the beginning of the end (the sentinal)

8/8/2019 The Beginning of the End (the Sentinal)

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The ruling city of Syril stood before Arlette and Sheil as they gazed upon from

among the distant hills. The spires fluttered with the ruby and sapphire colors of Gollin.

Smoke drifted lazily from the villages around the mighty castle, and in some parts the

wall was beginning to crumble. The once white walls of Syril were now tarnished gray

and black from the waves of the attack that washed upon them.

Were too late, Arlette muttered sadly under her breath. We were always a step

behind. There never was a chance to protect this land was there?

Sheils voice sounded distant, but just as strong as ever, there is always a hope.

A small hope, but a hope nevertheless. As long as the people are alive this nation will

live. For good or ill. Come, we have a war council to attend. Turning around he headed

back down from his perch and back to where his men were camped. Arlette followed but

at a distance still lost in her own thoughts.

The captains gathered together in the meeting tent pitched in the midst of the

camp. The leaders of many different armies had gathered together with Sheil, whose

name and fame had reached their ears, though none of them knew of his abilities. While

among his own men they were well known they respected Sheil and they owed him their

lives many times over so out of that respect his power over the elements remained a

secret. Many of the leaders were all afraid of magicians since the last war, and that fear

and hatred was only compounded with this one. Sheil knew that this was the time to tell

them who he was, though he was unsure how. Of all the magicians in his army he knew

that outside of his command few served, ever fewer served as openly as he did.


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Sitting around the table set up in the middle of the tent, the six men and their own

commanders came together for their council of war. Sheil took a seat off to the side with

Arlette sitting just beside him.

Jussiam, the leader of the Peoples Militia stepped forward to speak first.

Welcome my brothers. You all know the reason for which we have gathered. A few

murmured agreements followed this, but no one said anything. We have to take back our

capital. You all know the importance a capital holds for its people. We cannot let these

scum of Gollin remain in possession! I propose an attack on the castle now, while its

weak, and take it back. Who is with me? Shouts of approval from many of the other

captains answered this call, though Sheil stood back quietly.

My liege, Sheil, Halbe, the leader of the Western Tribes, spoke out. We have

come together under your tents and I would appreciate to hear what you have to say. Its

obvious you disprove of this scheme Jussiam has proposed. What say you?

We crush the city, Sheil answered quietly. Shock and astonishment took the

place of curiosity on those gathered.

Jussiam was the first to regain his voice; it rushed out loudly, We needthis city!

We cant just destroy it! I thought you were a man loyal to Syril. How dare you even

suggest such an operation?! Many of the others gathered were of the same mind. Shouts

of anger and agreement with Jussiam were issued.

Halbe raised his hand to quiet them and spoke out over them, Quiet! Lets hear

him out! We have all heard of the tales of his victories during this war. I, for one, am

willing to trust him still, even if I dont agree with what he may be proposing. With that

he let Sheil come forward and speak.


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The city is useless to us now. It is in ruins. While I dont think we should just

leave them be, I think it is time we show them who were really are. They are taking up

the defense of a broken city. They are trapped. They know what it means to us, so they

will risk everything to keep it. I say let them have it. We will even bury them in it. And

that is what I plan to do. Crush the city around them. Its a symbol you say? Well let it be

a new symbol: for our victory over Gollin! I for one am not going to risk my life or my

mens life for a city that we cant defend any more than they can now.

I will not listen to this madness, Jussiam spoke as he rose. I take my leave of

this now. How do you propose we bring this place down around their heads? Its

defensible enough for them to hold it for days on end and you speak like it will fall within

a few days?

Sit and I will tell you, Sheils voice carried with it a deep cold. We send in

black ops.

Shouts of anger and pure outrage answered this last statement. This time it was

Tef, the commander of the refugees from the fallen city of Syril. Im with Sheil! I saw

what has been done to our capital! It will no longer support an army after a second assault

on it. The first one did enough damage.

And what of these black ops, as Sheil calls them. What of them? Jussiam

retorted.

We send in a few men to hit crucial structures in the city. With precise hits they

could take it down, Sheil answered.

And how do you plan to get them in Sheil? Halbe asked. Am I to assume thats

where all of us come in? We mount a full scale attack just as a front to get you men in?


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And what manner of men is this you speak of who can do such damage? It sounds like

you speak of

Magic, Sheil finished. The tent went deathly quiet as they all looked to him.

You speak of such things like it was really an option to us. It have been outlawed

Sheil, you know this. Jussiam argued. And besides that where do you propose to even

find a mage?

First, let me ask you this: Your kingdom has fallen to magic, if magic were

offered to you would you dare say no now? After all that has happened? Many of them

nodded their heads in agreement; they all knew magic was needed to fight magic. Only

Jussiam and Halbe remain motionless. What say you? Sheil asked motioning to them.

Halbe sighed wearily. I was around during the old war Sheil; I cannot begin to

tell you the things I saw in my younger years. But I cannot offer you an argument now.

Youre right. We need magicians in this fight now. That has become obvious to me now,

though I still feel like this will be the death of me.

WellIfor one will not go for this hair-brained scheme until I know your true

proposal: who are you sending in? Jussiam spoke solidly.

Motioning behind him Sheil brought forth Jerome and Rock. Rock has been my

healer under my command. He has yet to face an injury he cannot mend. Jerome is a

mind reader, one of the best under my employ. Nodding back to Arlette she stepped

forward. Arlette is my second. She is a shifter. Suddenly Arlette took the form of a

wolf, taking a few steps forward she again morphed into a falcon and settled onto Sheils

outstretched arm. She has been loyal to no one but me since we first met. Shell not let

me down. Arlette took her usual shape as she flew forward and alighted onto the ground.


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Clearly surprised the captain just sat quietly, a mixture of both fear and wonder

shown on their faces.

Tef spoke, his voice shaken, you have yet to mention the leader of this group.

Who do you think is strong enough to lead them?

Raising his hand, Sheil snapped his fingers creating a small flame over his

upraised hand. Me. The small flame he had over his hand flared outward, creating a

fireball. As suddenly as it appeared Sheil called the earth to his hands and the fire was

doused within the soil. As the dirt ran around him water trickled out of the drinking

glasses in the room joining his dance. The earth and water race around each other as if

living, sculpting themselves into unimaginable shapes. Calling the air to him Sheil poured

all he could into himself, and with a massive outburst of energy he shoved it outward. A

burst of air rushed upon all that were gathered there like a wind gust from a mighty

storm. The rushing air blew out all the torches in the tent enveloping them all in darkness.

the beginning of the end (the sentinal)

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