The Flowers in Boreal Twilight:Volume 1 Chapter 1 - Revision history

Aorii: general flowers rewrite

2017-12-24T04:27:32Z

general flowers rewrite

Aorii at 04:43, 13 December 2017

2017-12-13T04:43:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:43, 13 December 2017
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	''- Samaran Scripture: The Song of the Lord, Chapter 2, Verses 62-63''		''- Samaran Scripture: The Song of the Lord, Chapter 2, Verses 62-63''

	Lydia stayed despondent in bed for two days and two nights after receiving the dreadful news, hugging Aleksei's favorite jacket stuffed with his pillow. She ate nothing and spoke to no one, her blank gaze unmoving even when her own crying mother begged ~~her to eat something.~~		Lydia stayed despondent in bed for two days and two nights after receiving the dreadful news, hugging Aleksei's favorite jacket stuffed with his pillow. She ate nothing and spoke to no one, her blank gaze unmoving even when her own crying mother begged in a heartbroken voice:

	It felt like everything that had made her life worth living had died with him~~. Only a painful, gaping void remained inside the heart that was once filled with love and joy~~.		"Lydia, please... you have to eat."

			''What's the point?'' The thought barely passed her conscious mind.

			Everything seemed so drab, as though the whole world had been dyed a monotonous gray. It felt like everything that had made her life worth living had also died with him.

	The lack of food and water slowly drove her towards delirium, yet the grieving girl did not mind, for only in dreams and delusions could she see Aleksei once more. There, she could smile again as they ate another meal together, or walked arm-in-arm through the snow together, or feel his fingers absentmindedly play with her hair as they sat studying together...		The lack of food and water slowly drove her towards delirium, yet the grieving girl did not mind, for only in dreams and delusions could she see Aleksei once more. There, she could smile again as they ate another meal together, or walked arm-in-arm through the snow together, or feel his fingers absentmindedly play with her hair as they sat studying together...

	~~It was always the simple pleasures that made life truly worth living~~, that ~~one would treasure~~ more than anything.		Those moments, those memories... they were all she had left now, images and feelings that she treasured more than anything.

	On the third day though, her father-in-law had enough.		On the third day though, her father-in-law had enough.
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	'Priority assignment offered to war widows and orphans between the ages of eighteen and thirty.'		'Priority assignment offered to war widows and orphans between the ages of eighteen and thirty.'

			''Aleksei is gone, our life is gone'', the thought pass through Lydia’s mind. ''What do I... still have left to lose?''

	Her fingers twitched as they began to squeeze together once more. Beneath them, the paper slowly crumbled as they clenched into fists of newfound resolve.		Her fingers twitched as they began to squeeze together once more. Beneath them, the paper slowly crumbled as they clenched into fists of newfound resolve.

			''I will NOT allow his memory pass 'in vain'!''

	In less than two hours' time, Lydia would ride into the city and sign her name at the garrison barracks.		In less than two hours' time, Lydia would ride into the city and sign her name at the garrison barracks.
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	"The General will never succeed if this keeps up! Those Eastlings must assume we're too demoralized by that last sally to pose a threat."		"The General will never succeed if this keeps up! Those Eastlings must assume we're too demoralized by that last sally to pose a threat."

	Lydia squeezed her fist to her side. Tactically speaking, she knew what should be done, what ''needed'' to be done. It was her one chance to truly make an impact: to unbalance the invaders and throw them off the battle's flow; to stab them in the most painful spot just as her vengeful desires had hoped.		Lydia squeezed her fist to her side. Tactically speaking, she knew what should be done, what ''needed'' to be done. It was her one chance to truly make an impact: to unbalance the invaders and throw them off the battle's flow; to stab them in the most painful spot just as her vengeful desires had hoped...

			''I will not allow Alek to have died 'in vain'!''

	She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, remembering once more the warmth of Aleksei's embrace. Now, she had the opportunity to repay his family for their generosity, ''one last time''.		She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, remembering once more the warmth of Aleksei's embrace. Now, she had the opportunity to repay his family for their generosity, ''one last time''.

Aorii at 15:27, 9 December 2017

2017-12-09T15:27:24Z

Aorii at 17:32, 4 December 2017

2017-12-04T17:32:55Z

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Aorii: major edit

2017-11-22T05:21:03Z

major edit

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Aorii at 14:24, 5 November 2017

2017-11-05T14:24:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 5 November 2017
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	"''Fucking bottom''."		"''Fucking bottom''."

	The illusion cleared to reveal ten solid blocks of fresh cavalry reserves, all readied in formation with the Great Khan's banners flying. Dozens of giant golden eagles took off into the air with hunters upon their backs. ~~Meanwhile~~ a faint mirage of the Eastlings' holy mountain ~~rose behind them,~~ a telling sign of their ''Burkhan Kahldun'' ritual army blessing.		The illusion cleared to reveal ten solid blocks of fresh cavalry reserves, all readied in formation with the Great Khan's banners flying. Dozens of giant golden eagles took off into the air with hunters upon their backs. Behind them rose a faint mirage of the Eastlings' holy mountain -- a telling sign of their ''Burkhan Kahldun'' ritual army blessing.

	The Polisian commanders had thought that the northern perimeter was the weak point in the encirclement. They had even confirmed by examining the area with scrying spells. But instead, they had enthusiastically flung themselves into yet another Eastling trap.		The Polisian commanders had thought that the northern perimeter was the weak point in the encirclement. They had even confirmed by examining the area with scrying spells. But instead, they had enthusiastically flung themselves into yet another Eastling trap.

Aorii at 14:23, 5 November 2017

2017-11-05T14:23:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 5 November 2017
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	Lydia wasn't sure which cottage she should use out of the dozens before her eyes. Most of the crews have settled into their rudimentary dwellings already: small, single-room log cabins with ~~sloping,~~ packed earth on three ~~sides~~ and a stone exterior wall on the last for ~~extra~~ warmth. But despite ten minutes of looking around, she had yet to find the other two girls on her own wagon team.		Lydia wasn't sure which cottage she should use out of the dozens before her eyes. Most of the crews have settled into their rudimentary dwellings already: small, single-room log cabins with packed earth on three flanks and a stone exterior wall on the last for warmth. But despite ten minutes of looking around, she had yet to find the other two girls on her own wagon team.

	She had just returned to the mid-camp intersection when she heard a feminine voice in foreigned baritone:		She had just returned to the mid-camp intersection when she heard a feminine voice in foreigned baritone:
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	"''Fucking bottom''."		"''Fucking bottom''."

	The illusion cleared to reveal ten solid blocks of fresh cavalry reserves, all readied in formation with the Great Khan's banners flying.		The illusion cleared to reveal ten solid blocks of fresh cavalry reserves, all readied in formation with the Great Khan's banners flying. Dozens of giant golden eagles took off into the air with hunters upon their backs. Meanwhile a faint mirage of the Eastlings' holy mountain rose behind them, a telling sign of their ''Burkhan Kahldun'' ritual army blessing.

	The Polisian commanders had thought that the northern perimeter was the weak point in the encirclement. They had even confirmed by examining the area with scrying spells. But instead, they had enthusiastically flung themselves into yet another Eastling trap.		The Polisian commanders had thought that the northern perimeter was the weak point in the encirclement. They had even confirmed by examining the area with scrying spells. But instead, they had enthusiastically flung themselves into yet another Eastling trap.

	The nomads' reinforcements weren't there to stop them from escaping. No, ~~they~~ would form the anvil ~~behind them~~ while this massive hammer of ten thousand cavalry crashed down upon ~~their~~ front.		The nomads' reinforcements weren't there to stop them from escaping. No, those men would form the anvil while this massive hammer of ten thousand cavalry crashed down upon the front.

Aorii at 14:12, 22 October 2017

2017-10-22T14:12:44Z

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Aorii at 12:43, 2 August 2017

2017-08-02T12:43:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:43, 2 August 2017
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	She did not meet the healer's gaze. Most Samarans have a keen sense of intuition. And while her response wasn't exactly dishonest, it wasn't the whole truth either.		She did not meet the healer's gaze. Most Samarans have a keen sense of intuition. And while her response wasn't exactly dishonest, it wasn't the whole truth either.

	With her weary, faded eyes hidden behind a veil of tears, Lydia glanced about at what remained of her makeshift assault force. Her 'battalion' had swelled to ~~nearly two~~ thousand by the time she destroyed the hilltop command post. But now, as they rode through the prairie painted orange by the dusk light, less than ~~eleven~~ hundred or so remained.		With her weary, faded eyes hidden behind a veil of tears, Lydia glanced about at what remained of her makeshift assault force. Her 'battalion' had swelled to over a thousand by the time she destroyed the hilltop command post. But now, as they rode through the prairie painted orange by the dusk light, less than seven hundred or so remained.

	Yet somehow, they had fought their way out when the main breakout failed.		Yet somehow, they had fought their way out when the main breakout failed.

	~~Eleven~~ hundred... out of an army of ''fifty-four thousand''.		Seven hundred... out of an army of ''fifty-four thousand''.

	Tears fell down her cheeks as Lydia thought of what she had just lost, for a second time.		Tears fell down her cheeks as Lydia thought of what she had just lost, for a second time.

Aorii at 12:38, 2 August 2017

2017-08-02T12:38:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 9 December 2017
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	Lydia stayed despondent in bed for two days and two nights after receiving the dreadful news, hugging Aleksei's favorite jacket stuffed with his pillow. She ate nothing and spoke to no one, her blank gaze unmoving even when her own crying mother begged her to eat something.		Lydia stayed despondent in bed for two days and two nights after receiving the dreadful news, hugging Aleksei's favorite jacket stuffed with his pillow. She ate nothing and spoke to no one, her blank gaze unmoving even when her own crying mother begged her to eat something.

	It felt like everything that had made her life worth living had died with him. Only a painful, gaping void remained inside the heart that once filled with joy ~~and purpose~~.		It felt like everything that had made her life worth living had died with him. Only a painful, gaping void remained inside the heart that was once filled with love and joy.

	The lack of food and water slowly drove her towards delirium, yet the grieving girl did not mind, for only in dreams and delusions could she see Aleksei once more. There, she could smile again as they ate another meal together, or walked arm-in-arm through the snow together, or feel his fingers absentmindedly play with her hair as they sat studying together...		The lack of food and water slowly drove her towards delirium, yet the grieving girl did not mind, for only in dreams and delusions could she see Aleksei once more. There, she could smile again as they ate another meal together, or walked arm-in-arm through the snow together, or feel his fingers absentmindedly play with her hair as they sat studying together...
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	They betrayed the bottomless agony that only a father who had just lost all three of his sons could experience.		They betrayed the bottomless agony that only a father who had just lost all three of his sons could experience.

	He was also in uniform, the same white-and-azure design that Aleksei ~~had~~ wore before he rode off to war. Radomir was just over ninety, which for a mage puts him in the final years of his adult prime. He was a veteran of the last war fought nearly thirty years ago, which showed as a Major's insignia on his shoulders. The only reason he hadn't left for the front already was because he had been on a diplomatic mission to the Inner Sea Imperium, returning only earlier this week.		He was also in uniform, the same white-and-azure design that Aleksei wore before he rode off to war. Radomir was just over ninety, which for a mage puts him in the final years of his adult prime. He was a veteran of the last war fought nearly thirty years ago, which showed as a Major's insignia on his shoulders. The only reason he hadn't left for the front already was because he had been on a diplomatic mission to the Inner Sea Imperium, returning only earlier this week.

	"My son did not wed a ''useless woman'' capable of only weeping in bed!" He growled at her before slamming a piece of paper upon her comforter-covered lap. "If you cannot accept the fact that he is gone, then at least do ''something'' about it! Take up arms! Take revenge! See that my son did not fight and die in vain!"		"My son did not wed a ''useless woman'' capable of only weeping in bed!" He growled at her before slamming a piece of paper upon her comforter-covered lap. "If you cannot accept the fact that he is gone, then at least do ''something'' about it! Take up arms! Take revenge! See that my son did not fight and die in vain!"
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	Her hands then returned to the handlbars, and she relaxed the tension built across her body with another deep breath.		Her hands then returned to the handlbars, and she relaxed the tension built across her body with another deep breath.

	Ever since she was a child, Lydia had realized that she was easily agitated by her surroundings. While other kids craved attention or sought thrills, Lydia felt the heat of every stare and overreacted to every ~~frightful~~ surprise. Her 'hysteria' -- as other parents unkindly named it -- made her the favored target of every childish prank. As a result, her parents began teaching her how to keep calm at an early age.		Ever since she was a child, Lydia had realized that she was easily agitated by her surroundings. While other kids craved attention or sought thrills, Lydia felt the heat of every stare and overreacted to every surprise. Her 'hysteria' -- as other parents unkindly named it -- made her the favored target of every childish prank. As a result, her parents began teaching her how to keep calm at an early age.

	Now, she constructed another protective bubble around herself, to briefly isolate herself from the world for a moment of idyllic peace. The warmth of Aleksei's chest came to mind as her inner self snugged into her oasis, and a tear fell from her closed eyes as waves of bittersweet nostalgia drowned out every other feeling.		Now, she constructed another protective bubble around herself, to briefly isolate herself from the world for a moment of idyllic peace. The warmth of Aleksei's chest came to mind as her inner self snugged into her oasis, and a tear fell from her closed eyes as waves of bittersweet nostalgia drowned out every other feeling.
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	"Gossip sure travels fast around here..."		"Gossip sure travels fast around here..."

	Lydia tried to look stern, though her expression came out more dour than anything else. The girl had meant it in a positive way, yet Lydia couldn't help but remember the countless whispers ~~from~~ behind her back over the years.		Lydia tried to look stern, though her expression came out more dour than anything else. The girl had meant it in a positive way, yet Lydia couldn't help but remember the countless whispers behind her back over the years, when other aristocrats in Aleksei's social circles called her everything from 'bedservant' to 'wallflower'.

	<nowiki>'</nowiki>''Who wouldn't want a cute, young bride?''<nowiki>'</nowiki> Her insecurity always resurrected that mocking murmur she overheard during her own wedding. <nowiki>'</nowiki>''All the easier to control when she's just a servant.''<nowiki>'</nowiki>		The more she heard such negative prejudice, the more she retreated behind his protective shadow when meeting anyone except his trusted friends. It only made the sun more glaring now that he was gone.

	There was little truth to it, as Aleksei often valued her opinions. However the more of his social circles she encountered, the more she found her introverted nature compared to a 'Wallflower'; and the more she heard such negative prejudice, the more she retreated behind his protective shadow when meeting anyone except his trusted friends...

	It only made the sun more glaring now that ~~she~~ was ~~forced back out~~.

	"Sorry, Milady," Lydia's reverie broke as the taller girl spoke. She was in her early twenties with brown hair, a modest height, and two pimple-laden cheeks beneath her dim, sleep-deprived eyes. "It wasn't her intention to remind you of your loss."		"Sorry, Milady," Lydia's reverie broke as the taller girl spoke. She was in her early twenties with brown hair, a modest height, and two pimple-laden cheeks beneath her dim, sleep-deprived eyes. "It wasn't her intention to remind you of your loss."
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	"TO YOUR POSITIONS!" The infantry officers added their own cries. "CROSSBOWS SHOOT AT WILL!"		"TO YOUR POSITIONS!" The infantry officers added their own cries. "CROSSBOWS SHOOT AT WILL!"

	~~"FIGHT WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! FIGHT ''FOR YOUR LIVES!''"~~

	Lydia pulled the trigger as soon as she heard the telltale 'click' from the windlass. Another bolt launched from the flight groove and arced into a horse-archer squad. But this time, the projectile struck an invisible ward and its rune detonated prematurely, enshrouding the air in a cloud of flames but leaving the horsemen untouched.		Lydia pulled the trigger as soon as she heard the telltale 'click' from the windlass. Another bolt launched from the flight groove and arced into a horse-archer squad. But this time, the projectile struck an invisible ward and its rune detonated prematurely, enshrouding the air in a cloud of flames but leaving the horsemen untouched.
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	It took but forty seconds for the magazine to empty again, its contents soaring out to pluck lives with their deadly steel tips.		It took but forty seconds for the magazine to empty again, its contents soaring out to pluck lives with their deadly steel tips.

	"Full turn! Double back!" Lydia cried while Sasha loaded yet another cartridge~~. They were about to leave the sector with the heaviest fighting, where she was most needed~~.		"Full turn! Double back!" Lydia cried while Sasha loaded yet another cartridge.

	She gripped the Tachanka's side as the vehicle took a sharp bank, then settled on a reciprocal heading to avoid collision as the ammunition wagon rode up.		She gripped the Tachanka's side as the vehicle took a sharp bank, then settled on a reciprocal heading to avoid collision as the ammunition wagon rode up.

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	Anger flashed in his eyes as the Major continued to huff out clouds in the cold. He stared across ranks of new recruits as though daring them to say otherwise.		Anger flashed in his eyes as the Major continued to huff out clouds in the cold. He stared across ranks of new recruits as though daring them to say otherwise.

	"Caspi, Astra, and now Terek! We should have the advantage in both men and materiel. We should be attacking and punishing this so-called 'Imperium of the Great Khan' for their transgressions and barbarism! Yet we're the ones losing! One defeat after another! Nearly three hundred thousand dead to an invasion force of less than fifty thousand! It's a disaster! An absolute, fucking disgrace!"		"Caspi, Astra, and now Terek! We should have the advantage in both men and materiel. We should be attacking and punishing this so-called 'Imperium of the Great Khan' for their transgressions and barbarism! Yet we're the ones losing! One defeat after another! Nearly three hundred thousand dead to an invasion force of less than fifty thousand! It's a disaster! An absolute, ''fucking'' disgrace!"

	He pulled off the wool cap with his only hand -- his left forearm was missing altogether -- and crumbled it before throwing it against the ground.		He pulled off the wool cap with his only hand -- his left forearm was missing altogether -- and crumbled it before throwing it against the ground.
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	"Liliya! Look! East-by-southeast!"		"Liliya! Look! East-by-southeast!"

	Kalya's cry summoned Lydia's attention back to the dry grasslands outside the wagon ring. Then, as they passed another gap between the heavy wagons, she saw the unusual sight.		Kalya's excited cry summoned Lydia's attention back to the dry grasslands outside the wagon ring. Then, as they passed another gap between the heavy wagons, she saw the unusual sight.

	There was a small grassy knoll over a kilopace to their east, and upon its peak stood a few dozen dismounted troops. Several of those soldiers just lowered billowing grass-green flags and raised red banners with unknown symbols in their stead.		There was a small grassy knoll over a kilopace to their east, and upon its peak stood a few dozen dismounted troops. Several of those soldiers just lowered billowing grass-green flags and raised red banners with unknown symbols in their stead.
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	"That's a forward command post!?"		"That's a forward command post!?"

	"It has to be!" Kalya ~~confirmed~~. "And their defending cavalry is riding off!"		"It has to be!" Kalya concurred. "And their defending cavalry is riding off!"

	Sure enough, the three-hundred-some cavalry kept in reserve at the bottom of the hill were heading north as they spoke. The enemy commanders must have learned of General Kurakin's breakout and were redeploying forces in response.		Sure enough, the three-hundred-some cavalry kept in reserve at the bottom of the hill were heading north as they spoke. The enemy commanders must have learned of General Kurakin's breakout and were redeploying forces in response.
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	"We have to attack their command and draw their attention away from the main breakout!" She decided. "If our main cavalry strength is destroyed, then there is no hope left for anyone!"		"We have to attack their command and draw their attention away from the main breakout!" She decided. "If our main cavalry strength is destroyed, then there is no hope left for anyone!"

	She exchanged looks with both Sasha and Kalya, both knowing just what her demand would entail. To draw the nomads' attention after leaving the wagon ring was tantamount to ~~jumping~~ into the fire. It was very likely that none of them would come back out of it alive.		She exchanged looks with both Sasha and Kalya, both knowing just what her demand would entail. To draw the nomads' attention after leaving the wagon ring was tantamount to leaping into the fire. It was very likely that none of them would come back out of it alive.

	"Dead or alive Liliya, we're with you till the end," declared Kalya, the youngest of them at barely eighteen.		"Dead or alive Liliya, we're with you till the end," declared Kalya, the youngest of them at barely eighteen.
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	"TACHANKA!" Lydia bellowed to those behind her as Kalya slowed their vehicle in preparation.		"TACHANKA!" Lydia bellowed to those behind her as Kalya slowed their vehicle in preparation.

	"REMEMBER YOUR OATHS! REMEMBER YOUR HATRED! ''THE DEAD DEMAND VENGEANCE!'' AND THERE WE SHALL HAVE IT!"		"REMEMBER YOUR OATHS! REMEMBER YOUR HATRED! ''THE DEAD DEMAND VENGEANCE!''" She drew her arming sword and slashed it towards the hill. "AND THERE WE SHALL HAVE IT!"

	"FORM UP FOR ATTACK!"		"FORM UP FOR ATTACK!"
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	Looking ahead, she noticed that the Eastlings' cavalry was completely out of position now. Only a few squads of harassing horse-archers stood between them and the grassy hill.		Looking ahead, she noticed that the Eastlings' cavalry was completely out of position now. Only a few squads of harassing horse-archers stood between them and the grassy hill.

	"FOR OUR FAMILIES! FOR OUR HOMELANDS!" Lydia ~~drew~~ her ~~arming~~ sword ~~and flourished it~~ in the air. "CHARGE!"		"FOR OUR FAMILIES! FOR OUR HOMELANDS!" Lydia flourished her sword in the air. "CHARGE!"