[RPG] Defenders of Anacan 'Lu'an's last stand'

[lenny shirose]

an'Olc turned his back upon the sea of spears and banners that filled the fields
about Anacan and addressed his men.
"Any ruffian will fight when they think they are sure to win--though there may be
men of courage among our foes, they do not prove it by these deeds. There may be
men of honour among our foes, but they win no honour before our walls. But every
man and woman who stands upon these walls to the last drop of blood--whether
they should live or die--whether we should win or lose--proves their valor and
their honour in the only way that admits of no counterfeit. Let us make of it a
battle worthy of song. Let us make the pay."

Even as he spoke, the first arrows whistled over the battlements.  "Choose your
targets--make every arrow count..."
Seeing the banner of the Black Watch, an'Olc sighed.  "Ah, Morthwyl--my cousin
did praise you as a man of courage and honour--even as he stepped down as Count
of Paplarmi and chose self-exile rather than participate in this adventure.  Of
all who come upon us this day, I had expected to see you least of all."

The fighting engulfed the wall, and for every ladder that the Lions of Anacan
threw down, two more were raised.  For a timeless time that seemed an eternity
they struggled to hold the wall.  And then the cry was raised "TAKE COVER!!!!'

And close on the heels of that cry came the terrible sound of heavy stones
falling and
the moans of the dieing.

With a great cloud of dust, part of the wall collapsed.
His men wavered then, and might have broken.  "Hold your position!" an'Olc
cried.  "See in the breach--the banner of the Honour Guard!  Lu'an himself holds
the breach, and none will pass while he yet stands.  Cover the space of wall
allotted you!"

For a short time it seemed they might hold, and then there rose from the folk
of Anacan a groan.  an'Olc grabbed a fleeing soldier by the arm, "What news?"

"Lu'an is fallen in the breach and the Honour Guard around him.  They raised a
red wall of dead before them 'ere they fell, but all is lost.  Feanor and
Thalathafn rushed to the breach to stand by him, but Thalathafn fell there, and
Feanor was made captive.  All along the line Anacan has broken."  The man tore
his arm loose from an'Olc's grasp and ran.

Enemies poured over the wall then, too close for bows.  an'Olc drew his sword,
and his men their own.  And one by one they fell there.  Nineteen the number
that breathed their last there, and not a man living of the rest was not wounded
'ere they were driven from the wall...