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Departure of the Southern Lions from Messahmuk's Western Gate [if you've read the next few paragraphs in the Kaliphlin thread, then skip ahead] Gex put down the letter from Dugal, and stared out the window of the guard captain's quarters in the Western Gatehouse in Messahmuk, pondering the ever-increasing difficulties of the war against Revolword and the higher and higher personal costs. Outside, there was the clatter of stonemasons' chisels and hammers, from the repairwork on the gatehouse, heavily damaged in an attack by earth elementals a week ago. Farther in the distance, rows of newly dug graves lined the ancient Western Shore Road. At least this gate is still standing, thought Gex randomly, the northern gate is still completely destroyed and impassable. "Is it authentic?" asked Butellius, the captain of the guard, whose men had received the missive from a white turbaned man on a camel from Queenscross. "Yes, quite so," sighed Gex. "I recognize Dugal's hand, and this is definitely his seal. The accompanying note, from Tyras, my factor in Queenscross, also attests that Dugal wrote and sealed it in his presence, and Tyras' word is unquestioned. Poor Dugal! I never suspected this of Petera!" "Then the situation in Queenscross is dire indeed. Dugal dead, and a larger enemy army than we feared approaching the city. If they take Queenscross, there's little to stop them before they reach the walls of Petraea." groaned Makenippa, the current secretary of the Council of Elders. Gex broke out of his solemn reverie, turned back to Makenippa, and his demeanor changed to one of action. "We need to send troops to Queenscross, immediately. I don't know where we'll find them, since we're sending the Southern Lions to help save Mypa Stedor. We can't let the enemy break through Queenscross, or worst-case, the Jackals' Teeth at the top of the Escarpment Pass. Otherwise they can ravage Mophet and the other oil towns on their way to Petraea. I'll send Growlfarghh the werewolf to the coordinates that Dugal requested; he's the best one for the job." "I'll call a Council meeting for tonight," said Makenippa. "We have no more troops to send. The Southern Lions are loading on the ships as we speak. The Silver Shields are half destroyed, and we need the remainder to protect Messahmuk, the valley, and the mines and armories at Erezhi. At all costs, we can't lose Erezhi, and we certainly can't let it fall into Revolword's hands." "I know," said Gex. "We'll have to think of something. Let's hope for some good news from Mypa Stedor..." [OK, picking up the story now...] Late that day, Gex composed a letter to Tyras Jazar, his factor in Queenscross: Tyras, I hope this letter finds you still alive and Queenscross still strong. I received your letter this morning, and it quite threw the Council of Elders into a panic. We did not expect that things would go so wrong up north so quickly. Dugal's untimely demise is a heavy blow. We had already committed most of the available troops, consisting largely of the Southern Lions, to help support Damaximus at Mpya Stedor. Makenippa was worried enough that we wouldn't be able to protect the city and the mines and armories at Erezhi. But our prayers have been answered! While the Council was (heatedly) discussing our limited options, a messenger burst in from the docks, quite out of breath. He was so excited he could barely get the message out -- one of the PGTC's ships had just arrived from Mpya Stedor with the news that the city walls had held, and Damaximus had won a great victory against Valsharess and the Hand! Apparently many are dead, and Valsharess captured! Well, you can imagine the relief at this news! Cheering, hurrahs, etc! Old Gerships Hamilcarzi even broke into his private stash of Siccus Ultra Reserve '37 and gave everyone a drink! I suppose miracles really do happen. The Southern Lions were immediately ordered to unload from their ships and redeploy northwards as soon as possible to support Queenscross. You can imagine the grumbling from the ranks. It took a few hours to unload, and then a few more to arrange a baggage train for an overland journey, plus we had to bring the cavalry too, which we wouldn't have needed at Mpya Stedor. It was late afternoon before they left the city, but they should make good time up to Queenscross as long as they don't run into any trouble. Count Darzag is leading the expedition; he's quite competent. It was quite a sight as they marched out of the Western Gate, resplendent in the late afternoon sun! I'm sure they will look even better to you all as they march down from the Escarpment towards your city! They had to use the Western Gate, as the Northern Gate is still quite destroyed from Revolword's elemental attack several weeks ago; it's totally impassable. The Western Gate sustained damage, but is still very usable. It's not fancy, but that most ancient of our city gates held up quite well. The troops have directions to get to Queenscross as soon as possible, and if the city has already fallen, to fall back to the Jackals' Teeth, and thence back to defend Petraea. Their secondary mission is to ensure that there are no ravaging bands of the Hand threatening Erezhi. Give Paulos any assistance you can; he's a good one, and he has Dugal's blessing. Please return this falcon with any news of Queenscross, as well as any intelligence of the enemy's troop movements. As I expect you will have a hard time of it soon, I am sending three ships with supplies to Barqa, and then up the river to you. You may dispose of the supplies as you see fit; this is not the time to worry about profit. If Queenscross falls, I believe I shall have to bring whatever remaining troops we can find and help defend Petraea, leaving the Muk Valley and Erezhi essentially undefended. Wyndifera sends her best, and says that you and Yasminafa must come down to our place in the Mystic Mountains if things get too bad in Queenscross. I know you won't leave, but perhaps you will send her on? Darzag can arrange transportation. I hope this is enough to help you all. Good luck to you all! Yours in Kaliphlin, Gex Departure of the Southern Lions I kept the design of the gatehouse and walls fairly simple and clean, trying to make it look like a more ancient and slightly decrepit structure, before ornamentation got popular, or perhaps built when the city didn't have enough money for fancy buildings. (Plus that makes it easier to build!) The structure is fully detachable -- the walls detach from the gatehouse, and the each floor of the gatehouse and the wall tower lift off so you can see the interior of each floor. Someday I'll try to get photos of the interiors; they're pretty basic right now. There is a slot through the middle for the portcullis, although, as you can see, the earth elemental ripped it out and left it against the gatehouse wall. Departure of the Southern Lions - leading the way Count Darzag leading the Southern Lions to help defend Queenscross and Petraea Departure of the Southern Lions - front oblique Departure of the Southern Lions - front left Departure of the Southern Lions - the workers These guys have a lot of work to do to fix the gatehouse and city walls! Get back to work, before another earth elemental shows up! Departure of the Southern Lions - left side This is not technically part of the 6th Challenge (too big), and not part of the Kaliphlin off-to-war mini challenge (again, too big). But the story is relevant to my challenge entry, so I suppose it's a freebuild prelude to the challenge. Enjoy; C&C welcomed.
