whole time you’ve known him, this has to be the happiest you’ve ever seen him. Eventually the four of you head to one of the palace’s large balconies where you can view the entire parade.
Three of the five known Eternals are here, and it makes you wonder where your other classmates are since it seems like they would be important enough to be here. When you ask Jacob this question, Jacob says Warrick is indeed here, but is currently working as head of security for this celebration being Sightmaster of the Eyes and all. As for Kane, Jacob stumbles a bit over his words.
“Well, erm…Kane is having personal problems…he’s been reassigned to Rask while he uh…works things out. They’re always having problems with the occasional giant lumbering down from the mountains and the stray feral ogre bands there anyway.”
“Jacob, I’m well aware of Kane’s condition, you know.”
“You are? Yes…I suppose you would, considering you’ve visited Gnome’s Home in the past. (Sigh) Well then you know its best that he’s not around other normal people, even other soldiers. He’s still loyal to the Empire, he just has to be isolated. So he’s at a very remote outpost at the edge of the northern Rask Mountains. He keeps a look out for potential attacks and if he…gets hungry he’s away from civilization and has the beasts from the mountains to prey upon.”
You shake your head.
“Jacob, I can appreciate that you’re trying to help Kane, but I wonder if his reassignment is really a good idea. What’s stopping Kane from losing complete control and wandering to a nearby village and slaughtering it?”
“He won’t. He’s extremely far away from the nearest civilized center and even Fort Defiance. The only victims of his will be giants and the like. And they’re enemies of the Empire anyway. Look, can we discuss this later? The celebration is starting.” Jacob says.
You nod and return to Alison to watch the parade. It is indeed a lavish sight. You see soldiers in impression armor marching in complete unison performing drill techniques with perfect timing. You see wizards creating small extraordinary feats of magic to entertain.
As you sit there watching you do sort of lose yourself in the moment and actually enjoy just being a “spectator”. Being there with Alison certainly helps make you feel normal for a while.
Then comes the big moment. General Roldan arrives on a giant extravagant platform carried by a dozen or so elven slaves. He stands there in very shiny ornamental armor with an equally ornamental weapon by his side. He waves to the crowds on both sides and accepts their cheers. Brenda and Jacob are both smiling and Jacob is shouting louder than anyone else on the balcony.
“Sheesh, you’d think he was the one married to Roldan.” Alison remarks.
You snicker at her comment and then suddenly as you’re watching Roldan wave on the platform, you get a very bed feeling. You don’t know why or how, but all your instincts scream out at you that something very bad is going to happen…
And then it does.
A cloaked figure suddenly materializes right behind Roldan. From this distance you can’t be sure, but it doesn’t look entirely human. As the crowd’s cheers become sounds of horror, you see this figure draw two curved blades and in one quick move decapitates Roldan before he even knows there is an attacker behind him.
His body and head don’t even hit the surface of the platform before the cloaked figure disappears again. The elven slaves at this point panic and drop the platform, this is soon followed by the rest of the citizens generally running all over the place and soldiers swarming the streets trying to maintain order. The city is in chaos.
Jacob is just sitting there in shock. Alison has immediately ordered everyone on the balcony to get inside the palace. Brenda on the other hand has already left; you imagine she’s taken to the streets to go find her husband’s assassin herself.
“That was a fucking shadow.” You say to yourself.