Jessica Jackson
Stories
5
Chapters
1,060
Words
656.8 K
Comments
0
Reading
2 d, 6 h
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Shadow War Tothmor The day preceding the nightly assault, a blackboot returned to the city from patrol. He brought a prisoner with him, captured and brought back for questioning. The guards merely waved them through, one district gate after another; it was commonplace for the blackboots to move between highest and lowest circle and beyond. Furthermore, each gate was undermanned, and the soldiers that were present seemed preoccupied with keeping their heads up and the food in their stomachs down. Once…
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Pawns Western Hæthiod The day after the skirmish saw the Order camp transformed from drowsy winter quartering to frantic battle preparing. Some tasks were almost superfluous; armour and arms were already polished, oiled and in good condition, as tending to such tasks had been one of the only ways to keep busy while wintering. Other matters were undertaken with hectic manoeuvres. The camp’s meagre supply of timber for palisades was being emptied to make storm ladders of equal height to the walls of…
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The Weapons of War Western Hæthiod Early the next day, Brand led a company of knights and attendants out of camp, a hundred men in all. They rode at a steady pace, raising heads and questions as to their purpose, though no answers were to be had. A few speculated on a possible connection with the new prisoner kept isolated in a tent, but since the soldiers were not allowed to speak with prisoners as a general rule, no information could be found there either. “What do you say to tell a woman she’s…
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From Copper to Crown Western Hæthiod Many miles west of Tothmor lay the encampment of the Order. It was located close to the border to Adalrik and the jarldom of Ingmond, near one of the tributaries of the river Sureste to ensure fresh water. Serving as winter quarters for the army, the camp was well situated on elevated terrain and fortified on all sides by palisades. The open landscape meant that the sentinels had an unobstructed view of their surroundings, and sharp vigil was kept; the Order army…
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Final Prayer Tothmor The following morning, the priestess Daena marched down to the dungeons and issued several brief commands before she disappeared again. This spurred a flurry of action from the soldiers, who marched into one of the cells and began dragging people out. “What is going on?” Dominic demanded to know, getting on his feet. “Not your concern,” one of the guards responded in heavily accented Mearcspeech, adding an insult in the outlander tongue and pushing the priest in the chest…
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Walking in Flames Tothmor The dungeons underneath the Order keep in the first circle were humble in size. They were only intended to keep the rare prisoner of political importance or those guilty of particular crimes such as treason, and usually only for a short time; such people either ended up on the executioner’s block or in the salt mines. With the outlanders in charge, this had changed; the cells were full of not only insurrectionists, whether confirmed or merely suspected, but above all occupied…
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Walking in Shadows Tothmor Under the shadow of the mountain, the long nights held Tothmor in their grasp. After last bell had rung, the streets were all but deserted; the outlanders had forbidden the inhabitants from leaving their homes after dark. Thus the only movement outside came from the patrols of the red-robed Anausa, keeping watch on each of the districts. Most patrols were made in the lowest circle, as it was the largest and most populated. Across the district, the outlanders had seized the…
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The Words of a King Plenmont After the long night, nearly all in the palace at Plenmont slept past dawn, excluding the servants. It was the day upon which the king would summon his advisors to counsel him concerning the situation in Hæthiod, though it was clear from the king’s deep slumber that the council would not be held any time soon. In contrast to her son, Sigrid had woken not long after sunrise, forcing her handmaidens to do as well. Once she was suitably attired, she dismissed her attendants…
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Winter Play Plenmont Just as summer solstice, its counterpart in winter was a feast celebrated all over Adalmearc. No work was carried out that could be delayed, and as soon as the sun set on the shortest day of the year, merriment began. Despite the cold, long, and dark night, or perhaps because of it, winter solstice was a feast without bonds on the revelries of any kind in Plenmont. Drink flowed as freely as it could, games of all sorts took place, and many children would be born nine months…
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Salt and Swords Plenmont Before dawn, Leander lay awake in bed. He glanced with envy to his side, where Theodora slept peacefully. The flacon provided by the physician was empty, providing no further sleep. He got out of bed only to shiver as he left the warm covers; this close to winter solstice, even Plenmont was cold. Pacing around the room in circles, he soon abandoned his march without a destination. Returning to the covers, he dug out the silver raven hanging around his neck and clasped it…
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