[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9UfdIwZ34]The boy came to me with flowers.[/url] Useless emotions coated my heart with dust, seeking to grasp the grief that I had grown dull to. It was strange that the boy could locate my lingering sentiment amidst the mass, the dim beams of dawn curling its light across the cobblestone pavement. The dew-tipped grass was unusually subtle. So many had gathered, yet I felt numb. My distant mind transcended two moons as I felt the small palm pull along the side of my breeches.

[b]"...in the sanctum which be that of the Creators, may our kindred be cradled in their dominion of pearly radiance..."[/b]

I tucked my hands into the confines of my pockets, my fingers tugging at one another. A thousand years could have come and went, and I would never forget.
Yes, I still remember.

[hr]

[color=limegreen][center][h3]Jix Moros[/h3][/center]

It had been a day since the order was given.[/color]

[color=skyblue][b]"You'd think that Beorc man would've gathered more than just two hundred volunteers."[/b][/color]

[color=limegreen][b]Jix Moros[/b] knew that Emperor Deacon was a man whose conviction was a resolution without violence. Sharing those ideals, it had been the reason why Jix enlisted in the army years ago. But the secession of the southern districts was more than enough to topple the balance that Emperor Deacon has finally instilled; after being informed that the dissidents would remain steadfast in their revolt, it was only natural for Emperor Deacon to wish for unity.[/color]

[color=skyblue][b]"Compared to how many soldiers? One hundred and fifty? More volunteers than you steelhats."[/b][/color]

[color=limegreen]To Jix, it was a fair amount; after all, their purpose was to solely quell the rebellion, and only fight to defend themselves. There was no way that soldiers under the same banner could kill one another, let alone cut down their own citizens. Their presence, representing Emperor Deacon, was to simply intervene and send a message, a message that would hopefully force them to reconsider.

[b]"We ain't here to start a war, Altan."[/b] Jix replied.[/color]

[color=skyblue]Altan leaned back against the sturdy cloth which covered the wagon, seated next to Jix. [b]"Not what I was told."[/b][/color]

[color=limegreen]Night had already fallen. The convoy was only a few hours away from the line that separated them, and the rebellious south. Platoons of soldiers were all assigned to a specific group of volunteers, who were transported through large wagons guided by the army's horses. The soldiers would alternate between riding on horseback and guarding the convoy to sitting inside the wagons and resting during the travel; Jix himself had awoken an hour earlier, seated at the end where one could look outside.[/color]

[b]"We'll resume travel in the morning,"[/b] a gruff voice announced as the wagon ceased movement, the sound of the other wagons stopping following suit. [b]"Troops, grab the tents from the supply wagon and set them up for the people. Hand out food and water to those that need it, too."[/b]

[hr]

[color=skyblue][center][h3]Altan[/h3][/center]

[b]Altan[/b] was finally glad that he could actually move his body around; the confined space of the wagon was torturous, especially for someone who was his size. As he hopped out of the wagon, the only thing he could see were the far mountains for miles. [i]Typical country, nothing but land and hermits.[/i]

The soldiers were fast in their work; it had only taken mere minutes for them to set up a number of large tents that they would be sleeping in. From first glance, the tents appeared as if they could fit at least ten people each, their bloated infrastructures unmoved by the chilly wind. He looked around the many scattered groups of regular people; some look acquainted with their cliques, some stood by their lonesome. Beorc mentality was strange.

His eye eventually caught sight of the soldier from before, who was assisting in the creation of a big campfire at the center of the tents. Deacon had told Altan that he would follow Jix wherever he went, and that Jix was the one who would keep him in check. It wasn't like he had a choice, anyway; the bastard had taken his son, and the only way to get him back was to cooperate with the steelhats.

In a way, the country wasn't so bad. Although he disliked open areas, the tranquility of the land slightly calmed Altan. He didn't have to pay heed to the small talk of the Beorc all around him, all that he was concerned about was his son.[/color]