The Burning of Innsmouth
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 19912
|
Allarian occupied Cogan (on the eastern front), eight years
earlier: The rich smell of death, the unmistakable aroma of war, hung thick over the wide battle plain. Vultures circled high above in the somber gray sky awaiting the feast of flesh and bone that lay below them. The last great battle of the Cogan War was over, and it had been the bloodiest in the nine years of the Allarian invasion. Just beyond the battlefield a wall of flame was consuming the last free city of Cogan, Innsmouth, and it's surrounding fields and olive groves. An insignificant settlement before the war, since then it hard turned into a major outpost and haven for the rebellion; being located at the crossroads of many hidden paths and underground roads which connected the weakening armies of the peoples and clans of Cogan. Atop a brown hill over looking the plain there waved many an unfurled banner and flag, bearing the royal crest of Allaria; a single lion erect, regardant three orichalk crowns. A number of tents and pavilions adorned the crest of the hill, and it was here that the proud Prince Emry and his high generals and advisors stood overlooking the scene below with grim satisfaction."Victory is ours this day!" Emry exclaimed. "The enemy is dead and scattered, no match for the sovereign wrath of Allaria and the authority of the Goddess. Salt will be spread across the soil of Innsmouth, so that the earth there will be fruitless for generations; a reminder to the barbaric peoples who make these hills their home that resistance to progress brings only death. The Siblings have smiled upon us this..." Suddenly there appeared a wonder in the heavens; the clouds parted above the fields and a hand, shimmering with ethereal light, began to trace foreign signals and characters into the sky. And images as well: hawks and seagulls, snakes and scorpions, and hands, eyes, and hearts.All that beheld the spectacle on that bloody day fell to their knees or began to scream like frightened children. Although the symbols were strange, they seemed somehow familiar and full of some hidden terror or warning of impending doom. Utter hopelessness swept across the Allarian army and what was left of the slaughtered Cogan force. Emry was the only man who had managed to stay on his feet or even keep a little amount of composure, but he gazed at the sky with unblinking eyes and his jaw dropped. He would never forget the images he saw in the heavens that day, or the sense of doom he felt they carried....(to be continued....)
|
Ib
6/17/2002 12:36:35 PM
Extending Enabled
24937573 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.