"Open the gates!" Magam commanded from atop the tall ramparts of New Narra. While Lord Commander Holiday and the main army was away on campaign, he had been named castellan and placed in charge of the garrison and all town functions.
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loginHe stood at the fulcrum of the walkway leading from one gatehouse tower to another. A sudden creaking and groaning of wood and chain captured his attention away from the approaching dust cloud of banners and horse on the horizon to the peasantry struggling to lift the great gate. Satisfied they would succeed, he rushed down the spiral staircase to the chaotic town square below.
Word spread fast around town. No formal planning was needed to accommodate the upcoming celebration. Rather spontaneously the peasantry, whores, nobles, and townsfolk alike had all started drinking and partying. Banners were sewn, signs were painted, flowers were built into wreaths, and kegs were tapped. Seemingly overnight, New Narra had transformed from a bustling city to a colorful and joyful site to see.
Few stood against many.
With so many allied against them, it was a story that all in the realm of the squid could find joy in. Even the defeated army must admit admiration of the feats of the warriors wearing the Kraken standard.
Magam smiled at the site. What a joyous day it was indeed. He began to make his way to the great platform in middle of the square. Usually reserved for executions, today it would be the platform where the words of the great fighters would be heard by the townsfolk.
Suddenly, a man shouted and then a great surge of people headed towards the front gate. Magam glanced behind him and realized the party of warriors was nearly at the gates.
"Make way for the victors! Make way for the heroes of Rebache!" Magam commanded. His poleaxe wielding men slowly pushed the crowd back and a walkway was formed wide enough for the column to enter the town two abreast.
The crowd continued to undulate as the people tried their best to get a good view of the celebrity warriors.
Magam waved from his spot atop the platform. Waiting for their cue, the half dozen royal trumpeters welcomed the first horsemen to pass through the threshold and signaled the crowd to erupt in excited applause and cheer.
At the head of the column were the great war generals Calamari and Holiday. They saluted the crowd with their lances. Wreaths were thrown at them and they put them around their necks. Magam was not sure which beamed brighter, their armor or their wide smiles.
A group at the front of the crowd shouted Calamari's name fervently and caught his attention. Three young females were holding signs which had a man's bend over behind painted on them. Calamari waved politely. At that, the girls also decided to show him their bare breasts and wave. Calamari smiled, blushed, and rode on. Not only had the tale of their improbably victory reached the gates of New Narra, but another story had as well. Before the battle, Calamari climbed to the top of a hut in Nova Rebache and exposed his naked rear end to the enemy. It was said the mere sight of it inspired some of the enemy to feel disgust and rage while others encounter a rather different and unsettling feeling and rush of blood they tried not to show to their comrades around them.
Warriors continued to flow through the gate. Executioner waved his gauntleted hand at the bare breasted ladies as he rode by and asked them to join him at the inn later in the evening. Tyfire, proud and noble, stood tall in his saddle and continued honorably in precession towards the platform. Sir Ryan, held a cup in the air, swayed in his saddle, and beamed brightly at the crowds cheering him. The celebration had already started with him.
Many more warriors passed and soon the great column of troops had reached their destination and halted. Lord Commander Holiday of New Narra dismounted and accompanied Magam on the platform.
Magam symbolically offered Holiday his sword as a sign of relinquishing his role as castellan. Holiday nodded, allowed Magam to keep his sword, and then turned to the crowd. It took a full five minutes for him to calm the cheering of the crowd so he could speak.
"Victory!" Holiday screamed at the crowd.
It seemed like the townsfolk would never stop their cheers. Finally, Holiday was able to gesture for quiet.
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login"We stood our ground as they rushed us on the hill. We stood our ground when they charged us in the streets. We butchered them around the cabins. We made the streets flow red with the blood of our enemies!" He was shouting at the top of his lungs. The towns people held their breath with every word. Holiday unsheathed his sword and raised it into the air. The applause was deafening. "Now fine citizens, enjoy and indulge. At least for another day, you may sleep safe knowing your enemies are in the after life. Huzzah!" Another eruption of cheers.
Fifes, lutes, and drums started and the whole square cheered and danced and drank. Holiday grasped Magam around the shoulder and led him towards the inn the rest of the Kraken soldiers were headed into.
"Come my friend. Let us celebrate this victory. On the morrow, we begin preparations for a great offensive campaign. We must strike terror into the hearts of our enemies for they have become too bold."
Magam nodded, grabbed the nearest bare breasted woman he could find and waved at Executioner who was waiting ahead of him with two.
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loginVictory.
Celebration.
War.
It shall continue.
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