Enemy at the gates

[Abacathea]

ENEMY AT THE GATES: THE ABYDOS PERSPECTIVE.

Sun had risen in the City of Abydos. The Lord and ruler of Abydos Lord North slumbered deeply in his chambers, the changing of the guard taking place outside his door had become so commonplace now the footsteps and lances hitting the tiled corridors sounded like mere raindrops on the courtyard outside now, barely enough to rouse a ruler from their slumber. The large chamber was beautifully decorated with colors of the warmest reds, softest blues and shimmering golds. The room was simple, and lightly decorated, yet still managed to ooze royalty.

Down in the center of Abydos, the day watch had taken up their shift and were already patrolling the town. Marching in pairs of two throughout the city, the day watch were essentially the community guards of the city. They knew almost every citizen despite the large population, and would regularly stop and chat to those who passed them by. The city knew them and they it. It was a good understanding.

In the barracks to the back of the palace slept the Elites. Abydos was a city essentially closed to itself, it had escaped wars, famine and death by virtue of these "Elites". The elders of Abydos had long ago discovered the Temple of Ra hidden within its borders. They had made a deal with the great god who had bestowed upon the city the knowledge of shapeshifting in order to protect those who in turn protected the temple's home. The Elites had been given this gift in their adolescent years and trained to master the craft as well as war techniques, becoming a vital task force to Lord Abacathea. Whilst rarely called out, they were always ready, alert and vigilant.

The door knocked, hard. Abacathea rising from his slumber beckoned in the caller, a messenger boy running with a note. "They march soon." It was scribbled in the handwriting of Lord Ravenclaw. Lord Abacathea didn't waste a moment. Getting dressed he headed straight for the throne room and summoned his advisers. He beckoned forth a guard. "Make way to Alexandria post haste. Use any means. I want to know what's happening. Now!". The guard bowed and left the chambers without haste.

"Damancus" said Lord North, wake the elites. They may be needed. Abydos, may be going to war.

[Abacathea]

ENEMY AT THE GATES: AND SO IT WENT...

The elite barracks was jostled into life by a messenger bursting through the doors. "Otep, his Lordship has ordered wheels up in twenty". The messenger was promptly assaulted with a shoe to the face. "I told you to stop reading those damned foreign hieroglyphs now get out!". Turning to the dazed and confused men slowly rousing from their slumber, Rafael's granite voice rumbled through the room. "Armour on gents, seems we have a situation".

The city of Abydos was most beautiful in the morning. The red sun shooting beams of light through the cobbled streets warming everything in the most beautiful of hues. Even the walls that surrounded the vast territory of Abydos seemed warm and inviting at this time. The sea to the east sparkling as if it were composed of millions of little blue and white stars, and the statues of 20 foot tall stone beasts that nestled each and every city gate looked almost friendly and pet like. The citizens had begun to fill the streets and already the laughter of small children danced down the road like a carnival of street performers, making everyone smile that encountered it. At the palace however, things were taking a more serious turn.

It is said, that one hundred soldiers marching in perfect timing and rhythm across a bridge will cause enough vibrations to destroy the structure, if there is any truth to this, it's a feat the palace didn't turn to rubble as the 250 strong Elite Guard made their way to the palace. Lord North stepped outside, scowling at Damanacus, "Did you really need to bring them all?". The messenger went deathly quiet. Lord North caught the eye of Otep and nodded, the nod was returned in kind as the force took a knee and awaited command.

"Send word to the gate guardians, stone shatters at the first sign of trouble, but not before, lest we worry the realm". Otep nodded once again and a member of the ranks broke off and headed into the city without a word.

"And as for us?" said Otep, his voice rumbling even in the open air of the courtyard.
"I don't want bloodshed, and if it must be done, I'd rather it by the sword than by the paw, but we'll see how things progress. Ra has been good to us, those who slumber at the gates will not be an easy challenge, and those who miraculously make it through, will never hit the city alive, this much I promise you. That said, Lord Ravenclaw could be in trouble. I suggest you all go and feed, you'll need your strength for the process...".

Otep looked grim and turned to the assembled men,
"You heard the man, fill your stomachs and prepare your muscles, they may ache before this day is out".

[Abacathea]

ENEMY AT THE GATES: CRACKS IN THE STONE

By midday the sun was sitting high in the sky over Abydos, the markets bustled, the breeze shifting in from the south keeping everyone cool as it always did, and life carried on, none the wiser that somewhere, lives were about to be snuffed out. Such was the way of things in the world. Those in power tore each other asunder, and those without it either remained happily ignorant to it, or got caught in the crossfire.

A trumpet rifled the air, one hundred foot soldiers marched down the Northern Walkway led by a soldier riding the fabled Abydos tigers, all armor clad, the solider taking point wearing a different, bulkier armor from the rest. They were a sight to behold. These men were rarely seen in their current form, but they wore it with pride and professionalism to rival any other military force. As they made their way out the Northern "Pharaohs" Gate, one could be forgiven for thinking the man patting the statue had gone a little crazy, especially given cracks were starting to form in the stone. But it didn't help his case that he appeared to have said laughing "be patient, not yet.".