Post by allyion on Nov 25, 2020 16:24:14 GMT
My darling Elleysha,
As you see my handwriting and begin to read this you’ll know in your heart and sole I am still with you. I am writing to tell you more than I’m alive and well or to spread word that we are returning home. I want you to know the events that have happened and begin to see how my heart has been affected. It has changed me.
The sun rose over the ancient ruins of Valor this morning bringing warmth finally, to the awful chill I felt last night. It seemed to melt away all the anxiety and fear I struggled with about doing well and holding up our family name. I found a silent peace take hold of my soul about the time of death to come. I guess an Elf finally gives himself over to its conclusion. Everything this world could offer or tempt me with seemed worthless compared to the single thought of home. As we stood with our mounts, a gentle breeze wafted the smell of hay growing in a distant field that was ready for harvest. I thought of your wonderful bread and cake, and could taste the flavor of your wonderful family meals. If I closed my eyes, I could have been all alone somewhere near our house. It had been completely quiet all morning except for the gentle flapping of our family banners raised high in the air. Even the birds sensed the time at hand, bowing their heads in silent honor.
Our Lord stood; rising up from his saddle atop his mount the great dragon Bok and while stretching his great sword high into the air let forth a fearless war cry signaling the beginning, and with a spoken word spurred the great dragon into the air. Bok’s wings were as huge as a cloud overhead blocking the sun and its warmth. Their sound was as huge as waves crashing upon the shores of Caledor. Flames belched from his jaws and uttering a deafening roar he flew ahead as our great lord called us to march.
Our large ranked battle formation of Silver Helms, carrying the mighty War Banner, stood ready to break the will of any enemy. I took my place in the left side of the very front rank, our place of honor, just beside my champion. On our right, a harrier unit of my fellow Silver Helms ready to cover our flank or run down enemy artillery or wizards stared into the distance, chanting their priorities of battle, their steeds, nervous with tension. Further across the field but just behind us was one of those awesome chariots from the province of Tyrinoc looking to seek revenge on any invader, its gold and silver inlay stealing my sight as the sun danced on its edges. Mounted closely beside them were our battle hardened Princes of Caledor riding their faithful steeds. What a fearless sight to behold their great numbers in all their strengths, carrying the powerful battle banner. Two of our lands most revered heroes had been set aside to guard it with their lives. To their right, another harrier unit of my fellow Silver Helms positioned themselves for their march, ready to face their foe. Finally, to my left, a second Tyrinoc chariot and crew prepared their bows and steadied their steeds for the day of death that we knew would be.
We were all proud of our fighting ability and advanced in perfect deployment. As you know we’ve been training just a short time, yet we hoped that it would be long enough to bring a perfectly choreographed dance of death to this enemy. Sadly, I must inform; as we drew close we herd the deafening blast of those cowardly black powder weapons from beyond the princes of Caledor. My heart was torn and laid open as I watched huge balls of steel tear through their lines loosing first a third of their ranks, then another, and then almost that again. They literally disappeared before our eyes. Not until now have I known such great pain and loss and yet felt such pride and fearless courage. They were steadfast, each one bracing himself to take as much of its impact as he could. If possible, trying to save his brother beside him from the same fate.
So enraged were all our brothers that when our lord sounded the charge we became a mountain avalanche of immense relentless power, consuming anything in our path. The sound was terrifying then, and wonderment now. Horses hooves crushing human flesh, bones breaking under the weight of their comrades pressing back against them, the sound of our lances and great swords parting limbs, heads and clashing with foreign steel. In my mind I could hear the terrified cries of all the dead souls, caught for a moment in emptiness and time. Crying out and badly battered, they fled everywhere, and we trampled and cut them all down as they ran.
God was at our side! To our delight, as we chased our final victims over the top of a knoll, we surprised one of their cowardly black powder regiments and charged again.
Time seemed to stand still. From the corner of my eye I witnessed a terrifying winged lion, a manticore, with the enemy lord and leader swooping down. Its long talons like huge razor sharp daggers angling to attack our lord and the great Boc. I tried to see what was to happen but had to look away, focusing my strength for the next impact. I wanted so badly to repay the terror and pain I felt when those cowards killed our princes that I fear to admit what I became. The pistoleers were only lightly armored foot troops so we hit them hard and drove right through them. Suffering terrible wounds and many deaths they ran toward the cliffs edge and to my astonishment chose to jump risking their death to the crashing waves below. Certainly many of their wounded would not have survived.
My mind rolled with visions of all the humans I had killed this day. I began wondering if one of them had a family like mine, even a loving wife waiting afraid at home, wondering if her partner was alive or gone forever. In my mind, a vision of you, on your knees, holding the necklace that I fashioned for you close to your heart appeared. You were praying and then spread your arms to heaven. You were so real, I wondered for a moment, but again my senses were aroused by the sound of hooves coming from behind. We turned to face this sound in formation and witnessed knights of the inner circle closing in at full gallop.
Its funny how time stands still at a moments like that. I remember looking around and seeing our great lord and Boc returning the attack in an extremely vicious manner to the enemy lord. This sight filled me with great courage and strength. To my left the farthest harrier unit had engaged all the empires black powder cannons but the last one and they were about to hit them at full gallop. In the clearing by the tower where the great clash between our lord and the enemy Elector Count was in play, I seen our Harrier unit of silver helms and its accompanying chariot in hand to hand combat with a unit of foot knights. Although standing without any mount for advantage, their bravery was unmatched. I knew in my heart they would fight to the death. Our Helms had inflicted many causalities, the enemy bodies were strewn like fallen scarecrows thrown from their steaks about the battlefield, an arm here a torso there and so on.
Catching a flash in the corner of my eye, I turned without thought. It caused the enemies lance to miss my chest and with a glance from my side and shield his lance broke into splinters, knocking me almost completely from my mount. All I could feel was pain, I couldn’t move at first and I felt helpless to avoid his next attack. Willing every ounce of strength I had, fighting to control even my own muscles, I clawed and Pulled myself back upright into my saddle, trying to ready myself for what may come. As I gazed at the rider who passed by I realized that although almost unconscious of its impact, I had delivered a fatal lance blow. Armor covered in his own blood and Leaning back on his horse he rolled to the side and fell to the ground, shaking strangely in the throws of death. I wanted to look into this one’s eyes and see his face, but heeding the call of my helm brothers; we pulled hard to regain our formation and held well from their first attack.
Again a grasp of time seemed to elude my curious mind as I turned and witnessed our lord and Boc beheading the enemy lord. That wonderful manticore stood guard over his master’s headless body attacking anyone who would dare come close. It was a sad thing seeing the great beast destroyed. Then leaping from the tower, coming to the aid of our harriers and chariot below, our lord and Bok laid a great swath of death in the remaining enemy ranks.
I tried to refocus my attention back to staying alive. As I Braced for the next blow I could hear the wonderful familiar sound of Elven steed thundering closer and closer from each side, but I couldn’t tell if they would arrive in time. The front of the enemy cavalry once more held my focus, but my opponent soon could not. Their flanks were hit hard by no less than both of those Tyronoc chariots and the remaining princes of Caledor with the mighty battle banner. Armour and flesh could not match the deadly blow they brought down. The tide of war had turned and victory for my unit seemed more than just gasping hope. We readied ourselves for another decisive exchange of Elven steel and flesh when the remaining enemy suddenly dropped their hand weapons and dismounted, dropping to the ground in terror and total submission. For a moment I puzzled at this behavior thinking it a fairly cowardly thing to do. And then I felt a steamy puff on the back of my neck. My great friend Boc was standing just behind me and I hadn’t even noticed the sun go dark or my Helmet get hot.
I’m told our cheers of victory could be herd for miles and miles by the villages we’ve past. The great threat is gone and nearly everyone has celebrated well into this night.
Now, in this quiet as I write to you I finally tremble, trying to control these inward tears, remembering my close friends who stood facing certain death, with a courage that has changed me forever, and the deep loss of knowing I’ll never hear their laughing voices or look upon their smiling faces, except inside this homesick heart. I wonder now if it really was your loving prayers that granted me another day to live and return to you. Tell my father and our sons our family banner was held high today, I will soon embrace you all. My deepest Love: Allyion.
As you see my handwriting and begin to read this you’ll know in your heart and sole I am still with you. I am writing to tell you more than I’m alive and well or to spread word that we are returning home. I want you to know the events that have happened and begin to see how my heart has been affected. It has changed me.
The sun rose over the ancient ruins of Valor this morning bringing warmth finally, to the awful chill I felt last night. It seemed to melt away all the anxiety and fear I struggled with about doing well and holding up our family name. I found a silent peace take hold of my soul about the time of death to come. I guess an Elf finally gives himself over to its conclusion. Everything this world could offer or tempt me with seemed worthless compared to the single thought of home. As we stood with our mounts, a gentle breeze wafted the smell of hay growing in a distant field that was ready for harvest. I thought of your wonderful bread and cake, and could taste the flavor of your wonderful family meals. If I closed my eyes, I could have been all alone somewhere near our house. It had been completely quiet all morning except for the gentle flapping of our family banners raised high in the air. Even the birds sensed the time at hand, bowing their heads in silent honor.
Our Lord stood; rising up from his saddle atop his mount the great dragon Bok and while stretching his great sword high into the air let forth a fearless war cry signaling the beginning, and with a spoken word spurred the great dragon into the air. Bok’s wings were as huge as a cloud overhead blocking the sun and its warmth. Their sound was as huge as waves crashing upon the shores of Caledor. Flames belched from his jaws and uttering a deafening roar he flew ahead as our great lord called us to march.
Our large ranked battle formation of Silver Helms, carrying the mighty War Banner, stood ready to break the will of any enemy. I took my place in the left side of the very front rank, our place of honor, just beside my champion. On our right, a harrier unit of my fellow Silver Helms ready to cover our flank or run down enemy artillery or wizards stared into the distance, chanting their priorities of battle, their steeds, nervous with tension. Further across the field but just behind us was one of those awesome chariots from the province of Tyrinoc looking to seek revenge on any invader, its gold and silver inlay stealing my sight as the sun danced on its edges. Mounted closely beside them were our battle hardened Princes of Caledor riding their faithful steeds. What a fearless sight to behold their great numbers in all their strengths, carrying the powerful battle banner. Two of our lands most revered heroes had been set aside to guard it with their lives. To their right, another harrier unit of my fellow Silver Helms positioned themselves for their march, ready to face their foe. Finally, to my left, a second Tyrinoc chariot and crew prepared their bows and steadied their steeds for the day of death that we knew would be.
We were all proud of our fighting ability and advanced in perfect deployment. As you know we’ve been training just a short time, yet we hoped that it would be long enough to bring a perfectly choreographed dance of death to this enemy. Sadly, I must inform; as we drew close we herd the deafening blast of those cowardly black powder weapons from beyond the princes of Caledor. My heart was torn and laid open as I watched huge balls of steel tear through their lines loosing first a third of their ranks, then another, and then almost that again. They literally disappeared before our eyes. Not until now have I known such great pain and loss and yet felt such pride and fearless courage. They were steadfast, each one bracing himself to take as much of its impact as he could. If possible, trying to save his brother beside him from the same fate.
So enraged were all our brothers that when our lord sounded the charge we became a mountain avalanche of immense relentless power, consuming anything in our path. The sound was terrifying then, and wonderment now. Horses hooves crushing human flesh, bones breaking under the weight of their comrades pressing back against them, the sound of our lances and great swords parting limbs, heads and clashing with foreign steel. In my mind I could hear the terrified cries of all the dead souls, caught for a moment in emptiness and time. Crying out and badly battered, they fled everywhere, and we trampled and cut them all down as they ran.
God was at our side! To our delight, as we chased our final victims over the top of a knoll, we surprised one of their cowardly black powder regiments and charged again.
Time seemed to stand still. From the corner of my eye I witnessed a terrifying winged lion, a manticore, with the enemy lord and leader swooping down. Its long talons like huge razor sharp daggers angling to attack our lord and the great Boc. I tried to see what was to happen but had to look away, focusing my strength for the next impact. I wanted so badly to repay the terror and pain I felt when those cowards killed our princes that I fear to admit what I became. The pistoleers were only lightly armored foot troops so we hit them hard and drove right through them. Suffering terrible wounds and many deaths they ran toward the cliffs edge and to my astonishment chose to jump risking their death to the crashing waves below. Certainly many of their wounded would not have survived.
My mind rolled with visions of all the humans I had killed this day. I began wondering if one of them had a family like mine, even a loving wife waiting afraid at home, wondering if her partner was alive or gone forever. In my mind, a vision of you, on your knees, holding the necklace that I fashioned for you close to your heart appeared. You were praying and then spread your arms to heaven. You were so real, I wondered for a moment, but again my senses were aroused by the sound of hooves coming from behind. We turned to face this sound in formation and witnessed knights of the inner circle closing in at full gallop.
Its funny how time stands still at a moments like that. I remember looking around and seeing our great lord and Boc returning the attack in an extremely vicious manner to the enemy lord. This sight filled me with great courage and strength. To my left the farthest harrier unit had engaged all the empires black powder cannons but the last one and they were about to hit them at full gallop. In the clearing by the tower where the great clash between our lord and the enemy Elector Count was in play, I seen our Harrier unit of silver helms and its accompanying chariot in hand to hand combat with a unit of foot knights. Although standing without any mount for advantage, their bravery was unmatched. I knew in my heart they would fight to the death. Our Helms had inflicted many causalities, the enemy bodies were strewn like fallen scarecrows thrown from their steaks about the battlefield, an arm here a torso there and so on.
Catching a flash in the corner of my eye, I turned without thought. It caused the enemies lance to miss my chest and with a glance from my side and shield his lance broke into splinters, knocking me almost completely from my mount. All I could feel was pain, I couldn’t move at first and I felt helpless to avoid his next attack. Willing every ounce of strength I had, fighting to control even my own muscles, I clawed and Pulled myself back upright into my saddle, trying to ready myself for what may come. As I gazed at the rider who passed by I realized that although almost unconscious of its impact, I had delivered a fatal lance blow. Armor covered in his own blood and Leaning back on his horse he rolled to the side and fell to the ground, shaking strangely in the throws of death. I wanted to look into this one’s eyes and see his face, but heeding the call of my helm brothers; we pulled hard to regain our formation and held well from their first attack.
Again a grasp of time seemed to elude my curious mind as I turned and witnessed our lord and Boc beheading the enemy lord. That wonderful manticore stood guard over his master’s headless body attacking anyone who would dare come close. It was a sad thing seeing the great beast destroyed. Then leaping from the tower, coming to the aid of our harriers and chariot below, our lord and Bok laid a great swath of death in the remaining enemy ranks.
I tried to refocus my attention back to staying alive. As I Braced for the next blow I could hear the wonderful familiar sound of Elven steed thundering closer and closer from each side, but I couldn’t tell if they would arrive in time. The front of the enemy cavalry once more held my focus, but my opponent soon could not. Their flanks were hit hard by no less than both of those Tyronoc chariots and the remaining princes of Caledor with the mighty battle banner. Armour and flesh could not match the deadly blow they brought down. The tide of war had turned and victory for my unit seemed more than just gasping hope. We readied ourselves for another decisive exchange of Elven steel and flesh when the remaining enemy suddenly dropped their hand weapons and dismounted, dropping to the ground in terror and total submission. For a moment I puzzled at this behavior thinking it a fairly cowardly thing to do. And then I felt a steamy puff on the back of my neck. My great friend Boc was standing just behind me and I hadn’t even noticed the sun go dark or my Helmet get hot.
I’m told our cheers of victory could be herd for miles and miles by the villages we’ve past. The great threat is gone and nearly everyone has celebrated well into this night.
Now, in this quiet as I write to you I finally tremble, trying to control these inward tears, remembering my close friends who stood facing certain death, with a courage that has changed me forever, and the deep loss of knowing I’ll never hear their laughing voices or look upon their smiling faces, except inside this homesick heart. I wonder now if it really was your loving prayers that granted me another day to live and return to you. Tell my father and our sons our family banner was held high today, I will soon embrace you all. My deepest Love: Allyion.