T H E R E F O R M E D N A T I O N
The other side of the river
Eastern bank of the River, Delsai - Second day of Spring, 10th year after the assassination of the Emperor
"UNITY ABOVE ALL! UNITY ABOVE ALL! UNITY ABOVE ALL!....DEATH TO THE EMPEROR! DEATH TO THE COMMONWEALTH!"
The cheering mass of soldiers tore down the Royalist flag, before tossing in away onto the ground, violently stomping it into the blood soaked mud. Gailzri Levy stood shoulder to shoulder with Quin and Bingals, rifles still in hand, as under a loud cheering, the Twelve peoples flag was raised above the ruins of the river forts.
"Oy! Lads, stand a bit closer together...yeah, just like that...one moment please..." The Lavanian journalist knees were vanishing in the mud, as he had to push away a body of a royalist soldier, to get a clear picture of the nationalist soldiers, raising the banner slowly into the sky, before it caught the first wind, proudly flying over the smoke and death below. More photos were made, as behind them, Lavanians and Gailzri worked on multiple ad-hoc bridges, while countless boats were bringing new men and supplies over the river.
They marching men, that were making their way up the steep side of the river, were passing countless bodies of slain royalists, some haven fallen in battle, yet most were captives. The order of the great leader had been clear in this regard: "
Take no prisoners, show no mercy.." The Cameras of the lavanian Journalists did not record it, yet everyone could hear the screams, the shots and the sound of metal hitting flesh, before a heavy weight was tossed down the height into the water. An white shirt officer, the fabric by now deep red, would return from the side where they had gathered the remaining captives, before waving over some of the new arriving soldiers.
"We need ten strong man, who can hold a blade and have no problem with blood...!" One year ago, the Nationalists had been crossing this river in fear and panic, hunted by the royalist army. The ones left behind were shown no mercy and they did remembered quite clearly..
T H E H E A V E N L Y E M P I R E
Duke-Mothers Cixi
The Summer palace of the Duke
Kaifeng - 4th Day of Spring, 10th year after the assassination of the Emperor
"People of Kaifeng, i speak to you today, not as a Minga, nor as a noblewoman, but as a mother! A mother who wishes nothing more then to see her child well and protected, unharmed by the waves of this infernal war, which has taken peace from our lands, and turned our noble city into ash and ruins..
The Duke-Mother sat like a stature in front of the microphone, her hands resting on the wooden table in front of her, as her calm voice spoke, the distant sound of artillery and explosions giving a backdrop of death and chaos.
"These are the promises of the republic, these are the liberties they will grant us! For we are all equal to their bombs, be it men, women or children. They have unleashed their hell-hounds onto defenseless farmers, slaughtering them with vile glee, the same glee their eyes will hold, the moment they will cross these walls. Any man, who wishes to desert his post, and who wishes to desert our fight, is hereby pardoned by my decree...
Kurt Messar, the grim Geisel Exile with an metal plate in his cheek raised his head, as multiple of the other officals turned towards the Duke-Mother, who silenced them with a raising of her arm, calmly ordering them to sit back down. She had expected this reaction, and knew what to do..
"Desert me, desert Kaifeng and desert your family! Run and never turn around...for if you do, it will be the screams of your wife and children that will haunt you in all eternity! For there will be no mercy by the hellhounds of the republic, no tomorrow for your family line! For just like their bombs and shells...their bullets and blade know no mercy! I for one, will not desert this city! This is the place i will make my stand, and defend my son and his birthright! Long live the emperor and long live the heavenly empire!"
Raising from her chair, the Duke-Mother took a deep breath, before reaching for the cup of water next to the microphone.
"Tell me the truh, Messar, how long can we hold the city?" The Geisel Exile narrowed his eyes, as he scratched over the metal plate on his cheek, making a disgusting noise while doing so.
"We wont be able to hold the walls, or what is left of it! Retreating into the streets will be our only option, where we will have the knowlage of the ground on our side, and the hope that they wont be able to use their firepower! The Guard and Garrison has been trained for this kind of fighting but...i cant speak for the Levy or the Milita, which we will have to raise first! All in all...without any outside help, we wont be able to hold the city for anything longer then a month..The duke mother finished her glass, as she began to glare back at the microphone. "I see, you may leave now...all of you!" A few moments later, after the last of her advisers and personal aids had left the room, she reached for a piece of paper, preparing a message for the few that would be willing to hear it!
The Legation District / Zang-Quin Ambassadorial District Geisel-Arcanain Crossing
Zang-Quin, Yandar - 3rd Day of Spring, 10th year after the assassination of the Emperor
"..I must say i am quiet proud of you, my boy!" Patrador Milkner, the old missionary delegate of the district slowly walked along the neatly paved streets of the legation, followed the slim figure of his aid, the young Xangai. It was a sunny day, and in the humid heat of the early noon, the streets were calm, as few had gathered yet for meals or any other reasonable meetings in the buzzling heat of the capital. Half a mile away, the mighty Zang-Sea was resting in its deep blue beauty, connecting this very city to the rest of the world.
"It means a lot to me, Patrador, yet i would once more ask...you have considered my offer?"The old man grinned, as he pulled his head lower onto his face, shielding him from the sun, as the two stopped in front of a crossing, a single Arcanain Military Policeman keeping order over the minimal traffic of the few cars that were crossing through the district.
"I have indeed, young Xangai, yet dont call it an offer, when in truth you are talking about an demand! You do have failed your exam to an missionary two times now, son...be honest with yourself, you wont make it a third time!" The old Patrador placed his hand onto the young Quins shoulder, before slowly shaking his head.
"Maybe it is just not the path for you. The faith has many options for young men, and i am more then happy to keep you as my aid for the coming years. You are diligent, honest and most of all, able to endure my humor.." Xangais face had turned into stone, as he took the rejection with all the grace he could, trying to not let his disappointment overwhelm him. Raised in one of the many Orphanages of the Orthodox faith, he had just wished to serve the faith, yet he had lacked one thing, that made him fail the exams time and time again...the ability to speak in a way that could move people, and reach them.
Crossing another checkpoint on their way towards the Church of the rising sun, Xangai suddently stopped, as glared at the open door.
"Patrador wait..." A sight left the old mans mouth, as he kept walking towards the white church, build from marble.
"The decision is finale, you wont be granted another exam! I am sorry, but you have to..." Xangai rushed forward, trying to reach for the old mans robe, yet it was to late....
The first thing Xangai felt was the heat, that came towards him in the wake of the explosion that tore down the building into countless pieces of debris. Then, a wall of hot air hit him, tearing him from his feet, as he was ripped from his feet, flying backwards before colliding with something hard behind him. Gasping, Xangai glared up, staring into the sky, as the light surrounded him.
"Calm...Calm my son..."
Screams and panic filled the district, as the Sirens roared loudly. More explosions followed, before they stormed onto the streets. They had hidden under the guise of waiter, cleaner and servants, a silver scarf now bound over their mouth and neck.
"DEATH TO THE DEVILS OF THE COMMONWEALTH!" This had not been a riot sparking into little more then a massed massacre, this had been a planned and coordinated attack. All over the city checkpoints were attacked, yet no name was cried, no insignia was raised...did they fought for the emperor, the great leader or the wise older brother...or even for the republic?
Auz