Tag: War
IPOLA: How odd. Hearing you put it like that … Another man like you - in some ways - spoke of the same things to me just days ago. But he wasn’t so full of hate as you are. His way didn’t need for others to die or be destroyed so his people could live and create themselves, owing nothing to Erogenia. He was … a wise man, I think. Even if all the Erogenian nations are destroyed and all of us killed - you would still remember us, no matter how you tried to forget. If we did the same to you - we would still remember you. You can rewrite history all you want, but you are from our seed. We are part of each other, even in our blood. We have been since the beginning, for ill and for good. Perhaps there is another way. A way I couldn’t see when I made that oath twenty years ago. There must be - if we can only find it.
GORSHASH: No.
IPOLA: We could destroy you, as I promised. You have found the dragons, but there is more and greater power in the world than even the dragons - and there always has been. If this war goes forward, it could end in a hollow victory for us all.
GOSHASH: That is your weakness, Ipola Queen. You speak as one who fears destruction. God revels in it, and in all that dies for His glory. That is why we will prevail.
TRANSCRIPT:
IPOLA: Thanks. He talked … too much.
GORSHASH: No, I will not have your thanks. I will have nothing from you.
IPOLA: So - are we going a few rounds, then... you and me?
GORSHASH: No. Clothe yourself. Take your weapons. I will arrange for a mount and that you may leave this sacred place. If you take care you may find your way home past our sentries and patrols.
IPOLA: Okay. Care to tell me why?
GORSHASH: You already know, I think.
IPOLA: Humor me for a moment.
GORSHASH: Because I wish for Kor Lachnis’ words to be a lie. I will make it so that Urtts owe nothing to him - or to you. We will owe nothing to your kind. We will be the makers of ourselves, and we will be the ones to defeat and destroy you - even as you swore you would do to the Urtt those years ago. Eroghen shall die, its memory forgotten. And, in time, Urtts will make our own slaves, even the degraded eshtakks will be wiped out - and you will be as if you had never been.
KOR LACHNIS: <Now, woman, trapped as thou surely art now, must thou yield! >
IPOLA: <You’re a slow learner, aren’t you? Unlike you, I don’t fear death, and I will never surrender to you. You will have to kill me. > <And you’d better do it quickly before I have a chance to recover.>
KOR LACHNIS: (admiringly) <See now, Owner Gorshash, the steel in the soul of an Erogenian? Of such are all true Erogenians made. And when thou look’st in thy heart and findest strength, it is of this stamp, and cometh from Eroghen. All dost thou owe unto Shuach and to thy makers, my people. Shuach granted us this power - and these will never bow to thee, but only to Him through m --! >
While he was monologuing Gorshash was behind him and plunged a blade into his heart.
KOR LACHNIS: (Blood bubbling from his mouth) Hah hhh … hahahaha! Oh, my … my son. That … is … perfect …
Kor Lachnis dies.
TRANSCRIPT:
Kor Lachnis rises in the air to meet Ipola and the two exchange some spectacular spell and counter-spell
IPOLA: (In ancient Erogenian) <”Kor Lachnis the Great!
Ruler of Chachra Chan! I must say
your legend has been kind to you. I expected more
from such a mighty Suvrim Urnimet than
a few parlor tricks and a light show. >
KOR LACHNIS: DOLASH URR ESHATAKKU!
TRANSCRIPT:
Riderless, the dragon flies off.
Ipola surveys her dead enemies, and her dead friend.
IPOLA: Hrraarch ... Oh, Luna, how can I ever balance this?
KOR LACHNIS: Thuu-duthracani!
IPOLA: AAGH!
A sudden magick bolt takes Ipola from behind - she is down.
KOR LACHNIS: <Marvelous. So unexpected ... And so completely marvelous! Take her back to the temple. >
ZONA: Yes, Zonn is alive. And he will fight for Erogenia when we call. You’ll all hear that story in full soon. But the word and the order is this: It is time for all of us to go back home, and quickly. This mission is over. The War is about to begin in earnest.