FrivYeti/CalinPg28
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"Leave your things! Keep moving!" Bryce waved the people streaming out of town onwards as he looked around. His father was walking towards him. "How are we doing?'
"Not too badly..." Silas sighed, looking over the line. "I think we can almost everyone out of town. The problem will be the hobgoblins pursuing us into the woods."
"I can slow them down." Bryce smiled, and looked northwards. "It'll be up to you to get as many people to safety as possible. I just hope that I can slow them down enough..." He looked away, and smiled sadly. "What a way for this to go. Have you seen Amanda?"
"I've got her with a few other people on the west end of town. She'll be fine." Silas nodded, and then turned to dash off in another direction. "Kasim! We don't have time to carry everything!" Bryce chuckled wryly, and shook his head, turning his attention back towards the evacuation.
Lysadara gulped, and approached Juriakar, trembling. "News from the east. Goras was killed in the initial assault, and the hobgoblins there scattered. We've sent our primary retainers there to bring the troops under control, but they will be delayed."
Juriakar's response was a howl of fury, and he sent his sword flying around him, slicing a tree in half. Lysadara and the assembled hobgoblins fled for cover as the shadows spread across the woods. For almost three minutes, trees exploded into splinters, and the ground was torn asunder. Finally, Lord Juriakar had passed through his rage, and took several deep breaths. Lysadara approached again, cautiously.
"First Takash was slain, and then my precious pet, and now Goras?" Juriakar's voice was barely above a whisper. "So much damage, by so few that matter. They will die for this indignity."
"Of course, my Lord. Should I order the army to begin searching for those responsible?" Lysadara's voice was low, and she carefully kept from making eye contact, but she heard Juriakar snort.
"No. That blasted Solar will suffer as I have suffered. Slowly." Juriakar looked up abruptly, and his arm shot out, gripping Lysadara's shoulder painfully. "Send word to the troops that we move now. Prepare the Law. Calin falls tonight."
The town was dark and silent in the night. Lysadara looked around suspiciously as the horde filtered through the town. "Where is everyone?"
"Fled, I expect, in terror of My majesty." Juriakar smirked, some of his poise finally recovered. "It will avail them not." He stopped outside of the town's temple, and raised his arms. The doors shattered as though a tremendous wind were blowing into them, and Juriakar strode forwards into the temple proper, with Lysadara just behind him. "Now, Lysadara. Let us bring the Law into this forsaken abyss." He turned, and Lysadara nodded demurely.
Slowly, she reached into the folds of her dress, bringing out a heavy, brass-bound leather book, and walking slowly to the altar. Cleaning the altar with a fold of her dress, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, and then carefully placed the book onto it. "Here, in this place of power, do I lay the Law of this land. Let its message be heard by all of its peoples." Clearing her throat, she began to read, and power rolled off of the pages. Juriakar stepped backwards, and began to laugh, his voice mixing with hers in perfect harmony.
"Something's happening." Bryce paused in his work, drawing his power around him as he felt Fair Folk magic pooling beneath his eyes. Quickly, he walked over to Silas. "Father, can you feel it? We have to leave, and now!"
"Right. We'll just... we...." Silas trailed off, a faraway look in his eyes. Around him, the townsfolk slowed and stopped their frantic advance, turning to look at the town. "We must return. We are so ordered."
"What?" Bryce's jaw dropped, as all the people fleeing the town turned and began walking calmly towards it. He grabbed his father's shoulder, only to be shaken off. "Father, what are you doing?" The truth dawned, and he cursed. "The magic..."
"We are ordered." His father continued to walk, and Bryce came to a decision. Before Silas could react, Bryce brought his lance around, slamming its haft into his father's back. As Silas collapsed to the ground, Bryce shouldered him. He looked towards the town, where hobgoblin silhouettes were becoming visible. Cursing under his breath, he turned to leave.
The townsfolk gathered in the square, and Juriakar stepped out from the temple to meet them. "My people. From this day forwards, Calin will prosper under the Law. Remain at home, and work as you always do. We will send for you as you are needed." He smiled triumphantly. "This is my domain now." As he turned, and the townsfolk began to disperse, he stopped dead, and his hand pointed towards the crowd. "You. Stay behind." As the others left, he strode down the stairs, Lysadara following in confusion. The young woman he had singled out fell into a deep curtsey. "I know you. I saw you in Reverga's vision. Who are you?"
"Juril Amanda, your Lordship. How may I be of service?" Juriakar's eyes narrowed as he contemplated her.
"Come inside, Miss Juril. We must talk..."
