War Comes to Those Who Fear It

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An Enemy Returns

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“Tallie! Tallie it's time! They're here!”

A young member of a patrol ran through the city square towards the Skyhaven operation center. He was a bloody mess, and he clearly saw things out there. He ran into the operation center, leaning on a table to catch his breath.

“Varance, what happened out there? You're hurt, where is the rest of the patrol?” Tallie asked, moving quickly to the young man's side, placing a hand on his worse wounds and using her magick to heal them.

“Tallie…they're…they're coming. They're here. The wheel’s forces they, they came out of no where. We reached the turn around point, and there was nothing but plains. We turned to come back, and we heard something behind us. We turned, and they had tons of ships and at least several hundred soldiers marching. They just, appeared. The others…they…they told me to run, told me not to stop. They tried to hold them back but I…I don't think they made it.”

Tallie listened carefully to the man’s recollection of the event. She had expected to have a few more days at least, but instead, they had to go at this one alone. No help or aid from the outside. It wasn't new to be fighting alone for these people, but this was the first time they were fighting an enemy capable of seemingly instantaneous attacks.

“You did well, Varance. Now, I need you to find Finn, Ehaznisi, Nat, Zera, and Lupa. I need my jedi council, and I need them now, go quickly.”

“Yes Ma'am, I just ran by each of them, I'll summon them now.”

Varance headed out, leaving Tallie alone now to pull up maps and create the projection on the holotable. She used the information to create an overestimation of the enemy forces. She'd rather prepare to defend against many more than necessary, than to defend against too few. She used exact numbers of the forces on Skyhaven, much more than they had last time they had to defend against attacks, and ran several simulations before the jedi council arrived. When they did arrive, they arrived together, and they already had an idea of what was happening when they saw the holotable.

“We knew it would come, we expected it, this is sooner than we hoped though. Nothing we can change, but we need to prepare to defend now. Master Sherko has thankfully finished relocating the noncombatants and children to a safer place, so we don't need to for them in this. However, there is unfortunately no simulation that gives us zero losses this time. However, I don't think it's right. So, this is what we will do. We will remain in the city and defend it. We will have the majority of our footmen on the walls or in the trenches we prepared. Their frontal assault will be directed at the north wall. We will bolster the full front, as well as the flanks. We won't leave everywhere else unguarded, but they won't have as much. We don't expect an attack from the water. Any men unassigned will remain in the city as reinforcements. We will send 5 men out to the tribes to see if they can give reinforcements.”

Tallie took a minute now to see if any of the council had opinions or doubts, but none spoke up and none appeared as though they had any qualms with the plan, so she continued.

“Now then, assignments. Grandmaster Ehaznisi will lead the main defense alongside Master Stromvel. Master Sherko will be the last line of defense with our reserves. Nat, you will be with the messengers to the tribes. Zera, you will be in charge of overseeing the rear walls. Finn, you will help along the flanks. I'll be in the skies, and iral Dawn will deploy our pilots from where his fleet is positioned. Skyhaven was made to be a safe place from the wheel's corruption. Let's show why we have that title.”

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It's Treason, Then…

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Ralu hid in the bushes, watching the group of 5 walk past, he recognized one. She was one of the False Queen's jedi…they were heading to the Eiakla tribe…he could intercept them and use the powers the wheel’s general gave him. He could corrupt them, make them deliver messages that go against the False Queen. He could stop her getting any help. Less help, more chance of her being captured, it is so…enticing.

Ralu decided to pick up a rock, throwing it at a tree to distract the group. He watched them flinch, stop, then decide to split up. Perfect. The jedi headed closest to his direction, if he could corrupt her first, the others would be easy. She had walked past him now, and he quickly stood, reaching out, and pressing his hand to her head.

Nat's mind was flooded with visions and words that incriminated Tallie, Finn, and all of Skyhaven against her. The corruption spread through her, taking control, and the sclera of her eyes turned a faint shade of purple. She tried to fight it, but she couldn't. Her mind and body were merely puppets now, and a prison for her soul. She could see and feel everything she was doing, but she had zero control over it. She turned to Ralu, betrayal pulsing in her soul, but a deadpan expression her face.

Ralu looked down at her, satisfied and excited. It worked. And this jedi was a great one for the wheel. A friend of Tallie, Finn, and that Grandmaster. Maybe even their assassin. He nodded, then moved quickly to the next, his Na'vi feet making nearly no noise as he corrupted the others in the patrol.

“To me, pawns.”

Ralu spoke when he had corrupted a five, watching them mindlessly approach.

“Go about your mission, all the same as you were, but instead, inform the tribes that all is well, nothing is wrong, and they need not worry. Then, the assault force. We will see the False Queen's tears when she sees your…betrayal.”

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CITIZENS OF SWA

Our glorious Skyhaven is in danger! The wheel is sending its forces to attack us, and YOU 🫵🏻 can help defend us! At 12 pm EST on January 1st, you can put in a vote to save us and allow our story to continue!

Start this battle royale off strong, Skyhaven, Tallietoa, Finnland. FIGHT THE WHEEL’S CORRUPTION.

AND , #Finn4theWinn

And if you so wish, offer your vote here on if you side with Tallie or Ralu :eyes: