06-25-2009, 05:53 AM
2)
Over the blue skies of Javon, light, billowy clouds drifted by. As bright and gentle as the countryfolk they covered. Soft and radiant, they ushered forth another day of merriment. The winter solstice was at hand and preparations for the Festival of Dance were being made.
The grand stage in the oak grove was nearing completion as dozens of men worked on the pillars, joists and the various effects built upon its surface. Oiled and waxed was the floor. A perfectly mirrored surface for coming celebration.
A young, curly blonde maiden balanced a couple of glass pitchers on the wooden platter she carried to the grove. Rather than move straight to the center of the workforce, she angled towards the worker at the east stair railing. Without turning to face the child, he sat the hammer down and reached out with a small wooden cup.
"Down please," the young girl said. Turning around, the sixteen year old looked down at the little girl with the pitcher.
"Thanks, Sammie" he said as she poured the lemonade. Giggling a little girl giggle, she ran off to the next worker as she splashed the drink with each skip.
Early as it was, the light outside waned. Heavy clouds started rolling in, overshadowing the gentle silver-lined ones before them. An odd ruby haze fell upon everything. Setting the cup down, Alston glanced around at his fellow workers, all as puzzled as he.
A low rumble.
As he glanced up, the dark clouds covered the sky. As he watched, the thunderous sound grew louder. There was no flash or burst.
It came from the East... from Viman and Sarrs.
Another cloud approached... a cloud of dust and dirt. Within, men on horseback. Their dark green armor emblazoned with a silver sickle.
Over the blue skies of Javon, light, billowy clouds drifted by. As bright and gentle as the countryfolk they covered. Soft and radiant, they ushered forth another day of merriment. The winter solstice was at hand and preparations for the Festival of Dance were being made.
The grand stage in the oak grove was nearing completion as dozens of men worked on the pillars, joists and the various effects built upon its surface. Oiled and waxed was the floor. A perfectly mirrored surface for coming celebration.
A young, curly blonde maiden balanced a couple of glass pitchers on the wooden platter she carried to the grove. Rather than move straight to the center of the workforce, she angled towards the worker at the east stair railing. Without turning to face the child, he sat the hammer down and reached out with a small wooden cup.
"Down please," the young girl said. Turning around, the sixteen year old looked down at the little girl with the pitcher.
"Thanks, Sammie" he said as she poured the lemonade. Giggling a little girl giggle, she ran off to the next worker as she splashed the drink with each skip.
Early as it was, the light outside waned. Heavy clouds started rolling in, overshadowing the gentle silver-lined ones before them. An odd ruby haze fell upon everything. Setting the cup down, Alston glanced around at his fellow workers, all as puzzled as he.
A low rumble.
As he glanced up, the dark clouds covered the sky. As he watched, the thunderous sound grew louder. There was no flash or burst.
It came from the East... from Viman and Sarrs.
Another cloud approached... a cloud of dust and dirt. Within, men on horseback. Their dark green armor emblazoned with a silver sickle.