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"Present....arms!"
A squad of Legionnaires presented their blades in salute as the funeral procession made its way down the bumpy and gravelly road next to Mirakus Post. The sound of a drum could easily be heard throughout the area in a rhythmic beat, ba dum bada dum. As the living Legionnaires carried their fallen comrades to their final resting, Peridan could only stand at attention saluting as those brave men he fought beside attained eternal peace.
They were not all good men, he supposed. They probably cheated and stole and hit their wives when angry. Perhaps this was simply a living to them, something that made them money and that they were able to do proficiently. But they were probably not all bad men either. They had families and friends and lovers. Some of them would have a cold hearth tonight, as opposed to when they usually came home. Their families would be comforting each other instead of welcoming them back with open arms. Peridan glanced around those gathered for the military funeral. Soldiers like himself. But there they were, the widows and widowers in the back. Their children would be laughing and playing usually, but instead they were here, at their mother or father's funeral.
Strange thing, humanity, Peridan reflected. They had such potential for either side of the spectrum of good and evil. For every saint there is a sinner, for every soldier a criminal. A dichotomy by definition indeed. But all of them died today for Sundren. For a distraction.
He knew that he shouldn't think of it in those terms. Sure, it was a distraction. But it was also the only way to accomplish the mission set forth to bring the people home. Negotiation had not rated high enough as an option. An option! Peridan clenched his mailed gauntlet. These men did not have to die today. They did not have to leave their homes defenseless and alone, without anyone to guide their children or to comfort their wives. But no. Peridan forced himself to retain his composure at this public funeral.
They did not die for nothing. They were not a distraction, they were warriors who died for the defense of their home, whether they knew it or not. They were the true hero's of this nation, the ones who suffered at the hands of countless enemies to keep their families safe at home. The Veritas ridicule them, the orcs kill them, but they keep on coming. Screw them. Damn them. They can go to the Hells! Peridan did not know who he was thinking about, but he had to fight from bursting with rage and sorrow in front of so many people.
Damn those who killed these men, who so graciously gave away their lives like so many alms to the poor. But no, he would not falter. He would not sway in his single minded mission to protect these people from ever having to show up at a military funeral again.
The Legion does not know the meaning of giving up. That, as they say, is simply not an option.
Peridan salutes as it begins to drizzle, water running down his face as the brave souls who served as a distraction were carried away.
A squad of Legionnaires presented their blades in salute as the funeral procession made its way down the bumpy and gravelly road next to Mirakus Post. The sound of a drum could easily be heard throughout the area in a rhythmic beat, ba dum bada dum. As the living Legionnaires carried their fallen comrades to their final resting, Peridan could only stand at attention saluting as those brave men he fought beside attained eternal peace.
They were not all good men, he supposed. They probably cheated and stole and hit their wives when angry. Perhaps this was simply a living to them, something that made them money and that they were able to do proficiently. But they were probably not all bad men either. They had families and friends and lovers. Some of them would have a cold hearth tonight, as opposed to when they usually came home. Their families would be comforting each other instead of welcoming them back with open arms. Peridan glanced around those gathered for the military funeral. Soldiers like himself. But there they were, the widows and widowers in the back. Their children would be laughing and playing usually, but instead they were here, at their mother or father's funeral.
Strange thing, humanity, Peridan reflected. They had such potential for either side of the spectrum of good and evil. For every saint there is a sinner, for every soldier a criminal. A dichotomy by definition indeed. But all of them died today for Sundren. For a distraction.
He knew that he shouldn't think of it in those terms. Sure, it was a distraction. But it was also the only way to accomplish the mission set forth to bring the people home. Negotiation had not rated high enough as an option. An option! Peridan clenched his mailed gauntlet. These men did not have to die today. They did not have to leave their homes defenseless and alone, without anyone to guide their children or to comfort their wives. But no. Peridan forced himself to retain his composure at this public funeral.
They did not die for nothing. They were not a distraction, they were warriors who died for the defense of their home, whether they knew it or not. They were the true hero's of this nation, the ones who suffered at the hands of countless enemies to keep their families safe at home. The Veritas ridicule them, the orcs kill them, but they keep on coming. Screw them. Damn them. They can go to the Hells! Peridan did not know who he was thinking about, but he had to fight from bursting with rage and sorrow in front of so many people.
Damn those who killed these men, who so graciously gave away their lives like so many alms to the poor. But no, he would not falter. He would not sway in his single minded mission to protect these people from ever having to show up at a military funeral again.
The Legion does not know the meaning of giving up. That, as they say, is simply not an option.
Peridan salutes as it begins to drizzle, water running down his face as the brave souls who served as a distraction were carried away.