(Dark Tower Universe) Rise of the Fallen: The Battle for Lud

[Nydie]

(Post-Canon Universe)

Plot 3: Lud
There’s trouble brewing in Lud. The citizens have been stirred up by rumors of a force heading their way to the great city, and there is a feeling of unease lingering throughout the streets.

A voice whispers through the speakers in the streets; whispering of how the new force looming in the distance is here to cleanse the city of the selfish and lazy rich, allowing the hard workers of the city to take over and claim their rightful places as the superior ruling class of Lud. These whispers have caused a stir among the lower class and have cemented their alliance to the rising force.

The upper class, unaware of the voice that has been rousing anger toward them, is struggling to maintain peace and order. There is an uprising coming both from within the cities walls and coming from an outside source that they cannot find. The ruling class has called upon Gilead to help them fight off the forces that are approaching and help restore balance within the city walls.

Characters:

Dianna La'Salle (Nydie)
Logan Blackhorn (James)
Colm Alabaster (Kyoya)
Allison Fairebanks (Envy)
James McCormick (Holy)
Daniel Meadows (Sai)Character Info Needed (Sartorous)
Character Info Needed (Mr. Mystic)

Rules: Hear me, I beg! First and foremost, be respectful. As the OOC Dinh, I ask that you come to me with any problems or concerns you have.

Do not force another character's actions, without the consent of the person playing that character.

We're all adults, so cussing, violence and gore won't be censored, but I ask that sex be limited and censored for those with little eyes that should not be corrupted.

I'll add more as we go along if needed, but I think that we will be fine.

[James Edenheart]

Logan Blackhorn was nearing the town of River Crossing. From a distance it looked run down and suspected as he got closer it wouldn't get any better. He squinted his eyes at the blinding sun and spat into the dust at his feet before continuing walking. He had no real reason to be there except that he hasn't been there before. He liked to travel, and helped those who couldn't help themselves. Every now and then he'd take an official mission from Gilead or what was left for it was being rebuilt, but aid was still being lent out to Baronies. A wind blew and he held his hat down.

"Long days indeed." He said to no one aloud. He had been walking ever since his horse broke its foreleg going down a hillside. He had to put it down with a shot between the eyes. Since then it had been two days travel and his water skins were dry. He hoped the town wasn't as bad as it appeared perhaps they had a horse he could pay for. A nights rest would do good perhaps he could help the town out. Only time would tell

[Enyverses]

Ahead in the distance there appeared a speck that seemed to waiver. The bottom half of it at least seemed to, but hte top half remained just the same--a brownish flag waving in the wind which kicked up periodically. Over time the speck didnt seem to get any larger to Logan, only more defined. It was a young woman who had been walking. She was wrapped up in a black cloak she had taken from a parlavier of sorts. Her expression was haggard and resolute on the opposite direction Logan was taking.

Allison closed her eyes as she fixed her eyes ahead, on a figure up ahead. She did not wish to run into anyone just yet. She was mourning the passing of her mother. She clenched his fists as she stopped in her trail. Then turning her back she looked towards the direction of Lud. She would have to go back. She could feel it on the wind. That, and a sinister feeling she associated with that cursed sorcerer. She looked over her shoulder towards the figure, who was now closer. "Move on," she said to herself. Then she knelt to the ground by the makeshift grave marker that belonged to her mother.

[Nydie]

Dianna La’Salle was tired. No, she was beyond tired, she was exhausted. Her bones ached from hours upon hours of remaining mounted on a trotting mare; dust clung to her like a second layer of skin, and sweat was currently dripping down the nape of her neck and trialing its way down her back. Dianna was exhausted, dirty, and ready to shoot the first person who looked at her the wrong way.

The area outside of her destination had afforded her some shade for most of the early morning, but now the trees were becoming sparse, and shade was more difficult to come by. The once lush and flourishing forestry of the past had given way to a barren landscape littered with struggling seedlings, wilted flower bushes, and grass that was more brown than green. She imagined that the land had seen better days, but for a world that was struggling to recover it was enough.

The world had moved on; how they knew was just as mysterious as how it had recovered. There had been rumors, legends, stories, and theories as to just how the world had returned from the brink of extinction, but Dianna worried little of these tails. She was alive, and she was a gunslinger, she was not one to question Ka; her task was to ensure that it continued to turn. And that is exactly why she was currently on the outskirts of the once great city known as Lud.

Her quest was a trivial one; confirm that Gilead was still in the process of restorations, but allow the Baronies that the Line of Eld was still there to protect; in other words, the Gunslingers were back in action. It was a minor chore, and Dianna knew she was only assigned this task because she was a rarity. Gunslingers themselves were rare, but female gunslingers were almost unheard of. There were a few scattered throughout the history of All-World, but their tales were not nearly as known or as popular as the tales of their male counterparts. The woman herself was not concerned if her tale would be spread through history after she departed the world, but she despised the fact that she was born into the light, yet her talents were wasted playing peace keeper.

Dianna knew her skills with a gun were on par, if not better than some of her male ka-mates. The ease with which she could shot her targets, the natural ability to aim with only a glimpse; it was in her blood. Yet, because she was considered one of the ‘fairer’ sex, she was often ridiculed by those outside of Gilead, which made it difficult for her to be assigned to offer aid. She could still hear some of the comments that had been thrown in her direction. Mentally she had shot the bastards dead at least a hundred times inside her mind, but externally she had simple smiled and walked away, reminding herself that her job was to protect the stupid, not kill them.

Dianna chose to forget her bitterness and focus on the task at hand. One blue and one green eye traveled the distance from her current location to her destination. She could see the city of Lud looming quite far in the distance, and mentally calculated that is she remained at her pace she should reach the gates of the city by nightfall. This was to be her final stop before she would be allowed to return to Gilead, and she could not wait for it to be over. The journey to the Baronies was not entirely unpleasant, but it would be a welcomed reprieve to be able to make her way back home.

It was a silent and long venture she took throughout the day. She stopped only briefly to munch on a quick lunch of jerky and water, allowing her mount to rest while she ate. Although her task was a boring one, it did allow her some peace. With only herself and her mount, she was not troubled by the constant chatter of companions, or worrying about the safety of another when trouble arose. It was the one blessing that her position afforded her, and she was eternally grateful for it.

Her small meal consumed, Dianna returned to her mount and continued her leisurely trot towards Lud. She reached the bridge that would lead her into the city just as the touched the horizon. It was slow going, but eventually mount and rider made it across the newly renovated bridge, with little more than one panicked moment when her horse decided to double back and head towards more solid grounds. Dianne had blindfolded the mare, deciding that things would be much smoother if she could navigate without the horse fighting her.

The gunslinger’s eyes took in each and every detail of the once grand city looming ahead of her. The crumbling bricks of the protective wall surrounding the city, the shabbily dressed guards that stood vigilant at the city’s gate, even the dark overcast sky that seemed to hover over the highest structure of the city; all of it combined to give an ominous sense of peril, causing the woman to release the reins with one hand to rest on the butt of her gun. The feel of the sandalwood grip comforted her, and eased the slow growing trepidation that had been growing inside her gut.

She approached the guards silently observant, her eyes flickering between the two with each small move that they made. Being a woman, she was not often seen as a threat; but that did not mean that she could not be ambushed. The two guards took immediate notice of Dianna, and she could tell by the furrowed brows and raised whispers that they were unsure what to make of her. She honestly didn’t give a damn what the made of her, as long as they allowed her to enter the city peacefully.

“Hile.” Dianna called out, the sound emanating from her lips just a tone lower than her usual boisterous voice. “Long days and pleasant nights, Sais.” She hadn’t expected them to respond, but they each replied in unison. “And may you have twice the number.”

Rewarding them with a friendly smile, she tapped her fist lightly against her forehead, earning her the same in response. The three fell silent, the two guards shooting each other questioning glances, and then turning their gaze to regard the guns at her hips. She knew what they were thinking, it was clear by the looks of confusion that they were struggling not to inquire about the guns and her position, and it put Dianna at ease. If they weren’t going to cause a ruckus about a female gunslinger, she could at least return the favor by ignoring their obvious stares.

“I bring greetings from Gilead, and ask to speak to those in charge to pass along a message. Do you kennit?” She asked quietly, her eyes lowering to her guns to imply who and what exactly she was. The two stared stupidly at her for a moment, before acknowledging her question. “Yar. Cry your pardon.” The guard on the right replied, lowering himself down to one knee before her.

Dianna sighed impatiently, but allowed the two guards to greet her properly with the knee to the ground and their fist tapping their foreheads once again. ‘Really, can’t they just forget formalities and let me in?’ Dianna muttered inside her mind, the lids of her eyes narrowing into a glare at the two men before her. “Thank ye, Sais.” Dianna spat out. “But I must have a palaver with those in charge. If you could point me in the direction, I’ll be on my way.”

The two men looked back to each other, than to her, both point her to the East and explaining where she needed to go. She nodded her head in thanks, and followed the path they had pointed her in. She wasn’t sure what would occur doing her chat with the leaders of Lud, but she was sure that once it was over, she was heading back to Gilead for a much needed rest.

[James Edenheart]

Logan entered the town after a bit more of a walk. The gates were unguarded a rare thing but perhaps not in these parts. He didn't question it and continued forward past the crumbling gates that at one time would have served to protect. Shops lined his right and left and a few people were walking here and there casting an eye on his direction. He met none of them. The people looked as poor as their surroundings.

"You there." He called out to a man washing his hands on a broken pipe that spewed brown water. " why is this ace in such disarray? Does the Affliction from Gilead not offer support?" The mans eyes widened and he cast a glance about as if worrying he was being watched. " Find your tongue." Logan told him in a stern voice his hands resting above his gun belt. The man noticed that quickly and scooted closer still glancing about.

In a hushed voice he spoke his greasy black hair covering one eye as he stood hunched over. " we aren't supposed to speak about it. You a Gunslinger! Mayhap you might leans a hand to the cause? We used to be fancy but after many raids we decided if we look poor we won't be attacked."Logan nodded that made sense. " who attacks you?" He asked. " a few harries from the outskirts. " at first it was only a few supers here and ther, but then people. Those that were not as well off as others they recruited to their cause. The went East to a place called Lud, I think." The gunslinger nodded and tossed the man a silver coin. "Thankiee Sai don't let anyone see you with that until your ready to use it you ken it?" The man nodded and rushed off.

[Holy Unknown]

James was on the western outskirts of Gilead, he wasn't assigned a mission to be out there but he was patrolling the area anyways. He had been out here for four days now, roaming freely on his horseback. He's kept close to a small creek with decent water to keep his waterskins replenished. He also found that keeping close to a fresh water supply also meant wildlife, so he killed to eat if necessary. He wasn't one to be alone normally. He enjoyed the madness of life and it's people, but every now and then he would venture off days at a time by himself. In his travels by himself he has helped a many of the years, knowing that Ka had wanted him to be there to help these folk in their time of need.

The day was almost approaching an end, within the next couple of hours the sun would be down. He would have to settle down then and rest for the night. He planned on heading back to Gilead tomorrow morning and see if any new missions awaited him. This trip out here has yet to bring him anything exciting or interesting. He adjusted his duster that was laid across his horse's back in front of him, seeing it was slipping little by little with the bumpy terrain. "I'll need to find somewhere flat to rest for the night." The night before he slept on this kind of terrain and wasn't to pleased with how he felt when he awoke.

He gazed up at the open sky and thought of a time from when he was younger, shortly after he had earned his guns. He gave a soft laugh, "Man those were the good days...Not a care in the world and having fun." He was a bit more careless about his life when he was younger and relied on his instinct and his extra sense to get him by often. Yet as he aged, he grew wiser but was still a very unpredictable person.

[Enyverses]

Allison had watched the tall dark gunslinger pass her by. She did not like the man very much. Too quite leads to too much trouble. The man in black had taught her that. She wished it wasn't so but she could do little about the past. Then sun had already gone by and she had mourned her mother. Now was the time to refocus and double her effort about locating that man she hated so much. It was a long walk back without a horse--could you ken dragging a body that far out from Lud? But the truth lies elsewhere, a strangling trader--rare for sure--had taken pity on her and dropped them both off where the mother was now buried. It was better this way though. The vulchers of the south wouldn't touch her mother.

Now she was nearing the city gates on the western front. She could see, visibly that the guards were a little more tense than usual. Something--no a lot of somethings were stirring up. She nodded to one of them and passed without a word. She was after all the daughter of the nobility here, to some extent. Ahead she saw a woman leading her horse, though she didn't know her nor recognize. She looked at the woman with a dark hatred, a gunslinger meant trouble and death. She might be the law embodied but Allison had no respect for these gunmen. Inside she laughed at herself though, because she could not help but look at this one. Pathetique She held herself firmly and walked in her general direction.
"You! What's your purpose?"

[Nydie]

Dianna quirked a brow at the screeching of some female behind her. The gunslinger didn't bother turning in the direction of the voice, instead she simply replied. "I don't believe that's any of your business, sai." She didn't have time to deal with shrieking harpies; she was on a mission and unless the woman shouting behind her proved to be a part of Lud's leadership, Dianna didn't have the time or the patience to deal with her. 'The men gave me an easier time!' She thought to herself with a roll of her eyes. 'I'd much rather deal with bitter men than bitter women. At least the men have a reason to hold a grudge against me. You'd think the women would be happy to see a woman in my position.'

Dianna refused to stop, even for a moment. She was on a mission and although it was her job to help those in need, the woman who had addressed her had in no way conveyed that such aid was needed. So Dianna continued on her path, following the cobblestone streets toward where she hoped the leaders of Lud were gathered. The city around her was being repaired, and from what Dianna could tell, it was at quite an accelerated pace, but there was still much that needed to be done. The road on which she was walking on had several holes that needed filled, most of the buildings around her looked unused with their crumbling bricks and darkened windows; not much work was needed to actually live inside the city, but if it were to return to its former glory, the people of Lud had a lot of work on their hands.

The buildings for the most part seemed vacant, and Dianna had to question just how many were currently residing in the city. It didn't matter to her much, but if there was a large number of people and there was trouble she doubted her ability to go things alone. 'A hundred maybe....more than that and I'll need ka-mates.' She thought to herself. 'Even a hundred is pushing it with my ammo.' She would need to send word if she had to remain in the city, but she was hoping that would not be the case.

Her hopes were completely dashed when the sound of an explosion and the acrid smell of smoke reached her. Dianna looked to her mare, then down the street ahead of her. "Ka..." she muttered miserably. Apparently Ka hd other plans for her than passing along Gilead's message. Kicking her heels into the mare's sides, she pushed the horse faster, her dual colored eyes surveying the skies for the tell-tale rise of smoke in the sky. The thinnest tendril became visible in the sky moments later, and Dianna navigated her mount in the direction.

Once she reached the approximate area, she used her senses to guide her to the scene of the disturbance, and was not at all surprised to find a group of workers gathered the charred remains of a wooden structure, each men whooping and hollering in an excited manner. She could make out the cheers and was disturbed by what they were saying. “Death to the law!” One man cried. “Lud will be ours!” Shouted another.

It was obvious that the men were about to rebel about something, but what she had no idea. She watched through dual colored eyes as the group began to gather around something, a large something that was squirming against them and releasing several muffled cries. Her feet carried her closer and she realized that the men had bound and gagged what Dianna could only assume was their overseer. His attire was clean and looked new, implying that he had a bit of coin in his person, and from what Dianna could see, he didn’t look as if he had put in a hard day’s work in his life. ‘Still’ Diana thought to herself. ‘It’s no reason to kill the man.’

Diana took another step towards the group, deciding that trying to figure out what was going on was a waste of time. Actions spoke louder than words, and soon Dianna was shouting over the men gathered. “Cry your pardon!” She yelled as loudly as she could, causing the men to grow quiet and turn to look at the crazy woman with guns who had stepped amongst their gathering.

Hopping gracefully off her mount, Dianna began to move deeper into the crowd, the men parting to allow her through, muttering in awed whispers both at her appearance and her demeanor. She could hear them questioning if she was in fact what she appeared to be, but she didn't bother to confirm or deny. She'd let her guns do the talking if it came down to it. 'And I really hope it does.'

"Hile, citizens of Lud.' She shouted to the crowd as she continued to make her way through them towards the three men and their captive. "Cry your pardon, but it seems as if I've interrupted something. Mayhaps there is someway I may aid ye?" She spoke loudly to keep their focus, but she no longer shouted.

"Silence, Gilead dog!" Came the voice of the greasy haired, dirt covered male who was currently holding the captive by his gag. Dianna's eyes swung in his direction, her hand laying on the butt of her guns. "Now Sai, is that any way to address a lady?" She chastised. Her voice came out with a hardened edge, and from the clench of her jaw and the darkening of her eyes, it was obvious she was prepared for trouble. "I'll ask one more time what the problem is, you kennit?" She didn't bother drawing her weapons. She only needed ten seconds tops and not only would her guns be drawn, but one of the three men would be dead.

"They're trying to take over." A man in the crowd spoke up, causing Dianna to glance over her shoulder with an arched brow. "The men with the coins. They're trying to squash us and take over our city!" The man bellowed out, his reply causing a series of agreeing whispers. 'That tells me nothing...' Dianna thought hopelessly.

"Again, cry your pardon, but why does that mean the man has to die?" She nodded her head towards their captive, who was no longer struggling, but staring hopefully at her with tears streaming down his face.

"He's one of them! He wants us all to starve while we work our hinds off for him and his slave drivers." A man at her left replied, his face contorted with anger and fear. 'So it's a labor dispute?' She thought, turning her attention back to the captive. Labor dispute or not, the men had no right to sacrifice a life because they were unhappy. There were other ways to go about things.

"Fear me not, but hear me well." Dianna bellowed, deciding that if she could defuse the situation without gunfire, she would. "Lud is not my fill, you kennit? But Gilead is here to offer aid should it be needed." She cast a glance around to see if the men were listening, and for all appearances they were, yet they all did not look convinced. "Mayhaps ye good sais would care to share a palaver with me, might I be able to pass word unto Gilead of your struggles." Lifting a fist to her forehead, she made the customary taps and bowed over her leg. "I am Dianna, daughter of Darren, line of Eld." Her last statement was met with another hushed murmur of excited whispers.

Most of the men seemed convinced, but it was the man holding the captive that was giving her worry. He did not look convinced, and he seemed to be plotting something in his mind. The next few seconds gave light to his plan.

A flicker of movement from the male caught Dianna's attention. Her brain had enough time to assess the possession of a weapon and the male's intent. Before he could lift the knife to the captive's throat, Dianna had her guns withdrawn and aimed at the male. "One more move pard, and you'll be finding yourself in the clearing." The man obviously doubted her word, because he continued to lift his weapon towards the captive male's throat, his dirt colored eyes boring intently into Dianna's dual colored gaze. 'I warned him...'

It took her all of five seconds to raise her gun, aim and shoot the man between the eyes. Blood and brain matter splattered all over the captive and the man's other associates, but he was dead before he could hit the ground and the captive was now free to at least move a bit despite his bounds. Glancing back at the crowd, Dianna glared. "Anyone else want to share his fate?" She looked through the crowd to see fear and confusion marring the faces of the men. "No? Alright, now let's have our palaver!" Dianna cried out, returning her guns to the holsters at her hips.

[Enyverses]

Suddenly a long whistle of a train pierced the air, cutting through the tension. Allison had followed as fast as she could and barely caught up when Dianna was trying to parlavier. As a local she and the other remnants of the town knew what that whistle ment. Ever since the days of that mangy dog Andrew, that whistle indicated another life taken or the approach of her father's charge.

"Shit!" She looked in the direction of the station and saw the steam puffing out in a long winded rest. The other pubes looked in the same direction.
"You, gunslinger, you know what happens when that whistle blows?" It was not a threat persay. Who would question a gunslinger's just fired. A voice then broke out over the loud speak in a somewhat muddled talk, as though someone were speaking too close to the mic.
"and whenever a mono comes a rollen down they say there goes a steel driven man."

[Holy Unknown]

James continued to survey his surroundings and noticed a small trail of smoke off in the distance. The smoke resembled that of a small campfire, his years of training had given him much insight on the littlest of details. He figured he would seek out the campers and speak with them, he hadn't seen anyone in two days. Ask them about any news in the area or rumors they may have heard of.

Riding his horse closer towards the smoke, he slowed himself down as not to give himself away. He wasn't sure if the people were friendly or not, though it didn't matter. If anyone out here were to attack him, that would be the end of them. The forest he was in was getting thicker in brush as he was nearing the fire. He figured the people thought it to be safer in thicker brush then out in the open. 'Not bad.' He thought to himself.

His eyes were sharp and he was able to pick up three silhouettes from far off distance, two of bigger statures and one of a smaller one. He guessed two male adults and one teenager, sex unknown. He was within their distance of sight and sound now and they had noticed his presence but had not done anything about it at this point. He spoke to them as he closed the gap on his horse, "Hile, long days and pleasant nights." He stopped his horse, as he entered their clearing, all while raising his fist to his forehead.

"And may you have twice the number Gunslinger." One of the men spoke out, as they all knelt and mirrored James' greeting. He was correct in his assumption of the two males and the third was a teenage boy, most likely 15-17 years old. A bit older but still had an innocent look on his face.

"Tell me sais, have you heard any rumors or know of any information that the City of Gilead could use to aid people?" He was slightly hunched over on his horse at this time, studying them. They looked starved and had ragged clothing about them. Seems as if they had been traveling through the outdoors for quite some time without any supplies. Though he noticed a bah was close by, hidden behind them. He would keep that in mind while here speaking with them, but they showed no signs of anger towards him, yet. They probably used the bah to hunt wildlife with to survive this long.

The older of the two men rose up, "Gunslinger, we come east in search of Gilead to ask for it's aid. We come from the city of Lud and are under harsh times." James listened as this old man told his story, he knew then that Ka had brought him out here once again to help someone. Yet this time, this someone was a city full of people. He explained to the man that he would return to Gilead and tell his story to his Dinh. He would also send for someone to come and help them move on to a small village where they could rest and find work and start a new life. He handed over all of his rations to the three and bid them farewell as he sped off towards Gilead at a full gallop. It would take him half a day to reach Gilead and deliver the news.