November 3rd 4296

Lynn stood at the base of the hill, gazing down sadly at the stone rectangle. Slowly, she knelt down and slid a hand across the words.

In Memory of the First to Fall in 4296

Phalos Braun

Justin Richards

Serge Donack

Jonathan Hughes

David Williams

For their bravery till the end, we salute them.

“I’m sorry,” Lynn said softly, her voice caught up in the cold winter wind. “I’m sorry that my mistake cost you your lives. You were all great men, good friends, good soldiers. God I’m going to miss you.” A tear snuck its way down and landed on the memorial stone. “I wish you were here Serge, so you could give me advice on what to do. And I wish Justin and Phalos were here to brighten up the serious mood now that the war has fully set in. I wish I could watch you duel each other while Hughes laughs and makes bets on the winner.” She paused, and her hand rested on the last name. “And Williams, I’m sorry that I doubted you, that I thought you had betrayed me. I’d give anything to have your grouchy self back here at my side. I’ll need a good second in command in the upcoming times.”

“James and I are getting married,” she said, knowing it was foolish to talk to the stone. “I know that you all wanted it. His men told me how at Hillsones you tried so hard to push the two of us together. So I would have to say that your efforts paid off in the end. I love him, and he loves me. I’ve finally found my place in the world. My only regret is that you aren’t here, that you won’t be able to see the end of what we’ve started. I’m so sorry.”

With that she set down the white lily that she’d brought onto the memorial and rose. Her gaze swept over the white landscape leading up to the castle of Mersis. The light sprinkling of snow coated the world in white, causing everything to sparkle. Her eyes landed on the other memorial stones, testaments to the other wars that had been fought by this country and the one that had come before.

“You shouldn’t be out here, you’ll catch a cold,” James said, slipping a fur lined black cloak over her shoulders.

“I needed to come down and see it,” Lynn replied, reaching for his hand. It closed around hers, offering her comfort.

“They were good men.”

“They were. It’s my fault they’re dead.”

“No, it isn’t,” James said, turning her towards him. “What happened was not your fault. They died because of a tyrant who wants nothing more than to destroy us. They died defending what they believed in. They died with honor.”

Lynn understood everything he said, but in her heart she would always carry the blame for what had transpired. “Have you heard any news?”

“All’s quiet on near the wall. For all we know it could be over.”

“But it’s not,” Lynn said, looking out at the horizon. The sun was beginning it’s slow dance down, casting the faintest hint of red on the snow.

She looked up at him and smiled. It was a smile of promise, a fierce pride and determination. “It’s only just begun.”

Well, I hope that you enjoyed Lynn's tale. I wonder who comes next in the story:) -Liz