The Fall of Daris Seen Through Redboot Eyes.

[baby1111007]

Disclaimer: I did not give an account nor name names of any Redboot. This was intentional as I am hoping some of you may be inspred to also add your accounts here.




She sat at her desk in full armor. Her lavender eyes gazed around the room, unseeing. A feeling of foreboding crushed down on her, its weight almost suffocating. She read the letter from her beloved and found herself blinking back tears. Somehow she knew, she would never look upon his face again. Her musings were disrupted by the loud shouts coming from the hallway. She touched the amulet at her neck, then the insignia ring on her finger. It is time. Brigadier Isioviel Aloscia strode out the barracks , her head held high, her uniform immaculate.

"They come, Brigadier, as you feared. We hold them at the gates but it won't be for long! There are...too many." The solder's eyes were almost wide with fear. Isioviel looked at him and quelled the sharp retort she was about to snap and instead spoke calmly. "We are prepared, sound the alarms, get the people safely to Seaside and do it yesterday!" She did not rush to the gates, nor did she give into the waves of panic she was feeling. Military trained, she had been expecting this and had the villagers prepared as well. She watched the steady stream as they poured into the gates of Seaside, nodding to the men who were reporting to the Barracks for weapons and armor, directing the women and children to the few boats waiting.

"Tell the men to hold a few more minutes then you all retreat to Seaside." Isioviel's form might have been dimunitive, but her voice carried the strong ring of authority. She strode to the boats waiting at the docks, not surprised to meet the burly sailors spoiling for the fight. "We be ready lass, we will show those varanite scum what fer!" The Brigadier found herself actually biting back a smile, so impressed by their loyalty but knew that this time it was misplace. "You will get your arses back on those boats and get these women and children somewhere safe and THAT is an order!" At the mummers and mutterings of rebellion, she spoke louder and straightened to her full height. "You will follow my commands or find yourself hanged right now , guilty of treason to the Queen!" Something about her voice, or the desperation in her eyes made the Captains of the boats realize the gravity of the situation they were in, and within moments the ships sailed.

Her duty to the women and children done, she herself reported at the gates. The sight there was enough to freeze the blood in her veins. There was no time to call out words on encouragement, no time to give any real orders. They had come, they were ready for battle, and the Dasarian defenders didn't have a snowball's chance in hell and she knew it. As the Ji Lyn witches' spells blasted the gates, the Redboots defended as a unit. Her archers shot arrow after arrow, but it is said that for every Varanite that fell, two more took their place. The Brigadier herself kept her men in a defensive position, her mace cracking heads of any Varanite that got close, all the while praying hard to Nanna-Sin. Her prayers were answered by the strings of lightening raining down on the Varanite invaders, but it was not enough. Surprisingly enough, the battle lingered on until evening. The Brigadier found herself wondering what were they waiting for. Her questions were answered when the Ji Lyn unleashed their dark powers, their magics becoming more powerful as twilight descended.

The witches' magic were tearing through the defenders. The screams of the dead and dying were drowning out the sounds of the healers' prayers. The villagers fought hard, but they were no match at all for the seasoned troops and soon, it was just Isioviel and a few Redboots still standing, surrounded by too many Varanite warriors to count. The ranks parted slightly and the Varanite commander smiled coldly, one of the Ji Lyn witches at his side. One simple incantation from the witch's lips and Isioviel and her few men found themselves flat on their back's in the dirt. The Varanite Commander planted his boot firmly on Isioviel's chest, grinning down at her maliciously. "So this is the little slip of a girl chosen to command the Queen's Redboots. My associate spoke of you, but I didn't believe it. Goes to show what happens when you let a little girl rule."

The Brigadier's lavender eyes flashed with defiance. "I will see you in hell, you Varanite scum." The Commander laughed heartily as he jerked her to her feet, two of his men coming quickly to take hold of her arms. "Will you? Oh, I think not. See, one of the Emperor's associates has been so eager to meet with you...again." The mass of Varanite soldiers parted again, revealing a figure in black robes. She could not see the face beneath the heavy cowl, but the voice she would have recognized anywhere.

"Hello my dear Sergeant...I mean Brigadier. Old habits, they do die hard." Maelstrom's voice resounded with a malicious pleasure. A skeletal hand reached out to caress her face, one bony finger trailing over her lips. "I told you once before, so many moons ago. You all will come to Nergal in the end." One whispered incantation, and the Varanites watched as the Brigadier slumped lifelessly to the ground. The Dread Lich of Nergal then Bent over the body, and ripped her heart clean from her chest. He was motioning to the two black clad minions behind him to remove the body when the Varanite commander stopped him.

"The little wench's body is to be hung on the gates as an example." The Commander spoke with authority, although even he was made uncomfortable by this associate of the Emperor. "It is the Emperor's wishes."
For a moment the Commander could feel the waves of rage wash over him. But the lich then nodded, and still holding the priestess' heart, he and his two minions faded from sight. The Brigadier's body, with the gaping hole in the chest was strung up on the destroyed gates of Seaside. The order then went out for the village to be burnt to the ground, although it was not known if that was by order of the Emperor or just the Commander's blood lust.

But, later the next night, under the cloak of midnight, two shadowy figures came to the gates of Seaside and made off with the body of Isioviel Aloscia. Two fiery eyes burned in the darkness as a figure watched and a raspy voice spoke softly. "I told you, my dear. All come to Nergal in the end."

[StormRunner]

Much doom and gloom lately. Neatly written, as always.

[Grayle]

Actually, I think it deserves an official place in the lore. It is, after all...ancient history.

Perhaps as an addendum here?


A great read, Michelle. I was not expecting that sort of player/author collaberation. Very cool.

[Will]

Hey! I read this, but forget to comment!!!@#%&^&

Very detailed first-person account. I was pleasantly enlightened by some of the specifics, as gruesome as they turned out to be!